Well,
Over the last two years I have not done much off-roading in my 05 HSE LR3 (has heavy duty package; it's white..I think NWOODS would want my LR3), but have been camping all over the Sierras pulling my new Starcraft Pop Up Trailer (3,750 lbs -Big One). We have spent 36 days in it since we bought the trailer last June. The LR3 has done an outstanding job pulling my new trailer and it's always loaded down with 2 or more bikes on top and one tiny one in the back because I have 3 daughters under 9, so with that being said the LR3 has been a real work horse.
So last week we are camping at Lodgepole Sequoia National Park and we explored the Buck Rock Fire Tower which was fantastic, but I had to choose to take the smooth fireroad back or the Jeep Trail. The Jeep trail is rated 5 out of 10 in the Backcountry Adventures book, so I took a poll and everybody was ready for an adventure so we took the Jeep trail back. Now my LR3 has the 19 inch wheels with the Michelin Synchrones and has no modifications. Well I was shocked at how well the LR3 tackled the trail. Even though the family was screaming due to the inclines, declines,and tilts the LR3 made it through like butter. I know the guys who off road frequently in their LR3's know how capable the LR3 but for me it was very eye opening.
Another point. I currently own a 99 DII with 156,000 (no leaksss!) and would like to get a modified 04 DII, but after that trip, I think the only vehicle that fits my lifestyle is the LR3. The 04 DII I know would struggle with 5 people in it while pulling my trailer in the Sierras. Also, the 04 DII would not perform as "smoothly" off road (stock no modifications). Again I am sure an 04 Disco II can go on the same trails but the ride is far different from what an LR3 provides you. I don't want to come to that conclusion because I love the look of the DII.
Question:
My wife remembers all of are DII trips and she quickly realized that the LR3 does not rock and dive into the holes but stays dramatically more level, which of course is due to the air suspension. My question, it seems that even though the LR3 has 9.5/10 inches of clearance in off road mode its effective clearance, in some situations, is somewhat higher due to the air springs pushing down into hole where as a DII tire would fall into the hole bringing the actual axle closer to the ground. I am wrong on this one?
atriot:
Over the last two years I have not done much off-roading in my 05 HSE LR3 (has heavy duty package; it's white..I think NWOODS would want my LR3), but have been camping all over the Sierras pulling my new Starcraft Pop Up Trailer (3,750 lbs -Big One). We have spent 36 days in it since we bought the trailer last June. The LR3 has done an outstanding job pulling my new trailer and it's always loaded down with 2 or more bikes on top and one tiny one in the back because I have 3 daughters under 9, so with that being said the LR3 has been a real work horse.
So last week we are camping at Lodgepole Sequoia National Park and we explored the Buck Rock Fire Tower which was fantastic, but I had to choose to take the smooth fireroad back or the Jeep Trail. The Jeep trail is rated 5 out of 10 in the Backcountry Adventures book, so I took a poll and everybody was ready for an adventure so we took the Jeep trail back. Now my LR3 has the 19 inch wheels with the Michelin Synchrones and has no modifications. Well I was shocked at how well the LR3 tackled the trail. Even though the family was screaming due to the inclines, declines,and tilts the LR3 made it through like butter. I know the guys who off road frequently in their LR3's know how capable the LR3 but for me it was very eye opening.
Another point. I currently own a 99 DII with 156,000 (no leaksss!) and would like to get a modified 04 DII, but after that trip, I think the only vehicle that fits my lifestyle is the LR3. The 04 DII I know would struggle with 5 people in it while pulling my trailer in the Sierras. Also, the 04 DII would not perform as "smoothly" off road (stock no modifications). Again I am sure an 04 Disco II can go on the same trails but the ride is far different from what an LR3 provides you. I don't want to come to that conclusion because I love the look of the DII.
Question:
My wife remembers all of are DII trips and she quickly realized that the LR3 does not rock and dive into the holes but stays dramatically more level, which of course is due to the air suspension. My question, it seems that even though the LR3 has 9.5/10 inches of clearance in off road mode its effective clearance, in some situations, is somewhat higher due to the air springs pushing down into hole where as a DII tire would fall into the hole bringing the actual axle closer to the ground. I am wrong on this one?
atriot:
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