How good is a Freelander off road?

martin1512 · Dec 5, 2011

RED 109 CSW said:
Personally, I like independantly lockable front & rear diffs

This is the problem with most modern vehicles, people are relying on things like ABS, Traction control and stability control to get them out of trouble when they fook up. Most drivers today lack basic driving skills, both on and off road. Electronic driver assistance should be just that, assistance. A good driver should be able to avoid getting in the **** in the first place, and if the do screw up, get out of it without having to rely on an electrical device to take over from them, because one day that device may fail just when you need it, and leave you fooked if you don't have the skill or knowledge to drive out of the situation with just the vehicles basic capabilities.

RED 109 CSW · Dec 5, 2011

martin1512 said:
This is the problem with most modern vehicles, people are relying on things like ABS, Traction control and stability control to get them out of trouble when they fook up. Most drivers today lack basic driving skills, both on and off road. Electronic driver assistance should be just that, assistance. A good driver should be able to avoid getting in the **** in the first place, and if the do screw up, get out of it without having to rely on an electrical device to take over from them, because one day that device may fail just when you need it, and leave you fooked if you don't have the skill or knowledge to drive out of the situation with just the vehicles basic capabilities.

I totally agree. The panel in my pic is from a 1989 vehicle - hardly modern- and no electrical assistance involved. It's a simple vacuum operated way of locking the rear diff and in exceptional circumstances the front one too. When we look at videos of "amazing off road capability" etc; it's really down to the driver. No matter what the 4x4 in question it can only be as good as the person controlling it.

That said I like being able to lock diffs for when I do make an error of judgement. It can make the difference between driving out and needing a recovery. I think it makes more sense than a central locker, but then it's all down to personal choice and "progress" What I do dislike is an electronic brain tying to do my job for me

martin1512 · Dec 5, 2011

RED 109 CSW said:
I totally agree. The panel in my pic is from a 1989 vehicle - hardly modern- and no electrical assistance involved. It's a simple vacuum operated way of locking the rear diff and in exceptional circumstances the front one too. When we look at videos of "amazing off road capability" etc; it's really down to the driver. No matter what the 4x4 in question it can only be as good as the person controlling it.

That said I like being able to lock diffs for when I do make an error of judgement. It can make the difference between driving out and needing a recovery. I think it makes more sense than a central locker, but then it's all down to personal choice and "progress" What I do dislike is an electronic brain tying to do my job for me

That is why I like my 110. It is very basic with just the standard CDL. But I have had a lot of very good training in both on & off road driving. I know what my landy is capable of, and I know what my own abilities are. If I am off roading and come across a situation that I am unsure of, I will either turn back or try another route. I will admit, it is nice to have electronics to assist me while driving, but I would never, ever rely on them if I didn't know I could drive the vehicle through the obstacle without them.

RED 109 CSW · Dec 5, 2011

Electronics + off road (potentially damp / very wet) can't ever be a good idea imho...

martin1512 · Dec 5, 2011

To qoute Jeremy Clarkson " When I am stuck in a bog, how is electricity going to help? I want a lever that goes Kerdunk!"

RED 109 CSW · Dec 5, 2011

One of his few quotes I agree with

landroverjack · Dec 5, 2011

300bhp/ton said:
The TCS in the Freelander will still be able to transmit power to the other wheels.

You wont have any wheels with grip if you are grounded out.. :blabla:

martin1512 · Dec 5, 2011

landroverjack said:
You wont have any wheels with grip if you are grounded out.. :blabla:

The skill lies in reading the terrain and not getting grounded in the first place.

landroverjack · Dec 5, 2011

martin1512 said:
The skill lies in reading the terrain and not getting grounded in the first place.

I absolutely agree, but he was saying the freelander was less likely to ground out than a disco...

martin1512 · Dec 5, 2011

landroverjack said:
I absolutely agree, but he was saying the freelander was less likely to ground out than a disco...

It may be..... If you took the wheels off your disco.

chunkymunky · Dec 5, 2011

Hmm. If two freelanders go out n get muddy together n one gets stuck....

Freelander axle weight/towing cap is poor. Hence get a real deal landy. Why just cope when you can do it properly? Ie plastic fork at a knife fight or a machete?

Spyderman · Dec 5, 2011

landroverjack said:
You wont have any wheels with grip if you are grounded out.. :blabla:

That's where Mr.Winch comes in handy.

RED 109 CSW · Dec 5, 2011

Back to the original posting though - it really doesn't look like "challenging terrain" does it? I've seen rougher camp sites

potus · Dec 5, 2011

I've had a freelander 1 in the past and was really impressed with it especially in the snow. I was on Dartmoor last winter when 'mr moneybags' in his discovery 3 commented......oooh you did well to get that up here......tw@t.

Be interested to see how my S3 fairs this winter on the same route....we will see.

martin1512 · Dec 5, 2011

potus said:
I've had a freelander 1 in the past and was really impressed with it especially in the snow. Was on the moors when 'mr moneybags' in his discovery 3 commented......oooh you did well to get that up here......tw@t.

Be interested to see how my S3 fairs this winter on the same route....we will see.

If you are a competant off road driver, you will find the series 3 is an absolutely superb off road vehicle. Any 4wd vehicle should be fairly able on snowy roads if driven well. It is when you go off the beaten track that many come to grief.

landroverjack · Dec 5, 2011

Spyderman said:
That's where Mr.Winch comes in handy.

haha as long as you've got something to attach it to

Spyderman · Dec 5, 2011

landroverjack said:
haha as long as you've got something to attach it to

That's where Mr.Ground Anchor comes in.

300bhp/ton · Dec 5, 2011

martin1512 said:
This is the problem with most modern vehicles, people are relying on things like ABS, Traction control and stability control to get them out of trouble when they fook up. Most drivers today lack basic driving skills, both on and off road. Electronic driver assistance should be just that, assistance. A good driver should be able to avoid getting in the **** in the first place, and if the do screw up, get out of it without having to rely on an electrical device to take over from them, because one day that device may fail just when you need it, and leave you fooked if you don't have the skill or knowledge to drive out of the situation with just the vehicles basic capabilities.

What a load of ****ing bollox

300bhp/ton · Dec 5, 2011

landroverjack said:
I absolutely agree, but he was saying the freelander was less likely to ground out than a disco...

Who did or are you talking about a different thread?

martin1512 · Dec 5, 2011

300bhp/ton said:
What a load of ****ing bollox

Care to explain why?

How good is a Freelander off road?

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