Welcome to the Official SoCal BS/ Shenanigans, Tundras and What’s Happening Thread

You are free to post any I took

 

I disagree with this line of thinking. You should always attempt the hands down easiest method of extraction in any situation. That means if there are friends available to help, everyone should be involved. Ususally the fastest and safest way to extract someone is to just give them the strap. Digging, traction boards, jacks, these should all be the last resort. There are a lot of ways things can go wrong and people can get hurt. Also, NEVER have anyone near your truck. No one should be pulling on the bumper or in the bed or anywhere with in 20 feet when you attempt to get free. I'm not trying to lecture you, I just want to throw it out there for everyone to understand. The first thing you want to consider is to pull with another truck. If that is not feasible, then start considering other options. But let me give you an example:



this was earlier this year just north of the Salton Sea. Its hard to tell from the pictures, but the slope to the passenger side was pretty steep. We spent 10 minutes evaluating the recovery and a 2 min pull from my buddy Zac @Spolar and I was free. This walls were pretty loose dirt so we could have started digging, but that would not have been the quickest most efficient way to get free.

Now with that said, you should always know your tools and how to use them. If you are solo then duh of course you will have to use shovels or traction boards or whatever. In the above example, if I was by myself, then I probably would have spent a couple hours digging. There was nowhere to winch to. but I am never hesitant to make my homies get off their ass and help me get free and I will always be the first one on the scene to help another truck.

 

Also, whenever you get stuck, take pictures and post them. Its fun to look at and we might laugh at you, but other guys will learn from them

 

We'll post pics; I already identified one of me from the back that's least-bad (LOL).

The only thing I'm waiting for, is to know whether anyone got video of @sdde4n or me getting up the obstacle. If so, it will be coolest to post the video to give everyone a full story of the conditions (and irresistible temptation) involved.

I agree, I'll always jump right in to help. That said, as I'm still the only one consistently doing things on purpose with a risk of getting stuck, (and getting stuck!), and not wanting anyone to not invite me because I make work while we're all getting to know each other, it seemed like a very good idea to take point on self-initiated manual labour.

I appreciate your advice that it's better to pull than dig. @Cfinke and I both carry rope and shackles, and he offered to pull with his truck! I decided, base on my limited experience with extricating a massive, still-new truck this size, that it was safest (albeit slower) to dig out, as I felt we needed to dig even if we towed, rather than try pulling when the weight of the truck was resting on the 38 gallon gas tank (with stock plastic slid). Once we dug to the point I would have risked pulling, we tested extrication with MaxTrax (and weight ), and drove the truck out.

I guess I can hope to get stuck somewhere with at least one experienced off-roader that can hold my hand (figuratively) and demonstrate an extraction done the "right way".

Fair points, well made. Thank you for your advice. I'm here to learn!

 

Alex, wasn't Trona this weekend as well? How was it?

 

Again, I'm not trying to lecture or argue with you. This conversation would be much easier in person so you don't feel like I'm picking on you or something LOL But I want to address some of your points:

"self-initiated manual labor" I'm not sure I understand, but it sounds like maybe you wanted to "practice". If so, I totally understand. You should practice. But you should practice in a controlled environment, not in the middle of the trail after getting stuck. For one thing, you won't have the correct mind-set for learning. You are stuck in the middle of the trail with people in your group waiting on you. However nice these people are, they are in the back of your mind. Your job at this time is to extricate, not to learn.

"not wanting anyone to not invite me because I make work" LOL you're making more work by spending an hour digging then you would if you just let someone pull you.

I wasn't there so I will not comment on whether your decision was correct or not. But I will say a few things about this. First, the stock plastic gas tank skid is not delicate. I have dragged the a good portion of the weight of The Truck over rocks on the gas tank. Many times. Its designed to flex and the tank is strong enough to hold some weight. As long as you have some wheels on the ground to hold a little of the weight, the stock skid will hold up. I had problems with my bud built aluminum skid and I went back to the plastic skid and its holding up just fine. I won't go back to aluminum.

Second, I am not a fan of using traction boards. They should be a dead LAST resort. They can fly out from under a wheel, they can break apart if the weight distribution is not even, the nipples can be rubbed off, and they really don't provide more traction than dirt. The only real use for them is in soft sand. But even in soft sand, its much easier to just get a tug. I've been carrying them for years and they have only truly helped me exactly one time. every other time I got free with other methods. And I get stuck a lot. Ask anyone who wheels with me.

Again, I'll say this for every one else. Taking the strap is the best way to free someone. 9 out of ten times myself or anyone I wheel with gets stuck, we're pulling them out. I have never spent "an hour" getting a truck free. Most recovery takes 10 or 15 min max. Forget about everything you have ever seen in instagram or youtube. Forget about everything you read on expedition portal. Its all bullsht. I carry a hilift, 4 traction boards, I have a winch, basically I have everything you can think of. Those tools are only for very specific situations and they are rarely used.

 

HAHA! I messed that up and didn't look at my calendar before I started posting everywhere how excited I was to "leave in a week".

We're actually leaving this Fri for Spangler Hills and Trona Pinnacles. Anyone want to roll with us???

 

You post any pictures you have from my hord

 

Alex, I'm out, but we might see you on the road -- heading up 395 going fishing with my son on June Lake???

 

You leaving Fri? We'll be near Red Mountain on fri

 

I am, but probably not until 1:00 or so. I'll PM you.

 

Video of @sdde4n going up to obstacle that @Sunnier got stuck on.

 

Love June Lake! Was there in May. Fishing was slow but the scenery made up for it.

 

I also fished Upper Twin Lakesand Bridgeport Reservoir with the Sawtooth Range

 

This would have been my attempt to get out of that situation lol

 

Why didn't you guys strap up and pull you out?

*edit- nevermind, just read the few posts behind it.

 

^^^^^^ This! Seeing stuck trucks are the best. Always post pics when you get stuck.

 

Ooo dats nice

 

Guess: was body damage taken during this obstacle?



@osidepunker gatekeeper on John Bull


Bonus pic-

 

@eccracer104
Hey mike, you should post pics of the Tacomaworld meet. It looks like it was a big turn out

 

Damn it you beat me to it lol

 

Haha I would like too, but I didn’t really take many. Got a few on our trail run, but that’s about it. It was a HUGE turn out! So much fun

 

Your killin the trails Mike!

I vote yes on the body damage after looking at the bonus pic

 

I vote no. That spotter casually holding a beer speaks to his confidence that your line would see you though. Also, when I look close, you don't look stressed.

 

I still vote yes. I’ve seen Mike and his buddies drink beers while casually hacking off his exhaust in a big bear parking lot

 

No damage. You’re gonna go straight and your driver side front will drop off that rock and get you away from the rock.

 

Thanks brother!

We have a winner! Granted I was very stressed. His exact words “Just trust me! But if it causes damage it’s not my fault.”

Hahaha! This is also true

Shockingly I turned more passenger. Brought the front pass tire further up the rock and leveled the body out bringing it away from the rock. I wanted straight, but had to trust my spotter!