HOWTO : River crossings, and tough off road terrain in non 4x4 vehicles

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dheerajsharma14

Member
One question I have is how do we tackle that rounded pebbles which u told tends to take the vehicle away with the flow?? Is there any particular direction of current we shall take to over come it? Is there any chance that vehicle can be taken away by the current along with it into the gorge? If yes what and how to judge that condition? Getting stuck is different than getting swept away...so atleast if one knows whether sweeping away is not the possiblitiy after judging he may grow in confidence.....

I lack confidence mostly because of fear of getting swept with the current and tried to take the path as far as possible from gorge avoiding any tracks at all.... :(

Can you please suggest how to judge that possibility....
 
tsk1979

tsk1979

Reclaimed and Recycled
Only way to find that out is watch other vehicles. If the current is so strong that heavier MUVs are losing traction and sliding, its always better to avoid.
Alternatively, you can give slight steering input against the current.
Ideally, even trucks do not venture into such currents. So the best policy is not to attempt a fast flowing crossing if water level is higher than the wheels.
 
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dwaraka

Active Member
Tanveer,

Good guide for non-4 WD water crossing and rough terrain. A few cents from me.

Make a point to wade water crossing in early morning. As the sun rises, the ice starts melting and water flow increases.
Keep a momentum , never brake not avoid using clutch while crossing.
Walk the water flow to ensure it is safe deep if you see no other vehicles crossing
Mentally mark the path and stick to the path.
 
anupmathur

anupmathur

Super Moderator
Staff member
dheerajsharma14 said:
.... Is there any particular direction of current we shall take to over come it? Is there any chance that vehicle can be taken away by the current along with it into the gorge? ....
Click to expand...
Hehe, let me give you a radical theory here. It works, provided your car does not wade into waters too deep for it; too deep for the engine to stay working.

Getting swept with the current is a question of the area on which the force of water is allowed to act. Reduce the available area by opening two opposite side doors of the car and let water gush through. This works if the water level is higher than the floor level of the car and the velocity of the water is dangerously high.

No no, I have never been crazy enough to do this, but when push comes to shove, keep it in mind. :)
 
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dheerajsharma14

Member
Thanks again Tanveer....

@Anup Sir...
I was just thinking when I was reading Tanveer's quote above and you mentioned exactly that below...but in any case I don't have the guts to attempt such high violent crossing :D.....at least not after getting married :grin:...the place will stay there all my life and would wait for one lucky day to visit it again if that's the case :grin: instead challenging that current...

But, Is it safe to say no water crossing can sweep you away as long as it stays below half the height of tyre or as long as water is below car's exhaust pipe ?? Am I right? or there is still some twist....

I am really sorry for tinkering so much with this topic but I hope it's not an issue.... :)
 
anupmathur

anupmathur

Super Moderator
Staff member
dheerajsharma14 said:
....
But, Is it safe to say no water crossing can sweep you away as long as it stays below half the height of tyre or as long as water is below car's exhaust pipe ?? Am I right? or there is still some twist....
....
Click to expand...
No further twist! Almost impossible to get swept away if the water level is below floorboard level. :)
 
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