Well we had some free time yesterday after work, no school for me, so we decided to take a drive. I have the book "Guide to AZ Backroads & 4 Wheel Drive Trails, so I was reading up on Bulldog. According to the author, if you go in on Bush Highway, then go right on 3554, that 3554 out to Usery Rd. is just a scenic route; the book is 5 years old.
For the most part it was pretty easy driving, but about 2 miles after you turn on 3554, we came to a nice drop, or downhill or something, not sure what to officially call it. It was shortly after we left the wash road and where back on a trail road. You come to a wide area and to the left are two ways down, neither looked forgiving. One side had more rocks, the other had more ruts. I chose the ruts side, looking back I wonder if there was a bypass, should have looked more.
Started creeping down, got about half way and the front left got hung up and the front left tire was hanging in the air, quick check of the vehicle, three other tires still firmy on the ground, decided to proceed. Put it in low, locked the diff and drug the truck another foot down till I had four tires back on the ground. One more thud from the back and we were clear of the hill.
About a mile further the trail split three ways, took what turned out to be the correct way first, didn't like it, turned around and checked the other two, both dead ends. It was almost dark by now, so we were getting a bit nervous, hoping for no more bad hills. A few minutes later, we reached the gate and headed home.
Upon close inspection, there were some decent scrapes, and one slightly dented gas tank, this one got me worried, but it seems to be fine so far, pictures next.
So next time, no four wheeling with the family that close to dark, we entered the first gate around 6 and exited around 8, and no four wheeling alone. A spotter would have been helpful on that hill, or maybe even someone to talk me out of it.
David
For the most part it was pretty easy driving, but about 2 miles after you turn on 3554, we came to a nice drop, or downhill or something, not sure what to officially call it. It was shortly after we left the wash road and where back on a trail road. You come to a wide area and to the left are two ways down, neither looked forgiving. One side had more rocks, the other had more ruts. I chose the ruts side, looking back I wonder if there was a bypass, should have looked more.
Started creeping down, got about half way and the front left got hung up and the front left tire was hanging in the air, quick check of the vehicle, three other tires still firmy on the ground, decided to proceed. Put it in low, locked the diff and drug the truck another foot down till I had four tires back on the ground. One more thud from the back and we were clear of the hill.
About a mile further the trail split three ways, took what turned out to be the correct way first, didn't like it, turned around and checked the other two, both dead ends. It was almost dark by now, so we were getting a bit nervous, hoping for no more bad hills. A few minutes later, we reached the gate and headed home.
Upon close inspection, there were some decent scrapes, and one slightly dented gas tank, this one got me worried, but it seems to be fine so far, pictures next.
So next time, no four wheeling with the family that close to dark, we entered the first gate around 6 and exited around 8, and no four wheeling alone. A spotter would have been helpful on that hill, or maybe even someone to talk me out of it.
David
)
That is a skid plate over the plastic gas tank, they can take a pretty good beating, but is an area to have your spotter keep an eye on in the future.
