Author Topic: New to wheeling...trail advise? (Read 3994 times)

RBHill · « **on:** Apr 10, 2011, 04:00:50 PM »

Hey guys! I'm brand new to the world of 4x4 and I'm trying to find some places I can go to learn how to drive without getting stuck every 5 minutes or breaking my truck in half. I've got a 95 4runner, pretty much stock right now. I live in Fresno. Is there anything close or do I have to go to the mountains? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #1 on:** Apr 12, 2011, 03:29:54 AM »

I would strongly urge you and I mean strongly urge that you hook up with a group/club that will help you along. Don't start out alone you will learn more from those that have been around, they will keep you safe and out of trouble. Also don't think that a couple friends along will keep you safe even if they have a 4x4 too. I've seen way to many people in bad situations only because they didn't have someone with experience and knowlege with them. I would suggest my club but we are in So Cal. I'd also suggest getting involved with Cal4wheel, they would have a list of clubs that are more in the moderate wheelers which is who you want to hook up with. You don't want to go out with people that only do extreme or hard core wheeling to start with. There are clubs out there that do from wild to mild like ours that would be more in tune with your current needs and may even set up some easy runs to get a new member going.

One thing if your 4Runner has running boards take them off now since they won't be on your truck for long anyways.

Here's the link www.cal4wheel.com there is also a link to them on this site in clubs/organizations section.

toyotech · « **Reply #2 on:** Apr 12, 2011, 05:00:25 AM »

im also new and have been to bald once with a few guys on here. learned alot and had a ton of fun. cant wait to go up again
can check in here to see if anyone is going up
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=76979.120

sparkys83yota · « **Reply #3 on:** Apr 12, 2011, 05:33:07 AM »

x2 on what rocksurfer said. I have only been wheeling for a couple of years. I started out with some friends who were just starting as well. We were lucky nothing happened because none of us knew what we were doing. Since then I have joined a club, cal 4 wheel, and started meeting some of the guys on the forum here. As far as i can tell the people on here are all good people. Moonlight madness is coming up at bald mountain in a few months. I met a lot of people up there my first year.

IMMUDDY · « **Reply #4 on:** Apr 12, 2011, 06:26:34 AM »

Welcome to Marlin RBHill. I also live in MarlinLand (Fresno). There are alot of trails for us living at the base of the Sierra's like we do. Auberry , Jose Basin , Lil Shuteye , Dinkey Creek trail area Dusy,Swamp,Bald, Brewer , Coyote , Strawberry , and so on. Moonlight Madness is not to be missed if you are close enough to make it, Stock or not you will have a great time. Look forward to seeing you on the trail.

Hollister Hills OHV is also a fun place to go play.

brainlessfool · « **Reply #5 on:** Apr 14, 2011, 07:50:11 PM »

keep the shiney side up.

joey0712 · « **Reply #6 on:** Apr 14, 2011, 09:13:03 PM »

Go slow

Crawlota · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2011, 07:57:01 PM »

Know your rig and how to pick a good line.

blackdiamond · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2011, 08:06:51 PM »

Keep an eye out for the guys that have clean rigs and drive carefully. They are the best people to get advice. Many people that drive beat up rigs don't care any more about your rig than they do theirs.

Don't feel bad about taking some of the "chicken" routes if they make you uncomfortable. It's a growing process and the more wheeling you do stock the better driver you'll be once you add some mods.

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2011, 02:25:15 AM »

Quote from: blackdiamond on May 09, 2011, 08:06:51 PM

Keep an eye out for the guys that have clean rigs and drive carefully. They are the best people to get advice. Many people that drive beat up rigs don't care any more about your rig than they do theirs.

Do feel bad about taking some of the "chicken" routes if they make you uncomfortable. It's a growing process and the more wheeling you do stock the better driver you'll be once you add some mods.

Ha, ha, he said "Do feel bad", actually some of the best advice yet. If you come across a seasoned veteran wheeler lets say like Marlin or others like him they can almost see the best lines to prevent damage. While others that are also very competent wheelers but they don't care as much about damage. For some the badge of honor is the damage done while wheeling while to others its doing those same trails but not even scratching there rig. I am of the later, I like my truck and I like to challenge the trail, keep my rubber on the rocks and my paint off of them. I'm not saying I don't push the limit and sometimes lose but only when there is no other way. As to taking the "chicken routes" usually that is the trail and the alternative route is the one people play on and damage, distroy and break stuff. Then again there's the Hammer's.

I'm sure he meant "Don't feel bad".

blackdiamond · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2011, 07:24:39 PM »

Quote from: Rocksurfer on May 10, 2011, 02:25:15 AM

I'm sure he meant "Don't feel bad".

Correct and fixed.

93REDCRAWLER · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2011, 07:59:11 PM »

GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!!!! just kidding bro start out with the small stuff and practice practice practice.

gnarrkill · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2011, 03:22:36 PM »

and pick up your

when it falls out

H8PVMNT · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2011, 05:44:27 PM »

Air Down!

Wheel Alot...

That is all.

4LoRunner · « **Reply #14 on:** Jun 22, 2011, 04:14:25 PM »

Well agreed with what blackdiamond is saying. go easy on yourself and your rig. dont push your self too hard, do what is comfortable for you. and as long as your having fun and safe on the trails, you're wheelin! Don't for get tools and recovery gear.

oh and ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT!

Tofudude · « **Reply #15 on:** Jun 25, 2011, 01:25:09 AM »

the gas pedal can be your worst enemy or your best friend

blackdiamond · « **Reply #16 on:** Jun 25, 2011, 03:30:58 PM »

Quote from: Tofudude on Jun 25, 2011, 01:25:09 AM

the gas pedal can be your worst enemy or your best friend...

...but it's about a 90/10 split. Novice wheelers should be especially careful with the throttle. Speed doesn't always work and you'll learn when just a little bit more will make the difference.

The key is momentum and not speed. If you've ever spotted someone up a rock ledge that had to back up for multiple attempts you likely noticed that the vast majority of wheelers tend to roll into the bump and then get on the gas cause a bounce and loss of traction. The best drivers learn how to get a slow steady pace going from the start and don't goose the skinny pedal when they hit the bump. Learn to drive smoothly and you'll go far!

4LoRunner · « **Reply #17 on:** Jun 25, 2011, 06:59:54 PM »

That reminds me, NO HOPPING! Hop=Pop=No Bueno

kevin_david_k · « **Reply #18 on:** Jun 27, 2011, 12:07:57 PM »

bald Mt.

bknaus · « **Reply #19 on:** Jul 01, 2011, 08:31:06 PM »

My first trips were Hollister Hills, they have lotsa stuff to practice on from gravel roads to obstacle courses to tank trap. I loved Jungle Trail when I was stock with a locker and 33s. I also agree with everyone about following someone who knows what they're doing (that's how I did it) but also someone who has a similarly built rig. You don't want to follow the guy linked on 40s cause you probably won't be doing what he does...

I'd also recommend wheeling without a bunch of work on your truck first. I feel like I know my truck a lot better because I was hanging wheel and driving with unhappy front springs before I went 37s, geared case, etc. It really teaches you the limits of your vehicle and how to actually wheel, not just build a badass truck and try to point and shoot.

4LoRunner · « **Reply #20 on:** Jul 01, 2011, 09:45:39 PM »

Glad to hear you had fun, got some practice in, and got to know ur truck more.

fade · « **Reply #21 on:** Jul 02, 2011, 12:06:34 AM »

x2 on wheeling stock and progressing with mods. Best times I had was in my 87 ifs 4wd stock. Before that I had a semi built solid axle 93 locked front and rear I did alot of damage to it thinking i could just point and shoot.

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