General Trekking off road capabilities

[Alsatian1]

I've seen a thread discussing the off road ability of the 4x4, as well as various YouTube sites and reviews. What's harder to find is info on the trekking when the going gets rough.

Some YouTube videos show it to not be too shabby, but has anyone with a trekking dabbled in light off roading? I ask because next summers camping trip to the wilds of Scotland has got a mate of mine enthused about being 'able to go off the beaten track'. I tried explaining it was two wheel drive but he's like a small child

It has the suspension, the clever traction control with Hill hold, and the tyres, but just how good is it?

 

[babbo_umbro]

I'm not sure that the Trekking loses out a huge amount to the full 4x4 in most instances, though, apart from the obvious benefits of four wheel drive in really testing conditions, the Trekking's lack of the six speed box must be significant going uphill AND downhill. We took my 4x4 TA up a 45 degree ski slope in Italy - in the summer when it was free of snow - that low first was invaluable on the way up, the car just started and restarted on the incline with no fuss, and the - much discussed - feeble engine braking of the TA engine meant we had to brake gently almost all the way down. A Trekking might have struggled to gain traction with all that rearward weight transfer and the higher gearing, and would have required much heavier braking.

 

[Moultoneer]

I'd have to second the above- I've not tried any serious off-roading in my Trekking, but
have already felt the lack of the 4x4's lower 1st gear. I like the extra ground clearance
and rugged suspension (brilliant on the UK's rubbishy roads) but I don't feel its off-
road capabilities extend much beyond the odd flattish not-too-muddy field


Chris

 

[Alsatian1]

I'd have to second the above- I've not tried any serious off-roading in my Trekking, but
have already felt the lack of the 4x4's lower 1st gear. I like the extra ground clearance
and rugged suspension (brilliant on the UK's rubbishy roads) but I don't feel its off-
road capabilities extend much beyond the odd flattish not-too-muddy field


Chris

I think that's a fair summary, the videos I've seen obviously show the panda 4x4 and trekking in quite controlled environments. Although the ones I have seen of the trekking are more impressive than I would have guessed. I imagine in deep mud it would get stuck quite quickly though.