Diesel/petrol?
 

Hi,

I am planning a long (>1y) overland trip in Oz and wonder about the fuel. Should I buy a diesel or petrol 4x4? Are both available in remote places? Will a diesel 4x4 remain some value if diesel will be forbidden in due time?

Thanks!

I did blog about that topic recently:

https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/2021...worldtrip.html


Specially for offroad and sand passages, the fuel usage of a gasoline car will be extremly higher in comparison.

The Capitals and bigger Cities will probably use green zones to keep the older diesel engines out. But out of the bigger cities, the diesel will have his place and price. Specially for Australia - in Europe the green zones will grow faster, there is too a higher population per square kilometer.

Surfy

My preference is always diesel as first choice for an overlander. Its a much safer fuel to carry if you need extra in remote areas. If your sightseeing in cities leave the car and use public transport.

When we lost a car to fire out in the Sahara it would have much more dangerous if it was a petrol and someone probably would have got hurt.

Thanks all, this and the blog is really helpful. I had a LC HZJ78 during my overland trip in Africa and that is obviously a diesel.

The ‘concern’ indeed is:
- green zones in cities (how ‘new’ should the car be?)
- availability in the remote areas

And more general: I would prefer the toughest 4x4’s for ‘remote safety’ reasons. However, at the other hand I do like the modern safety features (at least airbags); but it seems that the modern 4x4’s are not closely as good as classics like the Toyota Landcruiser HZJ.

In terms of availability in remote areas... Australian heavy trucks use diesel engines, don't they? So there should always be diesel available for them. Plus road/construction crews, etc.

For a tough transafrica I would still choose the Land Cruiser 200 today.

Because of the mordern safety features, because of the travel comfort, because of that the modern cars are more capable in offroad conditions.

With crawl your car can get out of trouble, because the electronic is able to fire up just one wheel. Where you did got stuck some minutes ago, with locked lockers.

I did collect some Videos about that topic here:
https://www.4x4tripping.com/2013/11/...-atrac-im.html

This is not because the electronic is better than lockers, but the electronic is an additional important element of self recovery, additional to the optional available ARB Lockers.

One additional reason is - that you are able to get spares. Too in the 2nd or 3rd world. Without shipping - they are locally available.

I`m not a Toyota fanboy - I dont think a Land Cruiser 200 is the most capable car for offroad conditions. Because they are heavy you need to winch more, but they are a perfect fit for overlanding. Comfort, Space, capability, durability. The V8 Diesel with near 300hp - brings the required power for that weiht. And the perfect balance between the axxles for having fun in overland setup of near 4to...

For an just offroad related vehicle, I would go very very lightweigt, small cars with big tyres. Jimny, Jeeps and similar.

Surfy

For what it's worth, I've never seen a petrol/gas station with diesel and no petrol/gas, however I've seen a few with gas/petrol and no diesel.

Motorcycles are ubiquitous and reach tiny villages where trucks don't go, so gas/petrol is nearly always available.

I see them plenty often - specifically marked as Truck stations here in Europe, with no roofs (no height restriction) and more maneuvering room for long articulated trailers... but of course it's never a situation where there isn't also a petrol station available within a few kilometers.

Umm, you're not been to Australia have you? As an Australian that has been to the USA 4 times for a total of 17 months (I'm currently Rockford Ill). I can understand your comment. But without first hand experience, why would you even comment?

In short once in Australia you will understand that diesel reigns supreme in the Aus outback and elsewhere, in the 4X4 world and many other cars, sedans etc as well. It's a non contest. You wouldn't consider petrol for a second.