Wheelin'
Posted: August 4th, 2018, 11:02 am
My rig is on dirt roads all the time, and after a long cruise on a challenging trail last week, I think I've met the off-road limits of my Chinook. The hitch hit the dirt a couple times, but nothing happened. The dump port is pretty vulnerable, but it was fine; I'd like to put a camera there. I have a Bronco 4x4 oil pan on the transmission, and it hangs down a couple inches more than before, but that was never a problem.
Then ... I reached a washout that I couldn't pass. Too narrow, and too much exit angle for the Chinook's huge rear overhang, which is my primary limitation. So I had to reverse about 100 yards before I could turn around; that's fun on a one lane rocky trail with dense trees flanking both sides. Should have done more scouting on foot.
None of this would have phased my pickup, but it was a handful at times in the Chinook. I had to be very careful about the exhaust crossover under the engine, the hitch, and the dump port. Precision positioning is required to get around the larger rocks, and it's more challenging with duallies. It was dry so I didn't need more traction, but I certainly could have used more clearance, although that would not help the differential housing. I didn't reach my target destination, but still had a great time and found an outstanding spot.
From the photo, it looks like nothing, but it was deep and narrow. I would need at least a six inch lift to get past this. I wish I had more photos of the nasty bits, but I was concentrating on other things.
Then ... I reached a washout that I couldn't pass. Too narrow, and too much exit angle for the Chinook's huge rear overhang, which is my primary limitation. So I had to reverse about 100 yards before I could turn around; that's fun on a one lane rocky trail with dense trees flanking both sides. Should have done more scouting on foot.
None of this would have phased my pickup, but it was a handful at times in the Chinook. I had to be very careful about the exhaust crossover under the engine, the hitch, and the dump port. Precision positioning is required to get around the larger rocks, and it's more challenging with duallies. It was dry so I didn't need more traction, but I certainly could have used more clearance, although that would not help the differential housing. I didn't reach my target destination, but still had a great time and found an outstanding spot.
From the photo, it looks like nothing, but it was deep and narrow. I would need at least a six inch lift to get past this. I wish I had more photos of the nasty bits, but I was concentrating on other things.
