Is the Touareg really a 4WD

[Transporter]

I'd like to know what everyone thinks about Composite Fibre for skid plates, it's light (won't squash you if you're under the car changing oil ), doesn't corrode and absorb shocks better than steel. I would imagine it'd be reasonably customizable into the various folds etc. for a skid plate.

I could investigate if there's enough interest ..... see this link to a Toowoomba company that makes bridges with composites:
http://www.wagner.com.au/cft.asp
Cheers

I would be interested.
Marine grade aluminium is also option as material they build the ships from it.

[barefoot]

I think alum and steel might present a galvanic/anodic corrosion issuem, though lots of bull bars are alum. so I wonder how they manage this issue.
Cheers

[Transporter]

I think alum and steel might present a galvanic/anodic corrosion issuem, though lots of bull bars are alum. so I wonder how they manage this issue.
Cheers

You can get it ionidisied.
But to get electro-chemical corrosion started you need current, oxygen and/or fluid between the two parts of different metals some combination are more corrosive than others. Steel and aluminium are not very corrosive together.

[Moonan]

This thread is getting interesting...
A couple of points to the current topics here:
We have talked about recovery points and skid plates...

1. Materials of construction of the skid plates... The same Mountainlord in the US who trades as "Dakar Offroad" and provided Bobzed's recovery eyes and light bar manufactures a one-piece skidplate for the Touareg. Around US$1250, ++++ to ship to Oz. It is made of 6mm Aluminium IIRC.
As for composite fibre, that is interesting. My experience is that it is strongest in tension, mabe not so good getting a "crush injury" as in a Touareg landing heavily on its suspension and bottoming out somewhere. Flak jackets have kevlar and are "bulletproof", but (like a safety helmet) should be thrown away after impact as the fibres in them have lost their integrity. Just my 2 cents worth, I have been surprised by composites before.

2. Recovery points. First of all, VW provide a recovery eye-bolt, and it's strength has been called into question by a lot of people. Hence all of the discussion about alternatives.
Just remember one thing. While it is true that no one has been able to get a straight answer from VW Oz as to its absolute load rating, that eye bolt has come through the same engineering processes and design standards reviews as the 2.5 tonnes and $70k++ worth of complex automotive machinery that you are trusting your (and your loved ones') life to every time you go on the road. Why would you expect that it is any less capable than the rest of your Touareg? (having said that the eye sold by mountainlord has several advantages as Bob can attest to)
The whole Touareg concept is "understated but overengineered" ie it looks and drives very smoothly and does not scream "look at me I'm a wanker" like some other makes but it will take you most anywhere you want to go and will do so as effortlessly as driving to the shops.
(getting off soap box now)

[Transporter]

Some people replace tow hooks/eyes with bigger ones or better shape, some times just different shape make easyer access. We are expecting to take delivery of Treg in mid December. Ofcours if I'm happy with what is on the car as standard I wouldn't modify it. And, if I do, I'd do it properly.

[phaeton]

Hey Neil on the recovery points......

Isn't there two ?

[dmm_au]

Back to the original topic....

I've done a 4wd course (SRO99 eqiv.) and a tag along tour with Mountain Top Experience. Ron, who runs the business turned down a Toyota Klugger owner wanting to participate once. I asked him what the criteria for a 4WD on his trips was. He said low range gears and some ground clearance. Perhaps I'll asking him directly about the Touareg.

Mountain top experience, hire defenders out on a daily rate. That's what's I've driven. I have no affiliation with the company, but the Morwell, Mout Baw Baw area they operate in is lovely, and they're tours are enjoyable and welll managed.

http://www.mountaintopexperience.com/

[Moonan]

Hey Neil on the recovery points......

Isn't there two ?

Ben, there are 4 points (front left, front right, rear left, rear right - but only one eye bolt comes with the vehicle.
Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking guys like Bob who have got the industrial strength tow eyes. One reason to do it is to get a matched pair and be able to spread the load. Another is to be able to securely and firmly place a large bow shackle shaft through it to connect your tow strap. In the case of Sumar over on clubtouareg http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f6...ies-16173.html he had his made with provision for a spreader bar to ensure that when he pulls from both eyes at once they will not pull in together.

[Flipper Dog]

Originally Posted by Moonan


2. Recovery points. First of all, VW provide a recovery eye-bolt, and it's strength has been called into question by a lot of people. Hence all of the discussion about alternatives.
Just remember one thing. While it is true that no one has been able to get a straight answer from VW Oz as to its absolute load rating, that eye bolt has come through the same engineering processes and design standards reviews as the 2.5 tonnes and $70k++ worth of complex automotive machinery that you are trusting your (and your loved ones') life to every time you go on the road. Why would you expect that it is any less capable than the rest of your Touareg? (having said that the eye sold by mountainlord has several advantages as Bob can attest to)
The whole Touareg concept is "understated but overengineered" ie it looks and drives very smoothly and does not scream "look at me I'm a wanker" like some other makes but it will take you most anywhere you want to go and will do so as effortlessly as driving to the shops.

How true is this! I just had a look at the eye bolts from a Polo (GTI), Passat (2004) and my Touareg. There certainly is a noticeable difference in the Touareg’s eye bolt compared to the other two. By what other users on this forum and other forums I have read (USA, UK and Germany) there has been no problem with the standard supplied one from Volkswagen, maybe two in the tool kit would be the go.
Volkswagen’s over engineering I would believe is more that is adequate to use this eye bolt for recovery.
Nevertheless you would only use the eye bolt to recover something of like vehicle weight and not a duel axel 10 ton fully loaded fire truck stuck in mud up to the driver’s door on a 45° angle with little traction for your vehicle.

If anyone is apprehensive of the quality of the supplied eye bolt then purchase one from a dealer and conduct some independent testing.

I know for one that it will cover my 4WDing requirements, true the Touareg is very capable off road but if I was to make my own trails through uncharted lands I would be looking at a Land Rover Defender of Toyota Troopie before trashing the Touareg.

Flipper Dog
V6 TDI

[phaeton]

Ben, there are 4 points (front left, front right, rear left, rear right - but only one eye bolt comes with the vehicle.
Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking guys like Bob who have got the industrial strength tow eyes. One reason to do it is to get a matched pair and be able to spread the load. Another is to be able to securely and firmly place a large bow shackle shaft through it to connect your tow strap. In the case of Sumar over on clubtouareg http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f6...ies-16173.html he had his made with provision for a spreader bar to ensure that when he pulls from both eyes at once they will not pull in together.

Ok then I if I do remember correctly one Aussie 4x4 mag mentioned buying/getting 2 eye bolts when buying a Touareg and using both front or rear when needed instead of just one.

Apologies can't recall what mag or article that this is mentioned in but it makes sense to even out the stress etc

[bobzed57]

My light bar is designed to spread the load across the towing points, and I have a couple of D-shackles and a bridle, to which I can connect the snatch strap.

I've never found any towing eyes in the back of my Treg. There is a cover under which all I could find was fresh air.

I've pulled people out of places, and I just use the tow bar receiver and pin.

I guess the bottom line remains, don't get yourself in the poo in the first place.

[Moonan]

I guess the bottom line remains, don't get yourself in the poo in the first place.

No truer word ever spoken...
In my many years experience it is usually driving skill and experience rather than vehicle that causes problems...

Many years ago I worked in a sand mine on Stradbroke Island, Qld. My 4WD experience owning up till then had been Suzuki 2-stroke (1976 3 cyl 540cc) then 1981 Suzuki Sierra then '83 Subaru. Now using Bob's system I took that Subaru places where we watched RR's getting bogged from the top of the hill (eg Fraser Island in 1983) and smiled quietly as we lent them our shovel.

So, consider my delight in getting a mining company vehicle - Hilux with BFG tyres. Company policy was to run them with 18psi in the tyres at all times, so cornering on bitumen was a bit ****y, but I couldn't stop the thing in sand. Funny thing was, everyone else at work had landcruisers (still 40 series in those days) and no one ever wanted to borrow the 'lux. Because when they did, they inevitably got it bogged and had to be dug out with a big sand-digging front-end loader.
My theory has always been that in a land cruiser you never learn any 4wd skills, the things are so competent off road that you don't know if you are driving one very badly. So if you get in a hilux you might be in trouble, what with only a 2l motor instead of 4.2 etc etc. On the other hand, if you learn your 4wd skills in something that was comfortable to drive in but doesn't have the clearance etc (eg my subaru) and you get into a hilux then you can't go wrong.
Moral of the story, what Bob said, but hey, I like telling stories...

[dmm_au]

Not sure I totally agree. I've been on a few tag along trips, and on most trips someone had to be snatched out. Generally it was someone with a less capable vehicle, although they may have had less skill also.

I think someone with very good skills might get a 2wd drive through a place where a clueless person in a 4wd would get stuck. It might happen to me in my new Touareg. Not wanting too portray myself as clueless or the Touareg as less capable

I'd want to know I had a front recovery point to attached the strap to, and it would be even better if I new the hook was rated for that sort of recovery proceedure.

[Transporter]

No truer word ever spoken...
In my many years experience it is usually driving skill and experience rather than vehicle that causes problems...

Many years ago I worked in a sand mine on Stradbroke Island, Qld. My 4WD experience owning up till then had been Suzuki 2-stroke (1976 3 cyl 540cc) then 1981 Suzuki Sierra then '83 Subaru. Now using Bob's system I took that Subaru places where we watched RR's getting bogged from the top of the hill (eg Fraser Island in 1983) and smiled quietly as we lent them our shovel.

So, consider my delight in getting a mining company vehicle - Hilux with BFG tyres. Company policy was to run them with 18psi in the tyres at all times, so cornering on bitumen was a bit ****y, but I couldn't stop the thing in sand. Funny thing was, everyone else at work had landcruisers (still 40 series in those days) and no one ever wanted to borrow the 'lux. Because when they did, they inevitably got it bogged and had to be dug out with a big sand-digging front-end loader.
My theory has always been that in a land cruiser you never learn any 4wd skills, the things are so competent off road that you don't know if you are driving one very badly. So if you get in a hilux you might be in trouble, what with only a 2l motor instead of 4.2 etc etc. On the other hand, if you learn your 4wd skills in something that was comfortable to drive in but doesn't have the clearance etc (eg my subaru) and you get into a hilux then you can't go wrong.
Moral of the story, what Bob said, but hey, I like telling stories...

Agree 100%. Be prepared and using head as well.

[barefoot]

Personally, I reckon this has made winches and snatch straps redundant.

http://www.maxtrax.com.au

Alot safer, easier to use and is suitable for just about any adverse situation, AND read your manual it's sanctioned by VW (except more elegant.....wooden plank vs maxtrax)
Cheers
btw I'm not affiliated with max trax what so ever, don't even own a set .....oh and it's 100% ozi invention!!!