Freelander never fails to impress

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S1monm

Active Member
Posts
183
I am always suprised when my little Landy does something I'm impressed with. On site yesterday and 1 of the lads I work with has a brand new company HiLux. Site we had to get to was up through a steep field with a muddy track. So colleague says I'll go first in case you get stuck, cue lots of wheel spinning and sideways action until he gives up and says we'll have to walk.

I thought what the hell I'll give it a go and I got up no wheel spins or drama and this was on road tyres. Went back to get my colleague who had a new found respect for the Freelander.

Now I know the Freelander has its limitations but they are very good for what I do which is driving to remote sites along farm tracks, through fields, forestry trails and generally unmade access tracks. I have never once been stuck, even when I was up in Scottish Highlands during the heavy snow in January.

I love my little Gaylander
 
lol, its a tad more useful to be able to drive up a muddy track than to be able to throw a truck in the sea, retrieve it and start it. Unless of course your hobby is throwing trucks into the sea!
 
Thing is I'm not having a dig at the capabilities of other vehicles, it's just amusing when you see one of the beasts struggling to move a couple of feet and you just drive past with no drama. Has happend a few times, particularly on ice covered tracks, the Freelander just seems to excel.

I also just take it for granted that I don't have to bother with Low Range and diff locks, straight off the tarmac and on to the rough stuff lol.

I have a 10min vid of me following a HiLux up to a site from approx sea level to about 2500ft and you can see the HiLux unable to get up the steep part whilst I just carry on...it also demonstrates what a capable vehicle the Freelander is. If anyone wants to stick it on YouTube let me know and I'll send you the link of it :)
 
You need to slip the clutch in a manual which can make them over heat or burn out. Especially oft road when wanting to go slow over an obstacle. Auto's don't have the problem so much as they can drive with the brake partially applied, for a bit.
 
True, if you're going to encounter obstacles or tow heavy loads. But if your doing neither the manual will cost you a lot less to run (in fuel) and has better engine breaking and in mud/sand is arguably better because you have precise control.
 
True, if you're going to encounter obstacles or tow heavy loads. But if your doing neither the manual will cost you a lot less to run (in fuel) and has better engine breaking and in mud/sand is arguably better because you have precise control.
When locked in 1st or reverse the engine braking is there in an auto when yer takes yer foot oft so you still have control. When in drive it will soon change to 2nd oft road as 1st is low and they're happy to trickle along in 2nd on tick over. Manuals may be slightly cheaper on fool but the clutch change soon takes that out. It's down to personal choice.
 
When locked in 1st or reverse the engine braking is there in an auto when yer takes yer foot oft so you still have control. When in drive it will soon change to 2nd oft road as 1st is low and they're happy to trickle along in 2nd on tick over. Manuals may be slightly cheaper on fool but the clutch change soon takes that out. It's down to personal choice.

I'd say its all about what driving you do. Open road the manual is cheaper to run but I like the auto on snow and mud and especially in traffic..
 
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