Sani pass - RAV4 4wd

[Swannie1960]

Thanks for all the info! We will drive down on thursday and assess the route there. If it's wet we will pass, if dry we will sani pass.
Will report back!

I hope you get to do it. Enjoy!

[Chris8d]

Hopefully the sun will be showing itself on Friday a bit.
But up to Friday it looks wet and cold.

Enjoy your trip and please give us some feed back.

[Chris8d]

Just saw this now, maybe it will be of some help to you.
It is probably the most resend report of the pass you will get.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...-12-13-03-2022

[JJJ]

What helps the up traffic at the switchbacks, is the sign at the top which states descending traffic should yield to upcoming traffic.

So you have a better chance of maintaining momentum on the up.

[stephenplumb]

.

[Andrepb]

As some have said...."choose your line carefully and momentum is key"......Also watch out for tyre side wall damage if RAV fitted with highway terrain tyres. Never needed diff lock or low range going up ( in either a Land Cruiser, Disco or Jeep Wrangler, can't comment on RAV4 ).....but coming down, especially top section, low range helps save brake fade, and allows driver to enjoy the view without stress.

Enjoy the trip.

[gulliver2937]

Thanks again for the info! Setting off south this evening..

[mudgrubber]

Have a good trip and the advice should set you up nicely; better to be a bit careful, have some plans and be apprehensive than gung ho third gear after cruising the newly built sections to the SA border post. It is immediately much rougher after that and you will need to pick a line and keep momentum shortly after the first sizable stream crossing, and well before the switchbacks, where it is sometimes loose and rocky on a steepish uphill. Try stop at the viewpoints and enjoy.

[BeasT 50]

I work near the pass and I definitely wouldn't attempt it in a RAV 4. With the recent rains you never know what condition you will find the Pass in. Lots of loose, rocky material and the Rav's ground clearance is also a bit of a concern.

Nonetheless, hope you had a safe and pleasant trip.

And those old Taxis that go up the Pass, definitely 4X4. That's why you won't see a Toyota Quantum attempting the pass

[vanzie]

Some 'normal' taxis drive up there everyday....no issue, just take it easy. Weather dependent off course.

Those "normal Taxis"?? are all 4x4

[corrie u]

I am sure you will be fine, just be careful at the switchback's, I did it with a 650 GS.
O yes, those taxis amazed me but upon closer look found they were all 4x4's

[Zoutpansberg]

Some 'normal' taxis drive up there everyday....no issue, just take it easy. Weather dependent off course.

I have seen this on other routes , it really rattles me how they manage it

[CraigJ]

Thanks again for the info! Setting off south this evening..

So how was the trip?

[gulliver2937]

So, before I left I was unable to get a replacement tyre for the back left which was quite bald, and didn't have time to swap in the spare - doh. We drove down Nottingham road side, and took the gravel road to Sani, and got lost It had been raining the past few days so we had a fair share of washed away stretches and deep mud, but made it through ok. Went up sani in a land rover for a few days hiking in Lesotho and left the car down below. The pass had not been repaired recently, so there were some very deep gulleys. I think the rav4 would have made it, since it was dry, but clearance would have been the main issue.
Keen to head back with a fresh set of tyres as I think it would be a very fun drive! Incredibly beautiful...