Wheeling dilemma

[Brett]

Two rig solution... I think it takes 4 or 5

I would love to have a buggy, with a tow rig to pull it around with. But, I doubt I would use it more than a couple times a year, not a sound investment IMO. My problem with buggies, there are fewer and fewer places to really enjoy them, and the hassle of use is becoming more and more of a PITA. I can't imagine having to trailer my rig to every trailhead in Moab, let alone trying to always choose trails that will dump me back to the trailhead.

Now I know "you've been driving your buggy on the roads in Moab for years", its changing fast... last year at EJS they issued alot of tickets for said vehicles... not cheap ones either (no reg, no insurance, and then all the safety fix-its). And to run the risk (without insurance), simply stupid to me... you could lose everything you own if you were to get in a minor wreck with your buggy... your fault or not

Now there are those that really get their money worth out of buggies, guys that do alot of day trips, compete, or just plain love to do the hardest trail out there. Kudos to them, they have the rig for it

Some of the best trails I have done lately, just arn't practical in a buggy (HITR being a prime example). In fact of the last 6 or so wheeling trips I've done, a buggy just couldn't have done it... we started in one place and wheeled to the next, camped and them wheeled to the next. While the trails were not difficult, the shear logistics of moving daily, and carrying all your goods (no trailer to give your broken rig a ride home), makes the adventure equally as fulfilling to me. Your results may vary

I'm with Kurt on this. I'm more interested in spending a few days on a trail exploring and actually getting somewhere. To me, spending 8 hours on a trail one mile long just isn't fun.

 

[Bart]

I'm with Kurt on this. I'm more interested in spending a few days on a trail exploring and actually getting somewhere. To me, spending 8 hours on a trail one mile long just isn't fun.

I like what Kurt said too, but I to tell you the truth, the first time we did Die Trying (I was in my XJ with 35s) it took 13 hours to do a quarter mile. Some of the funnest wheeling I've ever had.

The last time we did it in buggies, 35 minutes, then we did 3 more trails. It was fun and we did some optional side stuff. Wheeling and trails have changed a lot.

 

[B-RAD]

Ok I go trought the samething all the time My Jeep is buggifed I have a big Cummins to pull it. I still have a plate on it and it is still insured but it is far from steet legal. A couple of weekends ago we went up to the Uientas to beat the heat (Day trip) didn't want to trailer the Jeep so just took my truck started down a little dirt road that got narrower and while my Megacab sits on 37's it is to long to wheel besides its new and preaty. so I say 2 rigs I'm going to find another CJ to build as a "street Jeep" it will still be built just less then my wheeler. Some guys are into hotrods or Harleys I like Jeeps

 

[Skylinerider]

I'm with Kurt on this. I'm more interested in spending a few days on a trail exploring and actually getting somewhere. To me, spending 8 hours on a trail one mile long just isn't fun.

X3 And having a streetable rig is a must for these kind of adventures.

 

[Cody]

expedition stuff is great, but some people still love to thrash and those people need to either make up their minds or make enough scratch to have the best of both worlds.

 

[rondo]

My YJ is like a buggy; insured, licensed, titled, but not street legal. I can drive it in moab without issues, to and from any trail. I don't go to EJS anymore because it's out of control.
Anyway my pal in his 1/2 tube 1/2 yota only carries a toolbox; i have to carry all his crap, cooler, spare parts *jerk* haha so i guess the lesson is if you get your 5th buggy, maybe a 4 seater for the fam, just get some chump to carry all your stuff for you on the trail, and let your pals rig stay heavy as a freight train, while you stay light. awesome

 

[waynehartwig]

I'm not sure who those people are that want to help keep your rig all shiny and dent free on hardcore trails? I know it would get real old real quick for me to be helping someone like that more then once, but maybe its just me. I vote for the 2 rig system also, or just stick to what your jeep is capable of without body damage.

I chose to limit yourself, as that was probably the best option of the 4 I found....

This is my opinion as well. What I've done to allow the more difficult stuff is plating. For example, I have full rocker protection, from the frame up to the bottom of the door with a offset bar. Then I have rear corners that cover from the tailgate to the door, and top to bottom. At that point the only sheet metal left open for damage is the doors (but they can be taken off), hood and windshield frame. Oh, and the cowl area/area in front of the doors. But that can also be plated. The fenders will no longer be an issue when I get around to building the tube fenders. Then anything that I'm sure I will roll, or a high probability, I just don't do or I find a way to winch up. So I do limit the difficulty of trail somewhat.

I can get new TJ tubs for about $2k. I figure if I ever sell my Rubicon, and need straight sheet metal, I'll replace the tub.

I think eventually I'll do the two rig thing. Have a TJ with ~4" of lift and ~33" tires for the 'family' type of stuff and then a buggy for the 'fun' stuff

I'm lucky here, there is no law about mudflaps... Oregon only wants anything open above 27" (which is about the height of my rear bumper right now - very leinant <sp?>) from the ground covered, but don't care about flares. I'm not sure about Idaho, as I haven't been pulled over there yet (was in Oregon and that was what the HP told me).