How do you drive on logging roads ?

[aj8544]

This would be the Harrison Hot springs East Forest Service roads up here in BC.
Now when i said I went faster, I'm not saying anything crazy fast. I mean around 30km/hr.

The gravel road pot holes look like this in the picture. I'm just wondering what is considered good recommendations in driving this sort of road. Do i just go slow and craw over them slowly, or what do most people do ?

Heck that photo looks like my daily commute on the highways here in NY- we still do 70...

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[canyonrat]

1st - uncomfortable for you as a passenger is uncomfortable for your truck and its parts, over time.

2nd - 4wd hi ON can help on washboardy stuff to smooth the ride. Even if it is not called for to "get over stuff".

3rd - that road looks like it sucks I'd avoid it. Most civilized 2-tracks would be more fun to drive down.

 

[MarineHawk]

2nd - 4wd hi ON can help on washboardy stuff to smooth the ride. Even if it is not called for to "get over stuff".

I'm open to an explanation, but this seems dubious to me. 4WH just adds traction during acceleration. It doesn't dampen the suspension's handling of bumps.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm open to an explanation, but this seems dubious to me. 4WH just adds traction during acceleration. It doesn't dampen the suspension's handling of bumps.

I've found it pulls the front tires over the edge instead of them just being slammed against the far side of a hole. It has at times felt better to me when driving through a plowed field, for example. Even if not needed, I found my Comanche felt better getting across my fields in 4x4 mode rather than 2 wheel drive even though it would have made it fine. Climbing over is easier than being shoved against and over.
I almost always put my trucks in 4 wheel drive in my fields even when not needed, it just felt better.

 

[canyonrat]

I'm open to an explanation, but this seems dubious to me. 4WH just adds traction during acceleration. It doesn't dampen the suspension's handling of bumps.

I agree with ShadowsPapa explanation, sounds reasonable. All I know is from experience...in the past with other Jeeps on washboard roads if I turn on 4hi it feels like a smoother ride.

 

[MarineHawk]

I've found it pulls the front tires over the edge instead of them just being slammed against the far side of a hole.

If it's an open diff, it's only one of the two front tires. Not the "front tires."

 

[nlicalsi91]

72,000 miles on my 2015 JKU and live on Long Island with tons of pot holes. I’ve only changed my shocks at 65,000 but I’m sure something else with go

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If it's an open diff, it's only one of the two front tires. Not the "front tires."

Unless one is on ice or clear of the road, it's both pulling.
Equal torque as long as one has any traction at all.
Doesn't matter unless you are being totally picky - then yes, it's still pulling one across the hole instead of it being slammed against the other side while the other is on more level ground - maybe, or maybe not. Railroad tracks are a great example around here.

 

[jurfie]

3rd - that road looks like it sucks I'd avoid it. Most civilized 2-tracks would be more fun to drive down.

Sometimes the sucky roads take you to the best destinations. In this case, it is on the way to some hidden hot springs for a wild soak under the stars.

 

[PyrPatriot]

3rd - that road looks like it sucks I'd avoid it. Most civilized 2-tracks would be more fun to drive down.

This what sets Jeeps apart from every other vehicle out there (except the Raptor when it comes to THIS kind of terrain): it sees roads lesser vehicles would hesitate at and eats them for breakfast. It may not be comfortable, but capability and comfort rarely come at the price point of Jeeps

 

[noodles]

Sometimes the sucky roads take you to the best destinations. In this case, it is on the way to some hidden hot springs for a wild soak under the stars.

Exactly!!

 

[canyonrat]

Sometimes the sucky roads take you to the best destinations. In this case, it is on the way to some hidden hot springs for a wild soak under the stars.

Yeah I think that's a given. It's always a question of the crossing of a bad road or long distance being worth it. You make the call. I was just offering up that 4wd helps in ways you might not expect.

 

[Mabar]

So i went on my first forest logging road this past weekend. Loose dirt gravel road, TONS of pot holes. Do you guys generally go over the pot holes slowly, or just drive 30-40 km/hr and just take it ? ...

Tips appreciated!

I would suggest airing down your tires when off-roading. It will make a HUGE difference in riding comfort, as well as giving you more traction.

 

[bl1ndman]

The other part of the explanation is that in 2wd the back tires will buck the truck a lot more when hitting lots of pot holes.

OP it also depends a lot on how your JT is modified and how deep the holes are. My Rubicon is stock, my go to speed would be 60km/h unless they are deeper and causing a decreased control. Another tip, airing down your tires helps A LOT. Even just dropping the pressure to 20psi, you will need a good air compressor to reinflate your tires though.

I would also suggest joining the 4WD Accusation of BC facebook page, tons of information and a good place to ask general 4x4 question. They also do noobie runs bast around the lowermain land.

 

[GibbonsMonkey]

The other part of the explanation is that in 2wd the back tires will buck the truck a lot more when hitting lots of pot holes.

OP it also depends a lot on how your JT is modified and how deep the holes are. My Rubicon is stock, my go to speed would be 60km/h unless they are deeper and causing a decreased control. Another tip, airing down your tires helps A LOT. Even just dropping the pressure to 20psi, you will need a good air compressor to reinflate your tires though.

I would also suggest joining the 4WD Accusation of BC facebook page, tons of information and a good place to ask general 4x4 question. They also do noobie runs bast around the lowermain land.

OP probably figured it out over a year and a half ago.

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