Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
What % of time in 4WD? What % of time in 4WD?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Nov 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 30
What % of time in 4WD?
I know this is akin to the length of a piece of string but, assuming you managed to avoid the worst of the rainy seasons, and you were in a 4wd truck with the option to deselect 4WD...
How much time would you guess would NEED to be spent in 4WD on say a trip from Morocco to Cape town, visiting national parks but not deliberatly looking for probs / off piste?

Big generalisations I know, but have a stab.
Steve
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kent, Uk
Posts: 391
My Guesstiate
This is a really tuff one - somewhere between, 20-60%, time spent in the desrt/sahara will of course give you a figure towqards the top end.

Regards

Chris
__________________
ChrisC
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
in an underpowered 2.25 series 2A landrover....
less than 1% in the Sahara (Libya, Algeria, Niger, Maroc). 4X4 is engaged in sandy sections when the vehicle is clearly slowing down. At other times its actually better in 2x4.

As for the rest of Africa, on dirt roads in the rainy season in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique - more like 30% - often for directional control.

On rocky stretches of bad, bad, piste such as NW Namibia (Kaokoland, Maroc), low range is useful even if 4x4 isn't needed for the traction.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Nov 2006
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
2wd
Recently there've been a few 2WD vehicles that drove down (and back up the east side). Meaning that, you don't really need 4WD at all.

Looking back, of the around 30.000 km I did, there where around 600km's I really wouldn't like to start on without 4WD that are difficult to avoid (but some did and got trough nevertheless). You do want ground clearance, large tyres and a sturdy vehicle though.

One of the advantages of 4WD is that you can get slowly trough rough sections. That's less risks and less strain on the vehicle.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: France
Posts: 353
Not much
Hi,
In 7months and 30000 km around west Africa in an Iveco Daily 4x4 in think we spent about 4 days actually in 4wd, but as it's a part time 4wd with no diff between front and back, you have to take it out of 4wd the moment you're on hard ground.
We must have spent another 3 or 4 days with the hubs locked just in case we needed to throw it into 4wd.
We took in the Banc d'Arguin on the way south, but the tar on the way back (boring!!!)
The rest of the time 2wd was fine.
In Mori we convoyed with a 2wd Ford transit and a Citroen van. The tranny had NO trouble in the park, although the guide had him keep up a fair speed; the Citroen struggled.
As Robbert says, 4wd allows you to take it easier, and gives added peace of mind. RWD will do though.

That's not counting the week we spent playing between Erg Chebbi end the Alg border, which wasn't on the route. How essential it was for the trip is more of a psychological question.

Happy planning
Luke
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
Iveco?
Luke,
how's the motor in the Iveco? I understand the Santana PS10 has an Iveco diesel motor, and I've been keen on the Santana for simplicity but have found it hard to get reports on the reliability of the Iveco diesel.
cheers,
Richard
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 28 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: France
Posts: 353
4WD Tech
Hi Richard,
It's brilliant, if a little noisy.
We're off topic here, but have a look in the 4WD Tech forum, there are a few of us who own Dailys.
Try this one: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ighlight=iveco
Or just do a search for Iveco on the HUBB.
Why not just get a Daily? There's more room than in a Santana and it's just as capable.

To be continued on the other forum...
Cheers,
Luke
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Dec 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 158
Good one
36000 kms. London to Cape town. We used 4wd once in Uganda and for about 8 hours in Botswana. And that was the road from Moremi ....which is real bad. Just keep the speed up and u dont really need to go that much into 4wd.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 6 Dec 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 921
Smile 4x4 not needed
You don't need 4x4 for your route.

That said, you do need 4x4 for the little fun excursions off your route!

Sam.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Estimated time - southern africa Renato Braz Route Planning 4 10 Jul 2006 21:49
Whens the best time to go? livelarg North America 9 2 Feb 2006 15:14
All around Europe. Best time and route? preeni Europe 5 15 Nov 2005 09:21
digicam with self-timer, continuous mode, and time lapse fea ghorian Photo Forum 1 7 Oct 2005 03:01
Best time to go Marocco-Cape Town? Ryberg Route Planning 7 19 May 2005 04:31

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:19.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top