Trails suitable for Stock Trucks in Moab

From Canada, planning a trip to Moab this summer. I've got a stock DCLB and want to do some overnight camping/wheeling trips. Who's got suggestions of trails my truck can handle?

Thanks TW!

 

Or should I spend some cash on rock sliders and a lift before going?

 

Check out trail damage for info on trails with a decent rating system:

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php

Keep in mind that these ratings are not always exact, but you should be able to do up to at least a 4 in a stock Tacoma. There's plenty of easy trails in the area, but sliders would be nice to have regardless. Lift is up to you, but don't think it's necessary to have fun in Moab.

 

Hells Revenge is a good trail for a stock Taco. Ran most of it in the Toyota Trail Teams 4dr Taco with 32" tires. Most tough spots have a by-pass and it is a beautiful trail! Also Elephant Hill down in the Needles District (about 75 miles from Moab) is worth the drive. Arches National Park has some mild off-road trail inside the park (yes the let you wheel in a national park) and is worth the time to visit. Pick up a copy of Charles A. Wells "Guide to Moab, Utah Backroads & 4-wheel Drive Trails. It is good winter reading (availabile at Amazon & such) and gives a synopsis of most of the common trails with ratings, directions, etc. A must have if you are going to Moab. Kane Creek Canyon is another nice trail with only one pretty tough area. If you want to do a group type visit, consider late April and attend Cruise Moab (Easter Jeep Safari for Yotas) put on by the Rising Sun 4wd Club out of Denver. It is always the first weekend in May, but is a Thursday to Sunday event so sometimes starts in April. Great group of folks and a very well organized event. Been there 5 times and going again this year.

 

Hoping to make it out there next summer. I've got ome lift cbi. Sliders front and rear bumpers. Gonna order skids here soon. Then some 16" rims and 33' tires and a rear locker. Hopefully all before the trip. Can't wait.

 

Personally, I would not suggest Kane Creek in a stock DCLB. 90% of the trail will be fine but the climb up out of the canyon gets more difficult every year. At the minimum you'd want to have sliders before you attempt that one IMO, but it can be done. Here's a list of trails that I think are well suited for a stock truck.

Trails with slickrock and other challenges suitable for a stock truck:
Hells Revenge
Fins and Things
Gold Bar Rim
Wipe Out Hill
Elephant Hill

Other trails with fantastic scenery that would be fun in a stock truck:
Onion Creek
Long Canyon
White Rim
Kokopelli Trail
Dome Plateau
Chicken Corners

There are so many trails to choose from it is hard to go wrong with any that you choose. Many of the more difficult trails could probably be done in a stock truck but the risk of damage increases so depending on what you're willing to put your truck through you could choose almost anything.

 

Going out in early April and appreciate the advice!

 

Back in 2001 - I went to Moab with TTORA's TakeOver. I flew out and rode shotgun. We did Chickens Corners....Large group...mostly stock trucks. That was absolutely beautiful!!!
Granted - I don't know how much things have changed over the years....but....

 

Hey small world! I was at that event back in 2001 too. I was pretty young back then. Got to hang out with Ivan Stewart and see the "new" first gen four door Tacoma

Sweet pics that bring back memories. Everyone was about the same as far as mods since nothing was on the market yet haha. Was in a red 96 taco.

 

Subbed for good info that I'll use on my first trip in April thanks!

 

Give a report once you are done... I am heading down to meet a friend at Overland Expo and plan on taking in some Moab in May ...

 

I am running the White Rim for sure. I'd like to run Hells Revenge and Fins n Things too but some descriptions I've read rate them as difficult. Are you risking body or mechanical damage if you run those stock? I normally wouldn't be such a pussy, but I got a looooooong drive home.

 

You'd probably be fine. There's one section at the end of Hells that can get a little sketchy but otherwise it's not bad.

 

Man, I think Fins N things is a must do. I would make sure that you have decent tires more than sliders. I had sliders, lift, mud tires, blah, blah, blah and we drove from VA to Moab about 3 years ago. We did fins, White Rim, and Top of the World. TOTW was the toughest trail. Bit more jagged and ledgey than I thought it would be. If you are careful and take your time, you would be fine. I can't speak to how the trail has deteriorated over the last few years. But the top is absolutely worth it.

Be careful and use your head, you'll be fine.

 

Glad I ran across this thread before asking the same question.

 

I ended up running the first half of Fins n Things but ran out of time to do the back section and it started snowing. Very cool trail. I agree tires are more important than sliders. Traction is awesome on the slickrock. If you don't have a lot of clearance you just need to pick the right line and go for it. I did drag my hitch all over the place tho.

 

Thanks! We picked up a 2015 TRD Off-road last month, and are thinking of a long weekend in Moab. Wasn't sure if we should take the Tacoma or the Jeep.

 

You can't swing a dead cat in Moab without hitting a jeep. You can do a lot in an Off Road Tacoma, but the short wheel base and approach/departure angles make jeeps a pretty good choice for the terrain as long as you don't need the space.

 

We've out wheeled most jeeps over the years in moab with our long wheelbase. Heck, really built jeeps usually extend their wheelbase haha.

A TRD Offroad Tacoma can take you a heck of a lot of places in moab. And it's comfortable.

 

A built first gen Taco is a different beast than a stock second gen. I agree with your second point tho.