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BB Tech Inspection

Howabout the broken rig buys dinner for everyone who was held up?:haha:

I bought everyone involved with my recovery (except for Jason) breakfast the next morning at Denny's. Jason chose to sleep in :haha:

I do Believe I tech inspect your Blazer all the time... :doah:

The point wasn't that I didn't think you should be on the trail, the point was that nobody would have told you not to be on the trail. You have a light rig and it should have been fine with the 1/2 ton axle, but it wasn't. Much like my rig should have been fine with the stock dana 60 knuckles on 38's, but it wasn't...
 
On this topic I wasn't fully prepared this year, my cb was not working. Other than that I think I was good.

I do think there should be a tech inspection of some sort, it doesn't have to be complicated, it can be very simple.

Battery tie down, Tow points front and rear, an actual tow strap, spare tire or means to plug a tire.

Now I think this should be done ASAP, In all honesty I would be perfectly willing to help someone rig up a tow point, it can be done rather quickly with minimal tools and investments but those things should be done before blazer bash.

I do not think the requirements should be too much. I have seen too many "lesser equipped" rigs spank the other rigs because the driver knew the trail or was just a flat out good driver.
 
would this then require a rulebook?

To run an easy trail you need XXX equipment.

To run a moderate trail you need XXXXX equipment.

To run a Difficult trail you need XXXXXXX equipment.

To run a Storm Trooper trail you need ?????:whistle:

:D:waytogo:
Ouch! You never ran a trail with me so how would you know what's required?
I don't require much. Happy people having a good time. Bring some food in case I get hungry and ALWAYS bring refreshments for when I drag your a$$ off the trail after you broke :haha::haha::haha:.
Back to the real point. 90% of the guys that wheel with us do take the time to make sure everything is all good (except the few that fly in and think they have a right to bitch.... zimm).
It's only a few that can mess things up by not taking the time to even check the oil level. ONLY those are the guys I worry about.
Anyone else that happens to break is what it is, deal with it.
I've done every BB and I've wheeled with Fox & many others that thought I couldn't make a trail on 38.5's and half tons but I did.
I've broke very little in all the years but when I did break, I've had 5 guys under my truck working on it until 3:30 AM so we could all do the trail the next day. NOW THAT'S THE BROTHERHOOD!!!:bow::bow::bow:
I don't really think we need TI as much as we need to put a little fear of god into the lazy ones. That's all.
BTW, I'm doing Zimms inspection :D LOL!
 
On this topic I wasn't fully prepared this year, my cb was not working. Other than that I think I was good.

My CB hasn't been hooked up in years, and I led a trail this year, it's stupid but I guess that gets pushed back behind other things.

As far as tech inspections, I had to replace the power steering pump the morning of BB and it leaked after that. On the low pressure side, slowish leak but constant, tough to pinpoint, I tried at least five times through the weekend to find it. Not sure if the extended reservoir had a leak that went behind the bracket or what. Regardless, plenty of fluid in my PS system, I filled it at the beginning of each day (plenty of extra, went through maybe 1/3 of a quart through the whole weekend) but would I have passed others inspection?

As a fake trail leader the last few years (the Watson's always took over for me) and actually doing it this year, it's awful tough to turn someone away from a trail. Yeah, many will say "it's what you have to do, turn them back" but it's almost always someone's buddy who will "be just fine". IME, they are fine. I know last year on Pritchett was bad, I missed that one.


I guess my .02 is that the more we talk about this tech inspection stuff the less I like it. As a potential trail leader, or one sympathetic for other trail leaders, telling someone to leave is tough especially when it's a friend of others making the run.

From the suggestions of others that have lead Pritchett before I was advised to turn back rigs that couldn't make the first big obstacle without major assistance and I like that kind of stance.


My favorite idea is to have people go check each others rigs to make sure nothing major is missed.
 
In all reality I think the only things truly needed to be looked at are tow points, battery tie downs, and having a strap or something else you can use to extricate yourself with.

I went on alot of trail rides in my zuk where folks didn't want me to come cause, well a sami can't make that trail. I did every time. Have had the same thing in my blazer and in Horton. Oh your a full size this trail is for jeeps etc etc etc.

I will be the first to stay back with the guys who might be having problems and the first to help those who aren't prepared quite enough.
 
The point wasn't that I didn't think you should be on the trail, the point was that nobody would have told you not to be on the trail. You have a light rig and it should have been fine with the 1/2 ton axle, but it wasn't. Much like my rig should have been fine with the stock dana 60 knuckles on 38's, but it wasn't...
behind the rocks wasn't that bad, I've done alot worse trails on 1/2 tons. the trail had nothing to do with it, it was just time to go boom. I was on a sand wash when it started making noise.
 
I like the idea of a safety checklist

and a recovery checklist

maybe this could go out as a confirmation when people register for BB?
i know there's a supply checklist in the tech articles,
but maybe one set up more specific to the moab area? definitly a safety/recovery/overall setup list would be a good idea. i know i'd def appreciate having one.


theres a lot of new guys (myself included-hoping to make next years) that dont want to come out there and make an ass out of myself by doing something or not being prepared simply on not knowing.
i just dont have rock experience. so a basics CYA sheet would def make me feel more comfortable to make the trip.
 
Ouch! You never ran a trail with me so how would you know what's required?
I don't require much. Happy people having a good time. Bring some food in case I get hungry and ALWAYS bring refreshments for when I drag your a$$ off the trail after you broke :haha::haha::haha:.
Back to the real point. 90% of the guys that wheel with us do take the time to make sure everything is all good (except the few that fly in and think they have a right to bitch.... zimm).
It's only a few that can mess things up by not taking the time to even check the oil level. ONLY those are the guys I worry about.
Anyone else that happens to break is what it is, deal with it.
I've done every BB and I've wheeled with Fox & many others that thought I couldn't make a trail on 38.5's and half tons but I did.
I've broke very little in all the years but when I did break, I've had 5 guys under my truck working on it until 3:30 AM so we could all do the trail the next day. NOW THAT'S THE BROTHERHOOD!!!:bow::bow::bow:
I don't really think we need TI as much as we need to put a little fear of god into the lazy ones. That's all.
BTW, I'm doing Zimms inspection :D LOL!

Hey Dave, not sure if you noticed, but I'm not one to go hungry...I'll be prepared with food and drink, even enough for you to come raid my cooler too.
As far as flying in and bitching, I try to get along with everyone, and in reality just avoiding a bad situation, I'm all for. Maybe I err on the side of caution, or maybe I have TT disease (Tiny Testes) but there were some people doing stuff, I might have preferred to have taken more of a safety measure on. Maybe a winch or safety line hooked up, but that would slow things down too.
And Dave, I'm sure you can pick apart my truck when I get there, and I welcome that, the more eyes the better, but I do want to come as prepared as I know how to. I don't have the experience to wheel as most others do in Moab, I'll be the first to admit that, so I will need coaching, spotting, and guidance, just not babysitting.

In all reality I think the only things truly needed to be looked at are tow points, battery tie downs, and having a strap or something else you can use to extricate yourself with.

I went on alot of trail rides in my zuk where folks didn't want me to come cause, well a sami can't make that trail. I did every time. Have had the same thing in my blazer and in Horton. Oh your a full size this trail is for jeeps etc etc etc.

I will be the first to stay back with the guys who might be having problems and the first to help those who aren't prepared quite enough. [/quote]


I would certainly jump out to help someone also, and did this year, maybe not always for the best though (antifreeze shower comes to mind)
But knowing you have help available isn't a reason to come with a poorly maintained, or unsafe truck.
Eric your truck is stupid simple...reliable as a rock, and capable as any out there. Horton is amazing. I know that type of build comes from years of wheeling and building. I was amazed at what it would do, even with me behind the wheel and some good spotting/coaching. Thanks again to you and Chaddy for helping me, it made it seem almost easy.


maybe this could go out as a confirmation when people register for BB?
i know there's a supply checklist in the tech articles,
but maybe one set up more specific to the moab area? definitly a safety/recovery/overall setup list would be a good idea. i know i'd def appreciate having one.


theres a lot of new guys (myself included-hoping to make next years) that dont want to come out there and make an ass out of myself by doing something or not being prepared simply on not knowing.
i just dont have rock experience. so a basics CYA sheet would def make me feel more comfortable to make the trip.

I'm sure everyone was a noob at one time, so for you experienced guys, thanks for your help with us noobs and learning the ropes. I want to enjoy myself, and my truck while I'm there, and a big part of that would come from experienced guys who know how to spot, and coach me along when needed, and not let me get in over my head. As I've mentioned before, we don't have any big rock like that in MI....I simply don't have the experience with it.
 
behind the rocks wasn't that bad, I've done alot worse trails on 1/2 tons. the trail had nothing to do with it, it was just time to go boom. I was on a sand wash when it started making noise.

Exactly, a tech inspection/trail requirement wouldn't have caught that. You're a certified mechanic and go over your own rig very thoroughly and still sh*t happens even to the best inspected rigs out there.

I could see a quick tech inspection at the trail head catching the worst offenders. Check for a working CB (sorry, I think that should be a must), front and rear tow points that are beefy enough to recover the rig with if necessary, and a quick look-over to make sure the rig isn't obviously bodged together. I could also see a trail leader using the "tech inspection" to boot people out that they either don't like or if they don't want to help a noob through a tougher trail. Inspect just about every rig out there close enough and you're sure to find something wrong.
 
Exactly, a tech inspection/trail requirement wouldn't have caught that. You're a certified mechanic and go over your own rig very thoroughly and still sh*t happens even to the best inspected rigs out there.

I could see a quick tech inspection at the trail head catching the worst offenders. Check for a working CB (sorry, I think that should be a must), front and rear tow points that are beefy enough to recover the rig with if necessary, and a quick look-over to make sure the rig isn't obviously bodged together. I could also see a trail leader using the "tech inspection" to boot people out that they either don't like or if they don't want to help a noob through a tougher trail. Inspect just about every rig out there close enough and you're sure to find something wrong.

I agree with all of that ^ :thumb:
When I broke my t-case adapter a couple of years ago on Hells Revenge , it seemed to me to be the cumulative abuse of 2 prior days of wheeling and the latter half of the previous day towing a first gen K5 trailer out of Pritchett.... Would not have caught that in a tech inspection.....
 
I agree with all of that ^ :thumb:
When I broke my t-case adapter a couple of years ago on Hells Revenge , it seemed to me to be the cumulative abuse of 2 prior days of wheeling and the latter half of the previous day towing a first gen K5 trailer out of Pritchett.... Would not have caught that in a tech inspection.....

You didn't tow me out of pritchett, I pushed you... :haha:
 
Riiiiight.............:rolleyes:























Maybe it would be more accurate to say I carried your K5 out in the bed of my truck......:doah:
 
How about, your truck replaced one of my wheels that just happened to be missing :haha:
 
This is not a new opinion, just happens to be mine too:

I say check for the basics like tow points, CB (mine rarely works, I'd need to work on that), fire extinguisher, spill containment, roll over protection for occupants, seat belts, recovery gear, spare tire/repair equipment, first aid kit.

If nothing else these are items that make our organization more professional for checking, safety for occupants and equipment to minimize environmental damage when breakdowns happen.

They do this inspection on the UA trips and while it's not a big deal, I do have to think to make sure all the gear is in place and ready for use.

A short trailride sorts out a lot of the problems with carbs and so on and could be an opportunity for some coaching on driving technique also.
 
that way you know everyone gets the memo. and if they dont comply. its their fault. not just becuase "some dickhead tech inspector" didnt want to let them play.
 
1st off, Zimm I was just giving you a hard time :D
I'm love to wheel with you but also still give you a hard time for the heck of it :thumb:
This is not a new opinion, just happens to be mine too:

I say check for the basics like tow points, CB (mine rarely works, I'd need to work on that), fire extinguisher, spill containment, roll over protection for occupants, seat belts, recovery gear, spare tire/repair equipment, first aid kit.

If nothing else these are items that make our organization more professional for checking, safety for occupants and equipment to minimize environmental damage when breakdowns happen.

They do this inspection on the UA trips and while it's not a big deal, I do have to think to make sure all the gear is in place and ready for use.

A short trailride sorts out a lot of the problems with carbs and so on and could be an opportunity for some coaching on driving technique also.
Lots of good points here but....
I've never carried a spare :whistle: I do carry some extra rubber and a tube w/beadlocks :dunno:.
But you don't have a CB that works :thumb:
I don't have a cage but I do have a hard top, not just a windshield. I feel fairly safe, not totally. I hope to get to this someday.
I've always ran a carb. but some can't get it dialed so a test run is good.
Yes we should have a basic requirement for carrying safety gear etc.
If you wheel, why wouldn't you have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit etc. Flashlights, spot light and so on.
My only point is to find the guy with unmaintained trucks that can make it over the curb stops at city market. It's no fun for anyone to wheel with them. I don't think it should be dumped on trail leaders either. It should be a pre-group thing.
I also think JMS had a great point on the phone tonight and as a trail leader, I'd like to have spec.s on every truck that wants to run with me.
I want to know, who has a CB, who's one ton, who's 1\2 ton on 46's etc.
It would help us decide on where in the group they should be.
I don't want to get things too crazy or guys just won't show up.
Bring what you've got, drive it for what you built, not what you want it to be and bring it in shape to make it through what you choose.
 

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