Some years ago, the problem of wanting to go along some of the well known, and not so well known, off road tracks, (eg.) firm sandy beaches etc, was solved for me by a firm in Jolimont, WA.
Our RV at the time was a Mazda "pop top" with a four cylinder diesel donk. My partner really wanted to travel on many of the roads I had driven many years prior, as a truckie. She was all for "going bush", but with care. I had no intention of buying a 4X4, as the roads were improving every year, so...I asked the folks at the diff' place if there was any chance of fitting a "locking diff" to the Mazda. "No worries" was the reply.
As a young bloke, I spent a long time shifting oil rigs, etc around Australias deserts, and had a good idea just how far I could rely on the new diff'. and it was marvellous. There's no way would it replace a 4X4. The steering on the Mazda was slightly heavier, but the traction we had was very useful in soft country. Please don't think that a "locking diff" is the answer to going just anywhere off road in a conventional drive RV, because it isn't.
The thing is that if you find yourself in bother with slippery conditions, or sand, combined with lowering tyre pressures, and gentle engine revs, you can get out of trouble. And no, I didn't attempt cross the Simpson desert. I was paid to do that, 25 years earlier. The diff' they fitted was called a, "Detroit Locker"
Yes I agree with what you are saying if you know what you are doing you can take a two wheel any where diff lock and a good winch and other recovery gear as long as you are willing to walk away if can not afford the recovery cost if you blow a motor or wreck a gear box because I do not know of an insurance company that will cover a 2 wheel being used as a 4x4. But I could be wrong.
i also believe if you do get into a sticky situation that is unavoidable stick to the water, dont go around the edges, that is where you will get stuck. if there is water the the base it is firm and it also keeps your tread clean.
i also believe if you do get into a sticky situation that is unavoidable stick to the water, dont go around the edges, that is where you will get stuck. if there is water the the base it is firm and it also keeps your tread clean.
Gday...
Good advice dandelion. BUT ... be aware that the surface covered by the water just may have wheel ruts and a 'crown' caused by others who have driven through before you and/or when the water was 'drying out' and the mud became churned up. It is easy in those circumstances to either loose traction as the underbody slides along the crown - or worse still - the diff/s get hung up on the crown.
If in doubt, one should always get out and walk through the water and ensure the base is trafficable for YOUR vehicle. Better to get wet feet than to have to lie on ya belly in the mud and water wif a shovel diggin' the mud away from in front of the diffs
[edit: and a 2 wheel drive, driven sensibly and thoughtfully, often will get through. Remember, it is the nut holding the steering wheel that often makes the difference in getting through or not )
cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 17th of June 2012 10:18:00 AM
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Yep as I said you can take a 2 wheel anywhere as long you can afford it in the days of the red X and some of the fund raising runs you can do it as long as your veh is set up for it.
-- Edited by gst on Sunday 17th of June 2012 05:14:40 PM
-- Edited by gst on Sunday 17th of June 2012 05:15:10 PM
For inspiration ... a 2wd petrol T2 kombi going to the cape on the overland telegraph track. It can be done but even this one is not wearing regular road tyres. http://youtu.be/WBXRlmnSdL0
