When people run stronger axles, they tend to abuse their rigs more.  I have Longs, but pretend I have stock-fields and drive on the cautious side.  I have come to realize that letting everyone else have their fun and hammer their rigs and break parts while I'll be there, wheeling conservatively, ready to aide them.

Guess the point I am trying to get at is that most trail riding can be done slow and easy; any difficult areas, a winch can be used.  Not that using a winch is  , but I'd rather be    than    when I have to buy new axles or break other parts...