Should I remove before going offroad?

One of the local guys said that theres a campground right up at the base of clark, if I get out early enough I'll try and drive up to check it out.
All the exploring is in the company vehicle, 2012 dodge ram 4x4 slt, pretty nice and does okay except for crappy ground clearance.....but it's probably just a good as my DCLB taco. That's the bummer of the long beds, hang up easy.
I was going to SAS my old patty but since I got a dirt bike in 2011 that kind of stopped any 4x4ing.

 

I can't imagine that...and I don't think I could deal with it!

 

Thanks for the tag!

 

It's funny too, because the reason I started this post was that I had watched your video and wanted some more feedback about it. Good video. Good channel. Sub'd. Thanks for making them!

 

Thanks buddy!

 

No worries. I think with the tires and Trax you'll be good. But you're limited on mounting points for the hilift without any armor on the truck. You should be good in Mojave though.

 

Mojave is where is lost my first mud flap. Truck was pretty new too. Didn’t seem like it was that bad of a trail. I’d take off the steps and mud flaps before going.

 

The OEM tires are pretty useless as far as traction, I had to use 4 low to get tough a small rain rut. It looked like the frame rail scraped as well...the downside of the long bed.

 

Caruthers Canyon is incredible. One of my favorite spots in MNP. There was still water flowing in the creek when I was there in early August this year.

 

I just noticed your avatar - we may have worked on the same projects and places before as I did the same work you do (bats and mines, DT’s, MGS, BHS, and other mammals for me), but I quit that and teach now - More time off to play and go where and when I want out there!

Cheers!

 

I did the Mojave Road when my OR 4x4 was completely stock. I shifted into 4HI a couple times. Unless you hit some really flukey bad weather, it's a simple drive (maybe skip the final water crossing). I aired down for comfort because of the rockier patches. And I'm not an offroad genius or anything. You'll be fine if that's your plan.

-Craig

 

You never even touched sliders lol.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD45vj-3UDY

(In reality thanks... I used your post to calm my wife down about this trip.)

 

That looks pretty amazing!! I was poking around an area kind of like that when I rode out of searchlight sort of towards Nipton but more south, no water though. There were some signs in the middle of nowhere warning that the area was under surveillance!

 

It's really the perfect sort of "first 4x4" adventure. I say that because it was mine. Camp at the old coral. It's fun. There's literally nothing to worry about. Just remember to air down a few PSI and air back up when you hit pavement. The few times when there's something genuinely scary, there's always another route around it.

If you've got maxtrax and recovery gear, you're way more prepared than I was. Honestly, all you need is emergency water, a good tent, and a good spare tire. If you want to be really prepared, get yourself a Luggable Loo. That will save your life more than a hi-lift jack. For like $25 bucks, you can even get a little pop-up tent to go over it like an outhouse.

-Craig

 

I would take them off and return them to the dealer for a refund. For what you paid for them you could get some nice sliders with the bump out.

 

A extra gas can too! Not much gas that close by. I use Eagle safety cans (UL and DOT certified), especially in hot weather since they are overpressure vented.

 

Hey - they are planning on opening one heck of a weed store in Nipton after January 1st, that’s when California joins Colorado in legalizing recreational use. That would make for a great trip, except now there’s going to be really slow drivers all over out there!

 

Road trip!

 

I heard a weed company actually bought the town of Nipton and others were buying up land in Adelanto. Also heard something about the mayor from there was in jail for all kinds of shifty shady shit.