2WD Offroading

[emsmatt]

Just curious to see what peoples opinions are on this subject. Wondering how well the 2WD would do on light offroading. Obviously snow/mud/sand poses serious issues but just trails and such. My last vechicle was a Tacoma PreRunner and it did quite well off road even without 4WD. I dont go to the snow much nor do I go off roading either, hence me buying a 2WD, but do go to the Sierras sometimes and like to head out on some BLM trails to camp. Nothing too crazy. Looks like all 3 models have the same clearance 9.6". Thoughts, comments, concerns?

 

[03_4x4Runner]

2wd would be useless to me in the desert if you want to do more than graded roads that cars can drive on. All the other trails have sections of sand, steep climbs, washout out area with deep ruts etc. I would not go off roading with you with a 2wd.

 

[Ryan_S]

I think you'll be fine. You'll get stuck long before you get to the stuff that could really get you into trouble. :beer:

The 2WD has the limited slip thing, that should help a little.

 

[CXS]

Go for it! I was surprised on how much I could do in my Avalon after moving to CO and you have a lot more clearance than I did. Of course you'll use good judgement and avoid anything foolish...

 

[mysticz]

You will do fine, just use your judgement before going to trails you feel uneasy with.

Only problems I have had is in the Dunes, thought up in Moab I did well in the sandy areas and I did not even use my locker. :bigok:

 

[Antman]

You took an Avalon off road???:wow:

 

[CXS]

I lived in the midwest all my life and moved to CO, the mountains were calling!

 

[1000MPH]

The 2WD has a limited slip. Does it have trac?
Should be fine in most conditions. I did a sandy trail surprisingly easily in 2wd that was impossible in my old 2wd truck even with 300lbs of ballast in the bed. You will be able to pass it off as a 4WD at chain checks too.

 

[Sandpiper]

You will be ok if you use your head. My son lives in Vegas and has an old beater wrangler that only has two wheel working. The only time he got stuck was in a deeply rutted sandy road when the diff hung was dragging.

 

[scanny]

I think you'll be fine. You'll get stuck long before you get to the stuff that could really get you into trouble. :beer:

The 2WD has the limited slip thing, that should help a little.

Right, the better SUV you have the longer you'll walk to find a tractor.

 

[homeyclaus]

I have not taken my TE anywhere where I "needed" 4WD. Sure, turning on the wacka-wacka terrain select stuff requires the 4WD to be engaged, and it made driving in places like Assateague (it's a huge Atlantic beach) much less fatiguing, but had I had an SR5 I am not sure I would have bothered to yank that handle. But then, I come from the school of thought that 4WD is there to get you out of trouble, not into trouble.

Most trails and forestry roads require ground clearance and good judgment. That's it. You can do with less ground clearance much of the time - I am impressed by the guy here with his off-road Avalon. I had a Matrix XR with a stick shift that did just fine as long as it had clearance (which was ... limited, especially in the departure angle because of the ground effects stuff).

Hardcore offroading? Of course not. But it'll get you to 90% of the places you want to go.

 

[BunsbertMontcroff]

graded roads that cars can drive on

question: should i even be engaging 4wd on a graded dirt road or forest road? or only for the gnarly stuff? i know that i shouldn't engage 4wd on anything with high traction (like tarmac), or that includes lots of windy turns. but what about those easily navigable (but windy) graded dirt roads? 4wd or 2wd?

 

[CXS]

I suggest using only when needed or anticipating needing when approaching a gnarly section.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

question: should i even be engaging 4wd on a graded dirt road or forest road? or only for the gnarly stuff? i know that i shouldn't engage 4wd on anything with high traction (like tarmac), or that includes lots of windy turns. but what about those easily navigable (but windy) graded dirt roads? 4wd or 2wd?

Probably 2wd unless there is a steep climb. If there are other vehicles around and they are minivans, Highlanders etc. then definately 2wd. Most forest roads in Arizona are graded dirt roads just like a unpaved regular roads and are suitable for most any vehicle. You always see someone out there with a lifted Jeep or something with huge tires and then a minivan comes along. The forest roads here are restricted to staying on the graded roads and no other off roading is permitted. No low range, lockers, winch etc will be needed.

 

[BunsbertMontcroff]

cool - thanks for the tips guys.

 

[Will733]

If you got 4wd might as well use it on those fire roads to keep it lubed. I think the manual says to drive at least 10mi a month in 4wd so why not use it out there when you can. I think in the extended version of the manual it also says if you don't use it... you lose it.