North Northern Texas offroad(4x4) meet

That sucks. I would pass on driving without the insurance. The possible ticket isn't worth the fun IMO. I paid for a ticket last month for speeding and it still sucks balls.

 

Yeah. I'll probably skip it. And probably wheel the Tacoma on the 30th

 

Looking at the other parks "in the area" and it looks like Hidden Falls in Marble Falls or Long Ranch in Llano. They are only around 3 hrs away... dang that would be a long weekend. I would probably want to take Friday off to drive down; wheel some Friday, wheel Saturday, wheel a little Sunday and head home after lunch.

 

IF I try to get something like that going; I'll get the guys on TOR and the guys that wheel here to try to go. That would be a fun/long weekend. Bob is talking about wanting to go to Arkansas for a wheeling trip; but I'd raither have a fullsize truck to tow my 4Runner that far first.

 

So when are you going to get your 4Runner ready for it?

 

One week out ladies...

 

Yep, and time to make some final adjustments. I need to get a sping for the idle on the carb, it doesn't like to idle back down, with that spring missing.

 

Carbs... love them and hate them. I like the carb on my Harley; but that is only because I have been working on them for the last decade.

Ok - for rachet straps; what is your personal opinions for strap capacities? While I am ok with 5k lb straps when used in a X pattern front and rear; I think I would be comfortable with 10k lb straps instead. The price isn't that big of a difference or a one time purchase. Considering the 4Runner weighs in at 4,500 lbs stock; I want to have some room for error. Besides; should a state trooper decide to crawl up my ass I don't want to give him anything easy to hit me on.

 

I'm glad you brought this up, because I need to go buy some also. I wasn't sure exactly what to get, but need some. This will be my first time to load a vehicle onto a trailer, and pull it somewhere. Should be interesting.

 

Generally not a hard thing to do; but I would defintently spend a little time pulling an empty trailer around first to get used to it's effect on your truck first. Then add the rig and test it out again real quick. You will notice immediately the difference in starts/stops and road bumps. Keep your speed down around 60mph and always leave 4-5 car lengths between you and the idiot in front of you and you'll do ok.

As for straps; I'm thinking between these:

10k straps at Tractor Supply $13/each

10k straps online at USCargoControl.com $13/each

10k straps online at RachetStraps.com $10/each and fully customizable with colors/length/rachet material

The last is currently my favorite.

 

Yeah, I've pulled things before, just never any vehicles.

And, awesome! I'm gonna check those straps out. May need to make a visit to tractor supply real quick.

Maybe I'll just park the truck on the trailer, and hook the winch up to the front of the trailer somewhere. Seems safe enough.

 

What length of strap is good?

 

And I still may...

 

I have a buddy with a jeep, and he only uses chains. He said that he doesnt trust the straps. He just throws the chains over the axles.

 

The only difference in trailering a truck/rig is the suspension. If you can secure it by the axles; otherwise the suspension will work your chains/straps and you will have to really bind it down to secure the truck right. If you secure it by the axle it allows the suspension to do what it does and the truck still will not move because the axles can be tightened down really well.

The winch is fine for a front secure line; just make sure you don't pull the trailer apart using it; lol.

Depends on how you are going to secure them. If you are going to use one strap to go from trailer to truck to trailer then at least 15'; maybe 25'. If you do the X method (opposite trailer corner to opposite side of truck) then 10' should be fine depending on the width of the trailer and heigth of the truck. I'm looking for 10' straps for myself.

 

I'll figure something out. I'm gonna try for the axles, but the break line sits on top of it. I plan on strapping down the front and the rear, and maybe the winch for an added bonus.

 

And some axle straps for $8/each with a protective cover.

Axle Strap

 

Alright, put a spring on the carb to keep the idle down, and took it on a shake down run in a field over here. Seems to be working good! Let's hope it stays that way.

 

Looks good and glad to hear it is coming together. I ordered my fan clutch this morning and it should be here Sunday or Monday. Even if I don't get it on it won't stop me from wheeling though; I've been going at it all year without a good fan clutch so one more trip won't hurt.


As for chains vs straps; I go for strength over material. Straps are easier to handle, tighten down, and won't damage my truck if they break for some reason. Chains don't like to go around stuff easily all the time, strength is strength but if you have a bad link it reduces your chain strength, and if a chain should break you have a good chance at secondary damage from the chain hitting the body/undercarriage/hoses.

Overall, as long as you are using equipment that is properly rated for what you are doing you should be ok. Anchor your straps/chains to the proper places on the trailer/truck and check them after you have been traveling for a half hour or so.

 

It could be yours Blake! Everything is for sale.