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first big wheeling trip need advice.

buffblazer

buffblazer

1/2 ton status
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at the first of Jan, im going up in the mountains with the girlfriend to a secluded cabin for a couple of days and im taking the blazer.

its not a bad trail but you gotta have at least a slightly modified rig to make it up there, and if it has snowed then you need to be set up pretty good.

Now my 86 k5 is setup pretty nice, 1 tons and 5 inch lift with shackle kit and no sway bar, BF mud terrain Km2's. 35/12.5/17

what do i need to have a safe trip and dependable trip, plus the recovery get up.


I need a locker, should i lock the front or rear?

I have a warn 12k winch and recovery points on the front and rear but what else to i need? straps and such?

Im looking for a spare and im gonna build a tire carrier for the rear bumper that can handle a 35 inch tall tire and will have a holder for high lift jack and 2 jerry cans

front will have 4 big offroad lights incase its dark by the time we get there.


Its not a long trip from the road but its way out in the middle of nowhere, i would love to load up on lots and lots of parts but i gotta have room for her and my bags, plus food, and the dog.

what else should i get? im willing to spend the money to be safe and prepared.
 
If there is no cell phone coverage, I'd try and bring a cb. Other stuff to keep warm and fed if your required to hike out in the event of a breakdown.

Don't know about the winch or locker but they certainly couldn't hurt. If it's going to be snowing, both would be nice. My kit just has extra fluids, fuses, some spare wire, basic tools along with the hi-lift. I've also been super happy I've brought latex gloves to use while I'm working on stuff in the mud or cold and then have to get back in and drive.aybe I'm a wuss.

I brought my girlfriend (now wife) camping out in the winter in sedona, az an only brought one sleeping bag. It was fun to try and keep warm, but not for more than one night. Id just making the truck as reliable as possible and make sure you can survive if it doesn't get you all the way there and back.
 
got any recomendations on a good radio?

im thinking it will have snow on the ground already, and we are trying to plan the trip for the snow, we kinda want that snowed in feeling. if we are there a couple of days or even a week it wont bother us if we have to wait to get out cause of the snow.
 
I'm not an expert on radios, but anything would be better than nothing. I've got a handheld that has weather reports which could be nice if regular radio reception is bad. I've heard the little handhelds are nice since you can stay in touch if you get separated.
 
For recovery I suggest getting an arb recovery/winch kit, I have one and its well worth the price if you ask me. It has a snatch block, shackles, tree saver, tow strap and winch extension line all in a nice bag. trust me It has saved my butt many, many, many times.

Second, for your hi-lift jack I suggest getting a heavy duty tie down strap. I use the strap to strap my axle to the frame when changing tires, that way you don't need to lift your truck as high with the hi-lift and it makes it a lot more stable.

dont forget your FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE. I feel that this is very important, I have gotten many flats and I could never think of driving back out with a smaller, less aggressive tire. You dont want to set yourself up for failure. A compressor and plug/valve stem kit would not hurt as well.

I would put a locker in the rear first, but if you can afford two, put two in.

As for tools and spare parts, I'm not sure. I know exactly what tools I need to work on my truck (I built the entire thing so I should) and I carry only those I need to keep weight down. but I would suggest a replacement U-joint for every one on your drive shafts and a u-joint clamp. other than that just bring out a basic tool bag and whatever special tool and part you can think of. But there are always stupid, unexpected failures. I once had to hitch a ride back to town to get a new cap an rotor (they fell off while pulling someone out, long story, lol)

Ill add more once I think of it, I hope this helps!
 
Oh!!!! and I also suggest that you familiarize yourself with how your winch works (Wiring) If it is an older Winch (I also have a warn m12000 that's 8ish years old) you should bring a few spare solenoids, I have had to replace mine, and winches have a nasty habit of breaking when you need them the most. you have a good winch and it should not let you down, the solenoids are the weak link.
 
I just ctrl-F'ed this thread and couldn't find the word "shovel" anywhere....:confused:

Bring a good quality (don't want the handle to break) aluminum scoop shovel if there's snow. Bring a good spade shovel too to chop up hardpack so you're aluminum shovel doesn't get totaled.

I always carry axes and hatchets, especially in the winter. They will chop up ice excellently, and are invaluable if there's brush around. If you need traction or flotation, sticking a bunch of brush and small branches under your tires does wonders.

Carry winch line extensions. I've used all 100' of mine plus everything on my winch and still been short before.

Come-alongs are cheap and can pull you sideways really well if you slide off a trail. They also work when your winch doesn't.

I would always recommend having a couple good chains. You can't winch with a hi-lift without one. They are really useful with come-alongs too. And they can be used for traction the same way as brush in a pinch.

Tubes of fire-paste (napalm) are great to have in an emergency. You can even start fire in pretty strong wind with it. You can buy it the camping section of just about any store like Wal-Mart, Fred Meyers, REI, etc.

Remember "cotton kills". Avoid it as much as possible and carry hydro-phobic clothing like fleece and poly-propylene. Wool is a good alternative too, but not as effective as polymers.
 
Friends.. Using the buddy system is a great idea. Not the buddy that will egg u n to trouble either but one who is level headed and sincable about things. bring the funny friend for entertainment and to eat... LOL just kidding. A pistol if you have one is nice as well. your common since, Tell people detailed where you are going. and how you might go to get there. Yes its that important. A good tool bag with all the common stuff youll need. Shelter, Heat, Light, Food, Water, Extra Water and Food. Good Knife, AXE, Shovel, YES YES on the getting to know your vehicle real well. Then know what you need different for each trip u take but always have the main stuff you always take. A Walmart CB will work just fine. But one with weather band is always great. Two ways and GPS are smart as well as maps. A hand helds cb as well as a mounted one also good idea. Good luck have fun b safe and Come on over to Grand Junction and wheel with us anytime
 
Be prepared for camping survival at the least. Prepare for the worst.

Communication: They do rent satelite phones. If you are a single vehicle and only a girlfriend with you while wheeling in the winter It'd be best to call for help if something can't be fixed easily. Breaking down as said above is (i'd imagine) is a whole lot different than breaking down with several trucks and drivers that have a lot of know-how.

Also, one thing to consider is to call several wheeling buddies and see if they are willing to make day trip to wheel the same trail you will be taking. Might help give you a little more piece of mind and familurize yourself with what to expect when you are by yourself.
 
Grab snow shoes for you and the girl...

If everything else fails and you have to hike out, you'll thank me for mentioning this...

I had to hike out in a couple of feet of snow... It took all day just to get a short ways until a Forest Ranger found me...

Bring a backpack so you can pack enough if you need to hike... Small tent, small sleeping bag, something to cook with and so on...


And post up pics of the trip when you get back...:D
 
camping trip

another big thing is tell poeple were exacly were you are and when you will be back so they can find you if things go wrong . bing a good compass and know how to use it and maps of area and know how to use them.but the first and for most thing to bring is the adult fun ideas for night time after you make it there . dont try to be that big of hero just be cool and fun. becareful driving watch what you are doing .
 
OK SOn you now have some of all our knowledge we are the Fathers of wheeling. So now go and Be Merry. And wheel and Love until your heart is content O and remember the words of your fathers and Bring back the Pictures
 
thanks for all the advice guys, never even thought about the shovel and i had the fire ext but i might get another one since this is kinda a small one.

i appreciate everything, if yall come up with anything else let me know, the next month of planning will be interesting and i will be looking back to this thread for more stuff.
 
Did somebody already mention plug wires, plugs, belts and rad hose? Those should be in the vehicle already, along with some of every fluid the vehicle uses.

It's also nice to carry a couple extra jugs of blue washer fluid. One to refill your tank and one to take the snow/ice off the parts you need to work on. If you happen to have one of those propane heaters that uses the little green canister, those make the snow wrenching easier. Don't forget the mechanix gloves. Floor mats keep the snow and slush out of the carpet and also make a great traction adder if needed.
 
Where exactly are you going? What trail, what area etc? It sounds like you have not wheeled much in the snow? You do realize that 3 inches of snow with a stiff wind can equal massive drifts? Up high you will have some serious issues getting anywhere in snow. Hence why all the guys up there play with Snow Machines. Are you sure you will be able to access the country? I live around junction and anything high in elevation can be impassible.
 
elks said:
Where exactly are you going? What trail, what area etc? It sounds like you have not wheeled much in the snow? You do realize that 3 inches of snow with a stiff wind can equal massive drifts? Up high you will have some serious issues getting anywhere in snow. Hence why all the guys up there play with Snow Machines. Are you sure you will be able to access the country? I live around junction and anything high in elevation can be impassible.
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im gonna be about 30 miles west of colorado springs in the divide. Its a cabin at about 9500 feet, friend owns it and as far as i know the trail to it is not very long or hard, but im wanting to do some wheeling if there are trails there, so right now im preparing myself.

your right i dont have much mountain snow experiance, did a lot up in wyoming but that was with 33 inch tires and 2 inch lift no lockers and such so the trails wernt that difficult.
 
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