to wheel or not to wheel

[findleywarren]

Looking for 2 cents from the croud-I was approached by a guy on the mog list today asking me to sell my trailer. I have been thinking about this for along time. The question is do I sell my trailer, buy new tires and build a small expedition camper box? Or do I stay the wheeling route, towing to moab/rubicon and able to do the toughest trails with weekend camping included. The decision to sell the trailer has vast implications on how I use the vehicle. If I sell it I could get rid of my tow rig for something that actually gets gas milage, will I be able to afford a rig and trailer like this again?. Except for the tire wear Im half way completed with a camping trailer so I can kind of complete both goals at once. The tires are what is keeping me from driving long distance, but without the trailer sale I have no way of spending $2500 for better road tires (2 kids in private school). What say you PORTAL.

 

[findleywarren]

expo vs moab rim

 

[Chas Stricker]

Warren,
How much better time would you make with your truck and trailer combo? There is something nice about being able to drive home even if you smoke your mog. When everything is working well the mog is great, but, if you have an issue you hope you can fix it to get home. How limiting would the camper be on your mog? Would you just pull a trailer or are you talking of building camper for your mog? I pull a trailer with mine and it's not fast. I do it, but, I also don't get in a hurry up passes.
Chas

 

[rhodos]

Hi Warren,

if it where me i would sell the the trailer and the F250, buy a car that get the double gas mileage (invest the saved gas money into the Mog ;-) ). For road travels with the Mog i would change to a semi tire profile (maybe change to 22.5 rims), this will make a comfortable ride and save some gas compared with the V - profile you are running now. Throw the 4 offroad wheels onto the flatbed and change before trailrides.

Btw. we made White Rim trail in 2004 with the 417 and the camper box with no problems and last year we drove it with a stock 2 wd Chevy Trailblazer (rental car - dont tell Hertz ;-) )

hth, Werner

 

[findleywarren]

wheeling

Well, white rim has never been the question, even with a big camper on the back that could be done. Once I put a camper on the back of the mog stuff like pritchet canyon and poison spider would never be run again in the vehicle. The question about time is valid. It takes 4.5 hrs to tow to moab plus loading and unloading. Eric Johnson told me, last time he drove his mog to moab it took 8 hrs and he has a turbo. I guess the true question is will I use the vehicle more than I do now in a bit slower but more comfortable expo form. Im taking care of the packing camping gear issue with a expo trailer build. With a camper on the back the expo trailer would go away. Im stuck between worlds at the moment. Cant put something like a FWC on the truck because of money and using the gooseneck trailer. Cant fit the mog and a camper on the trailer. Could build a camper on the mog but that requires that I sell the trailer and no more difficult trails, How do I find my happy place at the intersection of lots of gear but lack of time and money?

 

[Skylinerider]

Are those harder trails like Pritchet a priority? I have seen lots of guys go back and forth with rigs. On one hand they want something nice that they can take on moderate stuff, but still camp with, on the other hand they like the challenge of the hard stuff.

 

[findleywarren]

wheeling

Good point-I guess Im a adrenalin junky at heart. I know every time I go on one of those trails Im 1/4 scared for my life and 3/4 scared about destroying the truck. Yes maybe Im looking for the best of all worlds and will not find what Im looking for. But the memory of sheer horror on my wifes face during the last trip on hell's revenge, keeps me warm and happy during the long Utah winters. :hehe:

 

[Chas Stricker]

Warren you are too funny and brave. I think I'll bring a trailer to keep my wife happy and a quad to go where it's nasty. I'm chicken though. When my truck is down I'm walking or stealing on the the daughter's cars.
Chas

 

[findleywarren]

wheeling

I really cant go where I want pulling a standard camp trailer. I either pull a expo type trailer and keep life as it is ,or build a camper on the back of the mog and get rid of alot of stuff. The mog is still going to be hot, heavy and slow either option I take.