Deep Water...

June 19, 2007

With all the rain over recent weeks I've often come across some pretty deep water that's made me wonder if I'm being overly cautious when I select reverse instead of ploughing through it. I'm pretty sure that I've seen the maximum depths that the RAV will get through but can't for the life of me locate it in the manual.

Living fairly close to a ford (thats a water feature not car manufacturer) that increases in depth quite substantially when rain falls, this information will be useful and could assist me in keeping my feet dry :blink:

I'm still in 'car' rather than '4x4' mode but still can't help the involuntary reaction of taking a deep breath just prior to entering running water of any depth. ;)

TIA

Steve

June 19, 2007

With all the rain over recent weeks I've often come across some pretty deep water that's made me wonder if I'm being overly cautious when I select reverse instead of ploughing through it. I'm pretty sure that I've seen the maximum depths that the RAV will get through but can't for the life of me locate it in the manual.
Living fairly close to a ford (thats a water feature not car manufacturer) that increases in depth quite substantially when rain falls, this information will be useful and could assist me in keeping my feet dry
I'm still in 'car' rather than '4x4' mode but still can't help the involuntary reaction of taking a deep breath just prior to entering running water of any depth. ;)
TIA
Steve

I've not seen a wading depth given for the Rav4 but my previous Freelander was given as good for 18" - though I did take one through a flooded quarry with water almost up to the bonnet. Keep a decent speed and the bow wave stops water flooding the engine bay - though if you stop or hesitate you're done for. That was on one of the off-road days they give you when you buy an LR. The Freelander takes a lot of flack but it's actually quite a capable vehicle - not up to Disco standard but one of the best small SUVs. The Rav4 doesn't give me anywhere near the confidence the FL did but I don't do that sort of driving now (part of my reason for changing to an SUV with a better on-road bias).

My gut says I'd probably wade (carefully) up to 12" with reasonable confidence. Tarmac to 20" is probably OK if you have a clear run and steady speed. If you start that sort of driving, you need to shorten the service intervals - there are a lot of places water can get into (bearings, diffs) and shouldn't be left there too long.

That's my $0.02 worth.

June 19, 2007

I've trawled (no pun intended) all of my info and nothing there. I can find info for most other models and even Nissan X Trail.

All the landies are quoted (as most people see them as off roaders).

I suppose you need more than anything not to get to the level of the engine air intake otherwise you will sieze it solid.

Another consideration to add to Steve's comments and one that nearly caused me some major problems one day is to watch out for somebody elses bow wave. I once drove a BMW 3 series very carefully through a flood for a :censor: in an Iveco van to race through in the other direction. I turned the engine off before his bow wave complete with rocks and other debris literally swept over the car.

It seems that maybe Toyota would prefer you not to be too ambitious with your fording.

Regards

PS I suspect our mate from Aberdeen really still has a soft spot for those LR's! despite being spoiled. Will he eventually crack?

June 19, 2007

Thank you both for the input. If the weather continues in a similar way then you really don't have to go 'off road' to find deep water. I've seen many 4x4 going through pretty deep water without, it appears, any doubts that they'll make it but probably best if I don't go 'looking' for the off road 'experience unnecessarily.

Just out of interest, is would the maximum depth also be restricted to the height of the exhaust? Can't imagine that too many vehicles would last long if the car can't breath.

June 20, 2007

Thank you both for the input. If the weather continues in a similar way then you really don't have to go 'off road' to find deep water. I've seen many 4x4 going through pretty deep water without, it appears, any doubts that they'll make it but probably best if I don't go 'looking' for the off road 'experience unnecessarily.
Just out of interest, is would the maximum depth also be restricted to the height of the exhaust? Can't imagine that too many vehicles would last long if the car can't breath.

As long as the engine is running the exhaust should be OK blowing through shallow water. Petrol engines risk sucking water in when lifting the throttle but it shouldn't happen with diesel. Drawing water in through the intake is a much bigger risk. There are a lot of considerations to be made when fording and special preparation is needed for anything beyond a foot or so.

Anchorman - my FL gave me 80,000 trouble-free miles in the 4 years I ran it - went where I pointed it (mostly road but also forest and farm track and construction sites) without grumbling. A change of job meant I didn't need the same ruggedness and the Rav4 came top of my list. I gave the FL to one of my daughters whop lives out in the sticks.

My FL was a TD4 auto commercial (the "van" version) which meant it had been taken off the main production line and customised at LR's Special Vehicles Division - I suspect the fact it had been finished off there meant it all fitted together so well. The engine was the BMW 2l unit mated to a 5 speed auto box - sweet. Yes, I liked it - but the Rav4 is better for what I need nowadays.

June 25, 2007

I've had my Rav 4 in 24" of water and mud. Water well over the door sills, keep th erevs up and speed steady and slow so as not to raise too much of a bow wave, you should be fine. I had to follow the Shogun in this post http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...c=66898&hl=

through the wet stuff, I was a bit worried, but it was no problem.