Yesterday I took my LX on Cleghorn Rd in Southern California. I've done the trail a few times, but the last rains had made the trail much more technical in some spots.
Long story short, we were ending the route after 15 miles of mixed trails from fire roads to some of the most difficult terrain I've taken anything on. I was leading and was taking a trail that was getting somewhat difficult, but it was clear enough and looked easy enough to not use my spotter who was driving behind me.
Heading at a fairly steep downward angle, there was a deep V notch that followed around a left hand turn. The easiest route was to hug the V until crossing the deepest portion at its most level point in the middle. After doing similar maneuvers all day, I was expecting to get a back wheel off the ground. When it happened, I didn't lose my cool, but merely tried to continue on my course. The back right wheel climbed up airborne quickly, and I tried to turn to the drivers side to try and level as I crossed the deepest portion. Shortly after, the bank gave way and let my drivers side front tire slip strait into the rut, still on the brakes, the rear end also slid into the V and within a few gentle seconds of sliding the truck came to rest on its driver side slider and driver door. Also at this moment the side curtain airbags deployed and locked both front seatbelts. Luckily I was alone, and the sunroof was open. I turned off the car after putting it in park and applying the useless parking brake. Exiting through the sunroof I assessed the situation.
Yup, I put her straight on her side, almost completely. The obstacle that I underestimated had put me in my place. No injuries besides pride and some ringing in the ears.
I am looking for a solution to fix both front seatbelts and eventually replace the airbags
I'll post some pictures in the next post. Let this be a warning to all that have side curtain bags, that it doesn't take much to make them deploy.
Long story short, we were ending the route after 15 miles of mixed trails from fire roads to some of the most difficult terrain I've taken anything on. I was leading and was taking a trail that was getting somewhat difficult, but it was clear enough and looked easy enough to not use my spotter who was driving behind me.
Heading at a fairly steep downward angle, there was a deep V notch that followed around a left hand turn. The easiest route was to hug the V until crossing the deepest portion at its most level point in the middle. After doing similar maneuvers all day, I was expecting to get a back wheel off the ground. When it happened, I didn't lose my cool, but merely tried to continue on my course. The back right wheel climbed up airborne quickly, and I tried to turn to the drivers side to try and level as I crossed the deepest portion. Shortly after, the bank gave way and let my drivers side front tire slip strait into the rut, still on the brakes, the rear end also slid into the V and within a few gentle seconds of sliding the truck came to rest on its driver side slider and driver door. Also at this moment the side curtain airbags deployed and locked both front seatbelts. Luckily I was alone, and the sunroof was open. I turned off the car after putting it in park and applying the useless parking brake. Exiting through the sunroof I assessed the situation.
Yup, I put her straight on her side, almost completely. The obstacle that I underestimated had put me in my place. No injuries besides pride and some ringing in the ears.
I am looking for a solution to fix both front seatbelts and eventually replace the airbags
I'll post some pictures in the next post. Let this be a warning to all that have side curtain bags, that it doesn't take much to make them deploy.
