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4x4 / offroading
The antithesis of fuel efficiency?
The problem with offroading is that we need more power, more durability and more everything and fuel tends to come last.
However, I noticed a few good things:
1) Raise a ride height and you don't have to lose mpg
2) A belly pan adds some protection but also improves mpg a lot
3) Modern pickup trucks (Utes) have made large improvements in fuel efficiency
I also notice:
A) Most situations where you think you need a 4x4.... you actually just need clearance. Very few roads I've seen are fully muddy; most are just bumpy and proved no problem when I owned a van.
B) Pickups are a lot, lot more expensive than station wagons
C) I posed this kind of question to a subreddit, who pointed out to me the concept of a BattleWagon; modding up a station wagon (estate) to improve offroad capability.
So how's about:
- just raise a standard 2x4 estate car, fit a belly pan and maybe even carry a full spare set of wheels in the back that can be switched when getting to site.
The alternatives are to tow a quad or trail bike.
Does this seem like a plan, switching such varied wheels this way? How efficient are offroad tyres? How bad are low rolling resistant tyres over cobble roads such as the roads marked as highway that go along the coast of New Zealand...
Any experience trying to do something like this before?
I have a car I'm very happy with but once every 2-4 weeks I regret not having a 4x4 here.
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