StumpXJ
SE Expedition Society
Well, the wife and I just got back from a 3 day camping/wheeling trip to Inor, France. We were invited by a German friend who belongs to a local Off-road club, so we took him up on his offer.
The trip consisted of 7 vehicles including my Tacoma, 2 Nissan Patrols, 2 Nissan Turrano's, and 2 Suzuki's. The two Patrols were the only two vehicles even semi-ready for an off-road adventure (atleast they had good tires...), one of them being my friends Patrol. I think in all there were 6 tow/snatch straps (4 were mine), about 12 shackles (10 were mine), one winch (yep... mine), and a whole lot of inexperienced drivers.
I have never claimed to be an expert on anything, and I thought for sure I was going to be playing "watch and learn" all weekend with these guys, expecting this "off-road club" to have more time on the trail than I. This was not the case, by any stretch of the imagination.
I realized this very quickly after sitting in the middle of the caravan of vehicles on our first trail of the weekend. We drove to the trail head, and about 100 yards into it everyone stopped. Everyone got out of their vehicles. and they were all looking at the trail ahead. I was a bit puzzled, not sure what was wrong, but managed to decipher (with their bad English, and my bad German), that they were not sure about making it through without getting stuck. They were looking at a section of maybe 6-8 holes that were staggered along the rutted trail. the kind of thing that **might** cause a rear tire to lift while the front drops down, but no way could it physically cause the vehicle to roll over, nor was it really muddy.
I honestly thought they were joking with me, being that I was the new guy. I mean they werent exactly driving Uni-Mog's or rock crawlers, but Im thinkin' my wifes subaru would have gone through it no problem. After I realised I was the only one laughing, I told them to move their vehicles off the trail, and I would go through it first. Of course, we went through with no trouble, and they all followed right after us, also with no trouble. This went on through most of the day, but with every new obstacle, they were getting braver and braver. It was cool to watch them actually learn the limits of their vehicles, and get a new respect for Off-roading.
By the end of the day today, they were all very much ready to take on the Rubicon trail (or so they thought), but extremely cool none the less. My winch and recovery abilities got a huge workout this weekend, and I made 14 pulls, most of which were me pulling vehicles up hills, and out of holes. Had to use a couple pully blocks a few times, dues to me being in the middle of the caravan a few times, but Bill Burke would have been proud because I got 'em all "Un Stuck".
There was only one really hairy moment when one of the Turrano's almost rolled down a hill after attempting a climb, then sliding back down sideways. Luckily he was smart enough to let go of the brake and was able to straighten it back up before it went over. I learned a few new German curse words then!
I also put the tacoma and snorkel through it paces with water up to the windshield a couple times, but my followers decided not to tempt it.
I was just glad everyone had a good time, nothing broke, and I think the next time we go offroading with this group, it will be even better.
Pics:
My wife ready for the trip, Taco is loaded down, at my buddy's hoouse.
My Buddy's Nissan Patrol, sweet truck! Big Turbo Deisel, solid front axle, 3 inch lift, new STT's, Factory Lockers etc.
Current sleeping quarters, roof top tent coming soon!
camp set-up
Dinner Time!
After dinner = German Beer! (Mmmm.... Beer.) Also, we had a 45 minute conversation about my regular old Coleman lantern. They thought it was the best thing since sliced bread!
The "hard trail" in the begiining of the run. The first Nissan Turrano gearing up for the big run
The trip consisted of 7 vehicles including my Tacoma, 2 Nissan Patrols, 2 Nissan Turrano's, and 2 Suzuki's. The two Patrols were the only two vehicles even semi-ready for an off-road adventure (atleast they had good tires...), one of them being my friends Patrol. I think in all there were 6 tow/snatch straps (4 were mine), about 12 shackles (10 were mine), one winch (yep... mine), and a whole lot of inexperienced drivers.
I have never claimed to be an expert on anything, and I thought for sure I was going to be playing "watch and learn" all weekend with these guys, expecting this "off-road club" to have more time on the trail than I. This was not the case, by any stretch of the imagination.
I realized this very quickly after sitting in the middle of the caravan of vehicles on our first trail of the weekend. We drove to the trail head, and about 100 yards into it everyone stopped. Everyone got out of their vehicles. and they were all looking at the trail ahead. I was a bit puzzled, not sure what was wrong, but managed to decipher (with their bad English, and my bad German), that they were not sure about making it through without getting stuck. They were looking at a section of maybe 6-8 holes that were staggered along the rutted trail. the kind of thing that **might** cause a rear tire to lift while the front drops down, but no way could it physically cause the vehicle to roll over, nor was it really muddy.
I honestly thought they were joking with me, being that I was the new guy. I mean they werent exactly driving Uni-Mog's or rock crawlers, but Im thinkin' my wifes subaru would have gone through it no problem. After I realised I was the only one laughing, I told them to move their vehicles off the trail, and I would go through it first. Of course, we went through with no trouble, and they all followed right after us, also with no trouble. This went on through most of the day, but with every new obstacle, they were getting braver and braver. It was cool to watch them actually learn the limits of their vehicles, and get a new respect for Off-roading.
By the end of the day today, they were all very much ready to take on the Rubicon trail (or so they thought), but extremely cool none the less. My winch and recovery abilities got a huge workout this weekend, and I made 14 pulls, most of which were me pulling vehicles up hills, and out of holes. Had to use a couple pully blocks a few times, dues to me being in the middle of the caravan a few times, but Bill Burke would have been proud because I got 'em all "Un Stuck".
There was only one really hairy moment when one of the Turrano's almost rolled down a hill after attempting a climb, then sliding back down sideways. Luckily he was smart enough to let go of the brake and was able to straighten it back up before it went over. I learned a few new German curse words then!
I also put the tacoma and snorkel through it paces with water up to the windshield a couple times, but my followers decided not to tempt it.
I was just glad everyone had a good time, nothing broke, and I think the next time we go offroading with this group, it will be even better.
Pics:
My wife ready for the trip, Taco is loaded down, at my buddy's hoouse.
My Buddy's Nissan Patrol, sweet truck! Big Turbo Deisel, solid front axle, 3 inch lift, new STT's, Factory Lockers etc.
Current sleeping quarters, roof top tent coming soon!
camp set-up
Dinner Time!
After dinner = German Beer! (Mmmm.... Beer.) Also, we had a 45 minute conversation about my regular old Coleman lantern. They thought it was the best thing since sliced bread!
The "hard trail" in the begiining of the run. The first Nissan Turrano gearing up for the big run
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