Post Gemini Bridges Road (Moab) newbie thoughts / questions (3 Viewers)

[Dan Lee]

Gemini Bridges was fun. And I guess technically relatively easy (although I did second guess some lines and pondered a bit more than ya'll probably would need to do). Even the "cliff hanger" section, while puckering, was technically easy. The only daunting section for me was the steep, rutted 'obsolete' section at the base of the butte with the cliff hanger section (not sure what to call it - it's on the other side of the cliff hanger section when starting from 191).

Could use some thoughts and help on questions:

1) I have Cooper Discoverer HT+ tires (P-metric) and cold pressure is 32psi. On this road, and perhaps on the cliff hanger and/or the obsolete sections in particular, should I have aired down to 20-25 psi? Or doesn't matter? Obviously I made it through as-is but what is the proper thing to have done?

2) Would having tires like Toyo Open Country RT or BFG KO2 have been better? Especially for the daunting (at least for me) "obsolete" section that was very steep, slippery, various large rocks (some sharp looking) and somewhat deeply rutted but also for the 'cliff hanger' section (sandy sliprock)? Even if I keep with 20" rims? Or only better if on 18" rims with higher profile?

3) I'm used to very sticky street tires on my cars (S03, ExtremeContact DW, etc). I appreciate having the most traction on dry/wet pavement possible (and willing to pay). The Coopers are not confidence inspiring. Will the OC RT/KO2 be better all around (off pavement, slick rock, sandy hard pack, etc as well as dry/wet highway)? Or is it notable compromise between off pavement and highway traction?]

I guess I'm wondering:

Even though I'm not rock climbing or truly going off road in your sense of the word (but Gemini Road and the like is certainly in the realm of possible), do I really get more capability / protection than my current setup (and hopefully better, or at least not worse, on dry/wet highway)? Or do I only really improve things by getting said tires on 18" TRD rims? Or in my cases, not really any benefit?

 

[Romer]

Cliffhanger is another trail of Kane Creek Canyon road. . Are you discussing the shelf road from 191 up to the mesa? Passenger cars drive that part with street tires, they just go slow.

You would have better traction with AT tires I run Toyo Country AT tires myself. I air down to 22 psi before I ever leave pavement and stay that way around the Moab area even when driving pavement until I go home. 22psi would have handled for you better and been less bumpy. Not sure where you live but AT tires will perform better in winter as well and I have no issue running them all year round

Did I answer your question?

 

[Dan Lee]

Yes, sorry, I was using cliff hanger as a descriptive rather than as a name in this case. Shelf road I guess is the type of road with a drop (ie - like a shelf I guess) like that one that traverses the butte between 191 and the Gemini Bridges?

I had some initial confusion with terms - I thought my tires were considered AT tires. But after a quick search, I think mine are considered just street tires. AT tires are the likes of KO2, OC AT/RT, etc. If so, then I'll be getting a set for use on highway as well as places like Gemini Bridges Road (including the old, obsolete section) and perhaps a little more difficult trails. Difficult okay - I just don't like ledges (yet).

Okay - I'll prioritize some AT tires and then air down to 20-25 psi when I leave pavement. I've got one of the Viair compressors - I'll air up before I head home.

Very good to know that I don't have to air up to drive on places like 191 and Moab to get to/from trails. Just keep the highway part short and slow (less than 1 hour; less than 60mph?).

The tricky part of Gemini Road was the little black loop on this map that hangs off to the right of Gemini Bridges Road (and to the lower left of the US-191 label). NOT the new well groomed part which I should have taken (but didn't know I had to go up the butte to get to 191 from the bird stone).

https://www.mobilemaplets.com/thumbnails/10519_thumbnail-1024.jpg

Thanks for the help!

 

[UCrazyKid]

The tires you have are HT for “Highway Tire” and are All-Season, not All-Terrain. The difference in tread design and sidewall of the AT are designed for what you were doing. You are probably OK to stick with 20” wheels for your purposes.

 

[Dan Lee]

Thanks! Still learning and digesting the various types of tires here. I think my short list so far includes KO2, Conti TerrainContact (I'm used to their ExtremeContact DWS car tires - I like them), Open Country AT2. Still researching. Other than the KO2, not sure tires are offered in stock size (285/50/20). Like the Conti, closest I think is 285/60/20 which may result in some rubbing - 33.5" vs stock 31.2").

Anyway, I'll keep researching for an AT tire since it seems that's what I should be using.

 

[mcgaskins]

Doesn’t matter how good the vehicle is if the only thing touching the earth isn’t good rubber. I put the highest quality all terrain tires on every truck I own regardless if it will leave pavement, but it’s even more important if the truck will end up on dirt. I would suggest the KO2, Nitto Ridge Grappler, Falken Wildpeak AT3, Cooper AT3 or Toyo AT2, but there are other good ones not mentioned. Falken and Cooper win for value and BFG and Nitto for performance, but they’re the most expensive.

 

[Dan Lee]

I agree. Thanks for the recommendations; adding to my short list.

I may need to come back for help on what size to get since some of these tire don’t seem available in 285/50/20.

 

[Markuson]

Good advice here.

I have now beat the living heck out of my Ridge Grapplers in Baja and Moab. Aired them down to 22 or so and left them there all week until Steel Bender where I dropped down to as low as 16.

You will find that dropping to 24 or so makes for a far more pleasant ride over all-day bumps and washboard...even if not critically necessary for ultimate traction.

Agree with Mcgaskins wholeheartedly. Invest in a set of KI2’s or Ridge Grapplers, or AT3’s or perhaps Cooper ST Max. You won’t regret it, and all of them place nice on the pavement as well.