Questions based onoff-roadAttributes, Requirements and the performance of your vehicle

I am final year and for my final year project I need to ask owners of off-road vehicles what their requirements are and how their vehicle performs off-road. I have developed a questionnaire that will help me to extract the information that I need.
Could you please take a minute or two to fill the questionnaire. Thank you.

1. Vehicle Details:

1.a Make: …………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â €¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦
1.b Model: …………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â €¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦
1.c Tyres fitted: …………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â €¦â€¦â€¦
1.d Engine: …………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â €¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦
1.e Transmission type: …………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦
1.f What options have been fitted? …………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦.……….
1.g Is your vehicle? Standard [ ] Modified [ ]

1.h If modified, what has been modified?



2. Is your vehicle equipped with the following?

1. Low Range Gearbox Yes [ ] No [ ] 6. Disconnectable Anti-Roll Bars Yes [ ] No [ ]
2. Central Locking Differential Yes [ ] No [ ] 7. Electronic Aids Yes [ ] No [ ]
3. Front Locking Differentials Yes [ ] No [ ] 8. Off-Road Tyres Yes [ ] No [ ]
4. Rear Locking Differentials Yes [ ] No [ ] 9. Solid Axles Yes [ ] No [ ]
5. Active Anti-Roll Bars Yes [ ] No [ ] 10. Under Body Protection Yes [ ] No [ ]

2.a With the equipment ticked as Yes, which are the most important for driving off-road?
(State the number of all that apply)……………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦

3. Driver Details:

3.a Gender: Male [ ] Female [ ]

3.b Age Range: 17 – 25 [ ] 26 – 35 [ ] 36 – 45 [ ] 46 – 55 [ ] 56 – 65 [ ] 66 + [ ]

4. [/b]What country do you live in? [/b]…………………………………........... .................................................. ............. [/b]

5. Do you do any off road driving with your vehicle?

Yes [ ] No [ ] If yes then is it for: Work [ ] Pleasure [ ] Both: [ ]

5.a How frequently do you drive off-road?

Less than once a month [ ] Once a month [ ] Twice a month [ ] Once a week [ ] More often [ ]

5.b Tick all types surfaces you encounter:

1. Dirt / Gravel Rough Roads [ ] 2. Mud / Ruts [ ]
3. Rock / Boulders / Very Rough Terrain [ ] 4. Sand Dunes [ ]
5. Settled Snow and/or Ice [ ] 6. Wet Grass / Meadows [ ]

7. Off-Road Wading (when water covers any of the above) [ ]

5.c How satisfied are you with the overall performance of your vehicle on the surface(s) ticked in Q 5.b?
(On a scale of 1 to 10, one being worst, 10 best)

Surfaces Satisfaction (1 to 10)


6. What vehicle requirements do you feel are needed for off-road driving?
(E.g. Ground clearance, locking differentials, permanent 4-wheel drive, under body protection etc)
(List as many as possible)




7. [/b]What, in your opinion, is the most important terrain characteristic(s) needed for off-road vehicles in the country stated in Q 4?[/b]
(E.g. Dubai – Performance on sand, Sweden – Performance on snow/ice etc)
[/b]
[/b]
All questions below are asking about your vehicle’s performance off-road.

8. Engine Characteristics:

8.a How easy is it controlling vehicle speed using the accelerator pedal?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Manageable [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ]

8.b How does the torque respond under a sudden change in demand?

Very Slow Reaction [ ] Slow Reaction [ ] Good Reaction [ ] Quick Reaction [ ]
Very Quick Reaction [ ]

8.c What is the throttle response like?

1. Very Sensitive [ ] 2. Sensitive [ ] 3. Good [ ] 4. Heavy [ ] 5. Very Heavy [ ]

8.d Which is ideal? (State Number): …………

9. Have you modified the suspension? Yes [ ] No [ ] If Yes, then:

9.a What is the estimated increase in ground clearance? (Inches)

1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ] 6 [ ] 7 [ ] 8 [ ] 9 [ ] 10 + [ ]

9.b What is the estimated increase in the suspension travel? (Inches)

1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ] 6 [ ] 7 [ ] 8 [ ] 9 [ ] 10 + [ ]

10. How easy is it to switch between 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Ok [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ] N/A [ ]

11. How easy is it to operate the differential locks?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Ok [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ] N/A [ ]

12. How easy is it to select low range?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Ok [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ] N/A [ ]

13. How would you rate the response of your vehicle’s braking system?

Too Weak [ ] Weak [ ] Just Right [ ] Strong [ ] Too Strong [ ]

14. How much wheel spin is experienced?

Too Much [ ] A lot [ ] Some [ ] Very Little [ ] None [ ]

14.a How well is wheelspin controlled?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Manageable [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ]

The following sets of questions are about towing.

15.a What equipment do you use for towing? …………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦
…………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â €¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦........
15.b What do you usually tow?

Small Sized Trailer [ ] Medium Sized Trailer [ ] Large Trailer [ ] Horse Box [ ]
Caravan [ ] Boat Trailer [ ] Other ………………………………………..... .......

15.b.1 Is this? Single Axle [ ] Double Axle [ ]
Braked [ ] Unbraked [ ]

15.c How frequently do you tow?

Less than once a month [ ] Once a month [ ] Twice a month [ ] Once a week [ ] More often [ ]

15.d Do you tow: On-Road [ ] Off-Road [ ] Both [ ]

16. Does your vehicle have Hill Descent Control (HDC)? Yes [ ] No [ ] If Yes then:

16.a What speed does your vehicle descend at? (mph)

1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ] 6 [ ] 7 [ ] 8 [ ] 9 [ ] 10 + [ ]

16.b What are your opinions of this speed?

Too Slow [ ] Slow [ ] Just Right [ ] Fast [ ] Too Fast [ ]

16.c Can you adjust the descend speed? [/b]Yes [ ] No [ ][/b]
[/b]
If Yes: 16.c.1 How easy is it to control descend speed?[/b]

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Manageable [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ]
[/b]
16.c.2 How happy are you with the available speed range? [/b]

Very Happy [ ] Happy [ ] Satisfactory [ ] Disappointed [ ] Very Disappointed [ ]

16.d How easy is it to operate HDC?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Ok [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ]

16.e In your opinion, what is the level of noise generated by HDC?

Very Noisy [ ] Noisy [ ] Tolerable [ ] Quiet [ ] Very Quiet [ ]

16.f In your opinion, how does HDC react when in use?

Deceleration Too Aggressive [ ] Deceleration Is Aggressive [ ] Ok [ ]
Slow To Cut In [ ] Too Slow To Cut In [ ]

17. How well do the seals stop water entering the cabin when wading?

Large Quantity Of Water Enters [ ] Some Amounts Of Water Enter [ ] Cabin Is Water Tight [ ]

17.a Do the tyres fitted provide sufficient grip when wading? Yes [ ] No [ ]

18. What could manufacturers do to improve the performance of off-road vehicles?


19. Finally, are there other comments that you would like to make about your vehicle’s performance off-road?


Thank you for taking the time filling in this questionnaire; your efforts are appreciated very much.

 

1. Vehicle Details:

1.a Make:Land Rover
1.b Model: Discovery
1.c Tyres fitted: Definity Dakota A/T 235/70-16
1.d Engine: Stock 4.0 V8
1.e Transmission type: Automatic 4 speed
1.f What options have been fitted? SE7
1.g Is your vehicle? Standard [x] Modified [ ]

1.h If modified, what has been modified?



2. Is your vehicle equipped with the following?

1. Low Range Gearbox Yes [x] No [ ] 6. Disconnectable Anti-Roll Bars Yes [ ] No [x]
2. Central Locking Differential Yes [x] No [ ] 7. Electronic Aids Yes [ ] No [x]
3. Front Locking Differentials Yes [ ] No [x] 8. Off-Road Tyres Yes [x] No [ ]
4. Rear Locking Differentials Yes [ ] No [x] 9. Solid Axles Yes [x] No [ ]
5. Active Anti-Roll Bars Yes [x] No [ ] 10. Under Body Protection Yes [ ] No [x]

2.a With the equipment ticked as Yes, which are the most important for driving off-road?
(State the number of all that apply) 1, 2, 8

3. Driver Details:

3.a Gender: Male [x] Female [ ]

3.b Age Range: 17 – 25 [x] 26 – 35 [ ] 36 – 45 [ ] 46 – 55 [ ] 56 – 65 [ ] 66 + [ ]

4. What country do you live in? US

5. Do you do any off road driving with your vehicle?

Yes [x] No [ ] If yes then is it for: Work [ ] Pleasure [ ] Both: [x]

5.a How frequently do you drive off-road?

Less than once a month [ ] Once a month [x] Twice a month [ ] Once a week [ ] More often [ ]

5.b Tick all types surfaces you encounter:

1. Dirt / Gravel Rough Roads [x] 2. Mud / Ruts [x]
3. Rock / Boulders / Very Rough Terrain [x] 4. Sand Dunes [ ]
5. Settled Snow and/or Ice [x] 6. Wet Grass / Meadows [ ]

7. Off-Road Wading (when water covers any of the above) [x]

5.c How satisfied are you with the overall performance of your vehicle on the surface(s) ticked in Q 5.b?
(On a scale of 1 to 10, one being worst, 10 best)

Surfaces Satisfaction (1 to 10)
Dirt/Gravel 10
Mud 5
Rocks 7
Snow/Ice 10
Wading 9

6. What vehicle requirements do you feel are needed for off-road driving?
(E.g. Ground clearance, locking differentials, permanent 4-wheel drive, under body protection etc)
(List as many as possible)

Ground Clearance, locking center diff, full time 4x4, maximum approach and departure angle, large tire size (30+ inches), long wheel travel


7. What, in your opinion, is the most important terrain characteristic(s) needed for off-road vehicles in the country stated in Q 4?
(E.g. Dubai – Performance on sand, Sweden – Performance on snow/ice etc)
US Rocks and Mud

All questions below are asking about your vehicle’s performance off-road.

8. Engine Characteristics:

8.a How easy is it controlling vehicle speed using the accelerator pedal?

Very Easy [x] Easy [ ] Manageable [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ]

8.b How does the torque respond under a sudden change in demand?

Very Slow Reaction [ ] Slow Reaction [ ] Good Reaction [ ] Quick Reaction [x]
Very Quick Reaction [ ]

8.c What is the throttle response like?

1. Very Sensitive [x] 2. Sensitive [ ] 3. Good [ ] 4. Heavy [ ] 5. Very Heavy [ ]

8.d Which is ideal? (State Number): ………… 1

9. Have you modified the suspension? Yes [ ] No [x] If Yes, then:

9.a What is the estimated increase in ground clearance? (Inches)

1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ] 6 [ ] 7 [ ] 8 [ ] 9 [x] 10 + [ ]

9.b What is the estimated increase in the suspension travel? (Inches)

1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ] 6 [ ] 7 [ ] 8 [ ] 9 [ ] 10 + [x]

10. How easy is it to switch between 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Ok [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ] N/A [full time]

11. How easy is it to operate the differential locks?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [x] Ok [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ] N/A [ ]

12. How easy is it to select low range?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [x] Ok [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ] N/A [ ]

13. How would you rate the response of your vehicle’s braking system?

Too Weak [ ] Weak [ ] Just Right [x] Strong [ ] Too Strong [ ]

14. How much wheel spin is experienced?

Too Much [ ] A lot [ ] Some [ ] Very Little [x] None [ ]

14.a How well is wheelspin controlled?

Very Easy [x] Easy [ ] Manageable [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ]

The following sets of questions are about towing.

15.a What equipment do you use for towing? None
…………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â €¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦........
15.b What do you usually tow?

Small Sized Trailer [ ] Medium Sized Trailer [ ] Large Trailer [ ] Horse Box [ ]
Caravan [ ] Boat Trailer [ ] Other ………………………………………..... .......

15.b.1 Is this? Single Axle [ ] Double Axle [ ]
Braked [ ] Unbraked [ ]

15.c How frequently do you tow?

Less than once a month [ ] Once a month [ ] Twice a month [ ] Once a week [ ] More often [ ]

15.d Do you tow: On-Road [ ] Off-Road [ ] Both [ ]

16. Does your vehicle have Hill Descent Control (HDC)? Yes [ ] No [x] If Yes then:

16.a What speed does your vehicle descend at? (mph)

1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ] 6 [ ] 7 [ ] 8 [ ] 9 [ ] 10 + [ ]

16.b What are your opinions of this speed?

Too Slow [ ] Slow [ ] Just Right [ ] Fast [ ] Too Fast [ ]

16.c Can you adjust the descend speed? Yes [ ] No [ ]

If Yes: 16.c.1 How easy is it to control descend speed?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Manageable [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ]

16.c.2 How happy are you with the available speed range?

Very Happy [ ] Happy [ ] Satisfactory [ ] Disappointed [ ] Very Disappointed [ ]

16.d How easy is it to operate HDC?

Very Easy [ ] Easy [ ] Ok [ ] Difficult [ ] Very Difficult [ ]

16.e In your opinion, what is the level of noise generated by HDC?

Very Noisy [ ] Noisy [ ] Tolerable [ ] Quiet [ ] Very Quiet [ ]

16.f In your opinion, how does HDC react when in use?

Deceleration Too Aggressive [ ] Deceleration Is Aggressive [ ] Ok [ ]
Slow To Cut In [ ] Too Slow To Cut In [ ]

17. How well do the seals stop water entering the cabin when wading?

Large Quantity Of Water Enters [ ] Some Amounts Of Water Enter [x] Cabin Is Water Tight [ ]

17.a Do the tyres fitted provide sufficient grip when wading? Yes [x] No [ ]

18. What could manufacturers do to improve the performance of off-road vehicles?
As far as Land Rover goes, I think they're the perfect combination of off road ability and on road comfortability. Adding off road ability through modifications is very easy.

19. Finally, are there other comments that you would like to make about your vehicle’s performance off-road?
My truck is a little worn down, as it hasn't been maintained properly through out it's lifetime, but as I get back in track with proper maintenance, and add a few small modifications (2 inch lift, 32 inch tires, and lockers) it will perform much better.