Moab 2015 - May 22-24

[Rick]

That would be great!

 

[coldnsnowy]

I'm still getting things sorted out, but I suppose you can put myself and two others down as "probably". My rig will hopefully sit somewhere in super-stock (I think:scratch, and my friend's blazer is currently in pieces in his driveway, so who knows what class it'll be in...

 

[2TimingTom]

Considering.

 

[Glasken]

This seems like a lot of fun. Most of the campgrounds I looked at were booked up, may have to look for BLM land around the spot. Too late to put in for the trip? Two mostly-stockers: aside from the required parts for the trip: 5-speed, and an auto sport.

 

[adamsbro2]

Never too late to join........campsites were booked when I made my reservation over a month ago.....I ended up going with a hotel.

 

[Ritsui]

Never too late to join........campsites were booked when I made my reservation over a month ago.....I ended up going with a hotel.

Same. Hotel wasn't even that much more expensive than camping in a good spot with hookups.

 

[MrQ]

Red is at Bandit customs getting set up for moab. A front locker may be in the works.

 

[2TimingTom]

I booked a couple days at the KOA in Moab. Thursday through Monday. I might run Friday with the Nissan group that's there that week.
http://gonemoab.com

My family will be joining me Saturday through Monday. I'll probably only run one trail while they are there and spend the rest of the time hiking and exploring the different national parks.

 

[Birdy]

I was planning on attending a couple years ago and some stuff suddenly happened (getting an old girlfriend back, marrying her, honeymooning in Ouray, and buying a house) but now I'm getting back on track, and I believe I can finally make it this year. I'll probably have to bring red because black's steering is messed up and I'm not sure if I'm going to upgrade to a heim set up before or after I swap the dana 30 for a wider dana 44. One question I have, is there any chance of not finding a motel close by if I wait til last minute? Oh, and here's Red, she's got 33"s and will be locked in front before the trip.

 

[adamsbro2]

Yes......book one now.....Most of them have a cancelation policy as long as it's within so many hours ahead of time there will be no charge

 

[Birdy]

Ok, thanks!

 

[MrQ]

The Moab 2015 run will be held May 22- 24 .

As always there will be runs for everyone from stockers to big dawgs. A list of trails will be posted as we get closer to the event. For now please just list the level of trail difficulty that you feel you are comfortable with.


For YOUR safety no one under 18 will be permitted to attend without a Parent or Guardian or a NOTARIZED WAIVER. This is to ensure your ability to get prompt medical care should the need arise.

Diff Whack Daddy - Golden Spike Trail

mrboyle on Steelbender, Moab 2003

Diff Whack Daddy on the Launch Pad, Moab 2003

Jefe gets a little IFS air in the Wedgie, Moab 2002

Brother of Jefe wishes for a little more wheelbase at White Knuckle Hill, Moab 2004

GJarrett & AshliX spending their honeymoon Behind the Rocks, Moab 2004

offroad_69_me on Poison Spider Mesa, Moab 2002

hvac man on Moab Rim, Moab EJS 2005

JTX tries to roll over Behind the Rocks, Moab 2004



Preparation:
The following items are highly recommended and are taken from the "Trail Equipment" article's "Required" list. It is suggested that you read the entire article if you have not already done so. Many other items are suggested and necessary besides the ones on this list.

Do not shortchange yourself and encumber others by coming unprepared.

Required:
> Water, 1 gallon per person per day minimum.
> Cards kept on your person with emergency contact info, medication allergies, insurance, etc.
> Personal supplies for at least twice the time you plan on being out:
If you are going on a morning trip, pack a lunch and trail snacks, beef jerky, fruits, dry/canned food, etc. If you are going on an afternoon or all day trip, assume you may spend the night in the vehicle and pack accordingly: medications, flashlight, batteries, matches/lighter, and blankets & gear appropriate to the environment, area, and season.
> CB Radio: Communications on the trail is key!
> Fire Extinguisher
> First Aid Kit
> Spare Eyeglasses (if needed)
> Spare Key! kept on your person
> Towstrap, at least 20', bare with no metal hooks/brackets attached
> Proper tow points on your vehicle, front and rear. No pulling from trailer balls!
> Full Size Spare Tire, lug wrench
> Standard Bottle Jack with 12" square wooden platform for use in soft ground
> Basic Tool Kit
> Fix-A-Flat and/or Tire Plug kit and air compressor (12 volt plug-in or other)
> Trash bag, for your own as well as other's trash


Lodging and Moab Information:

Canyonlands Campground is centrally located in Moab, yet it has a very secluded feel because of all the mature trees on the property. They have spots for RVs, Tents, and Cabins. This is where many from the forum stay.

Moab Trail Guide:
Charles Wells "Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails". It is an absolutely invaluable resource for the trip and a "must-buy". The book has waypoints that you can program into your GPS for all the big trails and can help you to decide which level of trails to try with your own vehicle.

TRAIL RATINGS (Moab trails are rated thusly; example trails within category are listed with each rating)
1 All weather road; 4WD not needed. (Sand Flats Road)
1.5 Graded road; 4WD may be needed in poor weather. (Onion Creek)
2 Unimproved or rarely graded road. 4WD or extra clearance needed at times, with no special driving skills required. (Chicken Corners)
2.5 Road rarely maintained, 4WD, good clearance, low gears (4LO) often needed, with some extra care and a bit of driving experience useful. (Gemini Bridges, Secret Spire)
3 Road in difficult terrain, rarely maintained, 4WD, good clearance and low gears essential, with some driving skill and daring required. (Top of the World)
3.5 Road in difficult terrain, probably maintained only by occasional users. Excellent stock truck or utility vehicle required, with considerable driving skill and daring needed. (Steelbender, Elephant Hill, Fins & Things)
4 Trail either never bladed or badly eroded. Stock vehicles are in jeopardy (read: be prepared to accept body damage). Modifications for improved off-road performance and top driving skills needed. (Metal Masher, Poison Spider Mesa, Hells Revenge)
4+ Trails reserved for those not much concerned with vehicle durability or personal safety. It is common to have 10% or more of the vehicles experience major mechanical failures on these trails. (Golden Spike, Cliffhanger, Moab Rim)
5 Relatively new category reserved for only the most extreme of trails. Don?t even think of running one without a winch, 35? tires, lots of lift, both axles locked, and willing to take major body damage. (Pritchett Canyon)


EXPLORER VEHICLE CATEGORIES
Stock: self explanatory, 4wd with low range - up to 3 rated trails
SuperStock: 1.5" lift; 31" tires, skidplates, LSD (limited slip differential) in rear - up to 3+ rated trails
Modified: 2.5" lift, 32" tires, LSD front and rear OR one locker - up to 4 rated trails
Big Dawg: 4" lift, 33" tires, LSD in one axle AND one locker in the other - 4+ rated trails
Extreme: 5.5+ lift, 35" tires, both axles locked, winch, willing to take major body damage - bring it awn, any trail

---------------

Rick and Char - 2 - Stock to Extreme it's all good
Adamsbro2 - 4-6 - Extreme
Kris Guilbeaux - Modified
NICE59FORDF100 - Modified
MrQ - 1-2 - Modified
reapereviltwin - 1 - Big Dawg
easymc - 1 - Big Dawg
mrboyle - 1 - Anything...
ritsui - 2 - Modified/Supertock
coldnsnowy - Superstock - probably attending

May want to point out, as part of being prepared, bring EXTRA GAS. I know of at least two times where somebody ran out on the trail last time. Explorers are also very prone to losing gas pickup in protracted off-kilter situations when below a 1/4 tank.

 

[Rick]

May want to point out, as part of being prepared, bring EXTRA GAS. I know of at least two times where somebody ran out on the trail last time. Explorers are also very prone to losing gas pickup in protracted off-kilter situations when below a 1/4 tank.

Great reminder, but I think it's even more important to fill up before every day's outing than to carry extra gas since the trails can be very remote.

When someone ran out of gas on the Top of the World trail that was a first for this group since we started in 1999... Top of the World is WAY out of town and the person who ran out of fuel had never been there before. I'll be sure to mention it at our drivers meeting, but everyone should be filled up BEFORE the drivers meetings so we can hit the trails.

I have been about as off camber and vertical as an Explorer can ever hope to get and have never had a fuel starvation issue. Oil is another matter I have had my check oil light come on while looking at nothing, but blue sky ahead... The oil moves to the back of the pan, uncovering the oil level sensor in the pan

 

[Birdy]

Ok, it's official, reserved at Canyonlands. Arrive Thursday and leave Monday. There should be three of us, unless the daughter decides not to go when it gets closer. I guess I'd be considered modified with this ex, but I'll be trailering it so I'm willing to try anything. Oh, and I'll be building a bumper to house my winch before then too!

 

[adamsbro2]

The Moab 2015 run will be held May 22- 24 .

As always there will be runs for everyone from stockers to big dawgs. A list of trails will be posted as we get closer to the event. For now please just list the level of trail difficulty that you feel you are comfortable with.

For YOUR safety no one under 18 will be permitted to attend without a Parent or Guardian or a NOTARIZED WAIVER. This is to ensure your ability to get prompt medical care should the need arise.

Diff Whack Daddy - Golden Spike Trail

mrboyle on Steelbender, Moab 2003

Diff Whack Daddy on the Launch Pad, Moab 2003

Jefe gets a little IFS air in the Wedgie, Moab 2002

Brother of Jefe wishes for a little more wheelbase at White Knuckle Hill, Moab 2004

GJarrett & AshliX spending their honeymoon Behind the Rocks, Moab 2004

offroad_69_me on Poison Spider Mesa, Moab 2002

hvac man on Moab Rim, Moab EJS 2005

JTX tries to roll over Behind the Rocks, Moab 2004

Preparation:
The following items are highly recommended and are taken from the "Trail Equipment" article's "Required" list. It is suggested that you read the entire article if you have not already done so. Many other items are suggested and necessary besides the ones on this list.

Do not shortchange yourself and encumber others by coming unprepared.

Required:
> Water, 1 gallon per person per day minimum.
> Cards kept on your person with emergency contact info, medication allergies, insurance, etc.
> Personal supplies for at least twice the time you plan on being out:
If you are going on a morning trip, pack a lunch and trail snacks, beef jerky, fruits, dry/canned food, etc. If you are going on an afternoon or all day trip, assume you may spend the night in the vehicle and pack accordingly: medications, flashlight, batteries, matches/lighter, and blankets & gear appropriate to the environment, area, and season.
> CB Radio: Communications on the trail is key!
> Fire Extinguisher
> First Aid Kit
> Spare Eyeglasses (if needed)
> Spare Key! kept on your person
> Towstrap, at least 20', bare with no metal hooks/brackets attached
> Proper tow points on your vehicle, front and rear. No pulling from trailer balls!
> Full Size Spare Tire, lug wrench
> Standard Bottle Jack with 12" square wooden platform for use in soft ground
> Basic Tool Kit
> Fix-A-Flat and/or Tire Plug kit and air compressor (12 volt plug-in or other)
> Trash bag, for your own as well as other's trash

Lodging and Moab Information:

Canyonlands Campground is centrally located in Moab, yet it has a very secluded feel because of all the mature trees on the property. They have spots for RVs, Tents, and Cabins. This is where many from the forum stay.

Moab Trail Guide:
Charles Wells "Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails". It is an absolutely invaluable resource for the trip and a "must-buy". The book has waypoints that you can program into your GPS for all the big trails and can help you to decide which level of trails to try with your own vehicle.

TRAIL RATINGS (Moab trails are rated thusly; example trails within category are listed with each rating)
1 All weather road; 4WD not needed. (Sand Flats Road)
1.5 Graded road; 4WD may be needed in poor weather. (Onion Creek)
2 Unimproved or rarely graded road. 4WD or extra clearance needed at times, with no special driving skills required. (Chicken Corners)
2.5 Road rarely maintained, 4WD, good clearance, low gears (4LO) often needed, with some extra care and a bit of driving experience useful. (Gemini Bridges, Secret Spire)
3 Road in difficult terrain, rarely maintained, 4WD, good clearance and low gears essential, with some driving skill and daring required. (Top of the World)
3.5 Road in difficult terrain, probably maintained only by occasional users. Excellent stock truck or utility vehicle required, with considerable driving skill and daring needed. (Steelbender, Elephant Hill, Fins & Things)
4 Trail either never bladed or badly eroded. Stock vehicles are in jeopardy (read: be prepared to accept body damage). Modifications for improved off-road performance and top driving skills needed. (Metal Masher, Poison Spider Mesa, Hells Revenge)
4+ Trails reserved for those not much concerned with vehicle durability or personal safety. It is common to have 10% or more of the vehicles experience major mechanical failures on these trails. (Golden Spike, Cliffhanger, Moab Rim)
5 Relatively new category reserved for only the most extreme of trails. Don?t even think of running one without a winch, 35? tires, lots of lift, both axles locked, and willing to take major body damage. (Pritchett Canyon)

EXPLORER VEHICLE CATEGORIES
Stock: self explanatory, 4wd with low range - up to 3 rated trails
SuperStock: 1.5" lift; 31" tires, skidplates, LSD (limited slip differential) in rear - up to 3+ rated trails
Modified: 2.5" lift, 32" tires, LSD front and rear OR one locker - up to 4 rated trails
Big Dawg: 4" lift, 33" tires, LSD in one axle AND one locker in the other - 4+ rated trails
Extreme: 5.5+ lift, 35" tires, both axles locked, winch, willing to take major body damage - bring it awn, any trail

---------------

Rick and Char - 2 - Stock to Extreme it's all good
Adamsbro2 - 4-6 - Extreme
Kris Guilbeaux - Modified
NICE59FORDF100 - Modified
MrQ - 1-2 - Modified
reapereviltwin - 1 - Big Dawg
easymc - 1 - Big Dawg
mrboyle - 1 - Anything...
ritsui - 2 - Modified/Supertock
coldnsnowy - Superstock - probably attending

Rick just thought I'd throw it out there that I'm willing to go on any trail stock to extreme......I am planning to head down on the 18th and hope to be able to get a few easier trails in with my family that's not big on the hardcore stuff.....Also I'd like to start getting a list of possible trails we are going to run.....I've always wanted to do golden spike and that loop yall did in 2013 but I missed out......hopefully some are willing to do that one.

 

[2TimingTom]

This site:
http://gonemoab.com/
Lists the trails and applies a rating to them. Good start for those not familiar with the Moab area.

 

[adamsbro2]

So where is everyone planning to stay and when are they arriving? I'd really like to get a list of trails too cause I have several I'd like to do.

 

[Rick]

We should be arriving Thursday night. We're staying at Canyonlands Campground.

Trail runs usually aren't determined until we hit the parking lot at the City Market for our drivers meetings. All depends on who actually shows up.

 

[adamsbro2]

How many do you think we would need to do the poison spider, golden crack run?

 

[Elgatoprerunner]

Ill be there.

Extreme.