Need some beginners advice.

elcid79

Test Drive
Location
Zion
I have never done any off roading. A few months ago I bought a new 2014 pro4x to haul supplies for a home renovation project I was working on. I also like to duck hunt so I figured I could tie a boat with it pretty easy.


Well I am considering heading up to durhamtown tellico for a little off roading. Camping. And fly fishing.

With that said, I have no idea what I am doing. They claim they have easy to advanced trails.

Which sounds good to me. If I can stick to the easy ones. And perhaps a few mid levels of I am feeling more daring.

So any advice would be greatly appreciated.

My biggest priorities are pretty simple. One staying safe. Two not messing up my car. And three having fun.

Thanks in advance.


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Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
First and foremost, if you haven't already, familiarize yourself with the principle of treading lightly

http://www.xterranation.org/showthread.php?1226-Why-Tread-Lightly!...

Essentially, pack out what you pack in, leave nothing but tire tracks, stay on the trail, and don't be an ass.

That being said, another important thing is to not wheel alone. It's one thing to go down a dirt road to a destination. Its quite another to explore Tellico on your own. If you insist on doing it, make sure you have enough recovery gear to get yourself out if you are stuck, communication equipment for calling for help such as a CB or HAM (if there's no cell service, of course) and make sure to let others know where your going and an expected return time so that if you fall off the face of the earth, someone notices.

Aside from safety for your rig in general, other people can help spot over objects that you need to climb or descend. So keep that in mind also.

It's very possible to get in over your head in more extreme terrain if you've never wheeled before. And I'm in no way challenging your personal / vehicular capabilities....but it would be a good thing to have someone who has wheeled before go with your on your first expedition. Someone that understands the terrain and has been there before to know where to take you as far as trail difficulty.

You mentioned having fun, and that's what its all about. This is one of those times where having fun and staying safe go hand in hand.

Stay safe, and wheel on!
 

mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
I suggest you find some offroaders in your local area and take your truck on a trail ride with them. Ideally it would be this trail you are interested in. They can help you learn what your truck is capable of and also help out if you get into a jam.

It is safer to travel offroad with multiple vehicles for obvious reasons. If this trip tou are planning is solo then you need to do the following to prepare:
1. Get some practice driving your truck offroad so you understand its capabilities and limitations.
2. Develop your offroad driving skills so that you know how to handle your truck in various offroad situations
3. Scout these trails you want to run and know what to expect.
4. Equip your truck properly to travel offroad. Tow straps, a radio cb/ham, trail maps, etc. if you are out west and planning to head out on your own you may need different equipment than say here in TN where I am. You may need extra fuel, water, etc because you can find yourself much further from civilization.

Where exactly are you? You mention a Tellico trail that sounds like you might be near TN but your profile says zion.
 

drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Check out www.wentwindrock..com
We offer all types of trails and our guides will show you the right way to have fun.. It's all about safety and fun.

Also there are local clubs that you can hit the trails with
 

Intender

Wheeling
Location
Lewisville NC
Also remove things like step rails and mud flaps. They take time to remove and put back on, but thats better than crushing them or ripping them off. Never been to tellico, but Uwharrie opens next week and they have lots of good trails to start on. There are always some guys from here heading to Uwharrie.
 

slantyshanty

Bought an X
Location
'Merica (DFW)
Only real way to learn is doing it. The X is a pretty dang capable rig, even stock. Do you have manual or automatic transmission? Definitely a difference in driving off road between the two. Absolutely find someone else to go with, preferably with their own vehicle. If not, at least you will have someone to cuss with if you get stuck. Take water! More than you think you will drink. Granted this is an extreme case but you can live many days without food but can die in hours without water. I don't know the area but do you know if there is cell coverage? Don't forget the cell phone charger! I know it seems dumb but I have made all of these mistakes except the dying part. Sucked ass every time. Most of all, have fun!
 

elcid79

Test Drive
Location
Zion
No worries about treading lightly, I like to leave as little of an impact on the environment as possible when I am out enjoying nature. When I hunt, I collect all of my shells, I don't leave anything in the field. And when I camp, pack in pack out.
 

Intender

Wheeling
Location
Lewisville NC
And if the trip is planned in advance i might be able to join you for the trip if you want to head to tellico or uwharrie. Probably get a few more to join in as well.
 

elcid79

Test Drive
Location
Zion
Sounds like a good time! I am going to go to tellico today. Mostly to just camp and fish and check it out.

Nothing difficult in my future. But if we get a group together that sounds like a lot of fun.


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elcid79

Test Drive
Location
Zion
Just got back. Had a great time. The people there are very very nice.

The park is huge, with some trails that are much more challenging than I think most could accomplish. However there are plenty of easy and moderate ones as well.

The xterra held its own no problems. I only bottomed out a few times and hit my hitch once. A good in fender trailer mount seems like a worth while upgrade though.

I managed to get out with only a minor scratch which should buff out nicely and a broken trailer 7-pin outlet. All in all a very successful first attempt.

I stuck to the green and blue trails.

I was very impressed with how the xterra handled the harder stuff. Particularly the hill descent feature was fantastic.

I rounded a corner to a drop that was much steeper than I was comfortable with. Wet also.

Engaged the hill descent and it literally crawled down the hill. Slower than I believed possible.

Thanks for the advice.

John.

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Last edited:

civicjoe

lone wolf mod
Founding Member
Location
Nevada
Yeah most guys, make a cut out in their bumper for their hitch wiring, due to that exact reason, and i got so sick of banging my hitch on stuff i got rid of it and just went to a full bumper replacement,
 
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