As mentioned in a previous thread I had the opportunity to take my Yeti off road at the weekend on during a rough-terrain driving course ran by our Search & Rescue Team and the RAF.

Whilst there were many areas I couldn't take the Yeti by virtue of the very deep ruts, nasty scratchy over hanging trees or deep water I took it everywhere else and was very impressed. On undulating tracks/ fields it was very stable and comfortable (compared to the RAF Wolfs!) and didn't struggle at all. It crossed deep ruts and dips with little scraping even despite the approach and departure angle being pants. It climbed and descended the hills easily too (the track was dry at the moment).

The only issues I had was descending into a 8' deep 'ditch' the front end grill scooped up all the gravel at the bottom like a digger but I have fished it all out now. Also the underbody protection along the sides is very weak and have cracked it when landing on a rock or similar. Other than that it did really well. My brother videoed it and will post it when I get it off him soon.

From a driving POV, the peddles are wide enough to drive with boots/ wellies which is a refreshing change.

So. all in all, don't be afraid to get your yeti mucky - it does very well.

Thanks for the report.

When you mention cracking the under-body protection are you referring to the large plastic panels that cover the floor-pan either side of the central tunnel? Also interested to know if you have the rough road pack, as I was under the impression these panels (or part of) had been strengthened as part of the pack.

Regards,

TP

Thanks for the report.

When you mention cracking the under-body protection are you referring to the large plastic panels that cover the floor-pan either side of the central tunnel? Also interested to know if you have the rough road pack, as I was under the impression these panels (or part of) had been strengthened as part of the pack.

Regards,

TP

Yes I am referring to the large plastic panels down the sides of the floorpan. I have not crawled under it yet to see exactly what has happened yet. I do have the rough road package. Apart from the metal sump protection I am not sure really how much the plastic panels will help other than to reduce the impact on the underbody paintwork from stones etc and thus reducing corrosion issues. Will try and get the vehicle up on ramps or a jack at weekend and fish all the mud out of the hole and see.

Excellent report Muckypaws

Say, don't forget, the SM is not a Kübelwagen, nor a Unimog, or even a LR Defender.

Ground clearance, positive transfer case including 100% lock as well as suitable TYRES makes one heck of a difference - oh! - and try those other ones on the Autobahn

The word is Softroader.

Edited 18 May, 201016 yr by Agerbundsen

Bit OT, but if you can afford to wait why not send your plastic panels away to a composite company and get them made in kevlar? (wet layup to save money)

Yes I am referring to the large plastic panels down the sides of the floorpan. I have not crawled under it yet to see exactly what has happened yet. I do have the rough road package. Apart from the metal sump protection I am not sure really how much the plastic panels will help other than to reduce the impact on the underbody paintwork from stones etc and thus reducing corrosion issues. Will try and get the vehicle up on ramps or a jack at weekend and fish all the mud out of the hole and see.

Many thanks,

be interested to see the result of your investigations.

As a side note, my lad has an old Fabia which I've noticed has an impact hole in one of it's plastic panels (while with it's former owners) but there appears to be no damage to the actual chassis.

Regards,

TP

Hi - great report. I suspect your off-road adventures are probably a bit beyond many other YETI drivers, given that you have quite a bit of experience in off-roading, yes?

I have to say that being able to attempt some of the wet stuff and hilly stuff could be great fun, balanced against the sheer terror of doing any damage to the thing!!

It was the 4*4 aspect of the compact YETI that finalised my decision to buy - purely for snow, and wet grass ability really!

Tell us more - and stick them pics up too! At least we can share the excitement second hand!

Say, don't forget, the SM is not a Kübelwagen, nor a Unimog, or even a LR Defender.

Ground clearance, positive transfer case including 100% lock as well as suitable TYRES makes one heck of a difference - oh! - and try those other ones on the Autobahn

The word is Softroader.

Oh I totally agree. I wasn't expecting it to work half as well as the Wolfs, but its still nice to know what it is capable of. Afterall, if you have a 4x4 you got to take it off the highway once in a while.

Hi - great report. I suspect your off-road adventures are probably a bit beyond many other YETI drivers, given that you have quite a bit of experience in off-roading, yes?

I have to say that being able to attempt some of the wet stuff and hilly stuff could be great fun, balanced against the sheer terror of doing any damage to the thing!!

It was the 4*4 aspect of the compact YETI that finalised my decision to buy - purely for snow, and wet grass ability really!

Tell us more - and stick them pics up too! At least we can share the excitement second hand!

Hello, thanks for the compliments. I've a fair bit of experience. My first 'car' was a '87 Land Rover 90 V8 CSW which I did a lot of offroad driving and competitions. Then I imported a Ford Bronco from California which got used a fair amount off road (but was too wide for most UK green lanes). Aside from that I am a 4x4 recovery instructor with Staffordshire Search & Rescue Team so have been driving Land Rovers on a regular basis for the past 11 years.

Will hopefully be getting the video off my Bro tonight and will edit and post in the next day or so.

For Snow and wet grass etc I expect the Yeti to be great. I bought it mainly for similar reasons, plus we get a lot of flooding where I live. Will be great for Derbyshire campsites, National Trust carparks and Game Fairs etc.

Enjoy the Yeti, its more capable than most softroaders!

Come on... Somebody must have photos of a muddy Yeti?

I took our first demo down some byways near me. If anyone knows the one in Shere that goes under the A25. It managed to do all of that but I didn't attempt the big watery puddle (you'll know what I mean if you've been there!) It's very steep and slippery. The only thing that let it down was the tyres, going downhill I had to use the brakes and the tyres soon got themselves overloaded with mud and became to slip. I was suitable impressed though.

Just wish I had some photos or videos!

Come on... Somebody must have photos of a muddy Yeti?

I took our first demo down some byways near me. If anyone knows the one in Shere that goes under the A25. It managed to do all of that but I didn't attempt the big watery puddle (you'll know what I mean if you've been there!) It's very steep and slippery. The only thing that let it down was the tyres, going downhill I had to use the brakes and the tyres soon got themselves overloaded with mud and became to slip. I was suitable impressed though.

Just wish I had some photos or videos!

Well, alas, I didn't get to see my brother last night thanks to a server belonging to a certain Borough of London dying and meaning I didn't get away from work until late so still not got the video. I will have muddy pics of it sooner or later so just got to be patient.