4 motion 4x4 performance

[walker]

I drove my 5 month old 132kw 4 motion multivan for a few km along the beach the other day.I let the tyres down to 20 psi and it performed well but I was a little worried when the sand got softer and the ruts deeper.I may of had problems if I stopped and then started again in the soft stuff so I kept driving as I didn't want to take the chance.It was great that I didn't have to change gears manually as the new 4 motion is automatic.Has anyone out there given their 4 motion multivan a good run along soft sand on the beach or other 4x4 terrain ?How did it perform?

[Transporter]

I driven my T5 in mud and was very pleased with it, the track was quite deep and the van just kept moving forward like a tank.

Even pulled out of mud Toyota Hilux on different occasion, it must have been very embarrassing for the owner. The driver of the Landcruiser200 who rocked up too late but let us use his h/d rope (because the one from the Hilux snapped), couldn't believe his eyes. I could see the smirk on his face (he was probably thinking "I just let him get stuck as well and then pull them out both") well I just gently raised the idle up and the Hilux was back on the road.

[4wheels]

I've used mine in 4wd conditions a bit (not much soft sand yet). Biggest limitation is ramp over angle (on LWB van), but this is better now I've added Bilstein HD springs. I tend to go out with the T3 Syncro guys, when they organise something (being an ex Syncro owner). You never get much footage of your own vehicle of course, but here's a little clip from or recent Bateman's Bay hinterland tour. Don't worry about the rubbish after about 45sec. The off button on my camera is playing up;- Batemans Bay 2011 Videos :: T5 playing in the mud video by 4wheels_photos - Photobucket

Brian R
2007 Trakkadu

PS. Always interested to hear how the DSG is coping with 'off-road' work.

[vwthunder]

"Thats volkswagen for you" Cool videos, I dindt know that they would do that well off road due to the LWB

Well done !!

[hoddy]

Had 6 weeks in WA recently with lots of sand driving. T5GP 132kw DSG LWB 4Motion Diff Lock
My first experience is an exercise in what not to do! --> I had driven over from Vic with nitrogen in my tyres and a pressure of 49psi. When I got to the beach in Exmouth/Ningaloo (Neds?) there was a 4WD out on the beach. I drove out towards him and quickly realised that I was about to get bogged so I stopped. I should have let my tyres down earlier but didn't want to lose the nitrogen. This is apparently a notoriously soft sand beach / river mouth and there were a few raised eyebrows and concerns from people in the area!
I got out and let the tyres down to about 28psi thinking that that would be enough. It was still struggling. As this was my first Auto in the sand i wasn't sure what to do with the traction control button. I had already engaged the diff locks, so I disengaged the TCS and ended up digging an even bigger hole for myself! Finally I let the tyres down to 16-18 but by this time I was "down to the axles" and stuck.
Luckily there was a 4WD nearby (how convenient a place to get bogged) and he snatched me out.
Subsequent episodes on the sand were approached with caution, but eventually I gained confidence in the beast.
Depending on the sand tyres need to be 16-28 psi.
Diff lock obviously helps somewhat.
Leaving the TCS on I found works better.
For tricky stuff -ie sand hills / tight corners --> best gear was 1st in manual mode.
For easy stuff then sports mode was fine.

[Gybesports]

Really keen to hear about the sand performance of t5 4motion I am upgrading my Subaru outback to 132. 4 motion. I've had the subi out at seal rocks on the beach a couple of times and with the tyres at 18 psi was no problem even in pretty soft stuff and deep ruts but I thought with such a heavy vehicle the muktivan might not perform quite as well.

Also thinking about changing tyres to sand and snow tyres like geolanders or similar.

Regards

David
Lt46
06 golf gfi
On order multi van 132 comfort 4 motion

[vannin]

How did the T4 in the back ground go? Im keen to give mine a test but coming from a 4x4 background (sierra with toyota diffs and diff locks with 33" tyres") Im not sure what to expect.
Nik

[hoddy]

How did the T4 in the back ground go? Im keen to give mine a test but coming from a 4x4 background Im not sure what to expect.
Nik

In the background is turbo diesel 2.5 L Syncro, not sure what year. He has bigger tyres - 225/70/15. It does amazingly well in the sand with tyre pressures low.