Going Off Road for a Newbie

BoyNamedSue · **Joined:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:32 pm **Posts:** 66

I travel solo when I do my exploring, but I always get freaked out when going down some of the forest roads/trails that I find.
I never know what's coming, so what happens when you just can't get any further and there's no place to turn around. Does anyone ever end up backing up the trail for miles ?

What if another vehicle is coming and the trail is so narrow there's only room for one vehicle. This happened to me a month ago. I was going down a snowy road and wanted to turn around, but there was someone not far behind, so I felt like I had to keep going until I found a wide spot to get out of the way.

Has anyone gotten stuck all alone and had to hike out?

Anyway I want to explore all the new places I find, but I freak out and end up turning around because I'm worry about all these things.
Does this wear off after a while?

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

The number one rule in off roading is don't go alone. Sorry, I know you said you like to do things yourself, but you can get in to trouble in a hurry without the help of a buddy. Regardless of what you are doing or where you are a vehicle can break down. If you are in the middle of nowhere then you have a problem (even if you did have room to turn around).

jason thompson · **Posted:** Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:37 pm

You should never wheel alone even with a winch

I have never been on a trail that 2 jeeps coul not pass ,even when it is very step up one side and very steep down
1 person go as far up as they can and the other trys to pass
The same goes with turning around all you need is 15 feet to pull a U in a KJ with some backing up it can be done

Most people get freaked about getting close to trees
I tell them dont worry the trees are strong and they will stop you
scraches will happen so if you are trying to avoid those then I can not help

I have had to hike but there were 4 rigs that were all either stuck or broke and it was raining and we were in mud some 1/2 up the doors
I was in a p/u with 33's and you could only see the front the rear was over the bumper ,3+ feet of mud and a F150 on 36's up to the doors just 10' away
we hiked and got a bigger truck

If the "fear" wears off or as I call it "the leg shakes" then you need to find harder trails
I can always tell when the folks on my trails are having fun
they get "the leg shakes"
It happens when they try some hill that is a real chalange and their cluch leg starts to shake or they even start to studder when you give them instructions
I love that feeling but I need to get wheels 3 feet in the air to get them
I now get the thrill from waching others I have seen ladies who are out for the first time almost cry but keep on going

BoyNamedSue · **Joined:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:32 pm **Posts:** 66

I don't have any friends that like to do this kind of stuff.
I don't really have any friends. :cry:

So I'll always be doing this stuff alone. I don't offroad for fun, but I like to explore and go hiking, fishing, camping, etc.... Just like to get far, far away from everything. What happens when you do get stuck and hike out? Will a tow truck come way back there to get you out if you have no friends to call like me?

I just remembered I do know one guy with a jeep. I will probably make him go try some stuff out with me just so I can get a feel for what the Liberty can do. I have no idea right now what I can and can't get through, but after that I'll be on my own.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:10 am

Where are you located? I'm sure if you ask or let someone know when/where your going you might be able to get some other Jeeps to go with you...just a thought

spencevans · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:22 am

Conventional wisdom would say never go wheeling alone but Like most outdoorsmen I tend to spend a lot of time looking for game all by myself. I try to prepare myself as best as possible for the worst and I try to avoid questionable situations. I alway tell people where I am going and when I will be back. Also I have cell reception almost everywhere I go.

AndySRT · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:22 am

When i was down in AZ I did quite a bit of exploring on my own. I treked ahead before i took my libby down any of the trails just to make sure i could make it. but as was said before dont go alone if at all posible.

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

BoyNamedSue wrote:

I don't have any friends that like to do this kind of stuff.
I don't really have any friends. :cry:

So I'll always be doing this stuff alone. I don't offroad for fun, but I like to explore and go hiking, fishing, camping, etc.... Just like to get far, far away from everything. What happens when you do get stuck and hike out? Will a tow truck come way back there to get you out if you have no friends to call like me?

I just remembered I do know one guy with a jeep. I will probably make him go try some stuff out with me just so I can get a feel for what the Liberty can do. I have no idea right now what I can and can't get through, but after that I'll be on my own.

Get a CB radio, stay in cell range and join a 4x4 club in your area. At least if you get stuck you can let someone know with the CB, cells cut out at random.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:32 am

Search for local wheeling clubs in your area. I'm a loner, too but, they can help you learn the limits of your kj (with winches and straps aplenty) so you can go off on your own with more confidence, later.

Metrowest_Kev · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:08 am

Carry a good kit for both rescue and survival. The necessities are posted in a dozen places on this board. From personal experience, I recommend a shovel, some blocks, and a good pair of hiking boots (for when you need to walk for help!). I think there's a survival kit posted on this board that includes condoms. If I was only so lucky! Be safe and have fun scouting.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:47 am

I always go alone. Maybe just been lucky. I don't take chances, and take the time to plan a good route. I am frequently out of cell phone range, but out here, that is not uncommon. Main thing is use your head when alone and go prepared.

fdems · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:18 am

Try searching around this site it gives alot of good info...Maybe you'll find something that will help.

http://www.4x4abc.com/jeep101/index.html

http://www.4x4abc.com/index.html

QuestMan · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:00 am

In my state, there are a lot of old logging trails, in the northern half of the state. I HAVE had to back up before, (squeezed between walls, where even a POSTAL jeep couldn't turn around. Come to think of it, I've been stuck between walls, IN a postal jeep. AND a honda civic. And a Geo Spectrum. And a dodge colt. LOL)

In any case, you CAN go out alone, but you have to realize a couple of things: YOU are the only one you can count on, when you're alone. Get a Delorme Topo, and a good GPS, in case you have trouble: although walking back the way you came is always a good idea, it's sometimes shorter out to the main road by going forward. (That's why the maps and GPS. And DON'T count on the GPS 100 percent. They don't always work when you are deep in the trees. I spent 5 hours on a trail once, and only got my GPS to lock on once, during the entire hike.) A farm jack would be helpful, so would a winch, let people know where you're going, take extra duct tape (OR peanut butter :lol:

), and realize there are some things you won't be able to do alone, that you could do when wheeling with other jeeps. You have to be more cautious, so if it looks like you might go somewhere where you are going to sink up to your axles, you'd better walk it through, 1st, and be willing to back off of something. When in doubt, caution rules.

That said, I've taken my Jeep in some areas where I HAVE buried it up the axles, and STILL got out, without getting stuck. The Libby is pretty amazing.

There's an old saying, "The dangers of going out into the wilderness alone are ten-fold. But the rewards can be one hundred-fold". Just be careful. Prepare like you're going to spend a night or two out there, just in case. You probably never will, but if you're prepared for it, then it will be just another interesting story, instead of an epic search-and-rescue on nightline. :wink:

RkyMtnKJ · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:05 pm

agreed with everything said thus far, but also be sure to not to take a friend with you that has a cast on or no jacket.... :roll:

because they dont help if it gets like that...i spent 5 hours getting stuck, pulled out, and then driving the family that pulled me out back home when they backed up and slid into a 6' deep snowdrift...i learned my lesson

i did stay warm though so i was happy about an unhappy situation

look forward to wheeling with you guys this summer

BoyNamedSue · **Joined:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:32 pm **Posts:** 66

So let's say you do get stuck or break down in the middle of nowhere and have to hike out.
And let's say you have no mechanic friends or no friends to tow you out.
Once you get back to civilization will a tow truck go back there and get you out.
(Obviously the price would not be pretty, but would they go get it?)

Donkeykong · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:33 pm

BNS:
What state do you live in?

I would be willing to guess that there is someone on this board within an hour of you...
-Mark

BVCRD · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:54 pm

BoyNamedSue wrote:

So let's say you do get stuck or break down in the middle of nowhere and have to hike out.
And let's say you have no mechanic friends or no friends to tow you out.
Once you get back to civilization will a tow truck go back there and get you out.
(Obviously the price would not be pretty, but would they go get it?)

They would mine. It is still under warranty and the 3/36 warranty covers that. Also, my Geico roadside would come get me.

Donkeykong · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:04 pm

I dunno, I would imagine that our jeeps have the ability to get further off road than any tow truck... my sister had an expression she would always put in my face something to the effect of:

4x4 doesn't mean that you won't get stuck.
It just means that if you do get stuck, it will be in a much more inaccesible place.

Donkeykongs interpretation of a thread somewhere else.....maybe here wrote:

I read a thread on a board somewhere where some kids went out on the rubicon trail in a stock landcruiser, got stuck, and someone basically ended up towing them back to the trailhead...with a jeep.

If that party hadn't come by, someone had said that they would have had to leave the vehicle there over the winter, and the group of people would have been heli-lifted out.

This is what I read somewhere else, paraphrased into my own interpretation.
-Mark

BVCRD · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:08 pm

Donkeykong wrote:

I dunno, I would imagine that our jeeps have the ability to get further off road than any tow truck... my sister had an expression she would always put in my face something to the effect of:

4x4 doesn't mean that you won't get stuck.
It just means that if you do get stuck, it will be in a much more inaccesible place.

Donkeykongs interpretation of a thread somewhere else.....maybe here wrote:

I read a thread on a board somewhere where some kids went out on the rubicon trail in a stock landcruiser, got stuck, and someone basically ended up towing them back to the trailhead...with a jeep.

If that party hadn't come by, someone had said that they would have had to leave the vehicle there over the winter, and the group of people would have been heli-lifted out.

This is what I read somewhere else, paraphrased into my own interpretation.
-Mark

They have stuff that will get you out. Cargo Chopper.

chetos · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:26 pm

Better start watching "Man Vs. Wild"!

Seriously, though I've been out by myself and with a local group. I've never been with anyone from lost yet and can't wait till I do. The local's here kinda snub all Jeeps because "They are so expensive to MOD and maintain." They're into Samurai's and Aftermarket parts must be super cheap.

Going Off Road for a Newbie

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