Stuck In The Mud

[redlew]

Went to a local estate (Lotherton Hall for those who know it). As the tarmac car park was full we went to the overflow car park which is a rutted track with grass parking either side. In order to park we pulled off the rutted track onto the grass which was effectively mud due to recent heavy rainfall. The mud was only about 2 inches deep but very sticky. Now I know the RAV is not a serious off roader but I was surprised that it got stuck and wouldn't drive forwards. Eventually reversed it out. A two wheel drive Merc coupe got seriously stuck.and had to be pushed out. I noticed that the RAV tyres were completely clogged with mud so presumably got little grip. Does anyone have any thoughts about the RAV getting stuck when the mud was not very deep -and what is the best technique for getting out once the wheels cease to grip? Would different tyres have helped? Thanks

[chatman]

Went to a local estate (Lotherton Hall for those who know it). As the tarmac car park was full we went to the overflow car park which is a rutted track with grass parking either side. In order to park we pulled off the rutted track onto the grass which was effectively mud due to recent heavy rainfall. The mud was only about 2 inches deep but very sticky. Now I know the RAV is not a serious off roader but I was surprised that it got stuck and wouldn't drive forwards. Eventually reversed it out. A two wheel drive Merc coupe got seriously stuck.and had to be pushed out. I noticed that the RAV tyres were completely clogged with mud so presumably got little grip. Does anyone have any thoughts about the RAV getting stuck when the mud was not very deep -and what is the best technique for getting out once the wheels cease to grip? Would different tyres have helped? Thanks

As the RAV is more biased towards road use, the tyres are also....their tread and pattern will not allow mud to clear but clog up...better at clearing water than mud...

So in answer to your question, Yes better mud biased tyres would have coped well....also if you get stuck...a gentle rocking motion back and forth until traction is achieved again....They Also refer to a RAV as a SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) We normally leave the serious mud plugging to the LR (or TATA Indian cuisine delivery vehicles) crew who have better abilities off road.....Where as on road we do...................

[bothwell_buyer]

Aye - depends on the tyre tread pattern.

You can help by using the diff lock first, and driving slowly but surely thru mud. No revving etc. What tyres are you using?

[Robert6920]

It's tempting to take the Rav4 into places other (boring) cars fear to tread, but it's easy enough to have egg on face. Getting stuck in the mud is easy - the tyres on mine are Dueler H/T 687s and even the manufacturer says...

Four-wheel drives, by nature, have a brawny image for enthusiasts who want to rush down dirt tracks leaving a trail of dust behind them. But trends are changing, people are changing, and tyres are changing. We have designed the Dueler H/T 687 for those looking for downtown stability and highway performance. It is this balance that has made it one of the most popular Bridgestone tyres fitted as original equipment to a wide range of 4X4 vehicles.

In other words, they look the part but might not be best suited for off-roading!

[bothwell_buyer]

Aye - depends on the tyre tread pattern.

You can help by using the diff lock first, and driving slowly but surely thru mud. No revving etc. What tyres are you using?

I should have added that the original Dunlops back in 1994 weren't too bad in slippy conditions.

If you go for winter tyres, or mud pluggers or similar, then they are good at what they are designed to do, but road noise on tarmac becomes a nuisance. My landrover is fitted with massive nobbly tyres, which is great for pulling heavy weights over grass etc; but even at 20mph, the road noise on tarmac is loud loud loud.

So tyres become a compromise between summer v winter; then in winter it becomes wet v mud v snow v ice

[T V O R]

Do you have Traction Control?

[bothwell_buyer]

Do you have Traction Control?

Not on the 4.1 anyway. Neither on the 4.2 as far as I know. Its down to a careful application of the right foot. the only control is switching the diff lock on, which for slippy ground is good - not for tarmac driving.

As the topic has been raised, I've got to the next step with the 4.1s - fitting a US sourced rear sway bar. Should be interesting. Will get it fitted to number 2 first, and maybe order 2nd bar to arrive at Mrs Bothys hotel in NY next week when she's on holiday there - no great weight....just a 4' box. "Did you pack this yourself" Well, er, no, erm, it just sort of arrived em.....it's em a bar of metal? No, HMRC, UK doesn't produce them and it is for personal use...em....

[capstar1]

Do you have Traction Control?

Not on the 4.1 anyway. Neither on the 4.2 as far as I know. Its down to a careful application of the right foot. the only control is switching the diff lock on, which for slippy ground is good - not for tarmac driving.

As the topic has been raised, I've got to the next step with the 4.1s - fitting a US sourced rear sway bar. Should be interesting. Will get it fitted to number 2 first, and maybe order 2nd bar to arrive at Mrs Bothys hotel in NY next week when she's on holiday there - no great weight....just a 4' box. "Did you pack this yourself" Well, er, no, erm, it just sort of arrived em.....it's em a bar of metal? No, HMRC, UK doesn't produce them and it is for personal use...em....

I can't find a diff lock button on mine. Is it only on certain models or am I missing it somewhere? There is a row of blanked switches below the ashtray with one in use which looks like a light maybe for the alarm although I cant see it in the manual.

[redlew]

The tyres are Toyo Tranpath A11. There is no diff lock. The Xtr does have traction control. I was just a bit surprised that it couldn't cope with a couple of inches of mud -I wouldn't have expected to get though six inch deep mud. Oh well live and learn.

[bothwell_buyer]

Best answer then is a landrover - at incredible persuasion, I might part with the mud plugger for a suitable fee :lol: 8 forward gears and 2 reverse and another 4 forward if I can find the overdrive lever!!

TBH I'm happy then that my 4.1s have the option of the diff lock. The latest models are obviously more built for the tarmac roads.

[anchorman]

Do you have Traction Control?

Not on the 4.1 anyway. Neither on the 4.2 as far as I know. Its down to a careful application of the right foot. the only control is switching the diff lock on, which for slippy ground is good - not for tarmac driving.

As the topic has been raised, I've got to the next step with the 4.1s - fitting a US sourced rear sway bar. Should be interesting. Will get it fitted to number 2 first, and maybe order 2nd bar to arrive at Mrs Bothys hotel in NY next week when she's on holiday there - no great weight....just a 4' box. "Did you pack this yourself" Well, er, no, erm, it just sort of arrived em.....it's em a bar of metal? No, HMRC, UK doesn't produce them and it is for personal use...em....

I can't find a diff lock button on mine. Is it only on certain models or am I missing it somewhere? There is a row of blanked switches below the ashtray with one in use which looks like a light maybe for the alarm although I cant see it in the manual.

Yours is permanent 4WD.

[rav man]

I have the Rav for the gentle stuff and then i bring this out for the mud.

In answer to your initial question , yes tyres make a huge difference, but these get a bit noisy on the road.

[Boro Sera]

be careful if you're off roading.................. :D

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( ouch...... )

[anchorman]

Hey and its got an XTR under run gaurd!

Seriously, thats one heck of a beast mate