Rausch Creek Newbie Stock 200 (1 Viewer)

[BlueMarblePA]

Am disappointed I missed the newbie 3/18 Rausch creek wheeling adventure.

Am about to go to Rausch Creek this weekend with more experienced off road driver. We are planning green only ride for my sake. In addition, I am hopefully trying to arrange for a guide if I can arrange in time.

My 200 series is stock with road tires - Bridgestone Dueler. Obviously, I don't want to damage anything, but I wanted to get anybody's thoughts on safety of my vehicle.

Am planning to purchase through Amazon right now recovery strap, receiver hitch shackle, tire deflator, VIAIR DC inflator.

Any other suggestions?

 

[jamarquardt22]

It sounds like you have the basics. Do you have a full size spare and tools to change it? How about a first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

 

[The123Super]

I’ve been to Rausch a few times in my stock 4Runner Trail with Bridgestone Duelers. Have since upgraded to BFG AT’s but you should be fine on the greens.

 

[dci blair]

Between the items you mentioned and @jamarquardt22 mentioned is a great start. A kinetic yank strap is something else worth investing in as well as some D ring shackles.

 

[Stumpalama]

Rausch has air up stations, so you don't NEED a compressor.

 

[BROKEROB1]

Since you mentioned Amazon, consider this kit from ARB...

ARB RK12 ARB Weekender Recovery Kit ARB Weekender Recovery Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073RRZFQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-RcZAb3S4Z7Q1

 

[caz]

My 200 series is stock with road tires - Bridgestone Dueler. Obviously, I don't want to damage anything, but I wanted to get anybody's thoughts on safety of my vehicle.

I'll play devil's advocate here....

If you can't accept damaging your truck I would think twice about taking it offroad.

Ride along with someone first to see what the trails are like and to find out what you are getting into.

Most of us have a separate vehicle we are not afraid to beat up a little.

With a stock vehicle on greens you can plan on some small scratches, dented skid plates, and possibly running board damage.

You will likely do a water crossing at some point and get mud and dirt lots of places underneath that you can't easily clean.

My thoughts, others will have differing opinions.

Andy

 

[Jakes40]

I would agree with CAZ!
I use and abuse everything I own and it's not a great feeling walking out to your truck and seeing a big dent or big scratch or any damage on your otherwise pristine truck because you wanted to go wheeling.
200 series is a very capable vehicle and will do greens no problem. Probably without even get a scratch until you see that one blue that looks real easy off to the side and you get amped up and the adrenaline is flowing! You drive down into it to find that blue is a little too much than what you wanted and off go's a running board or a rock jumps up hits your fender now you got a big scratch or dent in the fender.
Ride with someone a couple of times. You will probably find Riding with someone is just as much fun as wheeling your own rig. I like riding with people (as long as it's by choice not that I broke My Junk) I don't have to worry about damage or braking. I can get out and walk the trail and take pictures and video or everyone else.

If you do go go with people that have the same passion for there trucks. (Don't go with the Heepers) This group is a good place to start.

 

[Crusha]

If you can't accept damaging your truck I would think twice about taking it offroad.

This ^

 

[Crusha]

(Don't go with the Heepers)

AND this^

 

[BlueMarblePA]

Very good points by everybody here. I have ridden shotgun at Rausch before, but that was a few years ago in very capable H1 Humvees with lots of armor, winches, etc.

I am preparing myself for some hopefully minor damage to the vehicle. Also, I am hopefully old enough (45) to keep my adrenaline rush in check and thus avoid tackling any blue trails. Nevertheless, I completely understand the words of caution as I hope not to come back with big gashes of regret

 

[Crusha]

I hope not to come back with big gashes of regret

Probably what will happen is you'll come back and start thinking about the first upgrades you want to do...which should be tires and sliders!

 

[Cass007]

I went in stock mode other than 33" tires. Followed Crusha with Vince behind me. Had I cared, I would have had some scratches coming trough the creek and the pucker factor was high every time I saw Crusha bounce off something and the blue trail that was basically rocks was a huge nope, but Crusha spotted me through with no damage.

You can't show up any less prepared than I was ... I had a truck and some boots.

What to bring when wheeling @ Rausch

 

[stock]

Same here. First time I went with the gang I had my 80 and 33 BFG AT. Only a center diff locker. That's it... I was fine, but did get scratches and a bent exhaust, but I expected more.

Go! Expect some scratches at the minimum. Then start planning on buying sliders, skid plates and tires.

 

[BlueMarblePA]

I wanted to thank everybody who helped me to have a great time today.

My friend Bob who works at Rausch and his wife rode in the back of the LC, and they introduced me to a great guide Ron who rode shotgun. Ron was a consummate professional who took me through all greens. Without his spotting, I am sure I would have torn apart my Land Cruiser. By turning on crawl control and then relying on his spotting, he made the drive look too easy!

We ran into Kyle and his caravan of maybe ten drivers taking the 101 consulting course! I was impressed by the gamut of vehicles.

Fortunately, I never had to use the recovery gear, or first aid kit. I see why everybody recommends sliders. That will be next on upgrade cycle. I am avoiding suspension lift.

OH yeah, on the beautiful 80 degree Saturday before the chilly, rainy 39 degreeSunday, my friend and I changed out the stock wheels for 2012 rock warriors and BFG AT KO. This seemed to help.

I hosed off the vehicle this evening, but I have not yet gone under it to see what I damaged.

I heard the mud flaps bending a bunch of times, but they seem unscathed. I came down on the back of a rock too fast on my front wheel, and I heard a solid thud probably on the frame rail. I squeaked past a rock with my running board once. I did everything to stay away from paint scratches. All in all, I am hooked!

My friends humvee had incredible ground clearance and armor, and it made my vehicle look like a mall crawler, but we have to start some where.

The crawl control definitely makes the job easier.

 

[dci blair]

I passed you and the H1 Sunday.

 

[Cass007]

Yup, they were coming down as we went up the main trail on the back of the property. Be glad you had your friend that works at Rausch with you for a guide, had you just taken any green labeled trail you would have likely seen damage and definitely scratched the paint. I have lower clearance so I often have to eat branches or thorn bushes to avoid some of the larger drop offs or bumping over the bigger rocks.

 

[caz]

My friends humvee had incredible ground clearance and armor, and it made my vehicle look like a mall crawler, but we have to start some where.

That's all good, but wait till he tries anything but a green! Those things are so huge it is crazy. They don't fit through the woods very well...

 

[jamarquardt22]

I bet they fit when uncle sam pays for them.

 

[joabmc]

I bet they fit when uncle sam pays for them.

+100 here. We beat the snot out of our scout HMMWVs. Had the turtle shell’s with winches and would push them to their limit. Went through 4 tires in 2 days once. Rolled them, sunk them, rolled them back over and off we went. If stuff was in the way, we pushed it...

Sorry they came in sideways but here are a few.
Indian Ocean

Ever wonder what the undercarriage looks like? Very similar to you guys on Saturday. Hard to see in this old destroyed pic but we double winched this on back over onto the rubber. 50 Cal. Barrel was buried in mud almost to the receiver.

Coming back from setting up road blocks. Nothing like driving around like gypsies w/ concertina wire on the hood!