Are vans better offroad than cars ?

[KungFooBob]

Nice, sensible 4X4 Estate car, even has a tow bar, well under budget.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224688312184

[dern]

Our T5 with AT tyres has been excellent in mud and deep snow...



I think you can get 4wd versions too. I've not tried to take it anywhere too crazy but dealt with a foot of snow easily enough along with muddy tracks.

For £8k?

Ah, no chance. Missed that bit but I'm sure you can get AT tyres for most vans.

[Pirahna]

For £8k?

The price of vans and pretty much everything else has gone up since Covid and the global semiconductor shortage. I sold my Caddy a couple of weeks ago for a more than it was worth pre Covid.

Stick a lift kit and some decent tyres on the Mondeo.

[Mussels]

For £8k?

The price of vans and pretty much everything else has gone up since Covid and the global semiconductor shortage. I sold my Caddy a couple of weeks ago for a more than it was worth pre Covid.

Stick a lift kit and some decent tyres on the Mondeo.

The answer could be as simple as replacing the rear springs on the Mondeo.

[KungFooBob]

The answer could be as simple as replacing the rear springs on the Mondeo.

When he could buy a new shiny toy instead!!!

[weeksy]

The answer could be as simple as replacing the rear springs on the Mondeo.

When he could buy a new shiny toy instead!!!

I don't want a new toy... but then again i don't wanna end up stuck in a field too.

No biggy, was just a random thought and worth asking in case i'd missed an obvious solution/solutions better than i have for a decent budget etc.

[Horse]

Stick a lift kit and some decent tyres on the Mondeo.

The answer could be as simple as replacing the rear springs on the Mondeo.

Are adjustable air springs available? (Like the low rider custom car stuff)

Those, with a spare set of rims fitted with x-country tyres?

[KungFooBob]

Never ever pass up the chance to buy something shiny and new.

Man logic rules OK!

[weeksy]

Never ever pass up the chance to buy something shiny and new.

Man logic rules OK!

You know me better than that.. if i were to pass things up easily like that, i won't have a brand new MT07 in the garage

[MrLongbeard]

In situations such as these momentum is your friend, just give it the berries and keep your foot in, it'll be right.

[Pirahna]

Some grip mats might be a good idea. I have Milenco mats, they're light and take up very little room in the boot, get four.

Milenco 2905 Giant Mesh Grip Mat, 106cm Length

[Rockburner]

Some grip mats might be a good idea. I have Milenco mats, they're light and take up very little room in the boot, get four.

Milenco 2905 Giant Mesh Grip Mat, 106cm Length

I've used floor mats in a pinch for getting off muddy ground when the grip was limited.

[Taipan]

[Yorick]

TWAT

[Asian Boss]

Lexus RX400H? Does the family car thing very well and a good four wheel drive system. Old but reliable.

[Bigjawa]

I remember fitting towbars to a couple of Berlingo for the local forestry service.

They were slightly modded by a french company, Yangel of Dangel or something like that, basically longer shocks and struts at the front, torsion bars set to raise the back, chunky tyres and a sump guard.

Apparently they were very good for a 2wd.

I wouldn't go near an L200, soft engines.

[Hairybiker84]

Subaru Forester with Cross climates or similar, I had one when I was doing work on a local estate, some of the tracks had been very badly mullered by forestry vehicles with massive ruts in thick mud - it didn't get stuck once!

[Demannu]

Apart from a justy, anything Subaru.
But most importantly, it's tyres.
When I used to run taxis, end of November all drive axles got proper winter tyres fitted.
Regularly used to overtake 4x4s in the snow as they assumed 4 wheel drive was enough!
As for a Duster. We were thinking about getting together one, did the test drive, god it was awful! First electric steered car I've driven tbh, and hopefully the last. Cornering was all thrupenny bit, brakes dead, suspension was.........coarse.
Not a fan tbh

[Wossname]

Subaru Forester with Cross climates or similar, I had one when I was doing work on a local estate, some of the tracks had been very badly mullered by forestry vehicles with massive ruts in thick mud - it didn't get stuck once!

That's the one. I've had 6, since 1999, all turbo petrols. Put some cross climate tyres on it and feed it fuel (lots!), and it'll do anything. 0 - 60 in around 6 secs, if that's important. They're cheap now too - just check MOT history for underbody rust.

[Hairybiker84]

Subaru Forester with Cross climates or similar, I had one when I was doing work on a local estate, some of the tracks had been very badly mullered by forestry vehicles with massive ruts in thick mud - it didn't get stuck once!

That's the one. I've had 6, since 1999, all turbo petrols. Put some cross climate tyres on it and feed it fuel (lots!), and it'll do anything. 0 - 60 in around 6 secs, if that's important. They're cheap now too - just check MOT history for underbody rust.

I had a 2.5 XT, unfortunately probably suffering from the dreaded ring land failure. Ignition advance was getting pulled, most likely from the bits of alloy rattling around and fooling the knock sensor. Would love a JDM one but the ground clearance might be a bit compromised