True, but depends on where in Utah and the season.
Plus if you're driving a full sized diesel and/or a dually in Utah you automatically think you can drive anywhere. Certainly a humbling experience to be pulled free by a "one of them foreign cars".
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True, but depends on where in Utah and the season.
Plus if you're driving a full sized diesel and/or a dually in Utah you automatically think you can drive anywhere. Certainly a humbling experience to be pulled free by a "one of them foreign cars".
I almost certainly expect to be solo for some of the trails. Unless someone on this list wants to follow me and my family around for 2 weeks this August. I'm thinking some recovery gear is cheaper than the beer I'd have to ply you guys with though
In Moab, I carried a portable ARB air compressor, a tug strap, shackles, pliers, open end wrenches, multi tool, tape, flashlight, drinking water, and a AAA card.
And, my truck has a ComeUp winch.
My 'wheeling is usually not remote back country stuff.
And, my truck has a ComeUp winch.
My 'wheeling is usually not remote back country stuff.
gaijin
GOLD Star
My experience is obviously different than yours.
No problem with more training - we all could stand to learn more; but I'll never go into the desert without 2 Smittybilt traction aids (Smittybilt Element Ramps Traction Aids - 2790) and my X-Jack. And guess what? That combo will only set you back $400 - a bargain.
Not everyone gets stuck because they are unskilled. And sometimes traction aids and an X-Jack are the elegant solution to a recovery problem.
HTH
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Yea good stuff, it's like I always say, it's just my experience from my personal view, it's not right, it's usually just different than most, but I like to offer something different than than just buying stuff. I do think things require more depth than, "what equipment do I need." Have to know how to use things, all things. I would disagree about getting stuck and skill, when you know you will get stuck, you don't take that line.
But Smittybilt? Really? just playin', but not really.
Sounds like you've had good experience with less expensive options than Maxtrax.
gaijin
GOLD Star
Yes. The Smittybilt ramps I linked to are half the price of the Maxtrax and have worked very well for me.
gaijin
GOLD Star
OK, I get it now. Only stupid people get stuck, and by extension, only stupid people should carry recovery gear.
And yes, Smittybilt ramps. I felt bad enough paying $150 for some injected molded plastic, but I guess your implying that I would have felt better if I'd paid $300 instead. Well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.
Carry on.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Well, I think there are situations where people are forced to push on down a trail or path that they know could probably mean getting stuck.
Outside of an injury or competition, I don't know what situation that is. I've only seen vehicles suck for two reasons
1) people that didn't know the capabilities and limitations of their vehicle in whatever terrain they are in, that includes me too and all the times I got stuck growing up
2) people who get nervous/want to show off when more people are looking at them
I think equipment and skill go hand in hand. If you are not good enough to not get stuck, how would you be good enough to use equipment to get unstuck? Doesn't using recovery and traction aids require education the same as using a 4 wheel drive vehicle? That is why I said to spend money on education, weather formal or with an experienced group.
If you disagree with me, then mention a specific instance that you have seen otherwise, versus a condescending attitude. That way I can learn from it, and change how I think, "any man who knows a thing, knows he knows he knows not a damn thing at all."
Besides this is off-roading, it's not that serious of an activity, and I try a lot to not let my very violent infantry combat vet personality come out, so let's use examples, I failed to do so initially, but now I stated my reasons. So it's your turn now.
Cool, I may give them a shot. They're not something I expect to use on a regular basis, but definitely feel like they're worthwhile insurance.
I almost certainly fall into the first category. I stuck my 4Runner only twice - one high centered in a snow drift that exceeded 2', and once I spun it around trying to climb up a mountain to my house on balding tires. I've yet to exceed the limits of my LC, and since I've never hit those limits I'm sure to keep pushing until I do. You won't find me wheeling Hell's Revenge on this trip, but sometimes the guide books and trail maps aren't as accurate as they used to be, sometimes the park service screws up (I was once directed to drive to a camp that was on a road that had been closed for 15 years by the Virginia DOF), and sometimes the conditions exceed what you expect. If I'm by myself, I'd like to have some basic useful recovery gear so I can hopefully free myself and get home.
I fully respect that using gear without any training is a recipe for potential disaster. OTOH some of us don't have a ton of options for training and lots of clubs to learn from, so videos and forums and some practice are how we get started. A winch is probably the most useful recovery gear to have (and definitely requires some training), but failing (or in addition to) that, what else would you carry?
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Makes a lot of sense, that was where I found myself stuck most of the times, on a trail that someone said was "good," but we all learn, and we all get better at knowing when to take a minute and re-evaluate. Experience is that thing you get right after you needed it.
I know the states you're heading to, and I see you have a trailer. Do you drop the trailer and go play, or is this in the 200 only trip? What trails do you plan to run or is it a play it by ear trip? Do you have small kids coming with you that couldn't walk out of a trail system on their own? And the absolutely number one variable in everything, how much money are you ready to spend?
In the mean time, go to 4:15, one of my favorite old videos about sand recovery.
I too went with the less expensive option and bought the MAXSA traction mats which are now only $108 for a pair with free 2 day prime shipping here: Amazon.com: MAXSA Innovations 20333 Escaper Buddy Orange Traction Mat: Automotive. I keep them on the roof rack for wheeling trips and won't mind if they get chewed up if I ever have to use them at that price. I also have a winch, 100' winch extension line, snatch block, snatch strap, tow strap, tree saver, a hitchlink, a bunch of shackles, gloves, etc. just in case. In the past, most of my experiences using my equipment was to pull other people out FWIW.
We park the trailer at a campground for a couple days and then go explore each day. My kids are 11, 9, and 5. We did some 6-8 mile hikes in Yellowstone, Badlands, and the Black Hills last year with ~2000' elevation changes, so in a pinch we could hike maybe 10 miles depending on the terrain. As the kids get older and I get more comfortable with the limits of the LC (and continue the build) we'll go father.
As far as $ goes, I expect to eventually drop $ on a winch, bumpers, lift, and lots of gear over the next couple years, but for the time being I'm trying to be "efficient" in what I pick up. Let's say my budget is $300-500. For instance, @mcgaskins just mentioned the Maxsa traction mats, which I had considered over Maxtrax as well. Since I'm unlikely to use them more than once or twice on this trip (and possibly not at all), if they're moderately sturdy and will last a few uses they might be a good compromise for someone like me who is starting out. If I spend $325 on Maxtrax, that really limits what other useful stuff I could procure.
I was looking at those as well. I'm assuming you haven't used them yet. Do they seem fairly sturdy? (i.e. do you think you could bridge with them in a pinch?) How'd you mount them to the roof rack?
FWIW, my TRED1100s have a mount available and uses a basic cable lock, but it is almost 'too' secure for convenient trail access/use - I just use it for highway travel or when needing to lock 'em up overnight. I also know MAXTRAX offers their mount, but I'm not sure about other brands.
So, while airing down, I'll rearrange them and just use cheap rubber bungy cords - a trick I learned from Woody last summer
as he got one of our other guys unstuck in less time than it took me to unlock the mount, remove the TREDs, walk back/forth, etc. (Another benefit - they are just darn fast and easy to use vs respooling a winch, repacking tow straps, etc. - just like photography, the best equipment to use is the equipment you have with you) Also, without spending any $$$ on a dedicated rack mount, some guys I know just stuff them into the rear cargo (while they're clean!) and again, use those cheap rubber trucker straps for rack mounting.
HTH
