How To Properly Drive a Trail

cruiserguy13 · 06-18-2007, 01:22 AM

I've been trying to figure out the ideal driving style when going down trails...i'm very new to off-roading and have little experience.

the only trail i've driven is silverado canyon/maple springs road in socal...it's really rocky (small rocks) and very bumpy and dusty...

some people have advised me to drive the trail slow and steady...i drove in this manner for the majority of the times i've been on this trail (only twice)...the thing with driving slow and steady is that i seem to feel every bump and rock and dip...

others have said that if i bring the speed up a little bit it wont be as bumpy...but when i did go faster the vehicle seemed to be shaking a lot more and the ride got even more bumpy...it also felt like it was a lot harder on the vehicle than just going slow and steady.

experienced drivers please share your ideas and comments...thanks!

p.s. i've thought about getting new struts and springs for the cruiser...am stuck between all-pro and demello...i know that one is digressive and the other progressive but i don't know what to go with because i don't know the proper technique when off-roading.

**MudLovingFJ** · 06-18-2007, 01:40 AM

the more you wheel and the more you hit the same trail the better you know your truck and trail and your personal driving style. different trails call for different driving techniques.

when i drive silverado i am going about 35+mph the whole time. this is mainly because i have been on that trail 100+ times and go about at least every week. i air down my tires to about 20-25psi and that makes it a lot smoother and more forgiving on your bum, and not to mention the increased control.

if you want to go out to silverado in my rig to see what the ome mediums feel like in the passenger and drivers seat all you need to do is ask

yusuke41 · 06-18-2007, 02:49 AM

wow your rig has come a long way since i saw you once on that trail(stock)... i need to check out your rig now...

**MudLovingFJ** · 06-18-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

yusuke41 previously said:

wow your rig has come a long way since i saw you once on that trail(stock)... i need to check out your rig now...

haha, yeah i decided to pull the trigger and get the ome lift and wheels/tires for now until i can afford bumpers and belly armor. i might setup another run up there again soon or after the summit so stay tuned. or if you wanna hit the trail sometime soon let me know

***LandCruiserSteve*** · 06-18-2007, 04:46 AM

Quote:

cruiserguy13 previously said:

others have said that if i bring the speed up a little bit it wont be as bumpy...but when i did go faster the vehicle seemed to be shaking a lot more and the ride got even more bumpy...it also felt like it was a lot harder on the vehicle than just going slow and steady.

The type of trail will pretty much determine your speed for you. With experience, you'll naturally gravitate to what's comfortable and safe for both you and your truck.

Don't get sucked in by the "Built Ford Tough" and (Chevy) "Like A Rock" TV commercials depicting 4x4s flying over rigorous terrain at Baja 1000 speeds with the smiling gorgeous babe in the passenger seat. That's merely eye-candy to lure you into a purchase. (You don't even want to know what's left of those trucks following the filming of those TV spots.)

Get out as often as you can with veteran 'wheelers and take your time learning your limitations. If you're new to off-road driving, definitely adhere to the rule of thumb of "as slow as possible, and only as fast as necessary."

Jason242 · 06-20-2007, 08:42 AM

If you're new to off-road driving, definitely adhere to the rule of thumb of "as slow as possible, and only as fast as necessary."[/quote]

Oh I go slow, and I scout the trail. Doesnt matter: the road still turns to mud under my rig and boom Im stuck.

Here's more info:
Grr... I just got my truck stuck for the third time in the 3 months ive had it. Now I'll just flame myself so we can get on to my questions:
(1) Im a total newbie, never off-roaded before.
(2) Im dumb as dirt.
(3) Sometimes I leap before I look.
(4) My winch and high jack arrive next week, but I still take chances.
(5) I drive without a buddy.
(6) Im dumb as dirt.

Rig: Stock FJ 6 spd manual
stock 265/70/17 Bridgestone Duelers (great on the road, useless off road)

Ok now my questions:
Is this an off-road vehicle or what?
I keep getting stuck in the damn mud!!!

Today I attempted to cross a 2 ft wide trickle of water three inches deep at most. Next thing I know the front wheels are sunk five inches in the mud and I cant budge!!!

I tried digging out around the wheels to make a gradual path (but it was too soft under the wheels I believe). I put it in low low and disabled the Atrac. I also unlocked the rear differential but since both those tires were on solid ground I realized I should leave it locked. I tried rocking the truck. I tried drivin ever so gently. Nothin. Ended up diggin a nice big hole and sinkin the front up to the sills.

So... Question 1: In that situation, without a winch or jack, what are my options? I had a shovel, a tarp, and the standard pneumatic jack.

Would the tarp have helped under one of the wheels?

Question 2: This was only a little creek!!! What the heck do I need on my vehicle (besides someone with common sense not to off-road) so that it can handle situations like these?

I want a rig that can drive through mud and snow and still handle ok on the road. I thought the FJ could do that. Should I be driving a swamp buggy?

What is the best tire for mud snow and muck? Would givin the rig a lift help?

Thanks for your time,
Jason

sealevel · 06-20-2007, 08:52 AM

I'm afraid there is no hope for you!

**jeshua** · 06-20-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Jason242 previously said:

Today I attempted to cross a 2 ft wide trickle of water three inches deep at most. Next thing I know the front wheels are sunk five inches in the mud and I cant budge!!!

I tried digging out around the wheels to make a gradual path (but it was too soft under the wheels I believe). I put it in low low and disabled the Atrac. I also unlocked the rear differential but since both those tires were on solid ground I realized I should leave it locked. I tried rocking the truck. I tried drivin ever so gently. Nothin. Ended up diggin a nice big hole and sinkin the front up to the sills.

So... Question 1: In that situation, without a winch or jack, what are my options? I had a shovel, a tarp, and the standard pneumatic jack.

Would the tarp have helped under one of the wheels?

probly not, there is nothing on it that would give more trackin
your locker would have helped you the most in that situation. Alos if you have floor mats they can be an aid at times as long as they are not smooth ones. Or start digging this can suck as it can seem that your not getting any were but you will get it sooner or latter. Also look around for branches and rock that you can place under your tires this will do wonders.

Quote:

Jason242 previously said:

Question 2: This was only a little creek!!! What the heck do I need on my vehicle (besides someone with common sense not to off-road) so that it can handle situations like these?

I want a rig that can drive through mud and snow and still handle ok on the road. I thought the FJ could do that. Should I be driving a swamp buggy?

What is the best tire for mud snow and muck? Would givin the rig a lift help?

Thanks for your time,
Jason

you need to keep your RPM's up when in the mudd so probly also a little more speed. Also the Locker is your friend in the mud.

I don't think a lift would have help you in this (wont hurt), as you didn't get hung up on anything on the underside but rather just got a tire stuck in the mudd. The Fj is very capiable you just need some practice on how to drive her. But your weak link in the mudd is your tires, and you will see the most diffrence from new ones. Mudd tires will be what you want, I love BFG's and that is what I will recommend, others will like diffrent brands so do your own home work on them and ask guestions here (or search as others have asked) and get what you want.

You will get it.

**jeshua** · 06-20-2007, 09:33 AM

O ya I like to go fast most of the time, so more of the little skinny peedle on the right.

On easy stuff like you mentioned in your firstpost I see no need to go so slow 35 like mentioned above seems like a resonable speed. on my local fire road / trail I am about the same would like to go faster but the bikers coming down it scare me (I have had 6 close calls and hit one guy on a quad)

***uphill*** · 06-20-2007, 09:34 AM

Soil is made up of different size/shape particles and the composition of the particles determine how much compaction they'll handle and how much weight they'll support. (The Navy made a huge study of this for amphibious landings -- will the beach support a "huge" landing ship tank that must actually ground itself to disgorge its cargo) The Navy's results apply to beaches and coastlines but the same general rules apply to fording a stream (or in your case a trickle). This isn't the place for a treatise on hydrography and soil compaction though.

Having written that, I have found that "momentum" is important when fording streams/creeks, etc. While I don't charge through the water, I make sure that I am able to keep up a steady and perhaps "swift" momentum so that I don't have to deal with soil compaction problems. If you're moving fast enough you usually don't have a problem. However if you're in a mud slough where there is complete soil liquification, you're going to get stuck and it's going to get ugly. Time and experience unfortunately are the best way to judge what you're facing and even the most experienced judge poorly at times.

Walking an suspicious area before you plow your rig in is always a good idea.
-Has somebody forded the stream before you did?
-Is there a road entering and leaving your ford?
-Is it a rocky stream bed or is it silt?
-How WIDE is the expanse you're going to be crossing?
-How steep is the egress point other side and how muddy is the egress point?

If the soil is sandy and rolls like jelly when you walk on it on the river bank, even if it supports your weight, the soil compaction factor will come into play and your rig will sink to the axels and you'll need a friend to pull you out (did you think to put a shackle hitch in your receiver).

Tires are important but soil compaction problems in moving or stagnant water will bury even the best equipped rig.

I hope this helps.