Traversing water

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Ghostrider I

Ghostrider I

I wear many "heads" as I have many vehicles.
Joined
Jul 4, 2017
Threads
153
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1,145
Location
Charlotte NC
Ok. I'm still a grasshopper when it comes to off-roading/wheeling, et al. However, I do want to know how/what is the best and safest way to traverse water.

Scenario: URE and punch bowl.
Equipment: 80 series Diesel with snorkel
What would be the best way to go about it?
 
go around.

seriously go around if you can. if your going thru it. make sure axle and case vent lines are connected and in good shape. never know what debris is in a hole. slow and steady keep your momentum.
 
Ghostrider I said:
Ok. I'm still a grasshopper when it comes to off-roading/wheeling, et al. However, I do want to know how/what is the best and safest way to traverse water.

Scenario: URE and punch bowl.
Equipment: 80 series Diesel with snorkel
What would be the best way to go about it?
Click to expand...
What's a punch bowl?? The mud hole. That's different than crossing moving water.

Really though a mud hole. Go do it if you want the novelty will wear off fast unless you build an actual mud truck to run with the big boys.

Now moving water is different and again only done if completely needed. I'd say the cruiser expert on the subject would be Mark up in Alaska. He's written about what to do and what not to do many times.


That said @jfz80 I know you want to post that picture now lol.
 
The most important technique-thing is knowing how deep and what obstacles might be in it, including the ruts going in or out. The big pit at URE is a fine example of that - many trucks will high center just entering the pit from the parking lot side...doesn't make getting out any easier if you go in from the other end. I've even seen a guy on 37's trying to exit on the parking lot side get VERY close to flopping when he tried to ride the passenger side up the center of the ruts. That hole is really best used as a place to watch people do silly things.

Extending breathers, like @fourtrax said, is also something you'll need to do if you want to go in water deeper than the axle. If not, get ready to change your diff oil due to water entry. A snorkel pretty much means nothing for most water crossings, and if you're going through water deep enough to need it, you'll also need extended breathers. So, extend them. Easy to do. Lots of threads on it. Then avoid water crossings anyway.
 
You mean this punch bowl?

905E7218-AE11-4833-8904-23F617B9E185.png

Went way back in the ONSC archives to find this pic but was looking for one a couple years earlier of Clint’s triple locked 80 taking the same mud bath. I remember when Clint finally got out and back to group camp the door pockets were filled to the top with mud.
 
fj40z said:
You mean this punch bowl?

View attachment 2768003
Went way back in the ONSC archives to find this pic but was looking for one a couple years earlier of Clint’s triple locked 80 taking the same mud bath. I remember when Clint finally got out and back to group camp the door pockets were filled to the top with mud.
Click to expand...
Yes, that is the one.
 
This was a few months ago. It’s not that deep. Pictures were worth it. But the cleaning after. Oof there’s mud everywhere! Just SEND IT. But get pictures and videos.

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No spotter?
 
Ghostrider I said:
No spotter?
Click to expand...
What would they be spotting? Can't see into mud and the driver needs to keep moving. If you stop in most deep mud situations you are going to be stopped till someone pulls you out.
 
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If you are just asking about that mudhole, then just yeeehaw away. Otherwise it depends on many factors including depth of water, velocity, type of bottom, exit location, vehicle preparation, etc etc. But at a minimum, make sure your engine bay is ready for the wetness since the fan can kick up a lot of water up. All your differentials, transfercase, lockers breathers should be extended above the water level too to avoid sucking in water when things compress with the temp differential.
If you dont know the depth or condition, for example WarWoman or Earls Ford crossing, walk the area first to gage stream velocity, hidden rocks that moved since last flood, and general bottom condition. Then map your way in your head and drive it. You can add a tarp (or a maxtrax for that matter) on the front of the grill to prevent water from getting through the radiator and into the fan (fan can break blades too) or remove the belts (harder to do).

Then, in general, you want to create a little bow wave in front of the vehicle and maintain enough speed to keep the wave moving and your vehicle right behind it. If in doubt, you can pre-rig your winch line or get vehicles tied together in convoy format to help each other. You can see the wave below:

trucku.webp


This video shows them doing a few crossings too, you can see their tactics. The 80 and 60 drivers are good friends of moi.

 
Oh, before I forget, windows down and seatbelt off during crossing, just in case you need to bail and save your skin. For the Uwharrie mudhole, cant comment.
 
Fort Knox said:
Floaties and flippers are probably overkill though, right?
Click to expand...

Never. That’s photo op gold right there. Might as well add a driver snorkel.

That hole isn’t what it used to be but give it a hurricane and some yeehaw boys and it’ll be back. At mild cj5 and an xj on 31s did it Slowly with no drama at relic run.

But they’re right ^^^ Nothing to spot and no one knows unless you pre walk it.
 
Water is fun. It is more fun when your destination is at the other side of the flooded sabana. Even better when you have to get out and winch and it is full or piranhas alligators and small 15 ft anacondas. They are all hungry because the sabana is flooded. While you are scare of all those big animals and the high water, the mosquitoes are eating you slowly but surely. Speed is constant. You want to push water and create a bubble in your engine bay. If you are diesel don't worry unless you don't have snorkel. If ypu are slowing down you have to start to use jeep speed. If you need to back up that is it. You are going down!!! Go for a swim. 80 have a particular problem, They float, you have to wait until the sucker take water until you have traction in the back. By that time all your gear and food is sucking wet you truck if full of mud and you want to go back home to a warm and fresh bed. Now, ask me how i know all this. The sabana is fun but when it is dry. I rather know where the freaking piranhas are than have miles of water and dont know what tested you. Best trips ever but now i am too old to get my pillow wet just to test the water.
 
Best to avoid water in my experience.

100_0478.webp
 
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