A snorkel is one of those 4WD accessories most people recognise straight away, but there is still plenty of confusion around what it actually does and whether every 4WD needs one.
For some drivers, a snorkel makes plenty of sense. For others, it may not need to be high on the list.
One of the biggest misconceptions around snorkels is that they are only needed for water crossings. While water protection is an important reason to fit one, dusty roads and off road touring are just as relevant.
So, do you actually need a snorkel on your 4WD?
What Does a Snorkel Actually Do?
A snorkel relocates the vehicle’s air intake from its standard lower position to a higher point on the vehicle.
Raising the air intake can help the engine draw cleaner air away from low lying dust in the vehicle’s path. A properly designed snorkel can also help protect the air intake from water when travelling in appropriate off road conditions.
That makes a snorkel useful for much more than the occasional water crossing.
Snorkels Aren’t Just for Water Crossings
A lot of people assume a snorkel is mainly there for driving through water.
In reality, dust is one of the main reasons a snorkel can be worthwhile.
Think about following another 4WD along a dry gravel road. The vehicle in front can leave you driving through a constant cloud of dust, particularly when travelling in convoy.
Corrugated regional roads and off road tracks can create similar conditions even when you are travelling alone.
By moving the air intake higher on the vehicle, a snorkel can help reduce the amount of low lying dust being drawn from around the vehicle.
For touring and off road use, that can be just as important as water protection.
What Type of Driving Makes a Snorkel Worthwhile?
The type of driving you do is probably the easiest way to decide whether a snorkel belongs on your build.
A snorkel is particularly worth considering if your trips regularly involve:
- Convoy driving on dusty roads
- Corrugated roads
- Unsealed regional roads and tracks
- Off road touring
- Water crossings
For WA touring, these are all common conditions.
If you spend plenty of time travelling on gravel roads, heading away with other 4WDs or exploring areas where dust is part of the trip, a snorkel can be a practical addition to your setup.
What About Water Crossings?
Water protection is still an important part of what a snorkel is designed to provide.
By moving the air intake higher on the vehicle, a snorkel can help reduce the risk of water entering the intake when travelling through appropriate water crossings.
However, fitting a snorkel does not make a vehicle waterproof or mean it can safely drive through any depth of water.
A vehicle has other components and limitations that need to be considered before entering a water crossing, so conditions still need to be assessed carefully.
A snorkel should be viewed as one part of preparing a 4WD for those conditions, not as a guarantee that the vehicle is protected from every water related risk.
Do You Need a Snorkel If You Only Drive on Sealed Roads?
Probably not as a priority.
If your 4WD is mainly used for travelling or touring strictly on sealed roads, exposure to heavy dust and off road conditions is minimal.
In that case, there may be other upgrades that make more sense to prioritise first.
But if your travel plans start to include more gravel roads, dusty tracks, convoy driving or off road trips, then a snorkel becomes much more worth considering.
Like most 4WD accessories, the answer comes down to how you actually use your vehicle.
So, Do You Actually Need a Snorkel?
If your 4WD spends most of its life on sealed roads, a snorkel may not be high on your priority list.
If you regularly travel on dusty gravel roads, drive in convoy, tackle corrugated tracks, head off road or encounter water crossings, it becomes a much more practical addition.
And remember, snorkels are not just about water.
For many touring and off road drivers, helping the engine draw air from a higher position away from low lying dust is one of the main reasons to fit one.
Finding the Right Snorkel for Your 4WD
Not every snorkel suits every vehicle or every type of driving.
The right option depends on your vehicle, how you use it and the conditions you expect to travel in.
At ARB Rockingham, we can help you work out whether a snorkel makes sense for your setup and recommend an option suited to your vehicle and the type of driving you do.
Whether you are preparing for dusty WA touring, convoy trips, corrugated roads, off road travel or future water crossings, get in touch with the team and we can help you plan the right setup.
Book an appointment with the team to discuss snorkel options for your 4WD.
