Well, what a state of affairs. We are surrounded by water and many roads in the vicinity are impassable except by four-wheel-drive or similar high clearance vehicle. Road surfaces are breaking up too as springs emerge, groundwater can be incredibly powerful. Fortunately the house is elevated and very unlikely to flood, but never say never.
Apparently in talking to the locals, we only recently moved to the area, the present circumstances are more than unusual, but it does seem that weather conditions are getting more severe. Talking to a neighbour the other day she said that what with rain and snow she had given up and bought herself a Defender after slithering around on the snow in a Passat and similar vehicles.
I'm somewhat reluctant to change my car, I have a Volvo with the fantastic D5 engine that is just wonderful to drive, but it set me wondering. Which of the modern vehicles has the best wading depth and can cope with a depth of water before the electrics and/or a intake are imperilled? I had a Carlton estate about 20 years ago and in a severe storm went through some very shallow water but still managed to flood the engine. The air intake was conveniently located underneath the front bumper meaning that more than about 6 inches of water was curtains.
I've tried a search online to check for suitable vehicles but haven't been readily able to find details about wading depth. Obvious choices in my mind would be the Nissan X Trail and the Toyota Rav 4. I would welcome any specialist knowledge or insight as if we do get snow after the flooding then I suspect we could well take the decision to change.
Thanks, Lemma
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If you have the room and so on, why not just buy a cheap old Vitara or Jimny or somesuch as well to keep as a spare car for bad weather use. Second level advantage being that if that got damaged by water it's not your main car.
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A quick google looks like 350mm for the nissan and rav, however freelander 2 is 500 mm so if wading depth is the outright deal maker then you should consider one.
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I'll wager you'll be best orf using an old diesel Landrover being they don't have the electrickery used on modern oilers.
There's bits available to keep the air intake and exhaust above the water level, I used to think they were periscopes.
:}
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Thanks folks, sadly no opportunity for a second car as space is limited. Funnily enough after posting the email I sat down with my coffee and the motoring section of the Telegraph, which has the article about cheapie 4x4s mentioned. The prospect of running around in a knackered old Frontera doesn't do it for me. My neighbour is very happy with her landie, but i spent several years running around in one doing agricultural field trials in my youth and am still partially deaf as a result with callouses on my backside as well but i did manage to avoid the razor sharp edges of bent metal forming various parts of the internals. Thanks for the comments I will give it more thought and if we get snow anytime soon I think that could push over the edge. Saw a lovely looking Mitsubishi Outlander, 13 reg, going down the road this afternoon.
Cheers, Lemma
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If the problem is the air intake mounted too low then just modify it with some plastic ducting so that it is at a sensible height.
It's ridiculous driving a car in modern Britain with a water intake scoop like on an old steam engine.
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Defenders are hard-core off-roaders. They are brilliant off-road especially the SWB versions with the TD5 engine. But they are tiring for everyday use compared to a car, with lots of noise, an uncomfortable ride and a bit cramped for your elbow. They were built for going off the tarmac and that is where they perform best. A Freelander is a better compromise for your needs if you only need extra height for floods. They seem popular with the horsey types as well so they must be reliable, the last thing you want is a breakdown when towing a nag.
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>..if we get snow anytime soon I think that could push over the edge.
The forecast I saw at work yesterday showed the possibility of significant snow next Friday/Saturday. Still too early/chaotic to be sure but the possibility is there.
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>> >..if we get snow anytime soon I think that could push over the edge.
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>> The forecast I saw at work yesterday showed the possibility of significant snow next Friday/Saturday.
>> Still too early/chaotic to be sure but the possibility is there.
>>
I don't know where you are located but I am in Scotland, I have just bought a car (see Motability thread) and had the option of 2x4 or 4x4 versions. I have lived in and driven all over Scotland in all seasons for decades and have yet to need a 4x4.
Last edited by: Uncle Albert on Sat 25 Jan 14 at 18:34
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2 feet on the Pajero or whatever that is in Japanese.
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fleet
or maybe it's freet.
one of them anyway
Last edited by: Runfer D'Hills on Sat 25 Jan 14 at 22:27
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...but there was 2. keep up please:-)
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Hello Uncle Albert, thanks for your comments. I too have no major need for a 4X4 and indeed have driven for decades in various countries around the world. You might, for example, feel you need one in Ghana if my experience was anything to go by. For the work i used to do a landie was essential not just for the 4x4 capability but also the PTO which was used to drive a pump.
However my question was about wading depth not 4x4 capability so would welcome thoughts on that. If a 4x4 such as a Nissan X Trail or Toyota Rav 4 - I mention these specifically as HJ commented on them when i googled for info - offers greater security in that regard then I would certainly be prepared to get one and accept some penalty in terms of economy etc. I would appreciate the benefit it would give me when needed, with the bonus of better capability in snow etc as well as standing water. Also the peace of mind that we could get to susceptible family members in an emergency, something we experienced with the latest bout of flooding.
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One other consideration is whether the flood waters have a current or are static water. We live in and area where the river used to overflow and had a strong current across the road. Our old BXs had sufficient "wading depth" when suspension was raised but used to start to "float" like a boat so that, though the engine kept running, the wheels had little contact with the ground and car would drift towards a rather deep ditch in the current! Rather unnerving when you ain't got a rudder!!
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I would go for the cars are for roads and boats are for floods route. Unless you have walked your flooded route you have no idea what is under the water, or how deep it is, a gutter drain grille opened to 90ยบ will stop you dead, as will a missing manhole cover, abandoned bike or shopping trolley. A floating car is the ultimate aquaplane and can be just as fatal.
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There is not just the air intake that can ingest water. Axle breathers can do likewise so anything over about 12" deep starts to be of concern. Any 4X4 would require a makeover of specific wading parts.
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Good point Fc, most gearboxes also have a breather which could ingest water, but the electronic sensors and connections on a modern engine management system would also be a worry.
Last edited by: Uncle Albert on Sun 26 Jan 14 at 19:28
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Are the ABS components on the hubs the most exposed.
I work on avoiding anything deeper than the kerb.
Similarly a 4x4 will wade but may not do it twice unless specifically modified.
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>> Axle breathers can do
>> likewise
>>
Standard fitting on a Volvo 240 - the axle breather has a plastic pipe leading into the boot.
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Forward control Land Rover (is it the basis for the military 'Pig'?) has enormous ground clearance, looks like 18 inches minimum, perhaps a couple of feet.
Some military Defenders, and the Austin Champ in its day, had snorkel arrangements for intake and exhaust. I seem to remember a photo of a Champ driving along underwater with stoical squaddies whose heads are just above the surface... but perhaps I just imagined it.
A week or so back we drove, crawling in first gear, a hundred yards through water of more or less unknown depth. We knew the road was level but of course there are undulations... the jalopy wasn't too keen and hesitated a bit, perhaps water trying to get into the exhaust pipe, but we made it. Brakes were soaked and didn't work for a while.
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I'm guessing 101s are more, but Defenders and Mk1 and 2 Discoveries are rated at wading in 2 foot of water. I've had a Discovery exhaust submerged before now.
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Wading depth - Runfer D'Hills
