Biggest Thing I Learned About My Truck This Weekend...

[Glocker]

...while off-roading; I need more aggressive tires.

I went with a big group of trucks into the Blue Ridge National Forest, and I kept my truck pretty much on the trails. I wussed out and didn't go on the harder stuff, and I'm sure glad I didn't!

But one thing I noticed is that my Dynapro tires lack some off-road grip that would have made some real simple stuff even simpler. I saw my traction control light going on a bunch on steeper sections of trail and ended using 4-High just out of caution; I didn't want to kick rocks at the truck behind me. I think with a more aggressive tire I would have been in 2-High with less 4-High usage. I also locked the rear once because of the wheel-slip.

I was impressed with how well it drove over everything and also with the off-road comfort. I can't wait to see how she drives with the Eibach suspension on it. Phase 1 will be the Eibach Pro Truck Lift (stae 1), ARB Summit bumper, and Warn VR Evo 10S winch (All currently in route to my house! Yay!). I will wait a couple of months and do tires and maybe lights after that.

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[Jon Olivier]

Not sure of the terrain or steepness you're talking about, but you have 4WD for a reason. May as well use it. For comparison, I sometimes drive a nearby trail/road that is all deep sand. In 2WD, with the OE Hankook ATM's, the traction control light comes on constantly, and the truck fish tails the whole way. One of my buddies, drives his Jeep on the same road, in 2WD and 33' Offroad tires, and experiences the same thing. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Wade]

There is nothing wrong with using 4wd... When I'm off road I typically turn it on once I hit the dirt, and don't turn it off until back at the pavement. I'll switch between 4hi, 4lo, and engaging my locker as required by terrain and grade. Leaving your truck in 2wd while climbing steep grades off road is a great way to overheat your transmission.

 

[Wade]

I guess if I need to make a tight turn I'll switch back to 2wd...
Using 4wd also helps keep washboards from forming/growing, so you'll do everyone a favor using 4wd more.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Yeah, I feel like using 4WD on an off-road trail isn't a failure of the tires or of the truck. It's just what needs to be done sometimes. More aggressive off-road tires will help, but only so much, in the end there's only so much grip a single tire (2WD unlocked) can give to propel a 4400lb vehicle up a hill.

Similar to the old adage that it's not weak to need/ask for help.

 

[mtsoxfan]

Back in the 80's we used to go serious mudding with Broncos, 67 -73. One guy, Curley, had only 2wd due to broken driveshaft, and he did almost as much as us. Had to push it a bit harder, but only pulled him out a couple times. Sometimes, you just need to know how to drive.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Back in the 80's we used to go serious mudding with Broncos, 67 -73. One guy, Curley, had only 2wd due to broken driveshaft, and he did almost as much as us. Had to push it a bit harder, but only pulled him out a couple times. Sometimes, you just need to know how to drive.

And know when to not drive as well; to know the limits of yourself and your truck. Not being the best or being able to keep up with the best is not a sign of weakness. Sometimes that's the smartest thing to do.

 

[catfishfingers]

I'm guess I'm pretty cheap and can't bring myself to get new rubber right after buying a brand new truck but I gotta say I am counting down the days til I can get back on BFG ATs like I've run on every other rig I've owned with great results. It helps that I'm living away from where I go off road consistently until September. Come then maybe I'll have to reconsider, it will probably depend on how the Hankooks handle the snow. All that said, engaging 4WD when on the trails can make things easier on your truck and on the surface below, so i don't see a problem with toggling that dial. It's not like you have to get out and lock the hubs anyways.

 

[mtsoxfan]

And know when to not drive as well; to know the limits of yourself and your truck. Not being the best or being able to keep up with the best is not a sign of weakness. Sometimes that's the smartest thing to do.

And how do you know the limits of your truck it you don't push them? It's a lot more fun to have tried and failed, then to not have tried at all.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

And how do you know the limits of your truck it you don't push them? It's a lot more fun to have tried and failed, then to not have tried at all.

From letting other people push the limits and learn from them. haha

I guess I was more thinking of more serious things like water crossings or rock crawling or anything else that could irreparably damage the truck or your body. Trying to climb a gravel hill in 2WD instead of 4WD is hardly taking a risk or pushing the limits in my mind.

Also, I'm not one to push the limits or take risks in most cases anyways. Certainly not with my new $40k truck. haha Just the way I am. Obviously there are people that do and get enjoyment out of it. And if you're one of them, more power to you. But my life is pretty straight forward and boring by most standards, and I like it that way. haha I'll let you go out and find the limits of the truck. haha

 

[mtsoxfan]

From letting other people push the limits and learn from them. haha

I guess I was more thinking of more serious things like water crossings or rock crawling or anything else that could irreparably damage the truck or your body. Trying to climb a gravel hill in 2WD instead of 4WD is hardly taking a risk or pushing the limits in my mind.

Also, I'm not one to push the limits or take risks in most cases anyways. Certainly not with my new $40k truck. haha Just the way I am. Obviously there are people that do and get enjoyment out of it. And if you're one of them, more power to you. But my life is pretty straight forward and boring by most standards, and I like it that way. haha I'll let you go out and find the limits of the truck. haha

That was me in my 20's. Wash and wax on Saturday, have our fun on Sunday, repair on Monday... These were 10+ year old Broncos, outfitted for having fun. While mine was my daily driver, I lived 2 miles from dealership I worked at.
Fast forward to today, minor off roading, more like pleasure rides down a dirt road, and maybe a beach or two. My wife wasn't happy when I went over a sloping 2 foot tall edge of property to get to buddies house instead of using driveway. A car could do it, but she thought I was abusing the truck.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

That was me in my 20's. Wash and wax on Saturday, have our fun on Sunday, repair on Monday... These were 10+ year old Broncos, outfitted for having fun. While mine was my daily driver, I lived 2 miles from dealership I worked at.
Fast forward to today, minor off roading, more like pleasure rides down a dirt road, and maybe a beach or two. My wife wasn't happy when I went over a sloping 2 foot tall edge of property to get to buddies house instead of using driveway. A car could do it, but she thought I was abusing the truck.

I guess we're pretty similar then. Did plenty of stupid things in my HS and college days. Took that Focus on plenty of trails that I'm not sure I would take my truck on nowadays. Broke 2 of the 3 engine mounts on one of them. haha

I had my crazy times, now I'm quite happy and content cruising the forest roads like you. If I had a beater I didn't care about damaging and/or could fix myself, then maybe I'd go a little more wild.

 

[Gizmokid2005]

I've found that the Duellers that came on mine aren't *great*, but honestly if you air them down (I usually run 15-20psi) offroad they're pretty happy to do most things without griping much. That little bit of pressure change does wonders for traction.

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