Engineer Pass and trailers

[Kendal1219]

Sorry to invade your spot? I guess I thought the point of this forum was to find new places to explore, experience and enjoy. As long as you don't cause any harm to the location, no foul right?

 

[TheThom]

Right, like I said. The land's open to everyone. Locals get tired of tourists, but that's what you get for living somewhere nice. Locals in Hawaii don't like tourists surfing their secluded beaches. Locals in Nantucket get tired of Summer tourists as well. If they don't like it, they could move to Delaware. People don't drive from Houston to see Delaware.

Have fun! Enjoy the mountains! Take beautiful pics and post them on this site!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

You can see a video heading up to Engineer pass, ran out of video on the Go Pro before I got there. No big deal and I have never been told I could not do it. Went over Ophir, Imogene and Engineer and Black Bear last fall. Only went to the top of Black Bear, but think Black Bear could be done, but would require winching the trailer side ways an one switch back.

www.aspenXtrails.com

Bob

Bob, A couple Aspen trailer technical questions : What is the minimum road width you can u-turn your trailer? Can a Aspen trailer jack knife 90° to the tow vehicle?

All the trail listed above I see no problem with a purposely set up off road trailer. When it comes to BB I set out last year to be one of the first with a trailer. Mine is a much smaller trailer with a much tighter turning radius then your super capable Aspen and found no reasonable way down BB without a couple other winch equipped vehicles and experienced riggers to get it down. Even equipped the work involved and the other vehicles required would not qualify the trek the title of being able to DO IT with a trailer IMO.

BB does trail changes from year to year but last year was one of tightest I have seen in 20 years keep me from even think about attempting it. Maybe some day.

 

[John E Davies]

My only hesitation for towing a trailer up there is if you were forced to back up a narrow stretch for an extended distance to yield to uphill traffic. Otherwise, the terrain is easier than the published descriptions lead you to believe.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Martinjmpr]

Right, like I said. The land's open to everyone. Locals get tired of tourists, but that's what you get for living somewhere nice. Locals in Hawaii don't like tourists surfing their secluded beaches. Locals in Nantucket get tired of Summer tourists as well. If they don't like it, they could move to Delaware. People don't drive from Houston to see Delaware.

Have fun! Enjoy the mountains! Take beautiful pics and post them on this site!

Oh, I don't know. The locals certainly seem happy to take money from the tourists.

My only hesitation for towing a trailer up there is if you were forced to back up a narrow stretch for an extended distance to yield to uphill traffic. Otherwise, the terrain is easier than the published descriptions lead you to believe.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

That would be my concern as well. Having said that, I drove the Alpine loop from the Ouray/Silverton side and back last July in my bone-stock 07 4runner (even had the factory running boards on it) with 31's (265/70/16) and had no problems at all. There are really ony a couple of miles of true 4x4 road on the loop, maybe 2 miles on Cinnamon and 2 miles on Engineer.

Everything else could be done in a Camry.

 

[Aspen Trails Trailers]

My major concern on Black Bear is the second switch back after you pass the steps. And you are correct it did seem narrower this year than in the past. The second switchback has a tree at the end, away from the ledge. I had thought I could winch the trailer from that point. When I went to look at it last summer, the tree did not look to be the most stable. Ace and I were going to try it last year before/after the FJ Summit, but decided it would take a couple of vehicles as you stated. I still think it can be done, but is it worth the hassle. It is not something you are forced in to doing.

The spare tire keeps it from being a full 90 degree lock, and I really have no idea on the feet to uturn, but what ever the FJ is with long travel is what it is. I did gain a closer turning radius with the long travel, or at least it seems that way. I did John Bull with the trailer and had no real problems, Engineer and Cinnamon had some switch backs, but no real concern, no backing up. The first one down towards Telluride off of Imogene was most likely the sharpest and made it with no problems. My trailers have a very low center of gravity and can be leaned over a long ways, as the water is at axle level in a baffled tank. The trailer has never been a problem on any trail I have taken it on.

Bob

 

[DaJudge]

The "trailers and Mobile Homes (i.e. RVs) not allowed" is so some idiot doesn't try to tow his 5th wheel over the pass.

 

[Kendal1219]

The "trailers and Mobile Homes (i.e. RVs) not allowed" is so some idiot doesn't try to tow his 5th wheel over the pass.

That's pretty much what I was figuring, but didn't want to get in any trouble or get fined, etc.

 

[Aspen Trails Trailers]

I just remembered, we were on the point to the south of Engineer, had stopped to take pictures, what a beautiful area, as near to paradise as I have been I think,. We had put out the awning, NO WIND, and were just grabbing a bite to eat. The ranger pulled up, and was looking at my trailer. Said he had never seen anything like it up here before. I am not sure if it was the trailer or the Fox Wing, because he was all over the Fox Wing. Never said a word about being illegal, or to leave. Just drove off after about 20 minutes of talking.

 

[The Wizard]

I went over Imogene Pass (13 July 2008) in a Defender 90 pulling a unmodified M101 CDN 2, 1/4 ton, trailer with no problems. Was going to do "The Loop" but the D-90's check engine light came on and decided to head home after just doing Imogene.

 

[Aspen Trails Trailers]

Here are some pictures at the top of Imogene in late August or early September. Was starting to snow, and quite cold. I have video, but can not post that. Compressed versions are on my website.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

My major concern on Black Bear is the second switch back after you pass the steps. And you are correct it did seem narrower this year than in the past. The second switchback has a tree at the end, away from the ledge. I had thought I could winch the trailer from that point. When I went to look at it last summer, the tree did not look to be the most stable. Ace and I were going to try it last year before/after the FJ Summit, but decided it would take a couple of vehicles as you stated. I still think it can be done, but is it worth the hassle. It is not something you are forced in to doing.

The spare tire keeps it from being a full 90 degree lock, and I really have no idea on the feet to uturn, but what ever the FJ is with long travel is what it is. I did gain a closer turning radius with the long travel, or at least it seems that way. I did John Bull with the trailer and had no real problems, Engineer and Cinnamon had some switch backs, but no real concern, no backing up. The first one down towards Telluride off of Imogene was most likely the sharpest and made it with no problems. My trailers have a very low center of gravity and can be leaned over a long ways, as the water is at axle level in a baffled tank. The trailer has never been a problem on any trail I have taken it on.

Bob

Let me know, Im willing to give a go at this challenge with you.
A couple geeky facts to put the challenge in perspective. Your FJC with long arm travel gives you about a ~40' turning radius or about the same an 80 series Land Cruiser. To my embarrassment I measured the switch backs on my last trip down and would of been challenged with my truck and trailers ability to U-turn within 28' of width.

Not to totally hi-jack the original posters question - I believe an off road trailer should be designed and built to be as capable as the rig pulling it and go 96.5% of the place the pull rig goes. Having driven Engineer pass in basically a stock 100 series Land Cruiser I would not hesitate pulling my trailer up behind my 80.

 

[Aspen Trails Trailers]

Here is one at the point south of the pass on the Ouray side.

Thom, I must admit this is my favorite area. I spend a lot of time there dragging my trailers all over the place. This was during the 2009 FJ Summit and we took it on everything but Black Bear.

No problems taking a trailer on any but Black Bear and Poughkeepsie. I actually had problems with this trailer in the creek going up due to the small stones being so wet and moveable, they seemed to push and build up, got to the wall by pass and decided to turn around, as we were alone.

Thom, I could spend every summer there no problem. Actually are looking at buying property in Ouray. Almost bought last year, but it has become a toss up now with Duck Creek, Utah. Closer to home is the main reason. Utah is my favorite state, but Ouray is my favorite area.

Bob

 

[Kendal1219]

Let me know, Im willing to give a go at this challenge with you.
A couple geeky facts to put the challenge in perspective. Your FJC with long arm travel gives you about a ~40' turning radius or about the same an 80 series Land Cruiser. To my embarrassment I measured the switch backs on my last trip down and would of been challenged with my truck and trailers ability to U-turn within 28' of width.

Not to totally hi-jack the original posters question - I believe an off road trailer should be designed and built to be as capable as the rig pulling it and go 96.5% of the place the pull rig goes. Having driven Engineer pass in basically a stock 100 series Land Cruiser I would not hesitate pulling my trailer up behind my 80.

No worry of highjacking. My original question has been answered, as a few of you have said that you have been on Engineer Pass with a trailer and have had conversations with Rangers about them with no ill result. I thank all who responded and hope this has enlightened more folks than just little ole me. :beer:

 

[Martinjmpr]

The "trailers and Mobile Homes (i.e. RVs) not allowed" is so some idiot doesn't try to tow his 5th wheel over the pass.

Or his 30' three-axle airstream travel trailer.