Here's what I've found:
BHCC:
Difficulty 4+: Minimum tire size of 33 inches, and one locker required, two recommended; jacks or winches indispensable due to large boulders, steep inclines, etc. Vehicle damage is very likely.
Difficulty 5: Minimum tire size of 33 inches (35 inch recommended); two lockers required (no limited slips); vehicle width not to exceed 79 inches tire-to-tire; jacks or winches indispensable due to large boulders, steep inclines, etc. Vehicle damage is very likely.
Cruise Moab:
4+ Hardcore: Experienced Driver only, 33" or taller tires, 1 full diff lock required, winch recommended, damage likely
5 Extreme: above plus 2 full diff locks
GSMTR:
MODIFIED: Roll bar or hard top, 31" or taller tires, more experience, no fear of dents.
HARD CORE: Roll cage or hard top, 33" or taller tires, winch and gear, at least one fully locked differential, experienced drivers only, no concern for damage or breakage.
Razorback Ramble:
Modified: 31" tires and one difflock recommended, experienced drivers, possible body damage - grit your teeth
Hardcore: 33" or taller tires, 2 diff locks and winch recommended, experienced drivers only, possible body damage...breakout the spare parts
My question is...are these trail guidelines based on the 10 year old view that 33" tires are considered big? 36-38 (and bigger) seem to be cropping up more and more on Cruisers, and rigs are being successfully beefed to address those tires. I know at BHCC 2003, even 35" tires had quite a bit of difficulty on Hal Johns, 36's fared only slightly better...
Are these guidelines part of each individual groups ratings? Should a "5" rated trail REALLY say 33" tires on it, and a participant expect any challenge if they have 36+ tires?
I'll be attending 1 TLCA event a year for quite some time, we had a blast at BHCC03. However, driving 1400 miles each way to CM04 for a "5" rated trail that requires 33" tires leaves me a little concerned that extreme level of challenge I enjoy may not be part of the organized runs...
just some thoughts...
BHCC:
Difficulty 4+: Minimum tire size of 33 inches, and one locker required, two recommended; jacks or winches indispensable due to large boulders, steep inclines, etc. Vehicle damage is very likely.
Difficulty 5: Minimum tire size of 33 inches (35 inch recommended); two lockers required (no limited slips); vehicle width not to exceed 79 inches tire-to-tire; jacks or winches indispensable due to large boulders, steep inclines, etc. Vehicle damage is very likely.
Cruise Moab:
4+ Hardcore: Experienced Driver only, 33" or taller tires, 1 full diff lock required, winch recommended, damage likely
5 Extreme: above plus 2 full diff locks
GSMTR:
MODIFIED: Roll bar or hard top, 31" or taller tires, more experience, no fear of dents.
HARD CORE: Roll cage or hard top, 33" or taller tires, winch and gear, at least one fully locked differential, experienced drivers only, no concern for damage or breakage.
Razorback Ramble:
Modified: 31" tires and one difflock recommended, experienced drivers, possible body damage - grit your teeth
Hardcore: 33" or taller tires, 2 diff locks and winch recommended, experienced drivers only, possible body damage...breakout the spare parts
My question is...are these trail guidelines based on the 10 year old view that 33" tires are considered big? 36-38 (and bigger) seem to be cropping up more and more on Cruisers, and rigs are being successfully beefed to address those tires. I know at BHCC 2003, even 35" tires had quite a bit of difficulty on Hal Johns, 36's fared only slightly better...
Are these guidelines part of each individual groups ratings? Should a "5" rated trail REALLY say 33" tires on it, and a participant expect any challenge if they have 36+ tires?
I'll be attending 1 TLCA event a year for quite some time, we had a blast at BHCC03. However, driving 1400 miles each way to CM04 for a "5" rated trail that requires 33" tires leaves me a little concerned that extreme level of challenge I enjoy may not be part of the organized runs...
just some thoughts...