Well ExPo, I had some questions and major concerns this past weekend, but would like to get some help and discussion going for future needs possibly for my Frontier.
I was outside Zion NP this past weekend during the massive storms we had in Utah, and was hoping to see Redbull Rampage as well. As it turned out, my plans were foiled by the weather. Upon waking up at 3:30 am on top of Gooseberry Mesa, just outside the town of Rockville, I knew I was in for some exciting times. Inside of the RTT, I watched as the tent constantly was illuminated by flashing lightning, crackling the closer it got. Fearing electrocution and having to explain to my parents "I parked on a high point, opened a tent on top of my car, and burned to a crisp," I retreated towards the crew cab. A sleepless night meant morning grouchiness for all and the rain continued pounding the car. I knew we would need to leave this spot, as radar had a stronger storm coming in. We quickly closed camp and made our way off the deathtrap of a mesa, and the "fun" soon began...
Here is where my story begins it's post-worthy discussion.
Wet Rocks and washboard sand had enough grip for the Frontier on stock tires, but that "Desert Soap," wet clay, sticky stuff, really caused a quagmire. Passing a stuck AWD honda, and tacoma, I soon found myself sliding sideways. It should be noted I asked if the group needed a hand winch out/ quick tow, I would not leave anyone, but the stuck group was going to stick it out and wait out the storm. I continued on, my steering wheel useless and the truck going from washout to washout. I had little control if you could even consider what was happening "control." Further down the road, VDC turned off to continuously feather the pedal and try to clear the muck, I slide sideways again, this time, 15 yards from a brand new Land Rover (*I am proud of this moment, little frontier being more capable at the time). After feathering along in 4Lo, and them also stuck saying they will wait out the storm as well, I found some more solid footing and exited the DeathTrap Mesa. Near the bottom, the hail started on the washed out section down to the rocks.. For anyone that knows this area, this is the steepest part... I cringed as the back corner panels snuck by a jutting rock...scraping the water off the paint.
I was nervous, scared, and upset. The truck, while performed better than most, it performed in a manner poor enough. Coming from an 88 Jeep Cherokee (albeit with Duratracs) that would have eaten this track with a smile and empty stomach, I would have expected the new truck to be confident and inspiring. I am left wondering however, whether "older is better."
Not to be scared again, I am going above and beyond my duties and looking at new tires above the stock ones, but fear conditions like this may need more to create a secure feeling. Extra weight in the back? I was loaded down with gear but maybe a steel bumper could assist?
I know "impassible when wet" means exactly that, and my job gains me practice driving on roads like this, but I seriously need some help to outfit the truck for ALL conditions.
Will Cooper AT3's be the answer?
More weight in the back?
Max Trax?
Do I use my knowledge to never put myself in that situation again...YES. I will NEVER take something like this lightly again, and truthfully, put myself in that position to begin with. However, with a vehicle that I consider joining a SAR group with, I might need to be capable of going places like that again. And staying on the mesa and waiting it out made me nervous for my own safety in that storm. I also fear that my pickup will be rendered useless in snowstorms if that is the case in mud as well. If anyone has experience in wet, desert driving, I would love to hear how to make it better. I trust the Frontier will be the vehicle for me, but this shortcoming and danger I felt, not even pushing 4000 miles on the rig yet, gives me a pessimistic gut check.
Thanks for listening and I hope to get some help!
I was outside Zion NP this past weekend during the massive storms we had in Utah, and was hoping to see Redbull Rampage as well. As it turned out, my plans were foiled by the weather. Upon waking up at 3:30 am on top of Gooseberry Mesa, just outside the town of Rockville, I knew I was in for some exciting times. Inside of the RTT, I watched as the tent constantly was illuminated by flashing lightning, crackling the closer it got. Fearing electrocution and having to explain to my parents "I parked on a high point, opened a tent on top of my car, and burned to a crisp," I retreated towards the crew cab. A sleepless night meant morning grouchiness for all and the rain continued pounding the car. I knew we would need to leave this spot, as radar had a stronger storm coming in. We quickly closed camp and made our way off the deathtrap of a mesa, and the "fun" soon began...
Here is where my story begins it's post-worthy discussion.
Wet Rocks and washboard sand had enough grip for the Frontier on stock tires, but that "Desert Soap," wet clay, sticky stuff, really caused a quagmire. Passing a stuck AWD honda, and tacoma, I soon found myself sliding sideways. It should be noted I asked if the group needed a hand winch out/ quick tow, I would not leave anyone, but the stuck group was going to stick it out and wait out the storm. I continued on, my steering wheel useless and the truck going from washout to washout. I had little control if you could even consider what was happening "control." Further down the road, VDC turned off to continuously feather the pedal and try to clear the muck, I slide sideways again, this time, 15 yards from a brand new Land Rover (*I am proud of this moment, little frontier being more capable at the time). After feathering along in 4Lo, and them also stuck saying they will wait out the storm as well, I found some more solid footing and exited the DeathTrap Mesa. Near the bottom, the hail started on the washed out section down to the rocks.. For anyone that knows this area, this is the steepest part... I cringed as the back corner panels snuck by a jutting rock...scraping the water off the paint.
I was nervous, scared, and upset. The truck, while performed better than most, it performed in a manner poor enough. Coming from an 88 Jeep Cherokee (albeit with Duratracs) that would have eaten this track with a smile and empty stomach, I would have expected the new truck to be confident and inspiring. I am left wondering however, whether "older is better."
Not to be scared again, I am going above and beyond my duties and looking at new tires above the stock ones, but fear conditions like this may need more to create a secure feeling. Extra weight in the back? I was loaded down with gear but maybe a steel bumper could assist?
I know "impassible when wet" means exactly that, and my job gains me practice driving on roads like this, but I seriously need some help to outfit the truck for ALL conditions.
Will Cooper AT3's be the answer?
More weight in the back?
Max Trax?
Do I use my knowledge to never put myself in that situation again...YES. I will NEVER take something like this lightly again, and truthfully, put myself in that position to begin with. However, with a vehicle that I consider joining a SAR group with, I might need to be capable of going places like that again. And staying on the mesa and waiting it out made me nervous for my own safety in that storm. I also fear that my pickup will be rendered useless in snowstorms if that is the case in mud as well. If anyone has experience in wet, desert driving, I would love to hear how to make it better. I trust the Frontier will be the vehicle for me, but this shortcoming and danger I felt, not even pushing 4000 miles on the rig yet, gives me a pessimistic gut check.
Thanks for listening and I hope to get some help!
