Things You Learn on the Trail

[DOUG]

Post them here.  Everything.  Nothing is obvious if you haven't heard it or been part of it yet.

Thanks Jonathan for the basis of a great thread.

quote author = jgerhard

So in my 2013 wheelin' goals I wanted to get out on a major trip and ride with people and see/do some spotting.  So at Harlan here is what I learned, which may be normal to the veterans but for the junior squad I think this is valuable to put out there.

Airing down 3 pounds more can make a 100% difference in getting through the obstacle
Never lose your momemtum going uphill if you are hooking up
The shady part of a trail and the sunny part of the trail will have completely different traction
Synthetic winch line is awesome
An extension for a winch line is awesome
Winching up a massive hill is going to happen, you can always get up (who knew?)
Snatch blocks are awesome, bring more than one
Undercut rocks are not awesome
The toughest tires can get cut in a second
Need a chain and bolt to strap up your axle when you are hi-lift jacking so the axle doesn't droop
On the trail it would be useful to have more than one type of jack
Spare tires are awesome
TJs are awesome, JKs are comfortable, but also awesome
TJ back seats will break your back!
Bump it, gently
Deep set sockets!

Off camber goes way more off than I ever thought before the Jeep will get unstable
Don't have passengers move/exit when the vehicle is off camber unless they are really in danger
Tie down that off camber vehicle

Deep woods off gets rid of gnats, regular spray doesn't
Maps lie to you
Pork wrapped with bacon is freaking awesome on the grill

JRay has an invincible windshield he took a direct hit from a 2 inch rock off of a dump truck with no chip or crack

And I clearly saw the adage Never Wheel Alone

[kvom]

Waterproof boots or shoes for rides with lots of mud and puddles.

[Raisinhead]

Never leave your lunch in someone else's Jeep.

Always try to get people to leave their lunch in your Jeep.

[jgerhard]

I also learned that Bobby makes a mean peanut butter and jelly! 

[Krawler00]

Never wheel in flip flops... Never spout out random firing orders on motors unless you want to get laughed at...

[Raisinhead]

Never wheel in flip flops...

Realized it right when we got on the trails and was too excited to wheel to go all the way back to the cabins!!  No casualties so it worked out.

[DOUG]

Pour the water out of your cooler before you go off camber.

[cru9]

Bring plenty of Advil so when your friends take your lunch and eat it you can control your starvation headache.

[Krawler00]

Bump it means back up and hit it. Not roll 3 ft forwards, then hit it  //;D//

[Michigunman]

For TJ's (not sure if applies to JK's) don't park off camber on the trail.  If you are stopping to get out for whatever reason try to park on a flat as possible surface.  If you park at an odd angle your seat belt my lock up after you remove it and you will not be able to put it back on when you get back in the Jeep.  I have had this happen in situations where I really wanted my belt on before I started moving again but had to get rolling for a bit before it would release.

If there is another way to avoid this, I'm all ears!

[94xjsport94]

Never had that happen but two weeks ago on the trail I could unbuckle and get out... -_- pretty embarrassing to shimmy out of it lol

[Matt]

For TJ's (not sure if applies to JK's) don't park off camber on the trail.  If you are stopping to get out for whatever reason try to park on a flat as possible surface.  If you park at an odd angle your seat belt my lock up after you remove it and you will not be able to put it back on when you get back in the Jeep.  I have had this happen in situations where I really wanted my belt on before I started moving again but had to get rolling for a bit before it would release.

If there is another way to avoid this, I'm all ears!

Happens to me all the time and a few times in very dangerous situations. Get some real harness and a seat belt bar welded in behind the seats?