Alabama Goes to Moab - Trip Planning Thread

I will add you!! Glad to hear from you!!

 

I'm in

 

well hello there! I'll add you to the list.

 

Hey guys,
I officially have to pull out of this trip. I was voluntold that I will be attending a pilot program for work. If anything changes I will let you know but it's not looking good.
Hopefully I'll make it to Moab sometime in the near future but this year isnt shaping up to work in my favor.
Thanks.

 

ugh I hate being voluntold to do things. Moab 2018 for sure then.

 

Since the real planning needs to start here is something to add to the list. Spare parts. Would make sense that we split these up among those going so we don't have everyone bringing a hi lift jack for instance. Please add to the list or volunteer to bring something especially if they have some of this stuff laying around. I have extra brake lines (not extended type), JB Weld and tons of brake fluid. I would like to leave my hi lift is someone will volunteer to bring theirs. Anyone planning on bringing a bunch of tools in the list provided on post 1?

Spare Parts
Serpentine belts
Alternator
Radiator fluid
JB Weld
Upper and lower radiator hose
Plugs
Extended brake lines
Brake fluid
Oil (bring your own)
Differential fluid
Left and right CV axles
Left and right lower/upper control arms
High lift jack

 

I have my hi lift jack and also will bring all of my stock parts/rough country parts just in case. So ucas and shocks and such.

 

I have a hi lift and pretty much everything commonly needed for recovery. i will bring a good set of tools but not really any specialty tools

 

Speaking from experience, deep socket sets are the best. I will leave my hi lift at home.

Also will bring a set of MAXSA traction matts and a shovel. If someone else has a set it would be good to have two sets.

Think we can also do the same thing with recovery gear. I will list what I have and then invite a discussion about how we can all knock off a bit of excess weight we are carrying.

 

I'll be bringing replacement parts for commonly breaking items, cv's, u joints, etc. All of my recovery gear, fuel, water, and a large number of tools. And of course the normal fire extinguisher, first aid kit and all camping gear. Bill said he would put together a couple wheel bearings for the trip also.

I plan to be fully prepared by the go date.

 

Bill and I are also working on an off-road trailer to haul a lot of it, but I'm not sure we'll have it ready in time.

 

Is anyone else bringing their significant other? TacoAlaMode (Brian) and myself both have had discussions with the ladies and they want to do some hiking/biking not spend every day on the trails. I want to make sure they are safe if they are on their own in a base camp which is what I have discussed with Brian which is what I think those of us who plan to camp plan to do. So that brings up two issues, how to keep the ladies safe from critters (all kinds) and where will we set up a base camp. My wife will be armed but I am not convinced she has the killer instinct that I would really like her to have. I pulled the following off one thread.

"As has been mentioned, most of the camping that is relatively near to Moab is in designated camp sites. Some are still fairly remote and primitive. The closer to town and roads you get the more regulations and limitations. Many sites are still first come first serve but some require reservations. Area BFE is a large area owned by offroaders and has lots of space for camping (free), however it's not the most scenic of places. It's not ugly, but there is just so many beautiful places around Moab that BFE seems a bit bland for scenery. Donations are suggested and appreciated so that the area can be maintained and improved (and kept free) for campers/offroaders. No facilities. I've camped in many of the sites along the Colorado River to the east and to the west of town. If you go toward the east, most of the sites are on the south side of the river. If you head west there will be sites on both sides, the north being accessed from Potash Road and the south being accessed by Kane Creek Road. Some access to Pit Toilets. Sand Flats road is another area close to town with lots of designated sites. There is a fee station and the sites will have some access to pit toilets."

We need to get more detailed in our planning since we only have 5 full days to ride trails.

1. Does anyone have suggestions for trails to run? Brian most assuredly wants to ride Top of the World and I would too. It is in the northeast part of the area. If you do not have the third edition Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails I recommend you get it. It would provide us all with a single guide to refer to.

and

2. Where do we want to set up a base camp? I have everything I need to stay in the wilderness and would like a scenic outdoor area but the Moab area is roughly 40 miles east to west and 60 miles north to south. A central place for us all to camp would be great even if we want to hit different trails sometimes or even to arrive/depart at different times.

Extensive feedback and suggestions are welcomed. I think to have a great trip we want to make good plans on how to do so.

 

i just ordered the moab guide from Amazon but its out of stock. hopefully it wont take too long. id rather have a hardback than kindle.

 

Brian and I talked extensively a few nights ago and after some research (and I have another friend who has been there before) BFE will be a good choice in central places to stay. Reasons:

1. Free
2. Can accommodate hundreds of vehicles
3. Just down the road from Moab (12 miles or so) so those that want a hotel are nearby
4. Central to the majority of the trails and a lot of them right in the area although most are rated difficult
5. Good place to rendezvous at night (many of the campgrounds require reservations and are just not central to all the trails)

I plan to go about 2 days earlier to visit family in Salt Lake and probably can be in BFE ahead of planned day of arrival to scope it out and find a place that will house us all and hopefully with some of the nicer camp sites to stay at.

Link is here (check the videos for a look at the place) - Area BFE www.areabfe.com/

Always open to moving to another campground at some other point.

Comments please.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-m-d-u-trip-report-1000-miles-of-dirt-in-utah.476285/

 

I put some of @Arrowshot 's latest posts in here on the first page. Had some questions and also suggestions. Feedback would be helpful. We need to start planning a bit more extensively now since it's getting close.

 

2 months

 

With little less than two months away we really need to get everyone together and start planning stuff and getting things in order.