Well got a little aggressive this last weekend with the FJ and did 8k damage to the right side. Was on some Fire Service roads and one part was blocked off so decided to try and go around it. Went up the left side and got in between three trees and the ground gave way on me. Slid me into two of the trees on my right. Initial damage was minor, but I ended up getting high centered on a rock. Buddy attempted to pull me out with his jeep but the ground was to unstable. We cut down the one tree near the rear of my vehicle and a couple guys helped us out. Only way we could pull me out was back and to the right. Needless to say it ended up messing up the entire right side. Got the entire thing on video. As soon as I get it from my friend I'll try and post it.
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2007 Ti FJ Cruiser - 6MT "C Package" Current Mods
- 33/1250R17 Nokian Vatiiva M/T on stock alloys (summer), 285/75R16 GY Duratrac on MB Razors (winter), OME 886/895
- AllPro skids, Expedition One front bumper/sliders
- JBA exhaust, TRD Intake & AFE Throttle Body Spacer
- AllPro air dam w/ 4 PIAA 540s, Gobi ladder & 20% Tint
- KB Voodoo's console cover and bike rack, Ellis Precision "ohsh*t" handles, Scangauge II & TomTom One, Dometic Refrigerator I can has off road?
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2007 Ti FJ Cruiser - 6MT "C Package" Current Mods
- 33/1250R17 Nokian Vatiiva M/T on stock alloys (summer), 285/75R16 GY Duratrac on MB Razors (winter), OME 886/895
- AllPro skids, Expedition One front bumper/sliders
- JBA exhaust, TRD Intake & AFE Throttle Body Spacer
- AllPro air dam w/ 4 PIAA 540s, Gobi ladder & 20% Tint
- KB Voodoo's console cover and bike rack, Ellis Precision "ohsh*t" handles, Scangauge II & TomTom One, Dometic Refrigerator I can has off road?
Without knowing the particulars of the trail and whose land it truly was, I'll offer this:
T R E A D LIGHTLY!
and yes glad nobody was hurt
TREAD LIGHTLY! it sucks that you busted up your rig but damn dude! Trail closed you try to go around it and then end up cutting down a tree and fugging up your ride. OUCH.
We all need to respect closed trails and TREAD LIGHTLY every trip out. Karma can be a real b'tch.
NEVER go around a FS road closure. Doing so will just add ammo for those that want to permanently exclude us. Sorry you did damage BUT, you went OFF the road. To bad a FS officer was not there to ticket you.
If it was not an intended closure but dead fall then the correct action would have been to clear the road. Sounds like your friend had a winch. Remember the winch is not only for vehicle recovery but also can be used for clearing a trail.
Now that you have tried to go around AND removed a tree you have made an invitation to the next person.... Once started it is hard to stop.
Flame me folks but I feel pretty strongly about this issue.... NEVER, I mean NEVER leave the established road. Growing up and living in Colorado I have seen many areas destroyed by 4 wheelers. Trails that were once nice narrow tracks through the trees have been widened by people going around muddy sections then widened again by more people going around the new muddy section... I have seen many sub-alpine wet areas destroyed by people who want to go mud bogging. There are many places where the FS with the assistance of volunteers have tried to reclaim an area only to have the fencing cut down or gone around and restorations again destroyed.... Need I say more.
- Chris 
Linear Mode
