I am concerned that I could get bogged again in our Fiat Ducato front wheel drive.
I have been looking at various mats/pads etc that can be used, but was wondering if anyone has ever used one for a Fiat Ducato.
Colin
Aus-Kiwi said
07:31 PM Oct 1, 2017
Winch or snow chains ? You'd think they would have DC elect motors / generators just for traction !! Oh but the thought of gene ?? Lol A bar or post can be chained across the front of wheel and driven half a tyre turn forward just to get you out of the hole ? But be aware of shredding the valve stem !! Rope can be used instead of chain so it damages rim less ? Lowering tyre pressure help traction . Tyre tread choice also ..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 1st of October 2017 07:32:24 PM
hako said
08:05 PM Oct 1, 2017
Not a Ducato but still front wheel drive - daughters Mazda is FWD and has a friend who lives up a steepish gravelly road which the Mazda must ascend in reverse to gain traction.
Good Luck.
Ozzie_Traveller said
09:43 PM Oct 1, 2017
G'day Colin
There's heaps of people who want to bag the front-wheel-drive RVs as they are well known for slipping on wet soil once the weight is on the rear wheels which are not helping drive the RV up the wet slope
One solution for any front-wheel-drive bod is simply to reverse out of the location, using the front drive wheels taking the weight and reversing to 'safety'
Use the co-pilot at the rear window as your guide and reverse up the wet grass [or whatever] and get our of the problem.
If that doesn't work, then equally it won't work for any rear-wheel drive RV either - so they can't brag at your expense then as well :)
Phil
Splottboy said
10:26 PM Oct 1, 2017
thanks AUS
Splottboy said
10:29 PM Oct 1, 2017
thks ozzie
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:42 PM Oct 1, 2017
"If that doesn't work, then equally it won't work for any rear-wheel drive RV either".
No, it is not like that.
The problem is the weight distribution. Most weight is at the rear, especially with motorhomes with long rear overhangs.
That is OK for rear wheel drive only, but not for front wheel drive only.
I have seen a Fiat that could not drive up a moderate hill on wet bitumen in forward or reverse. No problem at all in rear wheel drive with the weight on the drive axle.
Cheers,
Peter
Aus-Kiwi said
11:55 PM Oct 1, 2017
They don't make rear engine cars with front wheel drive !! Pfft . AWD or RWD !! Or keep on the black stuff !! Don't listen to sales rubbish !! FWD is just cheap to manufacture !! If it was good Semi's would be FWD !!
macka17 said
11:59 PM Oct 1, 2017
Front wh drive. NORMALLY, has the engine\drive shafts and cab over it. with nothing much as an overhang.
The rear to centre of ALL veh's. Normally. is where the load is. with rear wheels usually up to a mtr or more forward of the actual rear itself.
Getting\giving 90% of veh weight over the rear wheel, and central area of chassis.
IF drive is at rear. and engine\transm at front. Gives Fairly even distribution overall. With a much higher %age of drive in either direction from the rear wheel drive units.
90% of us towing. Use the 4wd's for several reasons. Heavier, bigger veh. Can tow, carry more than most other small veh's. have stronger\stiffer chassis for tow rigidity. 4WD gives BETTER traction, in ALL circumstances. They are a plus. plus. in 99.99% of situations. Towing, and touring.
If going off road anywhere. Do NOT buy a front wheel drive. of any type. They WILL let you down
-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 2nd of October 2017 12:00:49 AM
Aus-Kiwi said
12:05 AM Oct 2, 2017
Yep even then some 4WD are RWD till it spins then front locks up .. Gives better tyre wear . Some fairly sophisticated trans out there now . Remember the old days of getting out and locking front hubs ? Aha
blaze said
02:59 AM Oct 2, 2017
outside the square
geet a set of those 12v caravan movers that bolt up and drive off the tyres, might put enouch drive to the rears to back up the few feet that is mostly needed
cheers
blaze
Hey Jim said
09:24 AM Oct 2, 2017
Splottboy wrote:
Hi,
I am concerned that I could get bogged again in our Fiat Ducato front wheel drive.
I have been looking at various mats/pads etc that can be used, but was wondering if anyone has ever used one for a Fiat Ducato.
Colin
Hi Splottboy,
Buy a pair of MaxiTracks from super cheap $268.00
You will be fine where you ever want to go in your Fiat Ducato.
We use use two pairs for beach launching and retrieval of our 6mtr boat. I would never leave home without them. They are GOLD!
Use google/ U tube to see them at work.
Regards Jim
Bryan said
10:43 AM Oct 2, 2017
Better to ask the guys that actually drive them. Lots of them on here.
macka17 said
02:22 PM Oct 2, 2017
And every one. IF Honest.
will tell you they've had problems with traction at some time.
The amount of front wheel drives we pulled up boat ramps when they first came out,
Wasn't funny.
Sometimes we had to tow them out. JUST to get access to ramps.
Till they learned. On flat. dry. Fine.
anywhere else. Think first.
YES JIM.
BUT those Maxi's though great. NEED the POWER...
to pull veh out of soft ONTO the tracks.
These fwd Motorhomes etc.
Tend to have tiny little engines in there for bitumin work.
2.2-2.5ltrs with a hairdryer.
They NEED higher rev's to get Turbo up and spinning first.
Equates to wheelspin and NO traction onto tracks.
I've watched a couple. Auto's are better But.
They basically a flat Bitumin rig only in the real world.
dirvine said
04:46 PM Oct 2, 2017
The best 4WD recovery mats are Maxtrax. Other make them as well ie supercheap and TRED. Issue will be the weight and not uv protected if you buy the cheap ones. I have used mine on a very heavily loaded 4wd (try fully kitted out with 180 ltrs of fuel on board) The tracks just wedge up to the wheels and you drive over them. I have 4 as I have a 4wd. You may only need 2. When ever a person is stuck be it on sand, mud or hung up in deep ruts, they are my 1st go to kit. I have a winch but seldom use it as these are so easy to use and pack away. Buy quality and pay once.
-- Edited by dirvine on Monday 2nd of October 2017 04:49:54 PM
Cupie said
05:38 PM Oct 2, 2017
dirvine wrote:
The best 4WD recovery mats are Maxtrax. Other make them as well ie supercheap and TRED. Issue will be the weight and not uv protected if you buy the cheap ones. I have used mine on a very heavily loaded 4wd (try fully kitted out with 180 ltrs of fuel on board) The tracks just wedge up to the wheels and you drive over them. I have 4 as I have a 4wd. You may only need 2. When ever a person is stuck be it on sand, mud or hung up in deep ruts, they are my 1st go to kit. I have a winch but seldom use it as these are so easy to use and pack away. Buy quality and pay once.
-- Edited by dirvine on Monday 2nd of October 2017 04:49:54 PM
Happened to watch a vid recently where the 'expert' advised to spray them with cooking oil first so that the mud will wash off easily & they can be more easily extracted from mud too. Also suggested tying on a length of rope to make it easier to extract them when buried.
I don't do dirt or sand so I will never get to use these tips ... so they're yours.
Hey Jim said
08:25 PM Oct 2, 2017
Hi Macka,
We are in the process of readying our boat for another trip down under to the most remote parts of the Great Australian Bright. Where you are on your own. we use a 6mtr extension draw bar, and fifth wheel attached to our 200TTD.
Wheel spin is a big NO NO. pulling the Maxi's under the tyres. Our Maxi's do a Stirling job. The retrieval is a dream. Lambie drives the boat. I set up the Maxi's under the truck before hand, sitting on the rear edge of our Maxi's at 45Deg to the beach with trailer and truck. The boat is driven up half way and hooked on in 30 seconds and we are high and dry.
Tyre pressures are another part of the equation at 16psi on both truck and Trailer. We make it look like kids play @ 63 and 61yrears of age. 4600kg total off soft sand over and over.
We have used our Maxi's now since 2002. Just GOLD.
Sorry for getting off topic. Again use a pair of Maxi's Spotty and you will travel safe.
We always fitted largest\widest tyres to fit rims.
Plus a jockey wheel same as. 10in rim with WIDE tyre.
ALL soft on beach. with compressor in back..
Looooong rope.(or 2)
if sand real soft.
we blew up a coupla H\D Rubber rollers. with ropes on them.
Tied to side of boat.
Unhitched trlr from car. at edge of soft. and pushed to waterline
.
Slid boat onto rollers. Spun it round. Pulled it back a little.
Towed trlr back to safe (ramp) parked.
Back to boat.Which had main donk and a 15hp Short.
Pushed into water on rollers (tied to boat.water.
Started and ran 15 short through 3 to 4 ft surf mainly.
Main down.go snapper fishing.
25 to 38\42lb in season.
Worth the trouble.
Back in.
Belt boat through surf. at 20 knots. (Stop button). Motor OFF latch,
flipped up.
Boat slid up sand PAST surf line so next dumper don't get you and fill boat.
Which happens IF you ride a wave and come to rest.
Nice and gently. Yessss.
Right at next wave's dump point. Guess what. It does.
I know.
Pushed down trlr.(roped to car bar.)
OR I had a drop on winch if longer way.(ext rope length)
Load boat. Rope trlr up to ramp. Couple up.
Home.
Magic times. 30\40 yr old idiots.
I went out in 20 plus knots Behind Backstairs Passage in a 14 ft 6 tinny.
and out after Tuna 40 odd yrs ago Same place.
OUTSIDE Kangaroo isl and Backstairs.in 17ft 6 plastic. Completely bent.
(Read about it out there).
Never saw any boats under 23 ft Saw a few flipped too.
When they misjudged a curly top. Those things were 12\15ft plus.
AT NIGHT.
Moral of.
Take a looong rope and skid for Jockey wh, in case you DO get stuck.
Set anchor in surf and pull boat down to water through sheave.
leave car where it safe.
ONE DAY..
I've seen a few rusted out launch cars.
"It won't happen to me".
You never know kiddo.
And at your age. You have NOT got the physical you had.
I paddles aced 6 man outrigger canoes with 55\60 yr old till I was 68 and tore ligaments.
Could hardly climb into canoe nowadays. 75.
never mind swim it's length both ways for insurance.
It does catch up. Don't get caught out.
AND. Have fun. You're a long time ded.
macka17 said
03:45 AM Oct 3, 2017
PS.
I'm on next kevel pills tonight. No sleep for me.
Hyped. 25 or so extra Opiates.
Tony Bev said
03:07 PM Oct 3, 2017
Bryan wrote:
Better to ask the guys that actually drive them. Lots of them on here.
Hello Splottboy
I have a Fiat Ducato, with the 5 speed manual gearbox
I find that the reverse gear is just too high, and would avoid trying to reverse up an incline, even in the dry conditions
I have yet to become bogged
But...
When I park up, (if the ground is not flat), I try to position the vehicle, with the front going downhill I find (in the rain/heavy dew), that the ground under the wheel levellers, is usually dry, and gives me enough traction to start moving
Plan "A" if I did get bogged, I would try and place heavy items, from the rear to the front of the vehicle, to try and get weight over the front wheels
Plan "B" if I do get bogged, is to place some (empty) rubbish sacks, which I carry, in front of the front wheels I do not know if plan "B" will actually (nearly said that four letter word), be appropriate for that situation, as the sacks are made from woven polypropylene
This post has given me food for thought, and plan "C" is to carry a towing (8,000 Kg) Snatch Strap, which is more than twice the weight of my vehicle And ask for the assistance of those wonderful four wheel drive men, in their magnificent machines
I do not have the storage room to actually carry any solid recovery mats
It would be interesting to find out, what other front wheel drive, travellers do
Bryan said
05:44 PM Oct 3, 2017
Might be worthwhile to invest in something like this
http://www.bushwinch.com.au/
It wouldn't be too heavy and take up much room either.
Geeco said
06:11 PM Oct 3, 2017
I have a Ducato based Autotrail and yes I have been bogged, but it was my fault. I failed to check the condition of the ground in Bellingen showground after a spell of heavy rain. Arriving just on dusk I was keen to get set up and relax. I did try timber cardboard pieces of wall board anything that was close, but there was so much mud in the tyre grooves it would not budge. Solution was Ken Tame's local mate with a Nissan Patrol & winch the next morning. Lesson 1 - check the ground before you go into a grassy area, Lesson 2 - make sure you keep your roadside assistance paid up. That night we did try to pull it out with the assistance of an extremely helpful local lady in a Pajero who went home to grab a snatch strap. Long story but the snatch rope broke and the hook made a mess of the back plastic panels. In the past I have had no problem with wet grass but I will be more astute in future. Cheers,
macka17 said
10:53 PM Oct 3, 2017
Any rain or "Black soil country"
Stay on bitumin.
Or buy a rear drive unit.
Anything bigger than wife's Civic.
I wouldn't touch a front drive with a long pole.
-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 3rd of October 2017 10:54:37 PM
Hi,
I am concerned that I could get bogged again in our Fiat Ducato front wheel drive.
I have been looking at various mats/pads etc that can be used, but was wondering if anyone has ever used one for a Fiat Ducato.
Colin
Winch or snow chains ? You'd think they would have DC elect motors / generators just for traction !! Oh but the thought of gene ?? Lol A bar or post can be chained across the front of wheel and driven half a tyre turn forward just to get you out of the hole ? But be aware of shredding the valve stem !! Rope can be used instead of chain so it damages rim less ? Lowering tyre pressure help traction . Tyre tread choice also ..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 1st of October 2017 07:32:24 PM
Good Luck.
There's heaps of people who want to bag the front-wheel-drive RVs as they are well known for slipping on wet soil once the weight is on the rear wheels which are not helping drive the RV up the wet slope
One solution for any front-wheel-drive bod is simply to reverse out of the location, using the front drive wheels taking the weight and reversing to 'safety'
Use the co-pilot at the rear window as your guide and reverse up the wet grass [or whatever] and get our of the problem.
If that doesn't work, then equally it won't work for any rear-wheel drive RV either - so they can't brag at your expense then as well :)
Phil
thanks AUS
thks ozzie
No, it is not like that.
The problem is the weight distribution. Most weight is at the rear, especially with motorhomes with long rear overhangs.
That is OK for rear wheel drive only, but not for front wheel drive only.
I have seen a Fiat that could not drive up a moderate hill on wet bitumen in forward or reverse. No problem at all in rear wheel drive with the weight on the drive axle.
Cheers,
Peter
Front wh drive.
NORMALLY, has the engine\drive shafts and cab over it.
with nothing much as an overhang.
The rear to centre of ALL veh's. Normally. is where the load is.
with rear wheels usually up to a mtr or more forward of the actual rear itself.
Getting\giving 90% of veh weight over the rear wheel, and central area of chassis.
IF drive is at rear. and engine\transm at front.
Gives Fairly even distribution overall.
With a much higher %age of drive in either direction from the rear wheel drive units.
90% of us towing. Use the 4wd's for several reasons.
Heavier, bigger veh. Can tow, carry more than most other small veh's.
have stronger\stiffer chassis for tow rigidity.
4WD gives BETTER traction, in ALL circumstances.
They are a plus. plus. in 99.99% of situations. Towing, and touring.
If going off road anywhere.
Do NOT buy a front wheel drive. of any type.
They WILL let you down
-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 2nd of October 2017 12:00:49 AM
geet a set of those 12v caravan movers that bolt up and drive off the tyres, might put enouch drive to the rears to back up the few feet that is mostly needed
cheers
blaze
Hi Splottboy,
Buy a pair of MaxiTracks from super cheap $268.00
You will be fine where you ever want to go in your Fiat Ducato.
We use use two pairs for beach launching and retrieval of our 6mtr boat. I would never leave home without them. They are GOLD!
Use google/ U tube to see them at work.
Regards Jim
will tell you they've had problems with traction at some time.
The amount of front wheel drives we pulled up boat ramps when they first came out,
Wasn't funny.
Sometimes we had to tow them out. JUST to get access to ramps.
Till they learned. On flat. dry. Fine.
anywhere else. Think first.
YES JIM.
BUT those Maxi's though great. NEED the POWER...
to pull veh out of soft ONTO the tracks.
These fwd Motorhomes etc.
Tend to have tiny little engines in there for bitumin work.
2.2-2.5ltrs with a hairdryer.
They NEED higher rev's to get Turbo up and spinning first.
Equates to wheelspin and NO traction onto tracks.
I've watched a couple. Auto's are better But.
They basically a flat Bitumin rig only in the real world.
The best 4WD recovery mats are Maxtrax. Other make them as well ie supercheap and TRED. Issue will be the weight and not uv protected if you buy the cheap ones. I have used mine on a very heavily loaded 4wd (try fully kitted out with 180 ltrs of fuel on board) The tracks just wedge up to the wheels and you drive over them. I have 4 as I have a 4wd. You may only need 2. When ever a person is stuck be it on sand, mud or hung up in deep ruts, they are my 1st go to kit. I have a winch but seldom use it as these are so easy to use and pack away. Buy quality and pay once.
-- Edited by dirvine on Monday 2nd of October 2017 04:49:54 PM
Happened to watch a vid recently where the 'expert' advised to spray them with cooking oil first so that the mud will wash off easily & they can be more easily extracted from mud too. Also suggested tying on a length of rope to make it easier to extract them when buried.
I don't do dirt or sand so I will never get to use these tips ... so they're yours.
Hi Macka,
We are in the process of readying our boat for another trip down under to the most remote parts of the Great Australian Bright. Where you are on your own. we use a 6mtr extension draw bar, and fifth wheel attached to our 200TTD.
Wheel spin is a big NO NO.
pulling the Maxi's under the tyres. Our Maxi's do a Stirling job. The retrieval is a dream. Lambie drives the boat. I set up the Maxi's under the truck before hand, sitting on the rear edge of our Maxi's at 45Deg to the beach with trailer and truck. The boat is driven up half way and hooked on in 30 seconds and we are high and dry.
Tyre pressures are another part of the equation at 16psi on both truck and Trailer. We make it look like kids play @ 63 and 61yrears of age. 4600kg total off soft sand over and over.
We have used our Maxi's now since 2002. Just GOLD.
Sorry for getting off topic. Again use a pair of Maxi's Spotty and you will travel safe.
Regards Jim & Lambie.
I've done a little beach launching too.
We always fitted largest\widest tyres to fit rims.
Plus a jockey wheel same as. 10in rim with WIDE tyre.
ALL soft on beach. with compressor in back..
Looooong rope.(or 2)
if sand real soft.
we blew up a coupla H\D Rubber rollers. with ropes on them.
Tied to side of boat.
Unhitched trlr from car. at edge of soft. and pushed to waterline
.
Slid boat onto rollers. Spun it round. Pulled it back a little.
Towed trlr back to safe (ramp) parked.
Back to boat.Which had main donk and a 15hp Short.
Pushed into water on rollers (tied to boat.water.
Started and ran 15 short through 3 to 4 ft surf mainly.
Main down.go snapper fishing.
25 to 38\42lb in season.
Worth the trouble.
Back in.
Belt boat through surf. at 20 knots. (Stop button). Motor OFF latch,
flipped up.
Boat slid up sand PAST surf line so next dumper don't get you and fill boat.
Which happens IF you ride a wave and come to rest.
Nice and gently. Yessss.
Right at next wave's dump point. Guess what. It does.
I know.
Pushed down trlr.(roped to car bar.)
OR I had a drop on winch if longer way.(ext rope length)
Load boat. Rope trlr up to ramp. Couple up.
Home.
Magic times. 30\40 yr old idiots.
I went out in 20 plus knots Behind Backstairs Passage in a 14 ft 6 tinny.
and out after Tuna 40 odd yrs ago Same place.
OUTSIDE Kangaroo isl and Backstairs.in 17ft 6 plastic. Completely bent.
(Read about it out there).
Never saw any boats under 23 ft Saw a few flipped too.
When they misjudged a curly top. Those things were 12\15ft plus.
AT NIGHT.
Moral of.
Take a looong rope and skid for Jockey wh, in case you DO get stuck.
Set anchor in surf and pull boat down to water through sheave.
leave car where it safe.
ONE DAY..
I've seen a few rusted out launch cars.
"It won't happen to me".
You never know kiddo.
And at your age. You have NOT got the physical you had.
I paddles
aced 6 man outrigger canoes with 55\60 yr old till I was 68 and tore ligaments.
Could hardly climb into canoe nowadays. 75.
never mind swim it's length both ways for insurance.
It does catch up. Don't get caught out.
AND. Have fun. You're a long time ded.
I'm on next kevel pills tonight. No sleep for me.
Hyped. 25 or so extra Opiates.
Hello Splottboy
I have a Fiat Ducato, with the 5 speed manual gearbox
I find that the reverse gear is just too high, and would avoid trying to reverse up an incline, even in the dry conditions
I have yet to become bogged
But...
When I park up, (if the ground is not flat), I try to position the vehicle, with the front going downhill
I find (in the rain/heavy dew), that the ground under the wheel levellers, is usually dry, and gives me enough traction to start moving
Plan "A" if I did get bogged, I would try and place heavy items, from the rear to the front of the vehicle, to try and get weight over the front wheels
Plan "B" if I do get bogged, is to place some (empty) rubbish sacks, which I carry, in front of the front wheels
I do not know if plan "B" will actually (nearly said that four letter word), be appropriate for that situation, as the sacks are made from woven polypropylene
This post has given me food for thought, and plan "C" is to carry a towing (8,000 Kg) Snatch Strap, which is more than twice the weight of my vehicle
And ask for the assistance of those wonderful four wheel drive men, in their magnificent machines
I do not have the storage room to actually carry any solid recovery mats
It would be interesting to find out, what other front wheel drive, travellers do
Might be worthwhile to invest in something like this
http://www.bushwinch.com.au/
It wouldn't be too heavy and take up much room either.
Any rain or "Black soil country"
Stay on bitumin.
Or buy a rear drive unit.
Anything bigger than wife's Civic.
I wouldn't touch a front drive with a long pole.
-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 3rd of October 2017 10:54:37 PM