Message Forums

I Love My 4 x 4

I can terrify on coming saloon cars on single track roads!

Full stop !

Quote: Originally posted by fulabeer on 13/4/2009

---

Quote: Originally posted by jaiash on 13/4/2009

---

"This is wrong, as any 4 wheel drive vehicle (off roader type or saloon) will be safer in all types of bad weather conditions."

Do you think this is also true of emergency braking? (in a 4x4 - not 4wd salon)

---

A heavier tow car would help avoid a jack knife situation surely?(regardless of it being 4x4 or a saloon)

A 4x4s higher centre of gravity may count against it in certain situations, but i'm happier with my current car.

As for my bad weather comments.

As i was trying to point out that a 4 wheel drive "vehicle" it going to be safer or offer more stability/traction during bad weather.

Many saloon type cars come with 4 wheel drive, and are better suited to towing because of it.

Front wheel drive is very common these days but it is not ideal for towing.

It takes good clutch control to avoid either spinning the front wheels or burning the clutch.

Even light rain on tarmac can drastically alter the way a front wheel drive car tows.(never mind grass/mud/snow)

I tried a normal front wheel drive saloon after reading comments on here, and trying to be greener.

It didn't take long to wish i had a 4x4, or at least a heavier tow car.(maybe a MPV etc)

Some people are just anti 4x4 and that's that. ( i don't like cats but i don't abuse people who do!)

But how can people argue that 4x4s don't offer benefits above a normal car?

I suppose a higher driving position isn't an important safety advantage?

As for the silly comments about my "solid" rig being more dangerous...

Just because my ar*e end isn't bobbing about doesn't mean i'm in any more danger that the guy who's near the limit rig is!

If i go too fast then even my rig would start to wobble/snake, so are you saying that only then will i be safer as i know what my rigs doing???

Everything has a safety margin.

Drive like an idiot and no safety margin will help you.

But with normal safe driving, a heavier tow car with good traction will allow more control should the unexpected happen.

I've tried both types of vehicle, and i know which is better suited for my needs.

I find it very sad that certain members here have nothing better to do than shoot down people who are just expressing an opinion or trying to help fellow members.

Snowy was trying to help, only to be abused.

I stopped posting on this forum for this very reason.

Maybe i made a mistake returning...

 

 

 

---

Jesus!!! Ask a simple question - geta tirade!  Drive what you like - most people do!

I asked a simple question which it seems hasn't been answered in a simple way.

jaiash,

My response was for several people, so sorry if you think it was aimed just at you...

As mentioned, due to certain members having pot shots, i mistakenly took your post as having a go. (again sorry if you wasn't)

I have a small 4x4 as a towcar. Strange that we seem to now have the "large 4x4" attitude appearing as the only way to tow. My 4x4 has the following advantages over many saloon cars for towing:

• 4 wheel drive for those occasions when conditions are bad, not just on muddy fields but also in snow and ice.
• Reasonable mpg: 37-8 normal driving, 33-35 towing.
• Low top speed, with the consequence that gearing is lower
• Large wide tyres which do not sink into soft ground
• Full size spare wheel
• Towing weight ratio of 56%
• Rear brake drums for parking instead of relying on the disks. (Drum brakes are better for holding on hills than disk brakes)
• Traction control

In addition running costs are very low:

• 5 years unlimited mileage warranty
• 5 years free servicing
• long tyre life, probably about 50,000 miles
• 3 years free RAC European Cover
• £230 comp insurance
• £210 road tax

In the last two years the only thing I have bought for the car is a bottle of car polish and some windscreen wash.

So, why not a 4x4?

'If i go too fast then even my rig would start to wobble/snake, so are you saying that only then will i be safer as i know what my rigs doing???'

Its called attitude of mind.  Research has proven that as cars get safer drivers feel safer and take more risks.  Someone driving a solid well protected vehicle will take a chance in a situation where someone on a motorbike may not.  Just because the towcar feels solid doesn't mean the van isn't swinging around.  Its always better to have as stable an outfit as possible.

I am not sure why you think people are taking potshots, when they are just making their own contributions.  Its a forum - they are allowed to.  We use a 4x4 ourselves and are not anti 4x4, but where there ar plusses there are always the odd things to bear in mind. 

Brian

Quote: Originally posted by jaiash on 13/4/2009

---

Do you think this is also true of emergency braking? (in a 4x4 - not 4wd salon)

---

I saw some tests a year or two back on TV showing that 4x4s tend to brake as well as a saloon up to around 30-40mph but significantly worse above that.

Cheers
Andrew

Oops - a duplicate

 

4x4's are better in a Police chase too!

Clicky Thing

Another reason for ditching my Shogun was that it had no ABS, and being a heavy vehicle I found it difficult to stop it on a very steep downhill muddy single track lane when I was doing about 10 mph and rounded a bend to find a saloon car hurtling towards me up the hill.

It's a shame there isn't an in-between choice for heavy caravans - somewhere between the quoted choice of saloon car at nearly 100% and the 4 x 4 at around 60%.

Something like 85% - that seems like a nice round in-between sort of figure?

Why did I have a 4x4 all this time?? part two coming soon ! Ali you maybe right after a week away

Ben

Romany Guys on drugs

You asked a question and got genuine replys don't get arsy just because the answers didn't suit you, as with any statistic and so called facts you can make a case to suit what ever you require the only legal way to check your combination is the same way as a roadside police check will ie read your vehicle plate and axle weights and check those against your van as each vehicle varies slightly. You may be fine there again you might not.

So called facts???

I have the car here facts are facts

Wake up !

So annoying

Hi all would just like to say i have towed 4 diff vans with 6 diff vehicles and yes my omega 2.5 was good and so was my musso,s but none compare to the pajero that i now tow with for feeling safe, i never tow over 55 mph and just love towing with the pajero, it does use more fuel than most cars but to be honest the omega petrol was worse.

if you got a heavy van you need to make sure it stops so a heavy vehicle is needed and that norm means a 4x4 because they are heavy and their clutch is nice and big and dont slip on wet grass.

its very interesting reading the car drivers compare or argue with 4x4 drivers lol just use what is needed and get on with it. but do try a pajero they really are great lol.

We have had 3 Fronteras and now have a Sorento, also owned a LR Series 3 and Classic Range Rover ( Off road toys- occasional towing only). No way do we want to go back to a standard car to tow.

Our Sorrie is probably bigger than we need in terms of % match but is so stable, pulls like a train and is not bad on fuel.

The high driving position is good too.

If tree hugging envirinmentalists don't like it , their problem.We both work hard, pay our taxes so spend our money how we choose! ( No kids either!!)

In terms of replacement would consider a Freelander 2 CRV , X trail or Volvo XC 70 as all are ok for our van.

BUT a good used Range Rover Sport or Land Cruiser is very appealing as they are getting affordable and I love them!!

Its all down to personal choice.

Oh Bordercaz, if you were doing 10 mph on a muddy track, use low ratio  and low gear then you will find it won't slide and stops easily! ( Joys of proper 4 x 4!)

Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 21/4/2009

---

 Oh Bordercaz, if you were doing 10 mph on a muddy track, use low ratio  and low gear then you will find it won't slide and stops easily! ( Joys of proper 4 x 4!)

---

Should have told me that before it happened - never thought to use 4 wheel drive on the public highway.  The beast has gone now anyway - sold it two years ago and went back to a car.