Features / 23 September 2023 / Albert du Toit

Bakkies with the best water-wading abilities in South Africa

The bakkie with the best water-wading figure in South Africa is none other than the beefy Isuzu D-Max AT35, which can drive through up to 865mm of water, 65mm deeper than the standard D-Max, thanks to its exclusive Bilstein suspension system.

Short on its heels is another special-edition variant of a normal bakkie, this being the Ranger Raptor that can cross 850mm of water, a 50mm improvement over the rest of the Ranger models, courtesy of its souped-up 2.5-inch Fox shocks.

A vehicle’s water-wading capacity is the maximum depth at which it can drive through a body of water without damaging vital components such as the Electronic Control Unit or engine air intake.

For something like a sedan or hatchback, this might not be much deeper than their side skirts, while for a bakkie or SUV, it can go up to just under a metre.

The reading is mostly affected by where these fragile components are installed, with manufacturers of 4x4s usually taking special care to package their water-sensitive parts as high off the ground as possible.

Naturally, the vehicle’s ground clearance also affects the maximum depth at which it can wade through rivers and dams.

Keep in mind, however, that the manufacturer-supplied figure is only valid for a short amount of time such as for a river crossing, and not for sustained periods of submersion. If you stay in the water for too long, you risk liquids finding their way into the exhaust outlet and splashing around in the engine bay, thus heightening the potential for more serious harm.

This is one of the reasons why avid off-roaders invest in raised air intakes, also known as snorkels, larger wheels and tyres, and if they’re really committed to it, custom suspension systems – all of which serve to minimise the risk of water damaging delicate parts.