PNW EXPEDITION MEET THREAD

@Dropitmore



Tag you're it

 

Maybe you guys can get a room instead of playing grab ass in random threads for lulz.

 

Time to break the silence! Come out and check out some cool builds and meet some cool people!

ALL Overland & Off-road Meet: August 24th 2017
Public · Hosted by Overland Emergency Response Network - OERNet and Northwest Overland

Aug 24th at 5:45 PM - 8 PM

Roxy's Island Grill
12720 SW Walker Rd, Beaverton, Oregon 97005

 

I can't make this one.

Hope the others have fun.

 

The meet was great, happened almost a month ago, but it was great.

 

I'm still bummed.

 

Hey all,

I'm looking to get more into off-roading/trails/etc and I wanted to get together with others who are more experienced with the area and off-roading in general. I see from this thread that there was a meet-up at Roxy's last month, are there any day trips that this group does?

 

Browns Camp run this Friday...

 

Thanks Synergy, I will try to be there.

Is there anything I absolutely must have equipment-wise? I don't have much right now but have a long list of things to get after reading some of the offroad equipement threads on the site.

 

Trips and meets get planned fairly regularly. I highly recommend joining our FB page to keep up. We're a pretty active community and you'll get the most out of our group if you're a member on FB.

 

Thanks JayMac, I'll check put the fb page.

 

First thing you always want to have with any group is front and rear recovery points. At minimum, have the tow hitch and a TRD front hook (I prefer closed lol recovery points, but I can't force everyone on the internet into safety). Minimum. People will be very grateful if they can at LEAST recover you

 

Great info, exactly what I'm looking for, thanks. I have the a tow hitch, will get a front point setup, closed sounds like a good option to me, mainly so the tow connection wont slip off right?

I have a good shovel and a hi-lift, probably should grab a tow strap or two too. Any other absolute must haves to go out?

 

Not only not slip off, but moreover, prevent anything becoming a missile. There's no ready-made store bought option I know of, so it's time to make a welding friend. Note that you should get a nice big loop to fit the anchor pins through. My front recovery points have just under 1" diameter holes, and there's some shackle pins I can't fit. More on shackles below.

so... how do you plan to use a hi-lift? There's really nothing you can do with it for a stock Taco since everything is fiberglass.

The best thing you can possibly bring is skills. Badass drivers are greater than any gear. Take a class or learn from very good people. Good people make things look simple, even sometimes boring - but everyone is safe and they don't bust anything.

• I heard one guy put a patch on his headliner that said, "REMEMBER STUPID - YOU HAVE TO DRIVE THIS HOME". Know your limits.
• The shovel is really an overlooked but essential item
• check your spare tire.
• You may hold off on buying a bunch of stuff until you've seen other people's gear and checked what works. Straps are something you should eventually have, but a well organized group that is expecting a run with new people should have enough straps to go around. However, it is still good to now get some shackles (here's a good site for information, you can shop around or buy there). From that site, you are looking for "D ring shackles", but the screw-pin anchor shackles will do the same. Note that some are more expensive than others, such as Crosby and Van Beest, because they inspect every last product that goes out the door, rather than simply check every Xth one made. This is of interest because you could be buy one of the items that weren't inspected, which may be defective. I've been running no-namers and a WARN shackle for quite some time, so I should get good ones for all I do, but I'm not afraid to use them - yet. You make your own decisions.
• A tire deflator like
  #1 4X4 EZ tire Deflator for Large Offroad Tires
  this one is going to be handy. Currie, ARB, and others make the same. Other people will recommend Staun deflators, but they have a tendency to not be very exact.
• Eventually a way to air up will also be handy. This is something you will need to research on for what is right for you. I've been getting along with my slightly modified Superflow MV90 for the past 9 years or so, and I fill pretty fast compared to more expensive options. If I was to change, the ARB models are tempting, but $$$.
• gloves
• For the love of Pete, wear some closed toed shoes with good traction. Dress for the weather. You aren't headed for the pool at the Four Seasons.
• Bring a bag full of stuff as if you planned to sleep out on the trail. You just might do that.
• Figure out what you want to do if you slip and fall on your butt in a bunch of mud.
• Snacks and water.
• gloves. You may crawl, you may be working with rope, etc.
• Offroad pass is mandatory

The rest can come as you do more and decide what's right. Don't get the idea you need a lot of mods right off, otherwise you start pole-vaulting mouse turds.

 

I'll try to head up that way. I'm doing the FlatBroke Poker Run on Saturday; hope to have everything in running shape for Friday.

David

 

Thanks for all the info Chickenmunga, that's great. I have a welder so can fab up something if needed. I've used my hi-lift many times on my current truck, I have rock sliders welded on that I can use as lift points so that helps. I've fortunately or unfortuntaley? had many occasions over the years on different vehicles of using a hi-lift. I'm from Montana and I camp and hunt so I have a lot of experience getting into deep snow and mud. With that experience I also don't go anywhere without general supplies like appropriate clothing, first aid kit, warm dry extra clothes, extra food, and survival type outdoor gear. My main goal with my questions for this thread is to be prepared for going on a trip with the intention of off-roading and I assume a greater likleyhood of getting stuck and needing help from others. I don't want to be the new guy that shows up in a new group and environment and is unprepared if that makes sense? Again, thanks for all the info Chickenmunga, the support is really appreciated.

 

Didn't know about you having rock sliders, you didn't let on.
You're probably geared better than most of those going.

Also, you can alert people to your posting by using an @ symbol in front of their name. A little box will pop and you can click on it to complete the name and get it right. Example: @Mtniner

 

Lived in Butte for a year or so, myself. Long time ago... what is the rule, again? A pickup is called a 'rig' if it is east of the divide and it called 'outfit' if it is west of the divide or has a canopy?

Oh, and you Montana guys don't get to wear socks until it snows

 

The old rig vs outfit vs pickup, them are fighting words in some parts. lol.

I mistakenly was thinking the Brown's camp trip was on Sat, I can't make it tomorrow due to work but hopefully next trip I can meet up with the group.