Just gave the Cali a proper "test" in very wet muddy conditions in a relatives field; it did really well! Used Diff Lock for the first time which helped and made a 35%(ish) slope that a 2WD car or van would have slid back down.

We then made cups of tea and ate lunch in it :loll:

 

My 2wd does pretty well.

 

I hear lots of scrabbling.

I've got through sections FWD T5s have had to be towed out of - twice.

Also been allowed in "no campers" sections of campsites because it's 4WD.

 

It's way steeper than it looks.

 

Diff locks rule

 

Jack; it does well but the slope we got up today is very steep and much muddier.

Hodgy; indeed! Crap if you need to steer on full lock though!

 

Mattee
Does your camper have a true diff lock front and rear or a electronic ones ?

Richard

 

Yeah, which is why I was always surprised when people play around with the centre diff lock on certain subarus

I would have thought it puts a lot of strain on the transmission - especially on Tarmac

The yota has 2 diff locks, I only need grip on one rear wheel to give me forward motion

Invaluable in Cambridge lol

 

I've found it really hard to find in depth info on the type of 4motion used but the clunks and loud "thunk" it made and hesitance to come out of diff lock, I'm fairly sure it's a proper mechanical one.

 

From two mins research mattee it looks like you have some sort of electronic rubbish on the centre diff - standard on all 4 motion California's (probably part of haldex system)

But yours is the special version with a mechanical one on the rear diff

See here

http://www.vwcaliforniaclub.com/foru...php?f=5&t=4839

 

Cheers; and I'd posted on that thread too!

 

Lol!!!!

Looks like you have the top "dogs bollox" spec

Diff locks, when you need them, you really need them, fancy electronics are just for the "magazine" boys

 

My T4 Syncro Crew cab pick up has the diff lock too, it's a leaver in the centre console that locks the rear diff, Never had to use it though and that includes a very steep clay type muddy back road to my house out here, it's very capable off road with the old tyres off my Isuzu trooper on some audi alloy rims, raises the ride hight a good few inches too.

Off Roading is all about tyres and technique.