The term “mogul” is from the Bavarian/Austrian German word Mugel, meaning “mound, hillock”.

In a 4WDriving sense the term mogul encapsulates a hole as well as a mound – giving a double whammy, washing off forward momentum, losing traction, and eventually bogging if the vehicle doesn’t have sufficient suspension travel.

Moguls are caused by incorrect (too high) tyre pressure and inappropriate application of power.

Another factor in the creation of moguls is a lack of wheel travel. As vehicles hit the first bump the tyre comes down and tends to scallop out the sand.

Finally, wheel spin when forward momentum is lost will contribute to the creation of moguls. Open diffs  contribute to them being offset.

When the sand is dry and loose crosswinds may be a factor in scalloping out a hole.

Each successive vehicle that loses grip as they negotiate moguls exacerbates the situation, causing more and deeper moguls.

Track repair with a spade can make a huge difference to the ease of negotiating an obstacle associated with offset moguls.

 

© Kim Epton and Zeljko Zagorac 2024
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