**OHIO WHEELIN' & MEET-UP THREAD**

Quick question for those of you who have a winch mounted, how often do you actually use it? Would you say it's a worthwhile investment given how hard Ohio winters are on anything exposed?

 

I can't answer that because I never actually mounted mine. On that same note, I have a 12.5k winch for sale. Never out of the box - $500
https://offroadtents.com/products/tuff-stuff-waterproof-xtreme-12-500-lb-winch-with-synthetic-rope

 

I have one on the 4Runner

We've done some sweet trips with that truck (Alaska, Moab, Mojave desert)

I've used it.... 3 times

And that was because I was like "oooo I got a winch" not because "fuck, I'm screwed, bust out the winch"...LOL

 

You are welcome to borrow any of our camping stuff if you don't want to buy something for infrequent use. Only rule is you have to apply a sticker to the cooler to show where it's been (kinda hard to see in the middle there)

 

Thank you! Gotta love those stickers and patches! That cooler has seen some places. Bet it has a few stories, too.

 

Lol thanks. Yeah it's been all over the western US, Canada, Alaska. Our first one was stickered even better but it got destroyed in a garage fire in 2018.

 

Everything you said is pretty spot on for the Gorge (DBBB). I just wanna add a few things I've learned from the couple trips I've been on there, along the DBBB and the obstacle trails that shoot off it.

Don't concern yourself with lift and tire size, so much as tire type. Read that as, "it's better to have 31" MT or aggressive ATs than 40"+ street tires at RRG". However, getting your belly off the ground never hurts. Armor is strongly recommended and don't dare leave the maintained roads alone without a locker or recovery gear, please.

Gas is pretty easy to come by with all the small towns around the gorge, but someone in the group usually has a few gallons in case we really need it. Most trips we don't leave the woods until it's time to go home.

Red River Gorge trails usually don't have bypasses like a structured park, it's a national forest, not a flat bill wearing Bud Light/Monster drinking SxS riding docking fest. Always stay on the marked paths. Even though I've seen plenty of added bypasses in the parks, especially Rush Off Road over here in the eastern part of Kentucky.

Oh, buy the dispersed camping permit to support the lands, too.

Trails are very tight in places. A lot of us have damage from there, broken mirrors, cracked taillights, dented bedsides, stripes for days, deleted 3rd gen rear bumper ends, etc... Mind you, this can happen when OFF the DBBB on the side trails.



Getting a dedicated camp table is an absolute game changer! I got the cheapest folding 5' Walmart had, works great!

 

I wondered about getting a front 2" receiver. Then getting a winch that slides into the receiver. I can leave it in the bed (I have a shell) so it's weather protected. If wired for both, it also could also be slid in the forward or rear receiver. Depending on the recovery needs. It would certainly be more awkward on the receiver. I'd hate to have to slide it in, while up to my balls in mud. If you're in a group, anyone could wire for, and use the winch though.

 

If you're interested, I have a 12.5k lb. winch and the 2" receiver mount with the cable extender (if you hook it up to the back then you'll need the extension cable to reach the battery). All brand new in the box, $500.
https://offroadtents.com/products/tuff-stuff-waterproof-xtreme-12-500-lb-winch-with-synthetic-rope

 

EDIT - meet info:

Martinsburg at 0930, Sunday October 10 2021. There's a Dollar General on US 62 on the west (south) end of town that should have enough parking.

There's one gas station there if you need to fill up; just a bit east of the DG at the traffic light.

I was out banging around in the rain today and was thinking about running a group around some old roads near Danville this coming weekend. Monday Oct 11 is Columbus Day and I am off; that would be my preferred day because my wife is also off, but I could be swayed to either Saturday or Sunday, too, I guess.

The leaves should be pretty nice in another week. I am thinking about probably a 100 mile loop taking about 4-5 hours to do. Probably meet in or near Danville around 9:30 am, that would give Columbus people time to get up there (it's like 80 minutes up Hwy 62 from Columbus). Mostly gravel and dirt roads, a few 4hi abandoned roads, some pavement connectors, and I can loop in some legit off road stuff if people want it but the stuff I'm thinking off is like "have a winch and lockers" level so I may point it out to you and then go wait on the other end. Depending on how much rain we get we can probably ford the Walhonding River too, and then grab lunch at a restaurant on the other side and split up from there.

A lot of this will be similar to the group ride I ran out of Danville in...mmm... was that 2015? Early 2016 maybe? It's in this thread somewhere.

If anyone is interested post up and we can firm up a day, time, and route.

If only like one or two guys say "maybe" then I'll scrap this and just go camping the whole 3 days in Kentucky or something.

Some pics of stuff that I can route in to the trip, from today:

 

I'm in for Sunday if it works out. Saturday and Monday are booked. I had a blast on that trip. Lost all of my pics though. You shouldn't have any snow this time. Anyone have Roman's number? I can hitbhim up on FB if we want.

 

OK, Sunday is good. I got another guy who can make it Sunday too. I do not have Roman's number.

I have comms on 2m, I have a mobile in the truck and can loan out two handhelds.

I had to abort Stone Quarry Rd (one of the challenge sections from last time) today. It was just too much without a winch or at least a second truck. I then of course came home and ordered a goddamn winch and SDHQ hidden mount.... sigh...

 

Sounds good.

I have a cheap little CB and a couple Motorola handhelds so we should be able to sync comms up somehow.

I hear you on the winch. I have a 12,500 lb winch sitting brand new in the box on the floor of my garage. I decided to go with a hidden winch bumper that I haven't bought yet and this winch is too big. I'm all for watching others attempt the tough stuff, but I'm planning a week-long trip to Shenandoah via WV in the spring so I don't want to break anything too soon. I'll grab my recovery boards and straps just in case.

 

Take a look at the SDHQ hidden bumper. I have it on the 4Runner and it's awesome. The only negative on the 4R is that there's no D ring shackle mounts but the Tacoma version does have them. $550 and it's in stock, already powdercoated.

 

Alright I am working on a route now. I think actually we will meet in Martinsburg which will shave 15 miles off for anyone from Columbus. I have a few cool places near there, then we can roll north towards Danville.

I am going to pre-run the route on Saturday on my enduro to check mileage and for trees down and such, so anyone who happens to ride and wants to come along is welcome to.

 

Sounds like a fun trip but the wife and I will be traveling to Red River Gorge area next weekend. We plan to explore some of the routes you documented on your last trip down there and also explore Cave Run Lake. Land is cheap down there, so we've contemplated buying some property. This is somewhat a "recon" trip to see if that's still of interest to us.

Will definitely be up for another group ride some other weekend!

 

Doesn't look like they make one for my 2.5 gen, but they do have the WARN I'm looking at. It's basically the same thing, but a little overpriced.
https://sdhqoffroad.com/collections...den-winch-mounting-kit?variant=14248612003875

 

So on my 2014 Tx Baja I had a US Offroad which was also great. Also recommended. In fact I looked at them for my 3rd gen but the 3rd gen ones aren't as nice as the 2nd gen IMO. Price is around the same, $550 ish

 

That is tempting. I like the WARN because it provides a little more radiator protection, but $150 difference is also nice. Definitely makes the short list. Thanks!

 

In for Sunday!!