UAEOffroaders

Hi guys n girls
i have recently moved back to the middle east after many years away and considering re-ignighting my passion for off-roading. Only thing is this time I'm here with my family and hence the family 4x4. Wasn't really considering off-roading when I bought a 4.2 Q7 and was thinking more for comfort than off road ability.
Just wondering if any one else in here is driving a Q7 in the sand and how it performs, obviously not planning on any serious missions with the kids in the back not like my old wrangler days.
Would be great to join you guys for one of your easy outings to break the family and the car in gently to the joys of the desert.

Hey, Reevesy, welcome back to the sand.
I,m sure a knowledgeable person will reply to your Q7 question, but I,ll gladly do general Welcome Wagon duties.
We,ve been running an easy, relaxing trip every Friday this season, so keep your eyes peeled. Actually, it looks like next Friday,s trip is posted and open for business. Check this link:

http://www.uaeoffroaders.com/showthread ... 08-02-2013

Welcome once again, and we look forward to meeting you!

Welcome Reevesy, I'm sure your family will love hitting the sand with the club. In my personal opinion though, I wouldn't take a Q7 out into the sand as it will be very expensive to repair if you take the bumper off. Thankfully, you know how to drive i the desert, but I reckon a Q7 would be too low.

Also, is it 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive? If it's 4 wheel drive does it have 4 low or is it a full time 4 hi? Does it have recovery points front and back (not the screw in ones as they would break under a heavy recovery, ones which are actually attachd to the frame somehow)? Also, I presume it would have pretty low profile tires? If so, you might struggle due to the lack of footprint in the sand.

Just some food for thought mate, don't mean to be a party pooper!

Thanks for your welcome guys. unfortunately i wont be able to make this weekend's trip out as already have plans that cant be broke, but will keep my eyes peeled for the next one.

Tintin - you pretty much re-itterated my concerns as well.
She doesn't have a 4Lo which although i always felt it was embarrassing to ever have to resort to in the sand, it is nice to know that its there. There is however plenty of power, and ground clearance when you adjust the suspension for offroad isn't too bad. But yes replacing a bumper on this thing will not come cheap. However like i said i am not planning of putting the fear of god into the wife and kids with some serious dune bashing (even though it's sorely missed) more of just a gentle excursion, although i do appreciate there are times when you don't have any other choice than just to go for it or end up planted.

yes your right on the low profiles but was wondering if its possible to have a second set of shoes to replace the current 21" low profiles, with smaller rims and a more sand friendly set of tyres, just to be installed for the weekends, something that I can let the air out of to increase the tyre surface area. I guess if the total circumference/diameter was fairly similar it would be possible... any thoughts? I have seen a few 4x4's around here who have gone the otherway with big rims and low profiles... Although i imagine it could confuse the speedo slightly if the sizes didn't match and may look a little unusual....

You know thats a mighty fine point about the recovery points... its something i never really considered, as was never an issue in me old days... will have to have a look under the skirts and see whats there, but that in itself means the skirts will have to come off to access them....

Cheers.....

Welcome back reeveseey . I think youll be the first for me to see someone use a q7 offroad. Cant wait to see you with us in the sand

Reevesy wrote:Thanks for your welcome guys. unfortunately i wont be able to make this weekend's trip out as already have plans that cant be broke, but will keep my eyes peeled for the next one.

Tintin - you pretty much re-itterated my concerns as well.
She doesn't have a 4Lo which although i always felt it was embarrassing to ever have to resort to in the sand, it is nice to know that its there. There is however plenty of power, and ground clearance when you adjust the suspension for offroad isn't too bad. But yes replacing a bumper on this thing will not come cheap. However like i said i am not planning of putting the fear of god into the wife and kids with some serious dune bashing (even though it's sorely missed) more of just a gentle excursion, although i do appreciate there are times when you don't have any other choice than just to go for it or end up planted.

yes your right on the low profiles but was wondering if its possible to have a second set of shoes to replace the current 21" low profiles, with smaller rims and a more sand friendly set of tyres, just to be installed for the weekends, something that I can let the air out of to increase the tyre surface area. I guess if the total circumference/diameter was fairly similar it would be possible... any thoughts? I have seen a few 4x4's around here who have gone the otherway with big rims and low profiles... Although i imagine it could confuse the speedo slightly if the sizes didn't match and may look a little unusual....

You know thats a mighty fine point about the recovery points... its something i never really considered, as was never an issue in me old days... will have to have a look under the skirts and see whats there, but that in itself means the skirts will have to come off to access them....

Cheers.....

Well there's no such thing as can't work when it comes to offroading mate. Have you seen the video of the Bentley in the desert? ha ha.

Anyway, as long as the tires are not going to rub and rip apart the fenders, or ruin the tires from rubbing sheet metal, I'm sure you could find a combination that works. Try using one of the many tire size calculators to see which size will match the overall size that you have. Check the size on the tire wall and just match it up with a bigger walled, smaller rim sized tire and they should be fine. I would check though if it's a 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive as I remember reading that AWD vehicles don't like the sand as it can mess the differentials up due to complete confusion with no traction.

With the adjustable suspension, does it have a speed limit before it starts to drop? I'm pretty sure most do. I think the new Grand Cherokee for example drops down to stock once you hit 60Kmh. Sounds a lot for the sand, but as you know, speed can easily build up if you're having fun!

As for recovery points, sadly for some, but great for others, we can't accept any vehicle onto a trip without front AND rear recovery points so best check before you sign up for a trip.

Finally, if you weren't getting stuck when you were out here last mate, you weren't trying hard enough!!!

Good luck with your refinements, and hope to meet you and the family in the sand soon. Q7 or not!

The Q7 sports a Quattro perminent all wheel drive transmission, no gear reduction options !


It will get away with a little bit of gentle off roading but the Q7 is not configured for being a serious off roader.

Why not keep the Q7 for daily use and get a cheep Cherokee of old Patrol or someting like that for the fun driving

Hey mate
Its good that you could join the big family again, i will tell you something
DONT TAKE YOUR AUDI TO THE DESERT
i would say, buy a cheap car only for the sand and keep your car clean

Thta's odd, because the touareg has a low gear. The Q7 should have a knob that allows you to select 4Lo. And esp. if its got a hydraulic system on it for clearance.

on the other hand you can get a cheap cherokee in a very very very good conidtion for 20k.

If it's 4 wheel drive it will mate, but not all wheel drive.

follow the advice above mate, grab something cheap and give it hell..... When you're alone of course!