2WD traction/LPG

[rossw]

Hi,

I am looking into buying a 2WD Bongo V6 and getting it converted to run on LPG. I am concerned about using a 2WD off road in campsites that I might get stuck and especially with the extra weight of the LPG. How do the 2WD versions perform off road? Could this be a problem? Am I right in saying that I can't get a 4WD petrol converted to LPG? Are the 2WD front or rear wheel drive? Is there anything I can do to prevent getting stuck or getting out of a slippy situation?

Many thanks,

Rossw

[manners]

Hi Rossw all the 2wd are rear wheel drive, Ive been on some wet sites with my V6 and never had a problem although they are not that good in the snow compared with the AWD diesels Ive owned. Ive not got LPG but sometimes extra weight helps with getting traction.

[mikeonb4c]

Mine's 2WD. Defo. inferior to 4WD but I've not got stuck yet. I carry some Fiamma grip strips (tucked under the bootmat) to improve my chances in a muddly field, and have resorted to using them (with success) on one occasion.

[madmile]

I dont think you can get a 4wd V6.

[Dolly1]

Correct.

[Glenda]

I have driven my V6 2WD through Morocco and in Crete and had no problems off road. I have posted about 4WD being no better than a 2WD due to the low clearance of the Bongo (the engine tray picked up sand driving in sand in the sahara) and due to this rocky routes are difficult on Bongo 2WD and 4WD.

I have also laughed about people who say the 4WD helps them out of muddy campsites. So last month I kept quiet on the forum when I got stuck in the mud in the allotment car park for a few minutes.

To answer your post the 2WD (rear drive) is fine off road and as Mikeon4 has said you can always use a few aids to help you out from a sticky situation.

They are brilliant.

[mikeonb4c]

I have driven my V6 2WD through Morocco and in Crete and had no problems off road. I have posted about 4WD being no better than a 2WD due to the low clearance of the Bongo (the engine tray picked up sand driving in sand in the sahara) and due to this rocky routes are difficult on Bongo 2WD and 4WD.

I have also laughed about people who say the 4WD helps them out of muddy campsites. So last month I kept quiet on the forum when I got stuck in the mud in the allotment car park for a few minutes.

To answer your post the 2WD (rear drive) is fine off road and as Mikeon4 has said you can always use a few aids to help you out from a sticky situation.

They are brilliant.

Interesting to debate this one Glenda. 4WD would still be better traction wise but what you're saying is thats naff all use as the Bongo lacks ground clearance. I've witnessed how superior 4WD is in a muddy field though as thats the occasion I had to use my grip strips while the 4WDs never blinked. There's no doubt a Delica would be a much better option for off road though, but I was struck by the big wheels some of DemonAV's Russian mates had put on their Bongos. Certainly seemed to improve the ground clearance a good bit and I would think if they were wide enough, the old girl might start to be half decent on sand (with some air spring assistors also to help things along). Risk of toppling mind you

[apole]

Hi, you can't get the V6 in 4WD. Ground clearance is not so hot on this model, check the owners manual for the numbers but the engine does sit quite close to the ground.

I've had no issues so far with the bongo, been in a few muddy fields and used it alot in the current weather and it's driven fine. Grips okay, even reversing up my drive which is pretty slippery currently. Just take it smooth and steady. I do have a full side conversion and an LPG tank under the back, not sure what difference that would make.

[BongoNog]

Hi,

When I first got my 2WD V6 it came with some spongy winter/ice tyres, the handling on the road, especially round bends was terrible with horredous understeer. I replaced those with some commercial van tyres with stiff side walls - huge improvement to the handling. For winter conditions I use winter tyres now, but the 2WD struggles on steep icy hills & is a bit twitchy on snowy roads. This is due to the engine & driver weight being at the front and not over the drive wheels. If you have an LPG tank at the back then that will help a lot, I need to persuade some heavy mates to come skiing with me