Moab Trail Ratings

[beantmt]

Hey all. I'm getting excited for a trip to Moab this spring. I noticed this page with off-road ratings for Moab trails:

http://www.utah.com/offroad/moab_trail_ratings.htm

For those that have been to Moab, I am just wondering what sort of trails you have tackled and with what equipment. Right now I'm in a stock LR3 (non-heavy duty), but hoping to at least get good sliders before I go. The trip this spring is with the local Land Rover dealership, and I'm not sure what sort of trails they have in mind. I am noticing that even the level 5 trail recommends a 33" tire (which won't fit on the LR3, obviously).

Do all the trails have the difficulty numbers or is that information on maps (or somewhere else)? What sort of trails with the LR3 handle relative to other popular street driven SUV and Jeeps? I realize a lot depends on the driver, and I'm definitely no expert, yet.

Anyway, I'm just curious in general about what to expect.

 

[Disco Mike]

Where are you located, what club is setting up this trail?
Send me your number and I can get you alot of trail information.
You are in for a thrill, I would suggest you get tires, stock one's won't cut it.
Take a look at the avatar by my name, that is Moab.

 

[Roverine]

I agree the first-best upgrade you need is tires. You do not need huge oversized ones, just better traction and sidewall protection than stock. Sliders would be great, but I don't have them and I have no real sill or underside damage after quite a bit of wheeling in Moab and Canyonlands. Best thing you can do for your rig is to take it very easy on the trail and don't try anything ridiculous. The LR3 keeps up with any other stock rig on the road, including even old-style Cruisers and Jeeps. I run with a winch for peace of mind, BF Goodrich All Terrains. Sliders would be good insurance if you want them, but your club won't take you where they are required I bet.

 

[beantmt]

I will be going with the Land Rover dealership in Utah. I've lived in Utah and western Colorado my whole life and I've never been to Moab :\ I am definitely planning on getting new tires (but I'm still trying to decide which) within the next couple of months, as I have almost 25k on the original GYs. I don't know if I'll be able to afford the rock sliders before we go, so I'm glad to hear that I can do without.

Roverine, you're in Utah, right? Have you gone with the dealership before? How was it?

 

[drzjoint]

If you are going with the dealer you won't need sliders most of there runs are set up so a stock vehicle with road tires will get you there and back. The dealer trips are just enuf to let you get a taste. Kind of no experience needed thing but still alot of fun.

What tires are you going to go with?

 

[Roverine]

Roverine, you're in Utah, right? Have you gone with the dealership before? How was it?[/QUOTE]

Yes, I am in Utah and have lived here for a long time. I purchased from Centerville, but I've never been with a dealer or club run. I have quite a bit of experience with friends using a number of prior vehicles. I prefer to spend my camping time with my camping buddies, but I think a dealer trip might be fun too. Good luck and give us a report.

 

[xtremerovers]

From what I understand, in the pipeline is closure for Moab and off roading.

 

[nwoods]

Where are you located, what club is setting up this trail?
Send me your number and I can get you alot of trail information.
You are in for a thrill, I would suggest you get tires, stock one's won't cut it.
Take a look at the avatar by my name, that is Moab.

Just remember that the trail ratings do not take into account the LR3's abilities. The LR3 completely invalidates the traditional trail rating system. I have written about this extensively in the past. Update: Here is one thread on this topic: http://www.lrrforums.com/showthread.php?t=8574

As I stated in that article, I'm no expert on Moab, but I've been there 5 times now, and I love it! Here are some photos from my first trip there, via the National Rally:

- Day 2: Top of the World:
http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rove...onal-Rally-Day-2/1944967_gLJYE#98653211_Jarpy

- Day 3: Klondike Bluffs:
http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rove...nal-Rally-Day-3/1968224_ddzSc#100138583_eKQoG

- Day 4: Fins N THings (My Favorite Trail)
http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rove...nal-Rally-Day-4/1968981_pcbDf#100197902_Yu4yw

- Day 5: Lions Back (now closed :-( )
http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rove...nal-Rally-Day-5/1968303_Jds2g#100144461_r6ZbM

- Day 5: Fooling around:
http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rove...ional-Rally-Day/1971431_jJToQ#100352519_LFuCd

- Best of Moab LR National Rally:
http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rove...l-Rally-Best-of/1999537_uk46s#102163560_7znPV


It is a really fun place, but the trail ratings are totally different for LR3's

 

[nwoods]

From what I understand, in the pipeline is closure for Moab and off roading.

If they closed offroading, it certainly would **** the town. It's pretty much a seasonally open village as it is. If you removed 99% of the tourism draw, it would die a quick ugly death. No way the Utah gov'mt will bow to the east coast senators trying to make that land grab.

 

[beantmt]

Just remember that the trail ratings do not take into account the LR3's abilities. The LR3 completely invalidates the traditional trail rating system. I have written about this extensively in the past. I will look for a past article of mine and link it here

This is *exactly* what i was wondering about. If you could find and link an article I would greatly appreciate it. I will Google it in the meantime.

Odd, LRRForums.com is down right now. When it's up, search under "nwoods" for a thread titled something like "What to Expect at the National Rally in Moab"

Will do. Thanks.

As I stated in that article, I'm no expert on Moab, but I've been there 5 times now, and I love it! Here are some photos from my first trip there, via the National Rally: [...]

Beautiful pictures. Thanks again.