Do you (intend to) take your Tig offroad?

**Krautlover** · 27-01-2010, 05:44 PM

I took my Tig for its first offroad trial yesterday. Just some good quality dirt stuff and reasonably docile forest road in Northern NSW. Anyway, I was surprised how well she handled it.

However, I can't say the same for the rubber underneath. A nasty stick finished off a Bridgestone Dueler H/P for good. Couldn't be repaired. Darn.

But, here comes the bad part. In trying to find a replacement, it seems that there's not one spare to be found in the country, and Bridgestone Australia say they have no plans to import any.

This is bizarre, and I plan to take it up with the VW dealer tomorrow. But it's a timely warning to others whose new Tiguan came with these tyres on it; don't take 'em offroad! They're just not up to the task.

I'm also disappointed that such a capable vehicle wasn't supplied with a readily available tyre.

**Achtung Tiggy** · 27-01-2010, 06:18 PM

Look's like it's a good idea to get off-road tyres before heading off the tarmac.

Did you use the space-saver tyre? How did it fare?

Also, any problems with clearance? I'm considering if it's worthwhile getting higher springs.

**mickofoz** · 27-01-2010, 06:36 PM

I took my Tigga off-road'ish yesterday. Took her down Deep Creek National Park here is SA. Not really off road but they were tracks market 4WD Only. Went down some fairly steep dirt tracks and used the hill decent mode. She handled like a dream. Once you've done it once or twice, you gain her trust and let her deal with the decent to the bottom. I nearly poured myself a coffee while going down. Going up was just as pleasant. She lost tracktion twice on the front wheels only for the rear wheels to take over a second or two later. AS for ground clearance, well she's not a 4WD just an AWD. You just need to keep that in mind. Very happy with the performance.

**Krautlover** · 27-01-2010, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Achtung Tiggy

Look's like it's a good idea to get off-road tyres before heading off the tarmac.

Did you use the space-saver tyre? How did it fare?

Also, any problems with clearance? I'm considering if it's worthwhile getting higher springs.

Yep, I used the space saver and it performed surprisingly well (2 hour trip home). I'm comparing this to the s/s spare on my Mazda3 which was a real shocker to drive on.

Having said that, I think will grab a proper spare for any future trips.

As for ground clearance, I had a few wheel ruts and patches of rocky ground to negotiate and cleared it all pretty well. I did take it extra slow through those parts though.

**Arctra** · 30-01-2010, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Ricardo

Arctra,
If you organized something south of Sydney I would be keen.

Hey Ricardo

It seems the only offroading down South is around the Nowra area. I'm keen to do it sometime, but for the first GTG I wanted to organise something easy and accessible by the majority. When I make a trip your end of the world I'll be sure to let you know and possibly meet up.

**kalani** · 30-01-2010, 06:41 PM

this is my other ride ... tiguan is just for the highway but safety with all wheel drive.

**T&M** · 01-02-2010, 09:11 PM

Light off-roading should be kooool in the little Tiggy. As soon as the licorice standard tyres wear we are fitting some A/T treads eg BF Goodrich, Cooper ST or similar.

Not sure about deep sandy tracks like Fraser or Moreton though, definately a job for the bigger 4WD.

We are keen to do a winery trip weekend around the "back roads" of the Stanthorpe area with the 'fast' dirt tracks perfect for the compact Tiggy. A few bottles in the back and we're good!

Yes I will throw in the snatch-um, rated shackles for the eye bolt, bottle jack, and little shovel, together with 'proper' tools and spares just in case.

Do you have a UHF?

Yeah us too...

I reckon the Tig would fit inside the Patrol! but as they say "a time and place for everything".

**kalani** · 02-02-2010, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by T&M

Not sure about deep sandy tracks like Fraser or Moreton though, definately a job for the bigger 4WD.
.

Yeah, its been pretty dry on Fraser, i dont think the the tiguan would like those deep tracks like the ones leaving mckenzie.

**jimbomort** · 03-02-2010, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by kalani

Yeah, its been pretty dry on Fraser, i dont think the the tiguan would like those deep tracks like the ones leaving mckenzie.

agree wouldn't take my tig on the inland tracks of fraser, but Moreton island is a bit better, but yeh rain does make a difference.

still even a two wheel drive car can do OK on sand if driven well. Not the done thing now I know but my parents used to go down beaches all the time in their old mazdas and toyotas with no real problems I used to do some quite challenging bits and peices in an old 76 escort. I'm not advocating it, just important to remember than before the advent of family friendly awds, a lot of "4wd territory" was negotiated in 2wds.