In message , at 10:12:34 on Tue, 10 Aug
2010, d remarked:
But you do need to own something that's also suitable for long trips on
sometimes very poor roads. The attraction of the SUV concept is that
it's a more suitable compromise than an even bigger traditional 4x4 or
pickup truck.

Unless you're doing proper offroading which might involve driving over
boulders or wet fields you don't need 4 wheel drive and high ground
clearance. Farmers and other countryside workers need 4x4s, anyone else
who buys one is just a poser.

You've got lots of experience of USA roads, then? I agree that to some
extent the 4x4 part is a red herring; the same vehicle with 2WD would
normally be as good (except in the snow - and some people do live where
it snows a lot in the winter).
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry gurgled happily, sounding much like they
were saying:

I agree that to some extent the 4x4 part is a red herring; the same
vehicle with 2WD would normally be as good (except in the snow - and
some people do live where it snows a lot in the winter).

The right tyres make damn near as much difference to traction on snow as
4wd does, though - and much more difference in cornering and braking.

I've been using winter tyres the last couple of years, for my (2wd)
commute across some reasonably exposed back lanes - and getting up and
down unploughed/ungritted reasonably steep hills with little drama.

In message , at 12:48:14 on Tue, 10
Aug 2010, Adrian remarked:
The right tyres make damn near as much difference to traction on snow as
4wd does, though - and much more difference in cornering and braking.

I'm sure they help, but not as much as 4wd.
--
Roland Perry

On Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:17:43 +0100
Roland Perry wrote:
You've got lots of experience of USA roads, then? I agree that to some

I've toured most of the east coast up from washington and also quebec and
southern ontario.

B2003

In message , at 13:34:42 on Tue, 10 Aug
2010, d remarked:
You've got lots of experience of USA roads, then? I agree that to some

I've toured most of the east coast up from washington and also quebec and
southern ontario

How much of that was on rural tracks?
--
Roland Perry

On Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:10:41 +0100
Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 13:34:42 on Tue, 10 Aug
2010, d remarked:
You've got lots of experience of USA roads, then? I agree that to some

I've toured most of the east coast up from washington and also quebec and
southern ontario

How much of that was on rural tracks?

I can't say I noticed many rural tracks except the ones leading off to
distant farms. All the roads in and around small towns were a lot better
paved than around here. I think its fair to say that the majority of people
in the eastern USA and canada at least do not need a 4x4. Pretty much the
same as over here.

B2003