A traveller's guide to buying a 4x4 for off-road adventures

Just because a car looks like a 4x4 doesn't mean it is a 4x4. So if you're the kind of traveler who likes to head off the beaten track, here are 10 points to consider when buying a car to ensure that you'll be able to tackle any off-road holiday, from a weekend at a game reserve to a cross-Africa camping trip

1. FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE

This may seem like a no-brainer, but check that your vehicle is equipped with a proper four wheel-drive system. Whether it's an automatic setup that automatically sends drive to the rear wheels when needed or a full-time equivalent like you'd find on an old school Land Rover Defender, it's essential that power be transferred to all available wheels. Why? Well it's simple really – spreading the engine's torque to both the front and rear wheels ensures maximum traction across slippery surfaces.   

2. LOW RANGE TRANSFER CASE

A transfer case is what splits the drive of the engine between the front and the rear axles. However not all transfer cases are created equal. Some have an extra set of super-low ratios that provide extra torque and ultra-low output speeds. This is particularly useful when crawling up or descending steep obstacles. An absolute must-have if you're planning on adventuring deep into the unexplored African bundu.

3. LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS

A locking differential effectively "locks" both wheels on an axle together. This means that the two wheels will now rotate at equal speed – even when going around corners. This phenomenon creates extra grip that's particularly handy when driving through mud, snow or sand. Most 4x4s offer a locking rear differential, but others will also come equipped with a locking front and centre differential for even better off-road prowess.

full_story_image_hleft1

4. HILL DESCENT CONTROL

Hill Descent Control automatically limits the speed at which your vehicle rolls down a slope. Keeping your descent speed constant means that you, the driver, can now concentrate more on the path ahead rather than modulating the brakes and throttle. This makes navigating challenging terrain considerably less stressful. Especially useful on off-roaders that do not come equipped with a low range transfer case.

story_article_right1

5. GROUND CLEARANCE

The higher your vehicle's ground clearance, the better it will deal with obstacles. If you're looking for something with fairly decent off-road capability, you generally need 200-230mm worth of the stuff. Anything under the 200mm mark really isn't going cut the mustard across especially gnarly terrain.

Also make sure that the quoted ground clearance figure is measured from the lowest point under the vehicle's chassis (usually the bulbous differential housing on cars with solid or "live" axles). Some manufactures will, in an attempt to create an illusion of more clearance, get a figure measuring from the chassis itself, which can be a bit misleading. Be 100% certain where the official quoted figure is coming from.

6. APPROACH AND DEPATURE ANGLES

The approach angle refers to the angle between the bottom of your two front tyres and the bumper. The greater the angle, the steeper the obstacle you can drive over or on to. The departure angle is the exact same thing just at the rear of the vehicle. Departure angles will, generally speaking, always be slightly more compromised because of the presence of exhaust componentry. Remember this when ascending especially steep slopes as the rear bumper/apron could very well make contact with the terrain below.

full_story_image_hleft2

7. ROLLOVER ANGLE

This important figure refers to the exact angle at which a vehicle will topple over while traversing a slope at right angles. The higher the vehicle's centre of gravity, the less its rollover angle will be. Generally speaking, anything above the 40º mark is seen as optimal. Creep below 34 º and things can get very lairy very quickly.

8. BREAK-OVER ANGLE

Break-over angle refers to the angle between the vehicle's tyres and its chassis. It's measured from the bottom of the tyres to the midpoint of the vehicle's wheelbase. Exceed this figure and you will undoubtedly scrape (and damage) the underside of the vehicle concerned. The higher the break-over angle, the less likely it is that such an incident will occur. Remember that break-over angles are directly proportional to the length of a vehicle's wheelbase (the exact distance between the front and rear wheels). The shorter the wheelbase, the better the break-over angle will usually be.  

9. WINCH

Although not a necessity, a good winch can prove an invaluable piece of off-roading equipment. It's very useful for dragging yourself out of sticky situations such as thick mud, snow or sand – especially if there is nobody else out on the trail to assist you.

10. SOLID VS. INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION

For the ultimate off-road experience it is advisable to purchase a 4x4 fitted with solid or "live" axles as they are harder wearing, maintain a constant ground clearance and provide for better articulation. Unfortunately, a lack of refinement means that they always feel rather clunky on everyday roads. If you're going to spend more time in the city, it's worth getting a 4x4 fitted with an independent suspension system.