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28 Sep 2016
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Thoughts on 2WD vs 4x4
I've been reading some of the posts about shipping from Europe to Egypt. I'm currently in Montenegro with my small camper, a Toyota Lucida Estima (2WD). I see the mountains along the coast of Egypt, the deep red sands in Sudan etc. on Google maps. Must be pretty.
The car has reasonable ground clearance, uneven gravels roads are no problem, but I'd feel bad about abusing the car in deep mud, I don't think it would like soft sand either, it's not made for that.
What do you think? Would you be limited by 2WD? Can't go out into the wild? In most parts of the world 4x4 is rarely an advantage, but I have no experience in this area.
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28 Sep 2016
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Western Saudi looks mind blowing, look at the photos at this spot: https://goo.gl/maps/fnBAmvuiHaE2
Maybe could convert to Islam and go on the Hajj? No, really :-) Edit: Nah, there are Quotas and waiting lists and probably large fees and tours etc.
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28 Sep 2016
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
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Hi David,
A 2WD vehicle being driven by a skilled driver will nearly always beat a 4WD driven by somebody who is less able/experienced.
In Mauri, Mali, Niger, Sudan etc I have seen quite a few 'westerners' get stuck in their 4WD whilst locals zoom through in their 2WD - even in pretty deep sand.
You can definitely go out into the 'wild' in a 2WD as long as you have half-decent clearance.
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28 Sep 2016
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90% driver, 10% vehicle.
For the vehicle ... suspension plays a large part in performance. Then you get into the tyre grip, 2WD not being 2WD but because of the differential 1WD ... put a specialised differential in and you get true 2WD.
For the track ... divers (edit from rivers) can and do improver the track before they tackle it - filling holes is a big part of getting vehicles over difficult sections. Sand is simply tyres - good tyres that deform when deflated to make a large footprint so the vehicle stands tall in the sand is the way to go.
Last edited by Warin; 29 Sep 2016 at 06:54.
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29 Sep 2016
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Thanks for the replies.
I posted this in the North Africa forum, as I really wanted to know about driving in Egypt / Sudan / South Sudan / Ethiopia in my van.
I think it's not realistic to go poking around here for example, 100km from the nearest road, unless you have a strong vehicle with sand ladders, two spare tires etc: 23.388819, 34.348140 (see satelite view on google maps) (fun, but I guess that's a good walk if there's a breakdown..).
But there's a road here that goes through a similar looking area, so I'd be content to stay mostly on the road: 23.388819, 34.348140
In this instance, I don't miss out too much. I think I'm answering my own question. :-)
Any other insight welcome.
Last edited by DavidZweig; 29 Sep 2016 at 12:45.
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29 Sep 2016
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use chains in the mud, valid for 2WD and 4WD, just put them on before the mud, tighten them after 150 yards, and wash them well before storage, if not they will be a rusty mess when you need them next.
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