Rav4? (don't laugh at me...)
 

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a Toyota Rav4, and I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on it's suitability for driving Moroccan pists and maybe further in the not too distant future.

I want a toyota because they are so reliable, and the Rav4 is more compact, faster (I think) and more economical than a land cruiser, not to mention about 1/3 of the price. It also means I can run it on LPG in the UK and europe (because it's petrol).

Does anyone have any experiance of driving these, especially on the piste?

I'm well aware that the off-road capability is not upto that of real off roader (I own a landrover 109 and a suzuki sj413 - neither of which I would like to drive too far, though I took the SJ413 to Maroc last year), but I think it would cope well enough in sand - it's also lighter than a LC.

Any information would be very much appreciated!

Thanks, Scott Wylie.

I have experience of the Rav 4!!!

I was in the UN in Cyprus and beleive it or not the Rav 4 is used alongside the Land Cruiser as the local workhorse.

They work well if not loaded up. Front wishbones are a bit exposed, but they are light and have relatively good ground clearance.

Good luck

Scott,
I've had a RAV4 and would not consider going in it anywhere more demanding than a weekend in the Lake District. RAV4 may have a better ground clearance but eventually it's a poorly disguised road car. I don't think the suspension is up to the job. Also, no low range. Besides, with RAV4's limited load carrying capability you'd need a Landrover to carry the supplies for you.

Those wishbones sure do look exposed on a RAV - have you considered a Toyota 4Runner (LWB), basically a Hilux with a body - here in the US they look pretty chunky but of course would fit in the back of most local pick ups.
2.5/4s to 3.5 V6s I think (maybe not in the UK) - a bit more on them in the book - Economical but a bit underpowered in 2.5/soft sand is what I hear. And a low cab too, not much fun if your 6 foot 1

Chris S

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

Have you set off yet?!!

I've driven a RAV-4 in the dunes and as the others have said, when not loaded they go really well. I think it would probably cope with what you have in mind.

However, the limiting factor becomes one of space. For long distance travel you need a lot of gear. A RAV-4 possibly won't have enough space for all you want to take and you mention LPG as well. Have you have the vehicle converted? If so, how much space does the conversion and the LPG tank take up?

IMHO, I'd look for a vehicle that has slightly more space. Good luck, whatever you choose to do.

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Jon Harbour

Middle East Off-Roader
http://www.mid-east-off-road.com

Do not worry too much about space. The absolute minimum you will need is 4 jeery cans of petrol and 4 of water. Me and my friend just crossed the sahara with Niva. Never lacked any space with all the spares and personal belonging. Also I met some travelers way overloaded, they become scared before sandy sections and start giving their stuff away. In other words do not overdue it when getting ready, as long as you are happy with your car technically and have enough fuel and water you will be OK.

As far as space is concerned, here's a cunning plan!?:

Imagine you're going on a motorbike.

Then, on the day of departure, get into your car...

(This advice obviously does not apply to the girls)(who can then take advantage of all that extra space with their stuff)!


[This message has been edited by Beatricedesmet (edited 15 January 2002).]

Hi;

I am thinking of buying the same car for the same reasons but with different intentions.

I intend to use it for trips around Europe, limited Africa (morocco,mau.,mali, senegal etc) or CA .. BUT definetly on tarmac or lets say road. I dont intend to ride on dunes or dessert pists.


So the question is: is RAV4 a good choice for such intentions?

Usl,

If you still pose the question after having read the whole thread, all you need, I gather, is a nod of approval from this forum. So, AFAIMC, RAV4 is a reliable road car and makes you look real coooool! Pity it has enough space for a toothbrush and a bag of golf clubs ;-)

IMHO , the qualities that a good desert car should have are

Toughness
Loading capacity
Easily "bush"-fixable

none of these the Rav4 succedss at all .
I doubt you can fit 4+4 Jerricanes inside , and if you could .. that would be near the maximum weight of the vehicle .

I think that the decisive factor for a desert car is being able to withstand abuse ,

A Rav4 would be destroyed by the constant hammering of corrugations , potholes , jumps . Even if it succedds at dunes (which I doubt as It would be overladden) , you will find your car falling to pieces in the corrugations.


Also , god forbids you if you happen to break down the Rav4 in Mali , Niger ,etc... as the chances of having such a techhnological vehicle fixed there are slim to say the least.

Honestly , I can not thing of a 4x4 car LEAST suited to the desert than the rav4 .


Javier.

I don't think anybody ever considered the RAV4 as a long range dessert tourer.

There are R5's doing Nouadhibou-Nouakchott, and if that's the dessert driving you're planning, why not. And in Nigeria and Cameroon you'll see toyota corolla and the likes suffed with 400kg's of yams or 8 passengers flying over pistes many european 'off roaders' with macho cars would hesitate for. So why not with a lightly laden RAV4.

And at least in Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon I saw RAV4's. Don't remember about the rest, but there are toyota dealers and ways of getting spares there.

Hi Scott,

If one reason you fancy a Rav4 is the ability to use LPG, then why not consider a petrol landcruiser? Admittedly, petrol 80 series are a bit rarer in the UK than the diesels, but they are the only thing you can get in the US (they didn't have diesel 80s) and are also common in Australia, South Africa etc.

I have one of these and it was a bit cheaper to buy in the UK than a diesel one. If you spend about £600 on an LPG kit, it will also be cheaper to run. Added to which, the 1FZ-FE petrol engine is quite a bit more powerful than most of the diesel LC engines, so you can even overtake!

cheers - Andy