OFFROAD TO VEGAS

[SCEXPLORER]

DO you guys think my 2wd will make it on this trail?

http://www.ptcruiserusa.com/hondasuv/crvix/roadtrips/offroad_lv_aftonexit.htm

If a CRV CAN MAKE IT WHY NOT AN EXPLORER

 

[Robert]

"DO you guys think my 2wd will make it on this trail? "

I am sure it is capable of making it, it all depends on how lucky you get, the actual conditions when you get there and how much you are willing to abuse your Explorer. I've been off-roading with a guy who brought a 2WD 4 cylinder Ranger to the Coves at Saquaro Lake. He was able to go everywhere I went, but he did need one tug when he stopped in the sand. He also found a broken motor mount when he got home, probably from gassing it up a hill that I just crawled up. A few weeks ago I went with a 4WD Mazda (Ranger look-a-like) that couldn't get it into 4WD. I had to tow him up one steep/loose section. He spent most of the trip flooring it up the loose hills. He basically beat the crap out of his truck trying to keep up. The trail you linked to doesn't look too bad, meaning that it probably won't beat up your truck if you have to go up the hill quickly since it is all soft sand. The opportunity to get stuck in the soft sand could pose a problem though. I wouldn't do it alone, especially in a 2WD. Bring someone with a 4WD and a tow rope in case you can't make it up the sandy hill. Be prepared to get towed back down and go back the way you came. If you go by yourself and the traffic is light, we might not be hearing from you for a while

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Thanks for the advice. How do I approach soft sand? Do I just hit the gas and speed through it? I'm gonna install a limited slip hopefully before I go, does that make my chances even better?

 

[Gopher]

sc,
being 2wd isnt to bad as long as your not an open diff. If you have at least a l/s it isnt to bad. I can alot of places the 4wd go. Like Robert said though you do end up gassing it alot. Which is kinda bad sometimes. Thats when you get into breaking things. In Sand, air the tires way down and have a light foot. Usually in really soft sand its good to keep your momentun going and try not to stop.

 

[Alto]

I just got back from a the "Ar Rub` Al Khali`" Saudi Arabia's Empty Quarter. What a blast!

Some friend's and myself drove 750miles to the top of the Rub, spent 5 days driving all around and through the Desert. Some of the biggest Dunes I've seen in my life. It was awesome!

I took Trinity and my friend took his Jeep Cherokee. I was in 2wd 99% of the time. The only time it went into 4wd was when I got stuck 5 times. Now this was my first time playing like this in the Sand. So it was a learning experiance for me.

The times I did get stuck were understandable.
Stopped to fast, which dug me in.
Turned to sharp, which dug me in.
Didn't air down at first, which dug me in.
Took off to fast, which dug me in.
Topped a Dune and stopped because it looked to high. Once I stopped I realized it wasn't that bad. Dug out the front, let the weight drop the front took of down a 200 foot Dune.

These tips I did learn for playing in the Soft Sand.
Air Down
Stop slow
Start off slow
Stop with the front end pointing down hill
Make wide turns
Keep up speed
Always sacrifice Altitude for Air Speed (go down hill to pick up speed) if you feel like your going to get stuck
NEVER GO ALONE you'll need someone to pull you out.
Bring water for you and others
Bring snacks
Bring extra gas for the Explorer

I know that in sand 4wd helps to get you out a bit but if you take it easy you wont get stuck.

Hope this helps, I'll post some picks of the Rub at a later Date.

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Thanks again for the advice guys. I just bought my Auburn limited slip and am waiting for a place to install it. Hey Gopher! How much was your install and where? I live in the LA-ORANGECOUNTY AREA.

 

[Gopher]

I went to J&S Gear. There off gothard and ellis. I'll get the number when i get home.. There very good at what they do. I believe the install was around 150-200. But that was with the truck. if you just take in the pumpkin it's less. I should of worked something out with you. I've only had my auburn for about a year and want to get a full locker. Ah well. I 'll get the number when i get home. Should be about an hour.

 

[Gopher]

J&S Gear Co. (714) 841-4545
18222 Gothard St. Unit A
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Yah I called them today and the guy said that I would need to buy 2 new bearings because the old ones won't come out of the stock. Is that true? I thought that the Aurburn LS is all i needed to buy.

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Just a thought! Would snow chains work in the sand or help me get out if I was stuck in sand?

 

[Alto]

I'm not an Expert but NO!

I do know that the best tires you can by for the sand have NO TREAD. They have three 1/2 inch grooves on as the tread the run all around. When you see where they've been all you see are 3 stripes in the tire groove.

I know that they are designed to keep you on top of the sand kind of like floating. The thing that I did notice about driving in the sand is just like driving in soft snow.

The chains will dig, will give you grip but that just pushes the sand out. I got stuck because I started out to fast, my GoodYear AT/S dug me in. I let my foot off the gas, started out slow and crawled out.

I'm about a 1/2hour from some dunes where the local Saudi's drive. I see guys in Toyota Carrolas, Hyunda Accents, Lincon Towncars... They are all driving around the sand dunes. Next time I go I'll try and get a picture of the TownCar going down 100 foot Dune. All you need is speed. I saw a guy in a Suburban with at least 15 people in it flying all around. Oh, I forgot about the 2000 Mercedes-Benz!

 

[Robert]

No, chains will not work in the sand unless their is hard-pack right under the surface. The chains will dig you right through the sand. If the sand is more than 12" deep or so, you'll just dig yourself in to the frame. A wide tire with low air-pressure will work best outside of paddle tires.

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Just wondering if you huys know. How would i tow with the ring in the back that came stock with a tow rope without a hook?

 

[SCEXPLORER]

OK I GOT MY AUBURN INSTALLED! IS THERE A WAY I COULD CHECK IT CUS I DON'T FEEL ANYTHING DIFFERENT WHEN I DRIVE?

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by SCEXPLORER
Just wondering if you huys know. How would i tow with the ring in the back that came stock with a tow rope without a hook?

I am assuming you are talking about a tow strap that has the loops on the end. I have one, mainly because I didn't like the idea of a 1/2 pound hook flying at me at Supersonic speads if it got loose. Just push the strap through your loop and then feed it through one of the loops in the end of the strap. You will need a hook of some sorts though to connect it to the other vehicle.