Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Me too!

Plug it and forget it, until you are back home and can have it patched. An air pump and good plug kit is everything on a road trip!

I have only had to drive on my spare about 5 miles to get to the tire store. It was a patched over once plugged tire that failed, and I tried to plug it again... nope! New tires is what happened next, and no flats on them so far in about 20,000 miles.

 

Yeah it would be crazy to off road without a spare, especially in places like DV which are vast. Being a backpacker I had a lot of prior experience in wilderness cross country travel and self sufficiency. However I have to give a lot of credit to this forum and forum members. Over the 5 years of owning my Tacoma and reading on TW I've learned volumes about vehicle trail repair. I learned a lot about tire repair from reading posts from maxamillion2345. I do it smart too, buy extra wheel on craigslist, take a tire that the shop would not fix, and practice in a safe place like the driveway at home before doing it on the trail.

Yes. Absolutely. I had no problems with the BFG Rugged trails. Good traction on dry surfaces for me. It's not a great off-road tire, and there are much better choices, but it certainly does work. I got rid of them at 20K miles so I could have more traction with a more tread, the Duratrac. I did a lot of things wrong for many years. What I mean by that that is I never aired down when off roading. Not once. It was 32 PSI all the time no matter what. Ironically I never punctured the Rugged trails. What I didn't realize and I now know is that reducing PSI in a tire, significantly reduces the probability of a tire puncture. This video is very telling.

My last trip I aired down to 25 PSI, next trip I'll do 20 PSI.

I have an inexpensive Viair 90P compressor, and it does a good job for the price. I know some of the guys in this thread have elaborate air setups, but I think they may need them with their larger tire sizes.

This is Steel pass correct? If so, how would you describe the trail, skid plates required? I would like to go that route on my next trip.

You'll love it. Great place to do photography.

 

I would love to go back there. Haven't been there since I was a kid. My uncle was stationed in China Lake NWC, and we used to visit. I just remember playing in the dunes in the springtime. I would have to base camp with our pop up (wife and twin 8yo daughters) and go the week after Easter. Now getting the wife on board is another story. I did put the bug in her ear. Love the pics, they make me want to go more.

 

yes it is
The first time I did Steel pass I was stock with the 265 duratracs. 99% is flat and rocky the last part is the steps and they look worse than they are. Just air down and you will be fine.

 

Anyone heading in next week? I'm planning on going to Saline either Thurs or Fri for a few days.

 

You may see me...I am doing Death Valley via Bristlecone forest on my way to Vegas M-Th, not sure what route I am going to take. MGM 4 door lifted with a softopper on the back!

 

Right on. I'll most likely be at the springs.
Have you been to DV?
Best route would be the reverse from Vegas so you could run Titus Canyon (one way). Never the less it is always nice to be in DV.

 

Never been. Not a huge fan of the desert but figured I'd make my trip to Vegas a scenic one. Unfortunately, I won't have the time on the way back from Vegas to run Titus Canyon. Maybe next time.

 

Just finished my trip. Jan 13 to the 16th when up Cerro Gordo road camped there the first night. then down into saline valley through Lippincott pass to the race track. Then from the race track to ubehebe crater and finally saw pavement to go to mosquite springs camp ground for the night. It was only $12 for a night and the view of the stars was awesome. The next morning we went to scotty's castle and then through the park to the dunes and finally stopped in Ballarat to see Charlie Manson's power wagon. We camped on the public land by the canyons for the night. Then Friday morning we woke up packed up and came home. It was pretty legit. I am planning my next trip to see other sights in the park I missed.

 

Going on a trip in early Feb to meet up with the SoCal group we do Baja with. We've done most of the trails in Death Valley over the years...my favorite is Titus Canyon. Fun place to visit, though this time we are roughing it and staying at the resorts and doing day tips.....

 

I've never wheeled in Death Valley. I definitely want to check out sometime. What kind of wheeling is it? It's a national park so I'm guessing you can't go ripping through the desert out there. Desert trails mostly? Any technical stuff or pretty easy stuff?

 

Mostly dirt roads subjected to flash floods. There are a few technical areas that need 4wd like manly pass, lipincott road, the backside of Cerro Gordo or steel pass, most others can be done with 2wd. If you go on some of the less used areas the roads are rough and 4wd is a big plus. As far as ripping through the desert, no, but there are BLM areas nearby.

 

I've done some ripping in DV. If you're talking about speed. Gotta get rid of the washboard somehow.

 

Thanks Andy! sounds like a really cool place to check out with my truck.

 

I guess we should define 'ripping'

There are sections where you go fast, but kicking up dust or being careful of other vehicles can limit your speed.

 

I'm a complete noob when it comes to Death Valley. Are these in the park itself or just outside the park?

 

All the dunes within the park are off limits to driving any motor vehicle and possibly sand boarding too. Tons of dunes outside the park in the surrounding deserts.

 

I'd love to wheel with you, had I not just been there. I am planning on going back later this year with some new camera gear. I'm going to spring for an NX1 with some premium glass.

Glad you had a good trip!

Nothing wrong with that! I love hotels and resorts when I can afford them.

National parks have the highest level of land protections. Make sure you educate yourself and be a good steward of the land. There are many roads through wilderness areas which are incredibly scenic and peaceful. The Park Service, regulates off-road speed to 35 Mph, however sometimes, going faster is better for the ride in the truck. Ride is better, but it beats up the undercarriage something fierce.

I just finished repairing the damage. Cleaned and painted rock sliders, rear axle housing, and suspension parts.



A $6.00 can of Krylon works wonders!

Sand boarding is a no-go there.

 

I'm seeing lots of mine shafts, and lots of winches. Providing that you have the proper safety equipment, a partner to run the winch, and mine safety knowledge (groundfalls, gas, critters, explosives, etc.) does anyone have climbing gear? Wiggy we need a 4-gas!!

 

Cole us lost me! I'm Gunnar stay outta them mines, but if you need someone to run the winch for you..... Haha! A 4 gas monitor?