BajaNomad - Road to San Antonio Difficulty

Road to San Antonio Difficulty

bajajoaquin - 10-4-2021 at 07:01 PM

Several years ago and with two different trucks, I’ve done the road up from Punta Cono/Punta Blanco through Codornices to San Antonio and then Mex 1. I remember quite clearly the climb from the Pacific being low range and unsuitable for RVs (I’ve done it in an F150 and an F350). But since the eastern end is so much easier, it hasn’t left an impression on me.

I now have a 4x4 Class C motor home that I’m taking on its first Baja trip this fall. It’s lifted a bit but still has pretty terrible departure angles. How far could I hope to get along the road from mex 1 to the dam ruins?

David K - 10-4-2021 at 09:35 PM

Besides the steep, rutted grade, there is a big boulder that you squeeze by... So, not a good choice for a motorhome, IMO.

bajajoaquin - 10-4-2021 at 09:49 PM

I just read your trip report on Tacomaworld. I don’t mean the whole road. Ive driven it twice west to east and agree it’s not a good road. I hope the couple you rescued managed to sort things out with their employer and their health. Do you know any more about them?

In your trip report, I’m talking about the upper, eastern leg of the road at the oasis where you wrote this:

“ An oasis is a mile past the ranch. Soon a dam and reservoir are in the gully below. Another oasis is in the distance, but the road I am on turns away from it before I am motivated to drive to it on a very unused track I saw. That would be the true Rancho San Antonio (Formerly 'Los Codornices'). It was 4:18pm.”

David K’s tacomaworld trip report

My recollection is that the road is pretty flat and serviceable from Mex1 to that point, but the grade to the Pacific is what really commands my attention so I’m unsure of my memory. I last drove that road in the winter of 2004. I got the first body damage on my new truck on that road when the detour around a fallen cardon was tighter than expected and I hooked the back wheel on a cirio. I wish I’d told that story to the guy who bought the truck from me last month…..

Edited to add: photo credit David K. I didn’t think the pic saved so I didn’t mention it before. Hope it’s okay to repost one of your pics.

A25A79ED-3395-4BFF-A15E-F2B656577617.jpeg - 116kB

A25A79ED-3395-4BFF-A15E-F2B656577617.jpeg - 116kB

[Edited on 10-5-2021 by bajajoaquin]

David K - 10-5-2021 at 06:00 AM

Yes, please feel welcome to use my photos and maps with a note on the source. You did good.

Those trip reports are all here on Baja Nomad, too (numbered 1-8 in the Trip Reports forum). The difference is that when Photobucket ended their photo hosting agreement, without their watermark, the images on Tacoma World were free of the watermark.

The couple in distress at La Miseria were seen again at that place, so I guess the land owner paid them off? However, since then the ranch was burned to the ground... so a new mystery!

There are two roads to San Antonio from Hwy. 1, Km. 252 and Km. 270.5, I used the southern route in. Great cirio trees along there... it was not a fast road.

It is from San Antonio (formerly Codornices) down the mountain to La Miseria I recommend only a 4WD SUV or pickup drive.

[Edited on 10-5-2021 by David K]

bajajoaquin - 10-5-2021 at 06:44 AM

Thanks.

I’ve seen you post that section of map before but it wasn’t clear to me if 4wd referred to the grade section or the eastern sections.

I’m looking at options for what to do if there’s no surf in early November. While I’ve been there, my brother hasn’t, and would like to see it. Actually, he would really like to drive the grade but I’ve told him I way to that. The view down the valley to cono is lovely, but it’s no place for my current rig.

I figure the coast road from the Wall (Punta Rosario) to Santa Rosalillita is just too much for me now. My old truck was just fine, but when I added a Lance camper, there was one gully where I just dragged the rear end. No way I’d make that now. Departure angle seems to be my main limiting factor.

David K - 10-5-2021 at 07:19 AM

If the object is to get to the surf rather than drive bad roads for fun, I suggest driving down to Santa Rosalillita, then go north on the good graded road to Punta María/ Punta Cono:

PaulW - 10-5-2021 at 07:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Besides the steep, rutted grade, there is a big boulder that you squeeze by... So, not a good choice for a motorhome, IMO.

===
Agree and the off camber and getting past the washouts will also be an issue for a big rig.

WestyWanderer - 10-5-2021 at 08:19 AM

Do you have any pictures of your motor home? I’d love to see them, sounds like a cool rig.

bajajoaquin - 10-5-2021 at 09:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

If the object is to get to the surf rather than drive bad roads for fun, I suggest driving down to Santa Rosalillita, then go north on the good graded road to Punta María/ Punta Cono:

There seems to be a disconnect here. I keep asking about the section between Mex 1 and the steep grade. The part that leads to the abandoned rancho and oasis. You keep replying about the steep grade between the oasis and the pacific coast.

Unless I’m missing something, the road between the highway and the oasis is (was) mostly smooth but slow with sandy patches that might catch out a 2wd vehicle. I’m just wondering if that section is lower difficulty than the big grade. My memory says it is, but I haven’t driven it since 2004.

The object is not to get to surf. The object is to get to the oasis a mile past the ranch up on the Mex 1 side of the grade. Spend the night. Move on to another nice spot in the morning.

If there’s surf, I’ll be going straight to the coast via graded roads.

If there’s no surf, I want to spend a little time seeing places I don’t usually see because I’m usually focused on the surf. There are places I’m confident I can’t go, like the road between The Wall and Sta rosalillita, or the road to the coast from La Bachata, but I’m looking for places to go that may be accessible for a vehicle with good traction but limited rutted-road capabilities.

David K - 10-5-2021 at 10:23 AM

Hi Joaquin, I did answer that as best I could... and then as typical with Nomads, we added more data than you asked for! Ha!!

I told you that I came in from the southern route (Km. 270.5)... and I think you are interested in the northern route (Km. 252)?

The road was ok in my Tacoma 4x4, but I would not recommend a motorhome... Lot's of dips (cross grain).

From where the two roads joined... It was okay, you first passed an abandoned ranch, off to the south, and then come near the oasis of San Antonio. There is a fork, and the heavy traffic goes left, as I did for the coast. I missed seeing the ruins of San Antonio and the rest of the oasis...

I was bummed because once I realized I missed seeing it, I was too far away to justify turning around. It was late in the afternoon and I hoped to get to the coast to camp. Running into that couple at La Miseria changed things!

Does that help? I do have a amigo who rode his motorcycle on the northern branch that I bumped into at Km. 252 as they were coming out on another of my trips that year. He is a Nomad but doesn't post much. More of a Facebook user.

bajaric - 10-5-2021 at 11:34 AM

The road is not for the faint of heart. It is an ungraded narrow 2 track with deep ruts and a high center. Chollas lurking everywhere. If it looks really sketchy you might even have to turn around and drive a couple miles back to the highway...

bajajoaquin - 10-5-2021 at 12:57 PM

Ok, got it. Thanks all. It will go off the “potential” list until I’ve had a few trips in it to see what feels safe.

WestyWanderer, I don’t have any pics except on my phone, and they’re too big to upload here. But I’m happy to type what I know!

It’s a 1998 Jamboree 24’ Class C. It has under 20,000 real miles on it. It was one of the “factory” 4x4 conversions offered by Jamboree in 1998 (1999? It’s not clear but the chassis is a 1998). The conversion was done by Salem-Kroger. Specs:

1998 E-450 chassis
24’ rear bed/rear bath layout
V10/E4OD trans
BW 13-56 transfer case
Dana 60 high pinion front
Dana 80 rear
4.63 gears
It’s not “lifted” but I’d guess it’s about 3”-4” over stock height
It just came back from the diff shop where onboard air was installed in preparation for an ARB rear locker when they get back in stock. I’m debating a front locker still.

My intent isn’t to take it ‘wheeling, but to go places that a regular motor home couldn’t or to have a margin for the unusual. Case in point: I took my family to the seven sisters area thanksgiving 2019. We had that big storm that made getting out of our camp and out the road impossible for an extra day. That was in a 4x4 F350 with a Lance. A 2wd camper would have been stuck for a while. But it’s a region I’ve gone to for 20 years and had heretofore been totally accessible in a 2wd vehicle. So the idea is to go places that have risk of changing conditions and still be able to get home.

David K - 10-5-2021 at 02:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajajoaquin

Ok, got it. Thanks all. It will go off the “potential” list until I’ve had a few trips in it to see what feels safe.

WestyWanderer, I don’t have any pics except on my phone, and they’re too big to upload here. But I’m happy to type what I know!

It’s a 1998 Jamboree 24’ Class C. It has under 20,000 real miles on it. It was one of the “factory” 4x4 conversions offered by Jamboree in 1998 (1999? It’s not clear but the chassis is a 1998). The conversion was done by Salem-Kroger. Specs:

1998 E-450 chassis
24’ rear bed/rear bath layout
V10/E4OD trans
BW 13-56 transfer case
Dana 60 high pinion front
Dana 80 rear
4.63 gears
It’s not “lifted” but I’d guess it’s about 3”-4” over stock height
It just came back from the diff shop where onboard air was installed in preparation for an ARB rear locker when they get back in stock. I’m debating a front locker still.

My intent isn’t to take it ‘wheeling, but to go places that a regular motor home couldn’t or to have a margin for the unusual. Case in point: I took my family to the seven sisters area thanksgiving 2019. We had that big storm that made getting out of our camp and out the road impossible for an extra day. That was in a 4x4 F350 with a Lance. A 2wd camper would have been stuck for a while. But it’s a region I’ve gone to for 20 years and had heretofore been totally accessible in a 2wd vehicle. So the idea is to go places that have risk of changing conditions and still be able to get home.

Feel free to email any photos you want posted until you get the hang of using www.postimages.org (resized to 800 pixels or less). My email is: info AT vivabaja.com

WestyWanderer - 10-5-2021 at 09:07 PM

I had no idea they offered a “factory” 4x4. We had a 2004 Tioga 24D (rear bed) and loved it. Considered have it converted to 4x4 for the same reasons you have but felt the construction wouldn’t handle the abuse. Maybe I’ll see you around the sister, I make it there once or twice a year usually.

bajajoaquin - 10-5-2021 at 09:37 PM

I’d never heard of postimages. Cool.

These are either from the listing or just after purchase. It’s since gotten 32” tires. At some point I’ll change the graphics to something less ostentatious.

Because the factory option was so rare, we just jumped on it without much research. After purchase, we found out that it’s a brand that made the frames with steel and aluminum rather than only wood. I’m pretty happy about that.

I’m headed down first week in November to the sisters and then in late February to go whale watching.

[img]

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[img]

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Nice rig!

AKgringo - 10-6-2021 at 07:01 AM

I would assume that the transfer case has a low range option, am I wrong?

bajajoaquin - 10-6-2021 at 10:52 AM

No, you’re not wrong. The Borg Warner 13-56 is the transfer case out of the Ford 4x4 trucks of the era and maybe up to current. It was used in F-Series from 150 to 450.

David K - 10-6-2021 at 11:01 AM

That long, rear overhang looks like a real limiter for off road travel? The 4WD must be great for getting onto the beach, however!

bajajoaquin - 10-6-2021 at 11:19 AM

Yes, exactly. I key in on the road North to Santa Rosalillita because I have video of my old truck and camper going through the steepest gully section and it drags the camper bumper. It’s literally at the limit of what that combo can do. This camper is way worse in that regard.

But I knew that going in. It’s really for beach access and getting through the muddy sections that can grow after a rain.

I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, though. I just bought it a little bit ago and have been working on all the deferred maintenance and a few updates. First trip in it will be in about four weeks.

AKgringo - 10-6-2021 at 12:05 PM

I run 32 inch tires on my Trooper, and I wish they were bigger! With dual rear wheels, you probably are maxed out on the size, and if you "air down" to get through some sand, the sidewalls will probably rub.

bajajoaquin - 10-6-2021 at 12:31 PM

I just put on 235/85R16s which are 31.7” according to specs. I would have put on 255s, but that would have required (or strongly recommended) new, wider wheels. They would have fit with only minor trimming up front. But since I didn’t plan on buying this (I saw it for sale locally and jumped on it), I really don’t have the budget to be throwing more money at it. Tires, deferred maintenance, rear locker, solar and batteries are pretty much eating it all up.

I am concerned a bit about tire rubbing on the duals. This is my fourth vehicle with duals, but the first one I’m going to be airing down for off road. The tire shop insists I have adequate space to air down to 30psi in the rear. I also talked with a shop that makes spacers and their take is also that I have adequate clearance to go down that far. So I’m going to trust them. I’m going to bring along a hydraulic jack and a good sturdy base for it as well.

David K - 10-6-2021 at 01:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I run 32 inch tires on my Trooper, and I wish they were bigger! With dual rear wheels, you probably are maxed out on the size, and if you "air down" to get through some sand, the sidewalls will probably rub.

Do you all remember Art (edm1) and his home-made 4WD van/ motorhome?
Even with front and rear ARB lockers, he would get stuck in the bottomless sand of Shell Island.
Only after additional deflating was he able achieve floatation to drive out. He was so happy to not join the Sea of Cortez! He had duel rear tires.

David K - 10-6-2021 at 01:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajajoaquin

Yes, exactly. I key in on the road North to Santa Rosalillita because I have video of my old truck and camper going through the steepest gully section and it drags the camper bumper. It’s literally at the limit of what that combo can do. This camper is way worse in that regard.

But I knew that going in. It’s really for beach access and getting through the muddy sections that can grow after a rain.

I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, though. I just bought it a little bit ago and have been working on all the deferred maintenance and a few updates. First trip in it will be in about four weeks.

Please use the 4WD (High and Low Range) before your trip... make sure the transfer case stays engaged. Know how it works before you need it. They can pop out of 4WD and that will get you stuck... as it did me when I was piloting the Viva Baja 4WD van in 2001 (a Quigley).

bajajoaquin - 10-6-2021 at 02:48 PM

Do you remember what pressure he had to run to get out?

When I say “beach access” I guess I really don’t mean beach running (although I’d love to go out to the point at Cabo San Quintin, that’s really not in the cards). I mean more like getting across the soft sandy/silty spots to get to places like this:

[img]

[/img]

David K - 10-6-2021 at 03:51 PM

Tire type (sidewall and plys) as well as vehicle weight have a lot to do with what PSI will give you floatation.

I run my Dyna Pro ATm tires at 34 psi on then highway, drop to 24 psi on dirt roads (to improve the ride and resist sharp rock punctures), and 18 psi or less on the deep sand... This works because these tires are great in sand and then Tacoma's 'Trac' electronic limited slip is really amazing compared to earlier Tacomas that had no fancy traction controls.

For most, 15 psi is the go-to sweet spot... but 10 psi almost always works for heavier tires, 2WDs, and of course when 15 psi didn't work.

Now, an extra heavy rig will not need to by that low, especially on the rear tires. When they have a decent sidewall bulge, see what the pressure is... 20 to 25 psi may work if you normally run 50 psi+.

Try it and if you begin to bog down in sand... Stop and let more air out... Do NOT spin the tires! There is a point that you will get floatation!

AKgringo - 10-6-2021 at 04:30 PM

On my Trooper, I now have BFG 265/75/16 tires that are almost exactly the same height as your 235/85s. They are E-rated, with heavy sidewalls, and I have been told not to run them as low as I did the lighter weight "RV" tires I had on it before (at least not very far, or fast).

The rims appear to be close to eight inches wide, how wide are your dually rims?

bajajoaquin - 10-6-2021 at 05:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Tire type (sidewall and plys) as well as vehicle weight have a lot to do with what PSI will give you floatation.

I run my Dyna Pro ATm tires at 34 psi on then highway, drop to 24 psi on dirt roads (to improve the ride and resist sharp rock punctures), and 18 psi or less on the deep sand... This works because these tires are great in sand and then Tacoma's 'Trac' electronic limited slip is really amazing compared to earlier Tacomas that had no fancy traction controls.

For most, 15 psi is the go-to sweet spot... but 10 psi almost always works for heavier tires, 2WDs, and of course when 15 psi didn't work.

Now, an extra heavy rig will not need to by that low, especially on the rear tires. When they have a decent sidewall bulge, see what the pressure is... 20 to 25 psi may work if you normally run 50 psi+.

Try it and if you begin to bog down in sand... Stop and let more air out... Do NOT spin the tires! There is a point that you will get floatation!

Right, I get the differences but it’s a point of information for setting expectations. That transvan is probably 11,500lb or 12,500lb depending on the chassis. It’s significantly lighter than the 14,500lb I’ve got now, but heavier than the 9,000 my old truck and camper was.

I’m going to air down to 30 or 35 psi for the roads to mitigate vibration. I’d be curious what he was running in the dirt and how much lower he had to go to get unstuck. I know I would be different but it might be a helpful data point to know if he was at 20 or 15…. or 5!

bajajoaquin - 10-6-2021 at 05:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

On my Trooper, I now have BFG 265/75/16 tires that are almost exactly the same height as your 235/85s. They are E-rated, with heavy sidewalls, and I have been told not to run them as low as I did the lighter weight "RV" tires I had on it before (at least not very far, or fast).

The rims appear to be close to eight inches wide, how wide are your dually rims?

I think they’re 6.5” but the tire shop forgot to measure. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t go with 255/85s: I’d have wanted to go to 7.5” wheels and seven new wheels on top of seven new tires was really out of the budget. I’ve talked to the tire shop about my intended use and pressures and they’re of the opinion that I’m in a good range. I think most of the issue is popping a bead when turning so I would need to be extra careful if I need to go really low to get unstuck.

I didn’t get my ARB air locker installed, as the high-ratio Dana 80 model was out of stock, but I did get the onboard air in. So if I need to air down further than is advisable, I’ll be able to air back up again.

But the plan isn’t to go wheeling. The plan is to go camping in places I think I can get into and out of safely.

PaulW - 10-7-2021 at 07:47 AM

Wheeling with duallys can be interesting.
Have fun

edm1 - 10-7-2021 at 01:03 PM

I had 245/70R19.5 (34") Load Range F duallies on that motorhome normally at 50psi at the rear, with ARB lockers front and rear. Wow, that was Ken Cooke helping me!!! I thought 22psi was airing down. I had to deflate to 12psi to get out.

I have since sold 3 motorhomes that I converted to 4x4. I now have a 22ft Class A running on F550 4x4 axles. Sorry, I forgot how to attach photos already :-(

Quote: Originally posted by bajajoaquin

Do you remember what pressure he had to run to get out?

When I say “beach access” I guess I really don’t mean beach running (although I’d love to go out to the point at Cabo San Quintin, that’s really not in the cards). I mean more like getting across the soft sandy/silty spots to get to places like this:

[img]

[/img]

[Edited on 10-7-2021 by edm1]

[Edited on 10-7-2021 by edm1]

David K - 10-7-2021 at 01:52 PM

Art, here is the latest way to attach photos that are over Nomad's limits:

To post photos from your Pictures folder on your computer...

Go to www.Postimages.org, make an album if you want to organize your photos to find them easily in the future (by date or by subject). No cost to use Postimages.org.

Change the upload setting from "Do not resize my image" to 640x480 (recommended for forums) or 800x600 (max. on Nomad). You click on the little arrow to see the size choices.

Click "Choose images" and select the photos you want to put on Nomad from your Pictures folder.

Click on the image you want on Nomad and click on "Share" at the top of the screen.

Choose "Hotlinks for forums" (down next to the last one). You can click the little box at the right end of the link and it is now saved on your mouse.

Go to Nomad and paste that link onto the place where you are typing on Nomad. You can put text in below the photo for a caption or your post and if you double space between photo links (for clarity), you can put several photos and captions in a single post on Nomad. You can click "Preview" on Nomad to check and see how it will look before posting to the board.

If you need to fix a post after it is done, click on "Edit" along the edge of your post, and change or delete your post. If you edit more than once, you can delete the previous Edited on tags so only one edit tag will appear after you edit the post.
==============================================================

bajajoaquin - 10-7-2021 at 02:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by edm1

I had 245/70R19.5 (34") duallies on that motorhome normally at 50psi at the rear, with ARBs front and rear. Wow, that was Ken Cooke helping me!!! I thought 22psi was airing down. I had to deflate to 12psi to get out.

I have since sold 3 motorhomes that I converted to 4x4. I now have a 22ft Class A running on F550 4x4 axles. Sorry, I forgot how to attach photos already :-(

Quote: Originally posted by bajajoaquin

[/img]

Thanks. I just sent you a U2U before I saw this.

You did indeed have different wheels and tires. I understand that the 19.5s are a lot stiffer than the 16s so I’m likely to have a really different profile to yours. Last time I had a similar wheel and tire combo was on my Travco. I wish I had that converted to 4x4!

I remember one of your last 4x4s on Craigslist a couple years back. I didn’t jump on it because the bed arrangement wasn’t right for my family. The Class C has three separate beds so the two kids, my wife and I all get our spaces.

Regardless of the big differences, that info is very helpful, thank you.

I’m putting in a rear ARB as soon as the model I need is back in stock. What’s your opinion on the marginal cost/benefit of the front locker? I’m not going to follow your lead down the Widowmaker of course, but I do want to maximum chances of not getting stuck in the event of a storm while I’m down. I’m thinking of the long mud pit that can form by Alejandro’s after a big rain like thanksgiving 2019.

edm1 - 10-7-2021 at 04:09 PM

. . . What’s your opinion on the marginal cost/benefit of the front locker? . . .

What I can tell you is I am NOT going to put a locker at the rear of my 12K lbs 22ft Class A 4x4 motorhome, reason being I have a stout S110 (F550) axle there with limited slip and a very heavy front (5800 lbs). I will put a selectable locker, though, at the front (Also with F550, Super60 widetrack axle). This arrangement I believe will do the Widowmaker just as well, not that I will attempt it again at my age :-)

Depending on the kind of rear axle/differential you have and if you have a very heavy front weight, consider a similar thought above since you're not doing Widowmaker stuff anyway.

As far as wheel/tires go, I am a fan of 19.5s, notwithstanding David's disapproval of them :-) LOL. No issues of tires rubbing though.

PaulW - 10-7-2021 at 04:36 PM

For the front I would suggest a Trutrac limited slip. I am guessing the rears willdo most of the work in sand and the fronts just helping?
Tires and wheels - the best would be SRW 17 or 18 rims with 35 or 37 dia 12.5" section with all terrain tire not mud.
Good luck fitting the SRW in the wheel wells.

Just trying post image

edm1 - 10-8-2021 at 06:24 AM

David, thanks for the postimage guidance. Let's see if it works.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Art, here is the latest way to attach photos that are over Nomad's limits:

To post photos from your Pictures folder on your computer...

Go to www.Postimages.org, make an album if you want to organize your photos to find them easily in the future (by date or by subject). No cost to use Postimages.org.

Change the upload setting from "Do not resize my image" to 640x480 (recommended for forums) or 800x600 (max. on Nomad). You click on the little arrow to see the size choices.

Click "Choose images" and select the photos you want to put on Nomad from your Pictures folder.

Click on the image you want on Nomad and click on "Share" at the top of the screen.

Choose "Hotlinks for forums" (down next to the last one). You can click the little box at the right end of the link and it is now saved on your mouse.

Go to Nomad and paste that link onto the place where you are typing on Nomad. You can put text in below the photo for a caption or your post and if you double space between photo links (for clarity), you can put several photos and captions in a single post on Nomad. You can click "Preview" on Nomad to check and see how it will look before posting to the board.

If you need to fix a post after it is done, click on "Edit" along the edge of your post, and change or delete your post. If you edit more than once, you can delete the previous Edited on tags so only one edit tag will appear after you edit the post.
==============================================================

bajajoaquin - 10-8-2021 at 08:13 AM

That’s awesome. No surprise, of course.

It also looks like it’s got really modest rear overhang. That’s the one thing about mine that I don’t much care for. But since the sleeping arrangements of a Class C were the determining factor, there really wasn’t much option.

edm1 - 10-8-2021 at 09:43 AM

Thanks, here's another, showing rear overhang a bit more. This mh at 22ft is the shortest Class A I have found/seen.

Quote: Originally posted by bajajoaquin

That’s awesome. No surprise, of course.

It also looks like it’s got really modest rear overhang a bit better. That’s the one thing about mine that I don’t much care for. But since the sleeping arrangements of a Class C were the determining factor, there really wasn’t much option.

[Edited on 10-8-2021 by edm1]

Do you travel in snow country often?

AKgringo - 10-8-2021 at 10:04 AM

I have spent half my life in snow and ice country. My experience there leads me to prefer limited slip over a locking rear axle.

I had a heavy duty Suburban that I put 35" mud terrain tires, and a Detroit locker in the rear. The problem was steering it!

In 4 wheel drive on slick roads it would tend to go in a straight line, pushing the front wheels like a plow. In 2wd with the rear locked up, it liked to spin out, although the long wheel base was relatively easy to correct.

On beaches and back roads, it was a wonderful tractor!

David K - 10-8-2021 at 10:17 AM

Traction controls (limited slip systems or locking differentials) are a hoot to compare! I am fortunate that my Tacoma has four levels of 4WD traction assist. I have not been able to get my Tacoma stuck, and I have tried!!
In 4WD:
1) No traction assist, 'open differentials' (Toyota VSC OFF Mode)
2) Light limited slip (Toyota TRAC [standard] Mode)
3) Locking rear differential (Toyota RR Diff Lock)
4) Strong, nearly locked, limited slip front and rear (Toyota A-TRAC)

The A-TRAC matches tire rotation across the axle when a slip is detected. This allows for easy steering, unlike traditional lockers.

edm1 - 10-8-2021 at 11:18 AM

Not often, but I don't like it to deter me when it happens. Besides, who doesn't have the Alaska Denali/Yukon expedition in his/her bucket list? :-)

My experience, likewise, with the rear locker. Even the front locker retards steering but in a lesser degree; but with a selectable (ie, can be turned off) locker, it is manageable.

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I have spent half my life in snow and ice country. My experience there leads me to prefer limited slip over a locking rear axle.

I had a heavy duty Suburban that I put 35" mud terrain tires, and a Detroit locker in the rear. The problem was steering it!

In 4 wheel drive on slick roads it would tend to go in a straight line, pushing the front wheels like a plow. In 2wd with the rear locked up, it liked to spin out, although the long wheel base was relatively easy to correct.

On beaches and back roads, it was a wonderful tractor!

David K - 10-8-2021 at 01:14 PM

Art, on your previous 4x4 motorhome, your tires seemed to be on the narrow side and lacked off road style tread. Were you able to improve the tires with your latest motorhome?

I sure hope we can camp with you guys again... the oxtail soup was one for the books!

10 years ago (July 2011, Shell Island road):

bajajoaquin - 10-8-2021 at 01:34 PM

Wow. Look how low that front tire is! Sure tells a story about the softness of the sand.

I wish we could get a thread dedicated to his motorhomes.....

David K - 10-8-2021 at 01:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajajoaquin

Wow. Look how low that front tire is! Sure tells a story about the softness of the sand.

I wish we could get a thread dedicated to his motorhomes.....

Go ahead, and since it would be about 4x4 or off road motorhomes, this would be the best forum: http://forums.bajanomad.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=28

We can copy and paste the posts here, over there and delete them here if you want to unclutter this thread.

edm1 - 10-8-2021 at 02:34 PM

You're very observant!!!

Those photos were taken right before you hop into the pavement, and coming from the Shell Island access road. Of course they were aired down, but I think just to 20psi.

Quote: Originally posted by bajajoaquin

Wow. Look how low that front tire is! Sure tells a story about the softness of the sand.

I wish we could get a thread dedicated to his motorhomes.....

[Edited on 10-8-2021 by edm1]

edm1 - 10-8-2021 at 02:39 PM

The tires are a little wider on the new mh, just an inch :-), but they are still RV style tires, non-offroad. One of these days I'm gonna put big sipes on them to make them offroad style; after all they're regroovable.

You have a better memory than I about the oxtail dish! pretty sure because I wasn't the one who cooked :-) My wife is a great cook. Thank you.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Art, on your previous 4x4 motorhome, your tires seemed to be on the narrow side and lacked off road style tread. Were you able to improve the tires with your latest motorhome?

[Edited on 10-8-2021 by edm1]