"dumb question" Should I engage 4wd high range on Gibb River Rd
Submitted: Monday, Apr 21, 2008 at 21:09
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TBudge
Apologies if this sounds like an obvious (dumb) question but I thought I'd put it out there... I have an 80series Landcruiser and we're doing the
Gibb River Rd in June and I was wondering what people to enaging 4WD high range for the general gravel road driving. Obviously when conditions call for it I always drop into 4wd but for general long distance basic gravel roads do people recommend running 4wd high range? I know when we drive out of camping spots onto the gravel 4wd gives a much nicer, more controlled drive (i.e. I know its easier, safer and better than for the road - doesn't dig it up as much) but is this worth any extra diesel costs? Does running 4wd high range increase your diesel fuel costs that much?
Opinions appreciated.
cheers Tony
Reply By: Mainey (wa) - Monday, Apr 21, 2008 at 23:02
Monday, Apr 21, 2008 at 23:02
I have done the Gibb about 3 times in a *non* 4wd and also twice in a Troopy, but was not in 4wd mode (on the road)
The Gibb was in reasonable condition each time and was ok at 80Kph plus, as it's just a long dirt road and not too many sharp bends that require slowing down when I went, BUT it changes as the big trucks muck it up a bit.
Just watch out for them ****** road trains, they usually don't slow down or give you any right of way at all.
The corrugations and the sharp 'stones' are the major problem grrr
Mainey . . .
AnswerID:
299742
Follow Up By: Oldsquizzy (Kununurra) - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 05:01
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 05:01
The
Gibb River Road is an important transport road for the cattle industry. You will come across many road trains, trucks with three, four or more trailers. And they move...
Whatever you do, keep in mind that these road trains can't just jump on the breaks and stop in a hurry, so stay out of their way.
Don't take any risks trying to overtake them. You will need a lot of clear straight road ahead to do so, and how you are going to see that in their dust cloud I don't know...
Last but not least: at dusk and dawn there is always a risk of animals on the road. Not only wildlife but also cattle are a big
hazard. Remember that all the land along the
Gibb River Road is cattle farming country, and that the road is not necessarily fenced.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Oldsquizzy (Kununurra) - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 05:29
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 05:29
That came from this web page. Not a bad one to read if going on the gibb.
Site Link
One of the other things to remember is as a gravel road it has a formed all weather surface, ie :- hard formed gravel. This is only one lane wide in the middle of the road. when the surface is broken you get bulldust pits forming or large holes. This is why the road trains that service the area stay in the middle of the road, you can see them coming from a long way off and it is so easy to just pull over and let them by.
There is also a single lane section of Great northen hwy between Warnum (Turkey Creek) and Doon Doon that has road trains on it from Sally Malay
mine which are five trailers long and normal three trailer road trains that service
Kununurra from
Perth, once again they wont drop trailers off the bitumen onto the dirt so care should be taken and common sense used. Youre on holidays , dont stress, better to get there late than to get there DEAD on time.
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Apr 21, 2008 at 23:52
Monday, Apr 21, 2008 at 23:52
I often do on gravel roads, but don't on clay. I don't think it affects fuel consumption.
Theres a school of thought that says a lot of rollovers on gravel roads may have been avoided if the vehicles were in 4wd rather than 2wd.
And if you choose 2wd, do you lock or unlock the hubs? I like to keep the bearings turning over on corrugated roads, so I lock the hubs.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: TBudge - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 00:15
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 00:15
Thanks for all the comments, thought and opinions. It seems there's no easy answer as some say do and others say don't.
Does anyone know roughly how much extra fuel (diesel) you use running 4wd high range at speeds of between 40 and 80km/hr (which is the speed I expect we'll mostly be travelling at on the
Gibb River Rd)? Note: my cruiser obviously ISN'T constant 4wd (or all wheel drive - whatever you want to call it). I know from my experience the car certainly 'feels' nicer on gravel in 4wd so if as long as it's not going to chew up heaps more fuel I'll probably run it in 4wd.
Thanks and again and keep your advice, thoughts coming.
cheers Tony
AnswerID:
299757
Follow Up By: On Patrol (East Coast) - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 08:28
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 08:28
Tony
You have answered your own question mate.
"I know from my experience the car certainly 'feels' nicer on gravel in 4wd"
As for fuel consumption I have not noticed a big difference, therefore for me it is not a huge issue really.
Tony, you do what is right for "you" and if your happy in 4wd, then do it. It's that simple.
Colin.
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Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 09:42
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 09:42
Tony,
You would be hard pressed to measure the difference in fuel consumption, its not really an issue. I agree with you that the 80 feels more sure footed in 4WD and I will ususally drive that way on long stretches of dirt.
If it feels good - do it. You never know when some Fritz in a Britz will shove you in to the loose stuff, bit late to be thinking about the extra traction then.
Matt.
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565937
Reply By: David A A - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 00:34
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 00:34
Hi TB
You will not need to be in 4WD on the GRR, you will need to drive to the conditions, ie take it easy, throw away the watch and enjoy.
I have been there when locals have said it is bad and have found it very much OK, but we were not in a hurry and drove accordingly.
Some creeks and bulldust holes will appear from no where so if you are taking it easy there is no probs (you may still find yourself all locked up and skidding LOL, happens).
If you feel better in 4WD then use it, the extra fuel is not worth worrying about for piece of mind, I have used 4WD where others would not, because I have the other half and kids with me and did not wish to push it.
I would not have it in 4WD in my old HJ60 and I would also tow my OR CT but would not hessitate to put it in 4WD. And yes I would take my old 60 will get there and back.
regards
David
AnswerID:
299763
Reply By: Peter 2 - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 06:40
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 06:40
Tony
I've had seven Landcruisers, mostly troopies since the mid seventies and we used to spend aboout 3 months of every year travelling outback so the vehicles were all
well used but not abused.
Qnce I leave the bitumen the hubs are locked and stay locked for the duration of the trip, or at least until the last couple of days when it is all bitumen
home.
Although I've driven across the Bells line of road back into
Sydney a few times in wet slippery conditions in 4H a few times.
The improved traction, especially when braking when slowing down in loose corrugated corners as
well as better traction and control in corrugated conditions far outweighs any perceived extra wear or increased fuel consumption.
I never broke or wore a diff out prematurely and could not detect any difference in fuel consumption when running in 4H.
I also never had drivetrain windup unless I forgot to pop the transfer back into 2wd when manouvering at a
campsite orpulling into town.
You can easily go from 2wd to 4wd on the fly at anytime if the surface improves or speed increases, I rarely ran 4wd over about 90kph.
We did have a 4wd hilux for a short period and it did use more fuel in 4H but in cruisers I could never detect any difference.
You paid extra to have a 4wd so use it!
AnswerID:
299770
Reply By: mfewster - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 08:22
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 08:22
I'm with Peter2 and Barnsey. Yes, you can drive that sort of road in 2WD. But, it is the sudden big
rock you want to swerve just a bit quicker to miss, when you are on a bit of a bend with big corrugations and some of your wheels aren't 100%in contact with the ground. That sort of scenario. Very common on that road, especially when you really want to be in the middle of the road because of the conditions of the shoulder, or you want to take a bit of avoidance and thAt big road train is bearing down on you at the same time and he is sure going to stay in the middle of the road. The extra steering control in 4WD is
well worth it on the Gibb in my opinion. I could be biased. We did it last in a 4 Runner and broke every shocker, so precise steering was certainly an issue for us at the time.
AnswerID:
299779
Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 08:35
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 08:35
I agree with Kiwi Kia, Barnesy and Peter2
The 4wd was designed to be drivern by all four wheels on gravel roads.
Not sure where the idea comes from that the front will wear out quicker or that you get gearbox windup all the time (although my old FJ 55 with 500,000 on the clock would do that from time to time....then it was a simple fix by reversing 5 to 10 metres and slipping the gear transfer lever out).
Although agreeing with the above posters I am rather slack and would f'instance drive the
Birdsville Track(Hwy...lol) in 2wd and only engage the hubs once I get into the
Simpson Desert proper. As a rule I travel slowly on gravel roads but have been known to speed along when the roads are smooth.
All of my indiscretions with 4wd's over the years have happened travelling below 20kmh whilst in low range.
I woulld suggest, as you are asking, and as you seem inexperienced, that you lock the hubs in 4wd and engage High Range once you reach the gravel of the GRR. This should assure you of safe travel.
Cheers
AnswerID:
299781
Reply By: TBudge - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 23:30
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008 at 23:30
Thanks heaps guys for all your thoughts etc. I didn't think this 'dumb' question would generate as much interest.
We're talking a month to do the
Gibb River Rd (inc a trip up to
Kalumburu and the
Mitchell Falls) so we certainly plan to take it easy and slow. Based on the advice given in this thread I think I'll go the 4wd high range mode and assuming I don't notice a huge increase in fuel consumption (shouldn't do according to this thread) I'll stick with that as I know from experience the cruiser definitely feels 'nicer' on gravel in 4wd.
We're just counting down the days now (going in June) and hoping that the water crossings clear up (should do, many are open'ish already).
cheers Tony
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 at 00:23
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 at 00:23
Tony, I'd definitely be engaging 4H on the
Mitchell Falls road
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