As I and my wife are going to the top of Cape York on the first of July with our Kimberly Karavan, weighing all up close to 5 tonnes, I decided it would be a good investment to further my knowledge of 4 X 4 driving skills and recovery procedures. I booked us into the advanced 4 X 4 course with Great Divide Tours. As we had to use winches and snatch straps, (photos attached) the safety issue again raised its head. Vic Widman questioned strongly the recovery points or pertained lack there off. I did some more research and also dug up the certificate I received for my recovery points that I had made and tested, including the following Web site,
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/2005-VW-Touareg-Expedition-Tow-1024x768.htm
http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2005-VW-Touareg-Expedition.htm
Not convinced Vic checked with the Overlander Magazine Editor, Matt, who then checked with a engineer from VW who confirmed that the recovery points were engineered for recovery with a snatch strap and therefore also suitable for winching. With the rating confirmed Vic was then happy to use these points.
This is the first time I have been able to get a positive answer from VW (Yes I have rang them before trying to get a that vey question answered)to that nagging question will they hold, are they tested, made for that purpose. Even in the above websites they are referred to as towing points.
I thought I’d better let everybody know about these important facts and put a lot of minds at ease.
A few other things I learned.
Tyres I’ve used were Scorpions ATR’s 265/65/17, very nice tyre, quite, comfortable good grip on dirt tracks and bitumen but for travelling the Outback I have switched to Coopers ST 245/70/17. With the ATR’s I did not get the grip I needed to get up the gullies or on mud that we will encounter up North. They are noisier but not too bad, comfort is quite good not as bad as I expected but traction is way better. When I get back to Sydney the Scorpions will go back on.
Hill descent is not as good as I would like and can’t be switched off, (I don’t know whether newer models are better, mine is 2005)(I tried with ESP switched on and off) changing from second low to first low, there is a gap where the Touareg tends to run away, just a short distance before the hill decent control kicks in, then the brakes take over and slide, the same in stall and recovery in reverse. Both can be dangerous in steep and slippery condition as you want to instinctively hit the brakes. If you sit on the brakes too hard it can have dire consequences as you slide downhill without any control. Trying to overcome the shortcomings by accelerating I found the brakes kicked in automatically, very frustrating and dangerous.
All in all, a very steep learning curve with my Touareg, my thanks to Vic Widman.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/2005-VW-Touareg-Expedition-Tow-1024x768.htm
http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2005-VW-Touareg-Expedition.htm
Not convinced Vic checked with the Overlander Magazine Editor, Matt, who then checked with a engineer from VW who confirmed that the recovery points were engineered for recovery with a snatch strap and therefore also suitable for winching. With the rating confirmed Vic was then happy to use these points.
This is the first time I have been able to get a positive answer from VW (Yes I have rang them before trying to get a that vey question answered)to that nagging question will they hold, are they tested, made for that purpose. Even in the above websites they are referred to as towing points.
I thought I’d better let everybody know about these important facts and put a lot of minds at ease.
A few other things I learned.
Tyres I’ve used were Scorpions ATR’s 265/65/17, very nice tyre, quite, comfortable good grip on dirt tracks and bitumen but for travelling the Outback I have switched to Coopers ST 245/70/17. With the ATR’s I did not get the grip I needed to get up the gullies or on mud that we will encounter up North. They are noisier but not too bad, comfort is quite good not as bad as I expected but traction is way better. When I get back to Sydney the Scorpions will go back on.
Hill descent is not as good as I would like and can’t be switched off, (I don’t know whether newer models are better, mine is 2005)(I tried with ESP switched on and off) changing from second low to first low, there is a gap where the Touareg tends to run away, just a short distance before the hill decent control kicks in, then the brakes take over and slide, the same in stall and recovery in reverse. Both can be dangerous in steep and slippery condition as you want to instinctively hit the brakes. If you sit on the brakes too hard it can have dire consequences as you slide downhill without any control. Trying to overcome the shortcomings by accelerating I found the brakes kicked in automatically, very frustrating and dangerous.
All in all, a very steep learning curve with my Touareg, my thanks to Vic Widman.
/
