How to define 'off-road capability'

[Deleted User 38384]

IMHO, all those things matter, a lot, but the biggest factor is the driver. Experience, wisdom, ability, evaluation on scene, and guts.
I’d want four tires on the rocks. And the ability to change how the vehicle does its business as needed.
I love how I can go from rock crawling and mudding to interstate speeds and hold alignment in my Jeeps (past and present).

Honestly yeah, I can't stand those videos where people compare off-road vehicles to the Wrangler, and they always stick the dumb f*** who can't drive in the Wrangler and then try and say how the other vehicle is just as capable if not more capable.

I'll take a TJ with tons and 40s over any other off-road vehicle any day of the week!!!

Sponsored

 

[c20040215]

I asked Bard and this is what it says:

"
Off-road capability is a multifaceted concept encompassing a vehicle's ability to handle challenging terrain beyond paved roads. It's not just about brute force, but a combination of factors that work together to conquer the elements and navigate diverse landscapes.

Here are some key aspects of off-road capability:

Ground Clearance: This is the vertical distance between the lowest point of the vehicle and the ground. Higher clearance allows for traversing obstacles like rocks, logs, and uneven terrain without scraping the undercarriage.

Traction: This refers to the grip the tires have on the surface. Off-road vehicles often have features like four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) to improve traction on low-grip surfaces like mud, sand, and gravel. Some have locking differentials that further enhance traction by preventing individual wheels from spinning freely.

Suspension: A good off-road suspension is designed to absorb bumps, dips, and uneven surfaces while maintaining stability and control. This helps keep the tires in contact with the ground and prevents the vehicle from bouncing uncontrollably.

Approach and Departure Angles: These are the angles formed by the front and rear of the vehicle where it meets the ground. Larger angles allow for climbing steeper hills and crossing obstacles without getting stuck.

Breakover Angle: This is the angle formed by the lowest point of the vehicle's undercarriage when it crosses a hump or obstacle. A high breakover angle reduces the risk of getting stuck on uneven terrain.

Water Fording: Some off-road vehicles have capabilities to wade through shallow water. This feature depends on factors like the vehicle's sealed electrical system, air intake placement, and wading depth limitations.

Durability: Off-road vehicles should be built to withstand the rigors of rough terrain. This includes strong chassis and body construction, sturdy components, and protective gear like underbody skid plates to protect vital parts.

Driver Skill: While the vehicle's capabilities are crucial, driver skill and experience are equally important for safe and successful off-roading. Understanding the terrain, knowing how to use the vehicle's features, and driving responsibly are essential for a rewarding off-road adventure.

Remember, off-road capability is not just about a single feature, but a synergy of numerous elements working together. Evaluating a vehicle's overall package considering these aspects will give you a better understanding of its ability to handle the challenges of the wild."

 

[dz333]

While the capabilities of various open OHVs, like the XRC etc. (not to mention motorcycles) are obvious, whenever I pass one here in southern Utah and see the occupants completely covered in the ever-present dust I'm thinking "If that's a good time for you - rock on! But I'll pass, thanks." Driving one on the road holds no appeal for me, though still more than having to trailer one out to the trails.

When we got our Jeep we knew that we would rarely if ever take it to the limit of its capability. While our Subarus (Ascent and OB Wilderness) are pretty capable and could easily get us to 95% of the places we might want to go, they're nowhere near as robust as the Jeep. The Rubicon just provides a margin of confidence that never gets old.

How much capability is really necessary, anyway? I've seen plenty of cars with no ground clearance out here in places where it seems no rational individual would even consider taking them. When I see one I'm usually thinking: "What is it that makes these rental cars so capable?"

 

[Ratbert]

Not that the bits and pieces of an IFS are brittle, but...

 

[five9dak]

For rock crawling, a common Bronco-ism I've heard is 'the bronco is just as capable as the jeep, it just does it on 3 tires instead of 4'. And I have seen a lot of videos of broncos lifting tires, but going the distance.

 

[flanders]

I agree with people saying it's capable enough if it can go where you want to go. For most people, their vehicles take them further than they want to go.

When I retire, I'd love to buy a pile of tubing and a pipe bender and make the ultimate buggy. Capable of conquering every trail I can find. Design the perfect 4-link and keep it as light as possible.

However, a Jeep is a compromise. Being able to take my wife and kid in something that has windows and air conditioning on the freeway is worth losing some 'capability' at this point in my life. But even with my jeep, every mod has it's pros and cons, each turning the dials of capability. So it's still interesting for me to think about what capability really means and how I'm trading it for other priorities.

 

[txj2go]

Yeah, I'm sure most anything's possible with carefully planned lines. Though I'm still left wondering if a Trail Rated Renegade is actually capable of accomplishing something a Honda Pilot or Toyota RAV4 couldn't eventually get through.

Does the Renegade have better ground clearance?
A big advantage is going to be the gearing. Any vehicle that doesn't have low range gearing can do well until things get steep enough that you run out of gears and/or traction.

 

[Flip]

For rock crawling, a common Bronco-ism I've heard is 'the bronco is just as capable as the jeep, it just does it on 3 tires instead of 4'. And I have seen a lot of videos of broncos lifting tires, but going the distance.

As a jeep owner that has put a lot of money into increasing my articulation, that's caused me to ponder what 'off-road capable' really means.

If you have two vehicles, what parameters go into ranking it's capability? My first thought would be the one that can keep the most rubber and the least metal on the rocks, while distributing the weight most evenly on the rubber would win. But would that vehicle really have the 'capability' to complete more trails than the other one?

I know this is diving into a weird realm of off-road philosophy, but here are some of my thoughts.

• Powertrain: Ability to break traction at the lowest rpm (independently with lockers)
• Suspension: Most linear bind-free articulation, most rubber on the ground and even distribution of weight to each patch (level body? Currie off-road swaybars?)
• Body: Best break over, departure, approach, clearance, (wheelbase/width debatable?)
• Weight: Lightest always better?
• Tires: Tread/sidewall/pressure? (lots of debate)
• Center of gravity: Lowest always best?
• Reliability: Most reliable wins (lots of debate)

I know this is a weird question, but I enjoy figuring out how to make my vehicle as capable as I reasonably can.
Is there a simple way to rank how capable something is? How do you define it?

Flanders,

I think you made a great vehicle choice. Don't even worry about the Bronco being more capable. From what I've read the front axles seem to be a problem off-road.

Disclosure: The photo of the broken axle is for illustration purposes only; I don't know if it's actually a ford bronco axle, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Riverjeep]

The guys at TFL made a stab at a scoring system. You can agree or disagree, but they hit most of the key points you will need. 100 point scale.

They go on to say it will take:

30 points to clime gold mine hill

50 overlanding

70 moab

99 rubicon trail

AWD or 4WD: 20 points

Transfer case (real 4×4 low-range): 20 points*

*5 points awarded if the car does not have a multi-speed transfer case, but has some form of terrain management or off-road setting (cars like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk, for example)

All-terrain tires: 10 points

9 inches or more ground clearance: 5 points

Differential locks: Up to 15 points (5 pts front/5 pts center/5 pts rear) 3 points for a LSD

Armor (skid plates): Up to 9 points** (3 pts front/3 pts center/3 pts rear)

**Automatic 5 points awarded if the vehicle has adjustable ride height over 9 inches (cars like the BMW X5)

Approach/Breakover/Departure angles of 25 degrees or more: Up to 15 points

Front or 360-degree camera: 5 points

Subjective score: Up to 1 point

So, what is the score for this Kia? ?

 

[five9dak]

As a new jeep owner I have learned that DOT regs spec the tallest curb to be six inches. So, if I accidentally turn into a parking lot and need to jump a curb to get to my desired location it's not a big deal. You do need to pay attention to a curb that drops off into the dirt and the dirt may be dug out to the point that you need to watch your breakover angle.

Mall crawling quantified, nice lol.

 

[AnnDee4444]

For a off road vehicle, especially rock crawling, 2 boxes absolutely needed to be checked. !) body on frame. 2) Solid axles front and rear.

Zero boxes checked.

 

[yokramer]

I think the Kia gets a 35. 10 points for good tires, 20 points for AWD and 5 because you can lock the center differential. The TFL scoring system doesn't give any points for using brake to stop wheel spin and mimic a locking differential. From the video the Kia appears to be doing this. I think I'd modify the TFL scoring system and give an extra 5 points if you have a decent traction control computer.

The video doesn't show the entire trail, so it's possible they cherry picked the sections they can drive. I didn't see any rock crawling, deep ruts, or stuff needing flex and ground clearance, approach angles, in the video.

Good tires plus low end torque gearing will get you up steep inclines.
Having a normal transmission with 8+ gears helps.
I've seen CVT's run out of torque going uphill.
Moab rock has great traction if it is dry.

I used to drive a Kia Sorento. Good SUV. Enjoyed it.
But it doesn't have the ground clearance of my stock JL sport.

As a new jeep owner I have learned that DOT regs spec the tallest curb to be six inches. So, if I accidentally turn into a parking lot and need to jump a curb to get to my desired location it's not a big deal. You do need to pay attention to a curb that drops off into the dirt and the dirt may be dug out to the point that you need to watch your breakover angle.

Scraping sounds are a Wranglers happy noise, its like a cat purring.

 

[BasementKitty]

I took my 2005 Corolla with A/T tires places that had stock SUVs at the trailhead. A little rope, anchor strap, and quality comealong and as long as I could clear it or have traction, I'd take it. Mostly because I knew exactly what part of the underside was the most vulnerable and that if I could always winch myself out if needed. I once sunk my '87 Ford Escort clear up to the back window in a mudhole and used the comealong to winch it out and continued on. The back tire fell off a few weeks later from the sand grinding the bearing...

All the while I also had a Jeep or other 4x4 vehicle back home. I looked at where I wanted to go, assessed whether the vehicle could do it, and then went and did it (or occasionally got stuck), but always got myself out. Sometimes I came back with the truck or the Jeep and of course it made the trail seem easy.

I've driven plenty of other weekend warrior's vehicles out of places they got themselves into and were too scared to try to get out of. For the casual 4x4 owner the weak point is usually the nut behind the steering wheel. People who take off-roading seriously already know how to define what they need for off-road capability.

 

[3TV]

Zero boxes checked.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the Outlaw in this video is more "off-road capable" than a Jeep. Even if it doesn't have any boxes checked or have air conditioning.

 

[Mudduck]

Zero boxes checked.

I guess airplanes don't really check those boxes either, or horses, Amish buggies. The Outlaw isn't something that's obtainable for most people. In the spirit of keeping it realistic.

Sponsored