Post your off-road pics.

WxNerd2015

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What are your thoughts on the retractable covers? I've always had the opinion (not necessarily founded on any facts or data granted) that they would get easily jammed and end up breaking. In the end that's why I steered away from them when I was looking for a cover months ago. I'm starting to regret that thinking as now I can't have a bed rack due to the cover I went with. I'm just always curious what other people think of those types of covers.
I love the retractable cover so far! I have gotten it quite sandy and it still opens great, and within the last few days here in Michigan, it has gotten some snow and ice and it still opens with no issues! I like the one I got specifically, because the polycarbonite is one single piece which flexes when coiled, so there are very minimal areas for the cover to jam! Plus, this one can hold 200 lbs on the cover itself as well! I love the quick easy open function when i need to grab something from further up in the bed, plus locking it in any position. The only downside is giving up around 8" in the bed, but for most of what I do (90%-95%), of the time, it has been no issue, and I also have a bed extender to take care of most of the rest of those times, so it really hasn't been an issue for me! The ease of in and out of the bed with secured storage and the ability to be compatible with a rack were my two biggest requirements and this fit both very well! Let me know if you have any other questions!
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Deleted member 1634

For me, since the bed is already short, I didn't want anything that would reduce the length any further. While my trifold will reduce the length, it is easy to take off if I want/need the entire bed length. Removing a retractable cover is not nearly as easy I don't think. If I had an 8' bed, I think I would LOVE a retractable cover. I certainly like how they look.

I believe (I think) there are foldable covers that will work with bed racks, although I never really looked into it too much since it wasn't something I was interested in.
I know there are a couple out there that I could make work with a roll-up cover, with some minor mods. Unfortunately I have a special roll-up cover (Truxedo Deuce) that not only rolls up from the back, but the front 1/3 can also fold open to allow access to things stored against the bulkhead. I chose this cover specifically because I put a storage bag near the bulkhead for all my junk and gear. But now that I'm looking around at other peoples builds, I like the look and utility of a bed rack, but can't find one that works with my unique cover. Short of scrapping my current set-up and basically starting over with a different cover that can accept a bed rack, I'm stuck where I'm at, at least for now.
 

Deleted member 1634

I love the retractable cover so far! I have gotten it quite sandy and it still opens great, and within the last few days here in Michigan, it has gotten some snow and ice and it still opens with no issues! I like the one I got specifically, because the polycarbonite is one single piece which flexes when coiled, so there are very minimal areas for the cover to jam! Plus, this one can hold 200 lbs on the cover itself as well! I love the quick easy open function when i need to grab something from further up in the bed, plus locking it in any position. The only downside is giving up around 8" in the bed, but for most of what I do (90%-95%), of the time, it has been no issue, and I also have a bed extender to take care of most of the rest of those times, so it really hasn't been an issue for me! The ease of in and out of the bed with secured storage and the ability to be compatible with a rack were my two biggest requirements and this fit both very well! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Good to hear it works well and you're happy with it. Since I already have a cover, I'm stuck with what I have though. But thanks for the info!
 

doug910

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Went to go check out The Mounds ORV Park this weekend! Let's just say that off roading in 22 F snowy, muddy, icy conditions is about as real as it gets... we found out that hard way to not going into frozen mud pits because a) you don't know how thick the ice is, and b) you don't know how deep the mud is :idea:

Our group consisted of my Ranger (stock besides Falken AT3W's 265/70R17), my buddy's 1UZ V8 swapped lifted 4Runner, and another friend's stock Taco. Unfortunately the taco didn't make it far, as when the tires broke the 3 in ice (over what seemed shallow), the bumper crashed down to the rest of the ice and completely shattered. It was honestly so unfortunate, but it made me so glad our Rangers have steel bumpers.

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I accidentally fell into a frozen mud hole since the ice was covered with snow, and turns out the ledge was a freaking wall to climb out of. The whole area was super narrow, so it was difficult to arrange the 4Runner to tow me out (had to wrap the recovery strap around a tree). Problem is, neither of us had traction to get me out and the fact that I was beached on my frame didn't help either. The only way out was forward, but going forward just meant more frozen mud holes. After 1.5 hours, I FINALLY climbed myself out, had to make a 8 point turn around a tree, drove over a log in BETWEEN two other trees, and found my way back.

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The aftermath of the mud pit...

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Right after I got out, my buddy in the 4Runner proceeded to get himself stuck on purpose...fortunately, he chose a spot with lots of open space so I easily pulled him out. Just look at how thick this ice was though!

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We stopped for dinner afterwards and well, we could barely see out of them lol I'm going to have so much fun washing the mud out of my truck in the freezing cold this week, but it was so worth it. I'm so amazed at what this truck can do!
 

PNW_Ranger87

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Here's a few from my trek up near Gallagher Head Lake. We had a couple 4Runners coming back tell us that the snow was too deep to make it all the way to the lake. So we too a detour and had lunch at one of the turnoffs.

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BcP28

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I guess this falls more under the "rocky/rutted forest service road" more than off-road, but went for a short drive up Vanocker Canyon just south of Sturgis, SD. Was nice to enjoy the scenery :like:

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Deleted member 1634

The damage from my Kaibab mule deer hunt this year. Truck performed perfectly except when the locks froze at 4 in the morning opening day.

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That Titan looks suspiciously clean compared to your Ranger. haha
 

Deleted member 1634

I guess this falls more under the "rocky/rutted forest service road" more than off-road, but went for a short drive up Vanocker Canyon just south of Sturgis, SD. Was nice to enjoy the scenery :like:

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Now this is the type of stuff I'd like to get out in. Have to wait until at least May now though unfortunately, what with winter and all. A lot less fun getting stuck in the snow on a forest road when it's 0deg outside, than it is on a nice 70deg summer day. haha
 

SandBaja

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Baja Norte near San Felipe. For something different I took the truck out to a 7 mile or so trail along the pole line road. The road consisted of 3-4' moguls through rocks and sand and it performed perfectly ( I didn't get stuck). I ran the sand mode in TM. It holds the shift points and RPMS high ( I didn't climb out of first gear for 95% of the time). The BAJA 1000 just went through here but I cannot imagine they had this section as part of the course.

So, about the images which are a departure from the usual beauty shots...At the start is the city dump. a couple of miles out. It was pretty ugly with fires and plastic bags affixed to local plants. I didn't take picture on the trail (too busy driving).

Baja is beautiful but every once in a while you come across something that make you say OMG.

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BcP28

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Now this is the type of stuff I'd like to get out in. Have to wait until at least May now though unfortunately, what with winter and all. A lot less fun getting stuck in the snow on a forest road when it's 0deg outside, than it is on a nice 70deg summer day. haha
I know the feeling. I'm not brave enough with the new truck yet (and mostly the Dynapros) to venture into anything too deep with snow covered roads and trails, but was able to still find some interesting and infrequently traveled roads and scenery despite 15* and snow. Spotting Elk in the Black Hills is fairly rare, and was definitely a treat to see!

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IdahoRanger

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Nice! Did you start near Silverwood Lake? I have only been on that trail in the dirt.

Helluva storm they are getting up there.
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