Do we need a 4WD van?

[70321]

If you have a 4WD have you found it beneficial? If you haven't got 4WD do you wish you had?

Still at the absolute research stage of this. Thank you

 

[bigtwin]

I've frequently heard how 'winter' tyres can make a real difference, but intrigued to see how the performance of a two-wheel drive car on winter tyres performed so much better than a 4 wheel drive on summer tyres.
Over the years, having owned 2 Land Rovers and a LR Discovery, all with 4 WD, and periodically used in anger (ie off road) the video provides pause for thought.

What a lot of 4WD owners (who don't fit winter tyres) often forget is that, in a snow situation, a 4WD vehicle offers no more stopping (braking) benefit over a 2 WD vehicle. In these circumstances a winter tyre shod 2WD vehicle is safer than a non-winter tyre shod 4WD vehicle.

Then imagine what a 4wd with the correct tyres does.

Clearly, the best option.

Ian

 

[tacr2man]

About 8 to the gallon. ?????

14 so not too bad

 

[mikebeaches]

What a lot of 4WD owners (who don't fit winter tyres) often forget is that, in a snow situation, a 4WD vehicle offers no more stopping (braking) benefit over a 2 WD vehicle. In these circumstances a winter tyre shod 2WD vehicle is safer than a non-winter tyre shod 4WD vehicle.

Ian

Yes, absolutely. Fully appreciate that, because brakes obviously operate on all 4 wheels, regardless whether 2WD or 4WD. So winter tyres make a significant difference.

 

[Landy Andy]

Dont always need winter tyres ??????
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[70321]

Thank you all for your input. Seems like 4WD are not really needed for what we are going to do. Rear wheel on Mercedes Sprinter (probably) and all weather tyres seem to be the way to go. One question down...

 

[Peakymon]

My demountable camper rig is 4wd. We use it now & again for muddy fields & also in the winter for touring around Scotland. I'd rather have it than not in my humble opinion.
A couple of pics below just showing the setup & the fact that we can get that bit further off the road when we're wild camping ;-)

 

[RogerIvy]

My brother has started building specialised heavy duty 4x4 campers in the USA. Based on Mitsubishi Fuso FG. Initially we sent him Truma heaters from here as the ones in the US were too noisy and consumed too much power.
Link for those interested: https://overlander.global

 

[EuroTrotters]

Driven all over europe and never needed 4x4

We did go up to the artic circle at -27c on winter tyres. Albeit a mercedes sprinter with 4 wheels on rear driven axle.

 

[EuroTrotters]

My demountable camper rig is 4wd. We use it now & again for muddy fields & also in the winter for touring around Scotland. I'd rather have it than not in my humble opinion.
A couple of pics below just showing the setup & the fact that we can get that bit further off the road when we're wild camping ;-)

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Nice Kit

What model is the demountable?

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[Winger]

Driven all over europe and never needed 4x4

We did go up to the artic circle at -27c on winter tyres. Albeit a mercedes sprinter with 4 wheels on rear driven axle.

Yes a twin wheel axle makes a heck of a difference, and on another note a lot of people with conventional 4WD don’t know how to use it to get the best results.
In the past I’ve saw people drive into a field and then get stuck and then decide to engage 4WD, too much too late

 

[EuroTrotters]

Nice Kit

What model is the demountable?

My demountable camper rig is 4wd. We use it now & again for muddy fields & also in the winter for touring around Scotland. I'd rather have it than not in my humble opinion.
A couple of pics below just showing the setup & the fact that we can get that bit further off the road when we're wild camping ;-)

View attachment 388611View attachment 388620View attachment 388623

? Hi, what model please ,?

 

[EuroTrotters]

Dont always need winter tyres ??????
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But with decent winters, you don’t always need 4x4 with the right FWD

 

[Gregors]

If you have a 4WD have you found it beneficial? If you haven't got 4WD do you wish you had?

Still at the absolute research stage of this. Thank you

This is something that i have always wondered about, "Why are motorhomes not built in 4WD" or with a box that can select both 4 & 2 Wheel drive as and when required. Especially when its wet and your feeling yourself in the field getting bogged down starting to slip ! I used to have a front wheel drive Ducato based M/H and that would always get stuck so have since exchanged to a "Sprinter" rear wheel drive M/H and that is much better due to the weight over the wheels - but if there was a M/H with a selectable option I would have or would consider buying it ! Chris

 

[Wyvern]

Our XLWB sprinter PVC has selectable AWD. We also Have all treating tyres with the snowflake on them denoting good for winter conditions.

We have been through Morocco with much sand....up to the Arctic circle and through the Alps in the winter for skiing/walking - we have travelled across countless miles of un mettled road and in all that time we have rarely had the need to engage 4WD.

We have relied on RWD, weight and BF Goodrich T/A tyres which are more than good enough for 95% of conditions....the other 5% would not be encountered by most motorhomes. IF the ground is soft, place some old bread crate bottoms under the rear wheels.

My advice would be that unless you are going alone Seriously off grid then don’t bother with the expense of AWD. As others have said, tyre choice is more important.