How much rough road can the Disco take?

[R_Lefebvre]

I'm starting to think of the places that I want to take my new to me Discovery this summer, and the first thing to come to mind is a trip to Reservoir Baskatong in Quebec. My parents went on a trip up there a few years back and really enjoyed it. My dad said it was a dirt road that was very rough, and eventually they had to park their Yukon and offload the ATV and take that the rest of the way in. He said that the road was too rough to continue by truck.

In Quebec, there are 1000's of miles of dirt logging roads going everywhere. Most of the time they can get quite washboarded or rutted but these are/were roads and had been travelled by logging trucks at some point. Is this type of road hard on the truck? My father tends to be very conservative with vehicles. He says that I'm going to break my truck. I've been on some of these roads with cars, but not far, and it definitely does feel like the washboard will vibrate the car to pieces.

My impression is that if where I want to go can be described as a "road", it's going to be fine to pass on it. Is that true?

Sorry for the totally newbie post. :elkgrin:

 

[Scott Brady]

Sorry for the totally newbie post. :elkgrin:

Your Land Rover was designed for "Roads" like that. If it is really a road, and not a recreational challenge (like a 4+ trail), then your Discovery is well suited.

Certainly, any dirt use will reduce the longevity (on increase the service/repair interval) of any vehicle, as it accelerates wear on bushings, suspension components, body integrity, etc., but your Land Rover was designed for those rigors and will be ok.

People have driven your vehicle around the world, so this trip is just what a Land Rover is meant for!

Make sure to take pictures and share how it went for you!

Oh, and what year is your Discovery?

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Ok, that's what I figured. Basically if it looks like a road, it's good to go. I think it's similar to my car. I use it for track days and fully expect that it will require increased maintenance and it will shorten the life. But it has yet to just "dun blowed up" and I've been beating the crap out of it for 6 years!

I don't intend to take the truck on any hardcore trails, since it's my daily driver, tow vehicle and camping vehicle too. If I want to go on a really hard trail, I have the bike which is infinitely better suited and more fun!

 

[Christophe Noel]

I don't know about your Disco, but on wash boarded roads with high frequency bumps, my rig rattles and squeeks like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Little things like the glove box, interior panels, windows, you name it. I don't think mine is unique in that respect. All part of the "charm" of a Rover. i wouldn't trade those noises for silence if it meant driving a non-Rover.

 

[TheRoadie]

I don't have a Rover, but most washboard surfaces get 3-4X smoother with 18 PSI in the tires. Have you tried airing down?

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

I don't have a Rover, but most washboard surfaces get 3-4X smoother with 18 PSI in the tires. Have you tried airing down?

x2! Depending on what tire you are running, airing down will make life a little less bone jarring. I have 265/75-16's on my truck and have my Stauns set to 15psi.

 

[Spikepretorius]

Yeah, softer air pressure in the tyres, and also speed up or slow down till the frequencies get in synch and the vehicle feels smoother.

 

[Mercedesrover]

Did 1100 miles in northern Quebec this past summer. Up to Radisson via Chibougamau and then out to Caniapiscau.

Low tire pressure helps significantly as does traveling at speed. You'll get a "feel" for the road after a while. When you're on it, increase speed through the road feeling increasingly rough (very counter-intuitive) and depending on the frequency of the washboard and the wheelbase of you truck things will smooth out. In my short truck these roads were very smooth and comfortable at 50-55mph. Getting to that speed and coming back down was shaky, but driving for miles and miles at 55 was a pleasure.

If your DII has the original 18" tires on it, you may want to switch to something more common. A 16" wheel with a strong tread will serve you a bit better and be easier to replace if you have trouble.

Go for it and bring back stories!

jim

 

[James86004]

When you drive fast enough on washboard so the ride smooths out, be aware that your tires are mostly skimming the crests of each bump. This means the amount of traction you have is limited, not as bad as if you are on ice, but pretty bad. You mainly need to worry about this on a curve or if you have to swerve to avoid something.

My GM Product, and 06 Silverado, feels a lot less robust on washboard than my 93 Range Rover did. I suspect the Disco would be just fine.

 

[stevenmd]

Pre-maintenance and post-maintenance - as in making sure everything is lubed properly and then cleaned properly afterwards.

x a billion on airing down your tires.

ps - if you can make it down to the lower 48, at the end of May: http://nclrclub.org/forum/showthread.php?t=162 :wavey:

 

[rripatti]

This is definitely an interesting thread. I too noticed how robust feeling the chassis of my 96 disco with 97k miles on it feel on very rough roads/dirt roads up in Maine. Recently I purchased an XC70 (1998 Volvo Vintage) that does not feel anywhere near as robust. Panels do rattle a bit on the Disco but the chassis/body feel very solid.

Plus I drive everyday in what almost feel like a war torn infrastructure in Brooklyn NY and I have experienced zero degradation with the Disco!

Love these trucks!:bowdown:

When you drive fast enough on washboard so the ride smooths out, be aware that your tires are mostly skimming the crests of each bump. This means the amount of traction you have is limited, not as bad as if you are on ice, but pretty bad. You mainly need to worry about this on a curve or if you have to swerve to avoid something.

My GM Product, and 06 Silverado, feels a lot less robust on washboard than my 93 Range Rover did. I suspect the Disco would be just fine.

 

[michaelgroves]

I second the comment about the dangers of travelling too fast on corrugated roads. It can feel much more comfortable, but if things get out of shape, you'll get to be sideways really fast! And sliding sideways on washboard at 55mph is hairy. especially with "a few little items" on the roofrack...

I know of several overland trips which ended up with a rolled vehicle, because things got boring or uncomfortable at low speeds.

 

[Mercedesrover]

I second the comment about the dangers of travelling too fast on corrugated roads. It can feel much more comfortable, but if things get out of shape, you'll get to be sideways really fast! And sliding sideways on washboard at 55mph is hairy. especially with "a few little items" on the roofrack...

I know of several overland trips which ended up with a rolled vehicle, because things got boring or uncomfortable at low speeds.

You simply can't drive a corrugated road at anything above ~15mph or below ~45mph...It can't be done. You'll tear your truck apart, knock your teeth out and have a mutiny on board from your passengers. In short order you'll break springs, burn out the shocks, rattle every body panel off, etc. You have to experience a few hundred miles of it to understand.

When I traveled both the roads in northern Quebec (Route Du Nord, Trans-Taiga) as well as part of the Trans-Lab highway I learned very quickly what speed was comfortable. Sure, you need to pay attention and watch the corners, grade, etc., but even traveling at 55mph I would be passed by pickup trucks and tractor trailers. Seems the people who travel these roads for a living and in longer wheel-base trucks then mine are doing 65-70 on them. I'd see a dust cloud in the rear view mirror and simply slow up a little and pull to the side. But trying to drive these roads at 30mph would be impossible.

Here's what most of the northern gravel roads I've been on look like:

 

[Rhode Trip]

I have to agree about watching your speed. The loose surface can be very slippery and the northern roads tend to be built up high for drainage. Here's a shot on the Trans Taiga:

And this is QC167 near Lac Albanel:

Drove the James Bay Road, the Trans-Taiga to Caniapiscau, The Route du Nord, and Qc167 to Albanel, over 1400 miles on gravel last August. The Trans-Lab from Newfoundland to Quebec the year before. If my camper can do it, your Disco will be all set. Air down, and take your time. Enjoy the Scenery!!

 

[xcmountain80]

I don't know about your Disco, but on wash boarded roads with high frequency bumps, my rig rattles and squeeks like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Little things like the glove box, interior panels, windows, you name it. I don't think mine is unique in that respect. All part of the "charm" of a Rover. i wouldn't trade those noises for silence if it meant driving a non-Rover.

And I thought that was a Toyota thing! Drives me crazy:drool:


Aaron