Off Or On Road

[Barnsley81]

Has anyone had any off road experience in their rav? Having purchased mine 2 week ago and converting from a hot hatch I am frill seeking

[Mr Binks]

Having been a Landrover(from Ser3 Lightweight to L322 Range Rover) owner for the last good few years I was rather put out when my wife retired last June and we had to go down to one car. I fish all over the UK and I do a fair bit of vermin control around my local area, which often means getting offroad. Surprisingly enough my RAV(06 D4D XT5) isn't too bad at all. It's no Landrover and the ground clearance could be better, but I've never had it stuck yet and rarely have to use the 'Offroad button'.I did alter the rear door for better access and have fitted mudflaps all round, I shall be doing something to 'beef'up the plastic undertray when(if)the weather ever gets better. Other than that it's just fine.I can get all my camping /Carp gear in and up to press it's carried 73 rabbits to the butchers in one go.Easy to clean, runs great( and gets more than 17mpg!!!)and so far I'm not missing my Landrovers.

Have fun!

[Mike JD]

Has anyone had any off road experience in their rav? Having purchased mine 2 week ago and converting from a hot hatch I am frill seeking

Hi chap,

You do not indicate which model RAV you have but I here is my experience for what it is worth:

Living and working around Dartmoor I got fed up with 'orrible crunching noises from under my low slung Peugeot cabriolet on the number of farm lanes I have to navigate - and I have to admit as the back and knees have begun to show wear and tear I found getting in and out of anything low was getting embarrassing. So into my life came a 4.2 '54 plate RAV (petrol). It has a good high driving position and four wheel drive, armchair like seats and plenty of ground clearance with reasonable ramp angles. So farm lanes, however rough, pose no problems. Its performance in terms of traction in the snow has been very good but like all vehicles packed snow and ice are not the ideal medium to try and stop on! Once on to wet grass it isn't at all bad but there are better vehicles out there and in the real deep and rough it doesn't do to be too gung-ho. A little soft sprung and lacking low ratio to follow a Defender. But you can get where many can't and is far better on road that the real mud-pluggers. It is an excellent compromise between everyday comfort and the need to get down and dirty rather than an out and out green lane growler.

If you want a laugh go to any event with field parking - a county show, air display, point to point meeting - on a typical British summer's day and get stuck into the Exit Slalom. You know, where you in your 4x4 leave the field with no drama other than weaving around all those hot hatches sitting still with spinning wheels or waiting to be towed out by a tractor driven by a hysterically laughing Farmer Giles. One way and another you have chosen wisely and will be able to feel very superior as you look down on the masses in their lowly suburban hatchbacks - until you get to the petrol pump. But hey when did class ever come cheap? You have chosen wisely and should have a lot of fun with it. This forum, by the way, is a very friendly place and the clever ones here have been very helpful to me as I got to know my RAV.

I have to admit that I have now moved on from the RAV but only cos I needed to go diesel and I have to go places where low ratio is more than just an advantage. Oh and I do NOT buy new 4x4s that don't have a spare wheel. Toyota please note. Do I miss the RAV? Yes it is by any standards a very civilised way to travel.

Cheers and welcome

Mike D

On a bliddy offal wet day on Dartmoor I will probably have to mud plugging this morning to get to my front gate

[bothwell_buyer]

With my 1994 3-door cars (both have modified engines) I have had no problems off road. In first gear (which was designed to be an off-road gear compromise) they can pull well up hills and tracks that most others would fail. I have a landrover as well which couldn't pull itself along a muddy puddle - the most primitive form of tranport ever experienced! Its been away getting various transplants now so I've forgotten how bad it really is !