Planning the 7th Annual Jeep-CJ Trail Ride

[oldjeeplady]

Don't even think about going through the mountains without all 4 brakes working on your trailer! The only reason I did it was #1: I drive an F350 diesel. #2: 40 years behind the wheel of big rigs taught me how to use the engine and Transmission to control decent down a steep grade. A gas engine does not have the same braking power down shifting as a diesel does. I also stayed in the far right hand lane with my flashers on following tractor trailer rigs that were descending around 25mph or less.
Again, don't even think about going without your brakes working properly. It's just not worth it!
Also, if you get stopped by the DOT and they see that there are 4 brakes, and only 2 of them are working, they will require you to drop your trailer at the nearest place allowed and call someone to tow it and repair it before you can continue on your way.

When we got home last year we replaced all four brake units and tires. If you need a good resource for trailer brake parts pm Bass and he will send that.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

For RV towing. I highly recommend brakes on every trailer wheel.
LG

 

[EVERYUSERNAMEISTAKEN]

Don't even think about going through the mountains without all 4 brakes working on your trailer! The only reason I did it was #1: I drive an F350 diesel. #2: 40 years behind the wheel of big rigs taught me how to use the engine and Transmission to control decent down a steep grade. A gas engine does not have the same braking power down shifting as a diesel does. I also stayed in the far right hand lane with my flashers on following tractor trailer rigs that were descending around 25mph or less.
Again, don't even think about going without your brakes working properly. It's just not worth it!
Also, if you get stopped by the DOT and they see that there are 4 brakes, and only 2 of them are working, they will require you to drop your trailer at the nearest place allowed and call someone to tow it and repair it before you can continue on your way.

Good to know! Ill go ahead and spring for brakes on both axles. What is money?!

I need to look back in the previous years threads and see if someone had a recommended tool/parts packing list. Surely between everyone we should have the bases covered.

 

[BusaDave9]

We'll have tools. Actually MriplayBass brings more tools than a small auto shop. Otherwise bring layers of clothes. In town you may think a short sleeve shirt is fine but as we climb the mountains you'll want to put on long sleeve then a jacket. Bring a hat and rain jacket. We eat breakfast and dinner in town but have sandwiches on the trail.


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[oldjeeplady]

We'll have tools. Actually MriplayBass brings more tools than a small auto shop. Otherwise bring layers of clothes. In town you may think a short sleeve shirt is fine but as we climb the mountains you'll want to put on long sleeve then a jacket. Bring a hat and rain jacket. We eat breakfast and dinner in town but have sandwiches on the trail.


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Other things to include are spare u joints and the straps and bolts to install them, gasket maker/rtv, thread locker, and if you change your diff fluid, make sure your ring gear bolts are tight, spare diff fluid, we bring lots of tools and parts, but ran short of these things last year. Hopefully we won't need our mobile shop.

 

[007]

We'll have tools. Actually MriplayBass brings more tools than a small auto shop. Otherwise bring layers of clothes. In town you may think a short sleeve shirt is fine but as we climb the mountains you'll want to put on long sleeve then a jacket. Bring a hat and rain jacket. We eat breakfast and dinner in town but have sandwiches on the trail.


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Dave's right, there should be plenty of tools. Mriplaybass didn't tell you, but he blew off his intake hose and blew out his brakes BECAUSE of the amount of tools. The Jeep and trailer weight had little to do with it.

But really, he does bring just about everything one needs. I always bring extra Dana 30 narrow track axles with ujoints, a couple sets of tools, and Dewalt impacts and drills. The hardware store and gas station in Ouray have a lot of stuff as well. In fact, I almost think if the hardware store in Ouray doesn't have it, you've not isolated the problem because you don't need what you think you do.

 

[EVERYUSERNAMEISTAKEN]

Lmao 007 & Busa. I tend to over pack so I better not laugh too hard at Bass.

U-joints are at the top of my list! Those are all good ideas and will be on the list. We will also have the usual tools.. Also it wasn't mentioned probably because it's a common sense item but as of right now I don't have a spare tire. I've been eyeing one on Craigslist so that might change.

 

[BusaDave9]

more important than packing U-joints and hoses is to thoroughly check these items with preventive maintenance. These CJs are old vehicles. Crawl underneath and pull on the drive shafts to check the U joints. Check the belts, hoses and radiator. Look for leaks of any kind.
Now is not the time for major modifications. You're better off with a reliable stock CJ than a modified but untested rock crawler.

 

[hagar]

I've never seen a u-joint worn out from too much grease.

 

[007]

I've never seen a u-joint worn out from too much grease.

Agreed...but grease won't keep a Dana 30 axle ujoint from snapping either. I bring those every year just in case.

But you're point is well taken. Grease and keep tight and they last a long long time.


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[BusaDave9]

If you ever replace your axle U joint get the ones with the grease fitting on the cap.

 

[mriplaybass]

Dave's right, there should be plenty of tools. Mriplaybass didn't tell you, but he blew off his intake hose and blew out his brakes BECAUSE of the amount of tools. The Jeep and trailer weight had little to do with it.

 

[Posi]

Yes, towing Bobby's Jeep 2200 miles in 2 days

I talked to Bobby yesterday. Their plan is to leave whenever they wake up Saturday morning, and arrive in Ouray late afternoon/night Sunday.

1300 miles to Nebraska first day, 833 miles 285 out of Denver to 50 down to Ouray. Or go I70 and it's 865 miles.

What route would you guys from CO recommend for easiest towing?

Staying on I70, or going down to Colorado Springs and going west?

I70
285 to 50
24 to 50
115 to 50

 

[007]

I talked to Bobby yesterday. Their plan is to leave whenever they wake up Saturday morning, and arrive in Ouray late afternoon/night Sunday.

1300 miles to Nebraska first day, 833 miles 285 out of Denver to 50 down to Ouray. Or go I70 and it's 865 miles.

What route would you guys from CO recommend for easiest towing?

Staying on I70, or going down to Colorado Springs and going west?

I70
285 to 50
24 to 50
115 to 50

I've driven to Ouray from Denver as well as from Colorado Springs several times, different ways. The short answer to your question is 70 out of Denver through Grand Junction, on to Montrose and on into Ouray in my opinion.

You'll not make more miles in less time going any other way. The grades aren't as steep, there's plenty of fuel and you can keep up a good pace.

 

[oldjeeplady]

I've driven to Ouray from Denver as well as from Colorado Springs several times, different ways. The short answer to your question is 70 out of Denver through Grand Junction, on to Montrose and on into Ouray in my opinion.

You'll not make more miles in less time going any other way. The grades aren't as steep, there's plenty of fuel and you can keep up a good pace.

That is the route we take. There are a few places you don't want to stop for fuel with a big truck and trailer. We found out the hard way. I will look at the maps, talk with Bass and update this post with that info.

 

[BusaDave9]

What route would you guys from CO recommend for easiest towing?

I've driven to Ouray from Denver as well as from Colorado Springs several times, different ways. The short answer to your question is 70 out of Denver through Grand Junction, on to Montrose and on into Ouray in my opinion.

That is the route we take. There are a few places you don't want to stop for fuel with a big truck and trailer. We found out the hard way. I will look at the maps, talk with Bass and update this post with that info.

I think you already have your answer. I know of a few nice routes but since you are towing, there in only one good route. Listen to 007 and OldJeepLady. When you leave Grand Junction you'll be heading southeast and wonder if there was a shorter route. In Colorado there is always a shorter route but they are rarely easier.

 

[BusaDave9]

My answer about shortcuts reminded me of C.W. McCall's song about taking a "shortcut" over Blackbear Pass.

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[Belizean]

That was funny Dave. First I ever heard that

 

[BusaDave9]

The running tally is now 18 Jeeps and 31 people:

007 (2 people)
MrIPlayBass & OldJeepLady (2 people)
BillD (2 people)
BusaDave9
Posi (2 people)
Shooby
JR74CJ5 (Two jeeps, 4 people)
Coldair
Bobby and Blacky (2 people)
Powdertwoplanker
WhatRoad (2 people)
Hagar (2 people)
EVERYUSERNAMEISTAKEN, (2 jeeps, 4 people)
Hog Head (2 people)
DJohnbb62 (2 people)
Benjammin713

Please let me know if there are any discrepancies with my list.

 

[BusaDave9]

This event will be three times bigger than any other year. I have been talking to 007 and he thinks we need to split up into 3 groups on the trails. I was thinking of 2 groups but think he's right. If there are any other members that would be willing to lead a group let me know.

Here are some of the trails we'll be going on:

Sunday: arrival day, we might hang out or we might take a short trip into Yankee Boy Basin.

Trip 1: We'll take Engineer Pass trail from the highway all the way to the top of Engineer Pass. We've never gone any further than the lookout (also know as OH Point!). We might continue on. If we do we may head back past Animas Forks Ghost Town and on to Silverton. This section is very rough and rocky so if we have the time (depending on how far past Engineer pass we go) we might head behind Animas Forks Ghost Town and over Hurricane Pass and down Cement creek valley to Silverton. Then dinner at Handelbars.

Trip 2: We'll take the infamous Black Bear Pass (trust me it's not as bad as it's reputation). We'll head into Telluride and come back over Imogene Pass.

Trip 3: Corkscrew Pass. From there we may go over Hurricane pass if we haven't already done that pass Monday after Engineer Pass. Other wise we'll go to Velocity Basin.

Trip 4: Poughkeepsie Gulch. This is a more difficult trail. You need lockers to take your jeep up "The Wall". If you don't feel you are up to it you can watch the others and then take the bypass.

Friday: To be decided. We will most likely be in separate groups on separate trails. Maybe we'll start in Silverton and then take Stony Pass to Bear Town site and Kite Lake.

These are not day by day schedules. On Monday a group may be on "trip 1" and another group on "trip 2" the same day. Etc.
Some do not want to go on Poughkeepsie Gulch or Black Bear Pass. Splitting up into 3 groups will allow some to go on the difficult trails and some to go on easy scenic trails. Doing it this way I think we can have a trail ride to suite each rider every day.

I need to have some one on one conversations with others that are willing to lead the groups.