Thread: off road fuel economy

If you want to travel any distance you either need a diesel or have the means to carry extra fuel.

4.0L V8 D2 loaded to the hilt (including 160L fuel, loaded roof rack etc) on 32’ tyres does 20L/100km in steep terrain.

It’s averages 16.5 combined for all of our touring (eg - Old Strezlecki, Lap of Tas, SE NSW ranges etc).

Depending on terrain and speed range from 160L is 850 - 1050 kms.

I did a weekend of low range and that combined with some highway running was 16l/100k at close to GVM. 4.6litre.

The only time I took extra fuel was in the far North in Lakefield National Park doing a fair bit of exploring. Boat low profile tote tank on the roof (24litres) and a shaker hose to drain into the main tank. Easy.

Now the deserts would be a different story and for that I would consider a long range tank or a trailer (I think I would do a trailer anyway for a tent and all the gear (family of 5) and I know with the 4.6 it tows very well in sand.

Cheers

We did a trip over the Canberra day long weekend up to Charlies creek via MacFarlaines track and returned via Tom Groggen track to the crossing at Tom Groggen. We topped up tanks at Jindabyne on the way out. One of the blokes had a stock D2 V8 and used two jerrycans and most of his tank to get back to Jindabyne. By way of comparison I had two jerrycans that I tried to fit in my tank at Charlies Creek and couldn't fit about 10 litres in (Defender 2.2 Puma). I drove back to Yass via Tumbaramba and the Hume on the full tank and still had some fuel left when I got home.
The D2 sounded most excellent but the stress of having to limit your fun in order to get to the next bowser was a bit of a downer.

Regards,
Tote

We just came back from the VHC and got the following economy in the VHC

Worst - 18.8ltrs/100kms
best - 16.4ltrs/100kms

Vehicle: '95 Defender 110 Tdi300 (235/85/16 tyres) Towing a Trailer.

Figures were a bit higher than I expected while towing but looking at the tracks and where went it's probably not too bad....

cool thanks
so petrol rover's off road are about what cruiser's and patrols are on the road then.

i dont mine having to have bigger tanks etc i just dont really want the issues that go with newier diesel's for a toy or their repair bill's for parts alone, if i went diesel it would be isuzu or 300tdi

Regardless of Brand the petrol models will burn more fuel than a diesel and can be problematic doing deep river crossings, You can still get across but it is easier with a diesel.
However the petrol engines in my experience usually have much more "Grunt" that the diesel engines in the same truck.
I usually allow about +50% for fuel consumption regardless of engine type off road especially in soft sand so if you have a petrol engine you will have to carry more fuel.
Maintenance and parts are usually much more expensive on diesel engines But the diesels usually last thousands of K's more than the petrol engines do.

If you’re not already aware of it, read up on Rover V8 blown head gaskets/slipped liners/top hat liners before buying one.