Freelander going. Yeti arriving.

[Tony Ferrari]

Last summer when we were drug running, oh sorry that should have read "delivering anti-viral medicines" I even considered delivering some on my motorbike...

yes that would be "2x1 Response"

As has been said, it's the most appropriate vehicle for the job.

[Andy Harvey]

Based on experiences I have had, in snow on road a four wheel drive will only go a few more places than a well drive front wheel drive. Back in the 80s I drove a Chrysler Alpine 1500 hatchback, a fairly arge front wheel drive vehicle and remember driveing back from a winter climbing trip in north wales via the back routes through Shropshire and can say that even with probably at least 8 inches of hardpacked snow on the grown and the occasional snow drift (actually had to wait for a snow plow on one bit as there was a snow drift nearly 7 ft high across the road near Cross Houses) I never got stuck once (obviously couldn't drive through the 7ft snowdrift). Case of driving it right. In some cases a heavy 4WD car can actually hinder you due to it's weight.

I think pretty much in snow, all 4wd cars have as good a chance as any - on the road anyway which is where most of our stuff is. A Skoda, an Audi, a Fiat Panda or pretty much anything else will get you there driven properly.

When the snow gets deep, a bit more ground clearance helps however light weight can also help.

Tyres are a very important part though - however snow tyres are often better than muds - snow often sticks into the tread on muds and you end up driving pretty much slicks unless they are very good at self cleaning.

I'm sure that Graham's Yeti will definately do the job. Probably come a cropper at a pay and play day but then that isn't what we are doing here.

And if anyone thinks even a 2WD car can't cut it in the snow - just watch some of the rally boys - even in the production classes they don't get caught out even at the 1000 lakes. Plus the Swedes have been driving RWD Volvos in snow that we will probably never see the like of and they don't have problems (And if you have ever driven a Volvo 145 in the wet you will realise that it's all about how you drive and not about the vehicle).

Good on you Graham, looks a nice vehicle and will certainly not hurt the perception of 4x4 Response in the public's eyes.

[Graham Davis]

Thanks folks, it is nice to get all the support for we members who perhaps want to be different and run around in something simple but effective and STANDARD. Car was picked up at lunch time yesterday, and just with the journey home I feel "comfortable" with my choice.

[Dave Rudderham]

When i attended the Wales Response training day earlier in the year I was followed on an "easy" green lane by a freelander. However owing to melted snow said easy lane wasn't so easy.
I got through with my SWB frontera and with the exception of 1 occasion where the freelander got stuck the good on run up solved that.
Very capable for what it was doing and I dare say the skoda will be equally as good for what you/we use it for.

Would i buy one? No. Personal opinion, they look ugly.

As for tricked up trucks on response jobs. I hope not. I drive an MPi Discovery. Probably the weakest machine Landrover ever allowed to leave its production line.
It's never been off road and with the exception of a Yorks lincs responder training day it never will. I've not bought it for mud and if i had my way i'd avoid the off road bit of the training day too.

[Bob Hatcher]

Hi all,

Just picking up on several comments on this thread. I would say that the majority of times that we get called out (By we I mean any 4x4 Response member) it will usually be on normal roads in adverse condition. Whilst not actively discouraging the 'tricked-up' vehicles I do tell our members that the more 'normal' a car is the less likely our passengers are likely to be concerned (read scared). For most of the eight years that I have been a 4x4 response members I have driven on MT tyres as the only 'mod' to the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle I was driving I have had winches and raised air intakes fitted but never used them. Within Wessex the majority of our members have 'normal' 4x4 vehicles ranging from Audi to Volkswagen

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by BobWessex

Hi all,

Just picking up on several comments on this thread. I would say that the majority of times that we get called out (By we I mean any 4x4 Response member) it will usually be on normal roads in adverse condition. Whilst not actively discouraging the 'tricked-up' vehicles I do tell our members that the more 'normal' a car is the less likely our passengers are likely to be concerned (read scared). For most of the eight years that I have been a 4x4 response members I have driven on MT tyres as the only 'mod' to the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle I was driving I have had winches and raised air intakes fitted but never used them. Within Wessex the majority of our members have 'normal' 4x4 vehicles ranging from Audi to Volkswagen

Good post

[David Wilson]

Graham, good choice of vehicle for what you need.

Don't listen to the people who say it's ugly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I think it looks funky and modern. All the write ups rate the Yeti for just about every task you want of it.

When the snows on the ground and someone needs a lift, I guarantee people will head to your vehicle rather than a draughty old Defender with a naff heater like I have

[Robert Fox]

They Are in use by derbyshire ambulance services for fast response car and tested by local police and given the thums up.

[Peter Hallett]

We in somerset (south western ambulance service) have just started receiving the first of our new RRV`s and the choice of vehicle is the Skoda Octavia Scout(10 plate) supplied with snow socks. I must say its very refreshing to see the Ambulance service responding to the recent bad winters. Not a yeti i know but a Skoda anyway.

Havent driven it yet but it looks very nice, is very comfortable and seems to be ideal for an all weather RRV.

just got to convince the powers that be to keep a set of steel with winter tyres on at the local workshop now

[Tony Ferrari]

Pete

The Octavia Scout has the same four wheel drive system as the Yeti, just slightly less ground clearance, so should be OK.

Not to be confused with the Skoda Roomster Scout though, they are only two wheel drive.

And of course the Octavia is very similar in layout (with the same Haldex Clutch system) as the Volvo V70 XC's used by Ambulance HART*




*Hazardous Area Response Teams