My wife and i are considering purchasing a 2006 Sunliner Punto (Renault) front wheel drive. Can anybody offer feedback on these FWD's?
I also have a small aluminium boat to tow (and launch) using this vehicle and I have reservations about traction on the boat ramp with a front wheel drive.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on the topic OR the reliability of the Renault vehicle.
Thanks
Adam
Dougwe said
09:53 AM Jan 15, 2019
Welcome to the gang Adam, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Not being a Motorhome owner I can only go by what I have heard during chatting with owners of them.
I have not heard a bad word about the Renault and they sound a goodie. I think you are talking about the 'Pinto' not Punto. I too would think they would slip on a boat ramp but could be wrong.
Research! Just keep on asking and I'm sure you will get good info. Followed by a successful outcome.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
A-diggity Dog said
09:56 AM Jan 15, 2019
Thanks for your encouragement Doug.
Eaglemax said
10:06 AM Jan 15, 2019
A-diggity Dog wrote:
Hello
My wife and i are considering purchasing a 2006 Sunliner Punto (Renault) front wheel drive. Can anybody offer feedback on these FWD's?
I also have a small aluminium boat to tow (and launch) using this vehicle and I have reservations about traction on the boat ramp with a front wheel drive.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on the topic OR the reliability of the Renault vehicle.
Thanks
Adam
Hi Adam,
Apologies to all the Pinto lovers out there if this offends. We saw one at I think the town was Birrugga or similar name northern NSW where there is a dirt track to a river. On the way out there is a rise in that dirt track of only 1.5 metres in height but not long...about 5 metres long. The Renault arrived in the evening and light rain came overnight. When they went to leave the next morning the front wheels slipped on that damp slippery track. Several attempts and they ha to find an alternate route 150 metres further down.
For this reason along I wouldn't be purchasing one if you have to launch a boat on a boat ramp.
I should add- at the time I drove a Hyundai i30 diesel and towed our 11ft caravan. Also being FWD it too slipped a bit but made it ok.
I hope that helps.
Tony
-- Edited by Eaglemax on Tuesday 15th of January 2019 10:07:08 AM
Whenarewethere said
10:36 AM Jan 15, 2019
It could be a 4WD without towing anything. Good tyres would be a good start!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5VobNcgRvc
daffyfrancis said
10:57 AM Jan 15, 2019
Can a front tow hitch be fitted for use when at a boat ramp as most FWD vehicles are a lot better in reverse in slippery conditions.
Also what traction control options are fitted to the Renault model you are looking at ? - The newer model Fiats seem to have good traction controls if owners understand how to get the best out of them.
David
Desert Dweller said
11:01 AM Jan 15, 2019
We've been boaters for over 20 years, front wheel drive isn't ideal on a boat ramp but if you're only launching a light tinny with negligible ball weight you would probably be OK except on very steep inclination ramps.
SouthernComfort said
11:47 AM Jan 15, 2019
We gave boating away about 8 yrs ago, but during the time I towed our 5m bow rider with a couple of company cars, I found the Magna (FWD) better than the Falcon (RWD) on the ramps.
A couple of ramps we used regularly had a habit of silting up just under the water line. The FWD kept drive wheels planted on the dry concrete and easily pulled the rig out of the water, whereas the RWD often slipped on the silt. I was never properly stuck with the RWD, but preferred the FWD.
Conversely, on a very steep first 3-4 meters of gravel driveway at our (then) holiday home, the RWD Ford was more effective at pushing the car up from the road. The FWD would just dig in hopelessly as soon as the drive wheels hit the steep gravel.
After those two, my next Co. car was a 4WD!
Bryan said
11:57 AM Jan 15, 2019
I had an Avan Applause 600 which is based on the LWD Fiat Ducato. I expected some slip because a longer rear overhang would mean extra weight on the rear and less on the front. I never experienced slip but once when i went down a slight slope covered with fallen leaves to a river bank, I thought it wise to reverse up once ready to depart. Again no problems. Never towed a boat or trailer with it so cannot give advice in that respect.
Aus-Kiwi said
04:13 PM Jan 17, 2019
If your staying on tar sealed or good metal roads no problem. Just use enough power required.Wheel spin is your enemy with front wheel drive . In some cases . Consider a good tow strap so vehicle is way out of water on better section of boat ramp. We did this mainly to keep vehicle away from salt water . As said can be towed reversing out also .
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Thursday 17th of January 2019 04:15:10 PM
Hello
My wife and i are considering purchasing a 2006 Sunliner Punto (Renault) front wheel drive. Can anybody offer feedback on these FWD's?
I also have a small aluminium boat to tow (and launch) using this vehicle and I have reservations about traction on the boat ramp with a front wheel drive.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on the topic OR the reliability of the Renault vehicle.
Thanks
Adam
Not being a Motorhome owner I can only go by what I have heard during chatting with owners of them.
I have not heard a bad word about the Renault and they sound a goodie. I think you are talking about the 'Pinto' not Punto. I too would think they would slip on a boat ramp but could be wrong.
Research! Just keep on asking and I'm sure you will get good info. Followed by a successful outcome.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Hi Adam,
Apologies to all the Pinto lovers out there if this offends. We saw one at I think the town was Birrugga or similar name northern NSW where there is a dirt track to a river. On the way out there is a rise in that dirt track of only 1.5 metres in height but not long...about 5 metres long. The Renault arrived in the evening and light rain came overnight. When they went to leave the next morning the front wheels slipped on that damp slippery track. Several attempts and they ha to find an alternate route 150 metres further down.
For this reason along I wouldn't be purchasing one if you have to launch a boat on a boat ramp.
I should add- at the time I drove a Hyundai i30 diesel and towed our 11ft caravan. Also being FWD it too slipped a bit but made it ok.
I hope that helps.
Tony
-- Edited by Eaglemax on Tuesday 15th of January 2019 10:07:08 AM
It could be a 4WD without towing anything. Good tyres would be a good start!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5VobNcgRvc
Also what traction control options are fitted to the Renault model you are looking at ? - The newer model Fiats seem to have good traction controls if owners understand how to get the best out of them.
David
A couple of ramps we used regularly had a habit of silting up just under the water line. The FWD kept drive wheels planted on the dry concrete and easily pulled the rig out of the water, whereas the RWD often slipped on the silt. I was never properly stuck with the RWD, but preferred the FWD.
Conversely, on a very steep first 3-4 meters of gravel driveway at our (then) holiday home, the RWD Ford was more effective at pushing the car up from the road. The FWD would just dig in hopelessly as soon as the drive wheels hit the steep gravel.
After those two, my next Co. car was a 4WD!
I had an Avan Applause 600 which is based on the LWD Fiat Ducato. I expected some slip because a longer rear overhang would mean extra weight on the rear and less on the front. I never experienced slip but once when i went down a slight slope covered with fallen leaves to a river bank, I thought it wise to reverse up once ready to depart. Again no problems. Never towed a boat or trailer with it so cannot give advice in that respect.
If your staying on tar sealed or good metal roads no problem. Just use enough power required.Wheel spin is your enemy with front wheel drive . In some cases . Consider a good tow strap so vehicle is way out of water on better section of boat ramp. We did this mainly to keep vehicle away from salt water . As said can be towed reversing out also .
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Thursday 17th of January 2019 04:15:10 PM