Originally Posted by BlackPearl (Post 3814061)

Thanks for the post Pawan. Great to see that you took the Duster on a proper trail that it deserves and not just some weekend soft-roading :thumbs up



This is a concern. When I had created this thread I was concerned only about the steepness of the slopes. It had not come to my mind that width can be a factor as I had always taken the Bolero to Sandakphu and never faced any issue with the width. I don't know the numbers but it seems that the Bolero is quite narrow compared to the Duster. There was only one place while going to Phalut where I had to get past a rock with very little gap between it and Bolero side step.
BTW, is the Pajero SFX wider than the Duster?

Originally Posted by BlackPearl (Post 3814061)

When I had created this thread I was concerned only about the steepness of the slopes. It had not come to my mind that width can be a factor as I had always taken the Bolero to Sandakphu and never faced any issue with the width.

Originally Posted by PapaBravo (Post 3814080)

The width is a big issue. Width stats below :
Duster : 1822 mm
Bolero : 1745 mm
Scorpio : 1820 mm
Pajero SFX : 1775 mm
Fortuner : 1855 mm
Storme : 1965 mm
Bolero is approx 3 inches narrower. That is good cushion in such narrow roads. I doubt that a fortuner will pass thru. Also, thing don't loo too bright for Storme.

Originally Posted by PapaBravo (Post 3813963)

Stage 2 : Rocky & Muddy road to Sandakphu. The tarred road ends just after Chitrey & the rocky road starts. The terrain looks like it has been made only for leafsprings. The road is quite narrow with some very steep hairpins. After some point we encountered this.

Originally Posted by PapaBravo (Post 3813963)

Some points to be noted :

1. The handbrake performed perfectly. It has the capability of holding the vehicle in place at steep inclines.

2. The reverse gear is powerful enough to a reverse climb. We encountered a LR from the opposite side while we were climbing down. We had to reverse up to a point where we could give it some space to pass.

3. The Hill assist work on reverse too. If you are on an incline nose down & want to reverse up, the brakes hold the vehicle for 3 seconds.

4. There was one very steep hairpin where we encountered an LR stopped just after the turn (Not a very wise thing to do). We had to brake midway on a hairpin. On the first recovery try, felt for the first time that extra power would be required. The engine couldn't pull up & died. Restarted & got through by slipping the clutch with high revs.

5. There is no scope of error. Provided you have a 4x4, it all depends on the driver skills. My respect for all those who have done this trail including Blackpearl, 1100D, mr.sinha & himadrimondal. It is quite taxing to your brain.

6. Vehicle width is one major issue. Duster is quite wide, It is even wider (although marginally) than the new gen Scorpio. I doubt anything wider that Duster can make it up due to that rock.

Originally Posted by PapaBravo (Post 3813963)

The Hairpins
Pawan

Originally Posted by PapaBravo (Post 3814080)

Thank you gearhead_mait.
Duster : 1822 mm
Bolero : 1745 mm
Scorpio : 1820 mm
Pajero SFX : 1775 mm
Fortuner : 1855 mm
Storme : 1965 mm
Pawan

Originally Posted by Aroy (Post 3814084)

Most of the popular 4x4 are quite narrow..............mountain trails.

Originally Posted by AJ-got-BHP (Post 3814100)

agree: Sumitro good point there by Papa Bravo !!



Good Data Compiled there Pawan. You seem to be superly charged up after the trip.

However, where we are comparing the width of the vehicles, I guess a closer look at their respective turning radius(s) shall also come in handy; specialy when it comes to Sandakphu !!

stupid: Over to the experts !!

And btw Pawan .... why bother about the brownie points anyways !! Just go with the flow as the age old saying goes "If you have it, use it".

Originally Posted by GhostRider28 (Post 3815046)

Bravo Pawan!clap: It is really commendable that you went up to Tumling even in such inclement weather conditions!


That's a nice comprehensive coverage of all critical points.

Originally Posted by sinhsha (Post 3942664)

Yes mirror was broken in kol to siliguri route in a congested place a bike hit it and ran away.
Clutch burn was little bit not very serious.
While coming down underbelly scrapped due to suspension travel on rocks under weight.
Turns were sharp but not big problem as duster's turning radius not very bad.
In bolero turns could seem very tight

Originally Posted by Dry Ice (Post 3970070)

Has anybody taken a Gypsy up to the top yet? Seems like a good fit for this trail, small, lightweight and nimble.

Originally Posted by BlackPearl (Post 3970595)

Yes Dry Ice, one of my friends, a veteran rally driver has taken his Gypsy 1.3 mpfi to Sandakphu. He was complaining about the huge turning radius, the lack of low end grunt and the horrible ride quality of the Gypsy.

Originally Posted by ManuMacher (Post 3971124)

@BlackPearl ... Kudos to Duster awd for this climb. Kindly comment. From the video it looked like Duster had to struggle and do a speedy climb compared to Thar which was able to climb slow and cool.