Rufford Ford - Don't Buy any of These

[Dormouse]

I think people forget when fording water in a saloon car is that the deeper you go in the more the car floats and loses tyre contact. This is why so many pictures appear of saloon cars bobbing along in floods and, every now and again, how cars get swept away with people in them. Why, oh why, don't people understand how damaging and dangerous these situations can be and why more emphasis is placed on showing sensible precautions and not the tabloidy images that the media love to churn out.
When all the what ifs stack up the wrong way it is too late to turn the clock back - all for the want of being given useful guidance not ratings hungry media clips.

[myglaren]

I imagine that in many locations the ford would have barriers to stop traffic but there in particular there is a lot of agricultural traffic and vehicles suitable for passage through the ford, including the (-expletive removed-) Land Rover/Ranger crew who delight in drenching any onlookers.

[GiveMeABreak]

Apart from the Air Filter getting soaked - it's the expensive electronics that that are on a hiding to hell - if not sooner, then surely will suffer damage later on along with all the wiring in the plugs.

[myglaren]

Bearings too. I expect trailing arm bearings wouldn't like being submerged.
Automatic gearboxes likely to suck water in through breathers as the water cools the box.
Hot catalytic converters can crack and split with the sudden cooling.
Lots of unfortunate happenings for the careless and unwary.

[Ross_K]

I think I'd take the detour rather than wreck my car for YouTube notoriety

Is "mechanical sympathy" a thing anymore?

[GiveMeABreak]

It is with me and my car!

[Ross_K]

Well, who could have seen that coming?

Nottinghamshire County Council close Rufford Ford "for foreseeable future" due to dangerous driving concerns

https://westbridgfordwire.com/rufford-f ... y-grounds/

[myglaren]

The few ruin it for the many. Buggered for farm traffic.

[GiveMeABreak]

Looks like those 'YouTubers' will have to go and get a proper job now.

Mind you, some of those vehicles featured in past clips were driving at lunatic speeds through there with no regard for anyone else.

[Ross_K]

Yep there were an inordinate amount of idiots in lifted Land Rovers playing to the crowd.

The was one video where a local farmer was pleading with the crowd to get some sense, but they all just laughed at him and told him to get out of the way.

Can't imagine the hotel right next to it or the people living in the area will be too sad about its demise.

[Dormouse]

This clip shows that lunatics inhabit Campervans as well. What ever happened to slow and steady? Do not feel sorry at all - self inflicted idiocy.

[CitroJim]

Do not feel sorry at all - self inflicted idiocy.

Couldn't have put it better myself D

[Dormouse]

Going by the number of clips from Rufford Ford, this has become a source of entertainment for many.

[CitroJim]

Going by the number of clips from Rufford Ford, this has become a source of entertainment for many.

Indeed it has become something of a reluctant celebrity... Much to the dislike of the locals I believe... If I were a local I'd not be happy.

I've watched one or two and at least one giving the local perspective and the move to close the ford.

Closure was a sensible move from what I saw of the antics that took place...

[Dormouse]

The Council could apply a Restiction Order to the Ford and limit it to, say, Local Access and Agricultural Traffic Only. Temporarily first to see if it works. Only the Locals will know what traffic is necessary. Variations are difficult to Permanent Orders and you don't want a situation where the Locals are thrown out with the River Water.