Fording depth HRV

[Harmattan]

I am thinking of ordering what looks like being one of the last HRVs but need some information on the fording depth of water that the HRV can handle with or without breather extensions. Unfortunately, I am currently working in an African country where there are no HRVs so I can't even take a look at one. Our rainy season is just about ending and my trip to work on sand roads regularly runs through short (five metres) stretches of water to about 12 - 15inches (30-38 cm) depending on whether it is hiding a hole.

Plus, how does the HRV cope with soft sand and can you lock it in 2WD so it reaches its limits earlier with the 4WD kept in reserve to get back out of trouble?

I am considering the HRV because I can ship from the factory for not much more than a Suzuki Jimny. The downside to a low price is Honda will not guarantee the car at all where I live :!:

[PatrickDorrian]

No it can't be taken out of 4 wheel drive. I know there's others here who've changed their diff breathers for longer items - am sure they'll be along later.

[mrtn]

Jimny wins here, the HR-V cannot be taken to depths like this. also, the RT4WD is pretty much useless in deep sand, i've done this and the clutch smoke is pretty bad :D

get a Jimny and spend the rest of the money on diff lock and good tyres. an example can be seen here:

http://tfr.cafe.ee/album/miljonpuud08052004/3

http://tfr.cafe.ee/static/pics/miljonpuud08052004/8.jpg

[skyout]

This is an awesome pic:
http://tfr.cafe.ee/static/pics/miljonpuud08052004/8.jpg

[etc]

wow :shock: :lol:

[freelance1000]

Hi Harmattan,

I also live in the tropics. In the last two months my HRV has on four occasions crossed a creek that was 60cm (23 inches) deep (each time we walked across first. The water level was one hand span above the top of the knee = just above the top of the tyres) and 10 metres across. I found the vehicle easily handled upto around 50cm, but more than that was a struggle.

As there is no low range the vehicle either struggled (one crossing) or was going a little bit too fast resulting in the bow wave coming up over the headlights).

On each crossing I removed the piping between the air filter and the resonator to ensure the engine was drawing air from the top of the engine bay. Please note my HRV has differential breather extensions.

Although the HRV was successful, as mentioned above the Suzuki would probably suit your environment better.

[skyout]

I also live in the tropics. In the last two months my HRV has on four occasions crossed a creek that was 60cm (23 inches) deep (each time we walked across first. The water level was one hand span above the top of the knee = just above the top of the tyres) and 10 metres across. I found the vehicle easily handled upto around 50cm, but more than that was a struggle.

As there is no low range the vehicle either struggled (one crossing) or was going a little bit too fast resulting in the bow wave coming up over the headlights).

On each crossing I removed the piping between the air filter and the resonator to ensure the engine was drawing air from the top of the engine bay. Please note my HRV has differential breather extensions.

We'd love to see pics. 8)

[CRX]

I am currently working in an African country where there are no HRVs ...
Which one?

... lock it in 2WD so it reaches its limits earlier with the 4WD kept in reserve to get back out of trouble?
This is exactly how the system works. It does this automatically.

I think the advice above is on the mark. The HRV is a much more civilised and refined vehicle, but the Suz is more suited to most african environments. I've travelled and worked in some (other) African countries and have often seen the little Suzuki's, so there is more chance of getting parts, and some sort of support.

:wink: 8)

[Harmattan]

Thanks for those replies although I was hoping I had found a more refined, bigger and comfortable alternative to a Jimny. I live in Benin where the sudden flash floods can swamp roads even in town to the depths described because there are few drains. I have had a hired Suzuki Vitara in Central America to the depth shown in the Jimny photo because I had no alternative but wouldn't want to do it too often. The guide coming the other way with his own Land Rover refused to take his customers through!
The comments on deep sand worry me though because I was planning to return to Mali, where I lived until recently, for a trip up to the semi-desert music festival next winter and there is a risk of hitting sandy stretches there. I have made a Sahara crossing some years ago in a light 2WD and know it can be done if you can succeed in not getting to dug in, hence my question about manually locking out 4WD until it is needed. Even the Nissan X-Trail is reportedly poor in deep sand because the computer tells it after a while to revert to 2WD which is not useful when you are already committed.
To clarify, I work for an NGO and can buy direct from Japan but Honda will not give me a warranty on either an HRV or a CRV in Benin. We do have a Honda concessionaire in Cotonou but a CRV-driving colleague tried them once and went elsewhere which may explain Honda's reluctance to guarantee at the discount price I get. Suzuki do warrant as do Nissan, Toyota and all the other 4WD manufacturers except Subaru so it is almost entirely a Honda thing.

[freelance1000]

We'd love to see pics. 8)
We tried to take pics on the last crossing, however as I was trying to keep the revs up, the photographer wisely hurriedly vacated the area in front of the car after having only taken one photo, of the HRV prior to it entering the creek. :o

As I don't like driving in water this deep (it is very nerve racking), it could be quite a while before I get the chance to take photos again. Hopefully in shallower water.

[freelance1000]

By the way, from memory the offical fording depth of the Suzuki Jimny is 35cm. You will need to investigate why this is so, and customise as required.

Wouldn't you be better off buying a Toyota or Nissan twin cab ute?

[Harmattan]

Honda HRV will cost me 16000 US dollars delivered, without tax, whereas a double cab ute of almost any type will cost another 10000 dollars. Exception is the Ford Ranger 2.9 diesel at the same price as the Honda but like virtually every other vehicle I can buy at a discount it uses very old technology and I could not take it back into Europe because of emissions regs when my contract is up. I could spend more but not for old technology even though it could be claimed to have greater reliability. Even the HRV and the Suzuki will not be delivered with cats but they are cheaper and less to lose if conversion to EU regs is not possible. Still not entirely put off the HRV but I am in Europe in a few weeks so will try to check one out close up.
Thanks to all for the advice.

[AoS]

How much is the CR-V? The CR-V has a little bit more ground clearance than the HR-V and the same transmission (with some enhancements on the 2005 model). It's heavier as well :?

[Harmattan]

CRV costs about $US 20,500 delivered which puts it in Nissan X-Trail diesel territory. Leaving aside which is better of the two vehicles, Nissan provide factory options such as a warranty, extra underguards, tubed tyres, extra tyres, roofrack, ladder and a two-year spares pack which make the X-Trail a better proposition for my circumstances if I decide to spend that much. Like I said before, there is less to lose at the HRV/Jimny end of the price scale. And they are less attractive than either a CRV or X-Trail to the West African criminal fraternity who aspire to Land Cruisers but will happily go downmarket a bit.

[AoS]

On the diesel X-trail, you definitely need the warranty ! :roll: :lol:

[Dick_Dastardly]

On the diesel X-trail, you definitely need the warranty ! :roll: :lol:

I agree.

I've blown two Nissan 2.2 TD engines, neither seemed to have much pull either. (before I blew them)