Thread: How good is a Kluger?

We had a sanyingyoug, however you spell it, do the crossing with us. It did have lifted suspension and larger diameter tyres, and although it struggled, it never needed a tow. Its biggest problem was getting sand into the serpentine belt, and the river crossing on the eastern end nearly killed it.

Cheers,

Tim

All the posters who say no worries are living in a fantasy land.Many people have gone all over Oz in 2wd,motorbikes etc but only if things go well,it only takes a change in weather for things to go bad.I did the simpson 14 years ago and it was after a long dry spell,the sand was powder and the wind pushed the dunes up,twice we got the Tdi stuck,I have a photo of me very gently rolling it down a dune holding my breath and hoping the wheels stay down and not up.Last year we had floods in central Oz,the gunbarrel,greatcentral and all south of Newman was under water,we met plenty of stuck people and towed one into Giles because of the change in conditions,plan for the worst and hope for the best,I would not want a Kluger on a trip like this,if you do buy a new snatch strap and make sure your mate buys one too. Pat

In my 4wd club there are quite a few soft roaders like Foresters and X-trails and they have been out into the Simmo quite a few times. The real question is how good is the driver, not the car. Some of the best drivers in the club drive softies and they never hold us up. If the drivers are inexperienced and don't know their business then it gets to be a big PITA. Experience also has these good drivers making sure their cars have good off road tyres and a little lift. Underbody protection is a bonus.
A standard Kluger with a green driver...I would be joining the next group.

Thanks for the feedback all. I have spoken with him about what would be required and expected on a trip like this. He has agreed that the Kluger is not up for it espec as he is not that experienced a driver. He wont be coming along..unless he upgrades of course. So the group is looking like it will be Disco, Defender, Prado..at this early stage.

Anything higher than a coke can and the kluger will be stuffed, leave it for the supermarket run where it belongs.

Not a Simpsom companion I'd be keen on, couldn't he hire a 4WD? I think you might be able to drive a Kluger on soft sand unladen on fairly level ground in cooler temps... perhaps. If you attempt to take it across the Simpson it'll be carrying occupants, fuel, food, water and cooking, bedding stuff for at least 3 nights as well as a second spare tyre, some basic tools, tent and so on, over 1100 or so sand hills and perhaps 1 creek crossing in hot midday temps (as well as recovering it in those temps). Also there's the fair sized holes on the western dune faces that limit approach speed unless you like the sound of axle meets bumpstop.
A pleasant trip in the 130 in good company though.

didn't one of the major car magazines roll one during swerve and recovery testing for their car of the year award? toyota tried to stop them publishing. anyone put any light on this?

found it....

Wheels pulped over Toyota story | carsguide.com.au