|
|
The ComboGrip
With Bill Johnston When hitting the trails, there are always a few
things that go with you. Most folks will pack a first aid kit, a small
tool kit and a fire extinguisher. The first two are normally flat bottomed
and easy to pack away safely, but what about the fire extinguisher? The
flimsy plastic 'holder' that comes with it usually breaks on the first
trip and sends it bouncing around inside the rig (if your lucky). How many
folks do you know that have just stashed it away under the seat where you
can't get at it? Or even worse, they have it attached to the roll cage
with a large hose clamp? If there is an emergency, you have to scramble
for a screwdriver!
Direct Effect Enterprises (DEE) makes a product that securely mounts
the fire extinguisher within reach of everyone in the vehicle, and gives
you a place to hang onto when the trails get a bit tippy. The ComboGrip
can fit just about any sport cage with 35" of bar available. There is
no welding, wrenching or getting dirty involved in this installation. You
just strap it on and go!
|
|
 The entire product is made from heavy duty
webbing that can take the torture that we normally see on the trail. Three
levels of retaining straps secure the extinguisher in place while keeping
it out of the way. The hand grips aren't just sewn on to the main section,
they actually wrap around the bar. Your not going to just pull these
things loose!
|
|
 We first installed the ComboGrip on a stock
roll bar. It can be installed with or without the roll bar cover in place.
The ComboGrip is fully adjustable and made to fit the diameter of most
sports bars. If you decide to leave the roll
bar cover in place, you will need to loosen the bar to get some room to
slide the product into place. |
|
We used two different sizes of fire extinguishers to show
just how versatile this mounting system is. When I talked with Direct
Effect Enterprises, I was told that this was probably one of the most
'over engineered' pieces of offroad equipment you will find on the market.
The attention to detail is amazing, so I guess they were right.

 Next we installed it on a stock roll bar that has been augmented with
front and rear sections to make a full six point cage. In this case the
cover had been removed during the installation of the cage. This gave more
room for the webbing to slide down near the targa bar.
|
|
Let's talk about strength... d'ya
think this is tough enough? I'm not floating over the seats folks... all
210+ pounds are supported by standing in the hand grips! I wasn't worried
whether they would hold me - the way this thing is built would have held
up under much more stress than I could give out, I was more concerned
about keeping my balance. Next we will be heading to the trails for
some 'real world' testing. Keep an eye out for the review. |
|
DEE also make a smaller version with one grab
handle for places where there isn't a full 35" of bar available. And
if you only need a grab handle by itself, they make one of those also. You
can fully dress out your rig with handles at every corner if that's what
you need.
|
|
|
Source:
Direct Effect Enterprises
www.combogrip.com
combogrip@cs.com
1-800-792-9897
|