rav4 on beach

[yeboants]

hi,

looking to buy a 4wd.. need something 95% urban driving and 5 dirt road and possible sand. cannot justify a 'real 4x4' for the extra 5%..want to convince myself though.

thus i am looking at maybe a rav4. 2.4l petrol manual.

i know it does not give you the option of high/low range etc but would like your view (if any) on the rav4.

in the event of beach driving.. say at bribie island or fraziers... would a rav4 suffice?

pros and cons of a rav4 maybe?

thanks in advance.

ants

[Malcolm]

By no means an expert but one day over at Straddie there were Land Cruisers Pratrols getting stuck going on and of the beach, next thing this Rav 4 comes up the track from the beach no worries. Guess he had his tyres down and knew what he was doing

[Feral]

I suppose hair dressers go to the beach to

Those light four wheel drives usually go much better on the sand than the tanks.

[woody1]

I know a guy that takes a rav to moreton no worries. Make sure you have some good recovery gear like snatchy, shovel, and something like an air jack or max tracks to get you out of trouble. If nothing else you will feel a lot more comfident when beach driving

[brisbane_boy]

Im not expert mate but i reccon u should have a look at the suzuki sx4.

they are light and 4 wheel drive. should be good on sand and city.

Just a thought.

[mangler]

Mate a Rav 4 would be suitable for what you suggested with only 5% sand driving. To make your beach trips successful & safe you would need a minimum of a snatch strap, rated recovery points fitted to vehicle, carry a shovel, a tyre gauge to drop your pressures (preferably a 12V air compressor to reinflate as well so you don't have to drive to servo on lower pressures to re-air), some form of protection from the rust and most importantly common sense.

If you can see yourself spending more time on the beaches, I would also contemplate a Suzuki 4wd Vitara or Sierra/Jimny, both are "true" 4wds with hi/low range, the Vitara would be heaps more comfortable around town though over the Sierra/Jimny.

Cheers,

Matt

[Shrimpo]

I got a mate with a grand vitara and he takes it over to moreton all the time and up to DI he doesnt have much trouble, Goes well in town aswell with good economy.

[Angus]

Kriso has a Rav I think he may be bale to help you.

I had this same delema not so long ago.

Ended up with an X-Trail STS. So far I have tested it out on the clay in the middle of straddy and flinders beach with no issues. Did not even lower the tires, although if i was going for a long trip down main beach I would.

Angus

P.S. I have very good aqqaintance that deals in Ravs and X-trails for very good prices if you interested. Even if you just get a quote from him obligation free of course. Might serve as a good bargaining chip if you do want to go with a yard dealer.

[kriso]

Angus wrote:

Kriso has a Rav I think he may be bale to help you.

I had this same delema not so long ago.

Ended up with an X-Trail STS. So far I have tested it out on the clay in the middle of straddy and flinders beach with no issues. Did not even lower the tires, although if i was going for a long trip down main beach I would.

Angus

P.S. I have very good aqqaintance that deals in Ravs and X-trails for very good prices if you interested. Even if you just get a quote from him obligation free of course. Might serve as a good bargaining chip if you do want to go with a yard dealer.

sorry mate i have a NS-X pajero short wheel base. I have been told though from a mate of mine that has one that they go fine on the beach due to there weight and you shouldnt have any worries there.

[Angus]

Woops sorry Kriso.

Angus

[benno573]

ravs no probs on the beach mate. especially in manual form. major problem people have with ravs is they buy road only tyres and expect them to work on the beach. i hardly ever use low range on the beach unless i am towing the boat/trailer so that's not a big concern.