In Bed Vertical Tire Carrier

[WambliSka]

Gotcha!

I shy'd away from some out west trips the last few times when they were getting too extreme for my tastes. First time I was in a small group (two) and never sat in lines. Was enjoyable, we did trails that I did not consider extreme.

The second time I think were 6-7 Jeeps deep. Not nearly as enjoyable. Trail selection was turned up some. Ducked out one one day entirely in exchange for some easy scenery and a nice lunch.

I really kinda feel where you are coming from on that. My group got fairly high pressure I felt like - and while I don't mind them doing their thing, I felt like they outgrew me and weren't going to dial it back for my tastes.

And that's OK - I can do alone / small setting. That will probably put me more at ease.

I love deciding to opt out of something and people simply accepting that.

I am more likely to volunteer into something when left to my own thought processes than being coerced into it.

Going back though and looking forward to the scenery - this time on a trip that was 100% my plan. I have it dialed back to trails that a 'stock' Gladiator will be at home on, and visiting mostly areas that our crowd wasn't interested in. Some are trails that I just love (like Fins & Things, and Hells Revenge but skipping all of the YouTube obstacles) and some are 'roads to get somewhere' like Onion Creek, and Potash Rd to get to Island in the Sky (Canyonlands).

That's my approach to most things I enjoy. Example, I like a day of Golf every once in a blue moon, but most of my friends are quite skilled and competitive. I will never personally dedicate enough time to Golf to get to their level but I'm still invited to go out. I bring good cigars and beer for everyone with me to the links. And I load my bag with a dozen balls. When I shank one into the woods or water I don't slow down to retrieve my ball, I just drop one next to wherever my friends landed and play my version of "best ball". I don't keep score because I do not care and just have a great day outside with buddies. And I do enjoy seeing them just crush those long drives!

NOW, when I do get into a sport or endeavor that I'm truly interested in, like horses, I go all out and risks be dammed. I love to test myself and my animals and I was heavily into re-training problem horses in my younger years. I remember one day I was showing a good buddy of mine (excellent rider in his own right) something I'd taught my own personal horse and he said he couldn't get his horse to do it. I told him to try it on mine so he could feel the cues and the responses from the horse. His answer was "Oh HELL no..." and when I asked why he said "That's too much horse for me.".

I laughed my ass off but I learned something about myself that day. It's all about personal priorities! If I die training a rank horse, so be it (actually working on adopting a couple of Mustangs to train). I LOVE working with a spirited animal and maybe those I think are a bit nutty, so effort well spent and a fine way to go if the Lord wants me home. But if I do something silly in my Jeep because of "pressure" and end up snapping my neck on a wheels up accident, I will get to the Pearly Gates and ask St. Peter to soundly kick my ass for being stupid. I watch enough episodes of Matt's OffRoad Recovery to know the difference between fun and out of scope for me

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[Bandit’s Lair]

Thread went off the path a bit but I honestly don’t care. I agree with both of you on this subject. I’m usually up for a decent trail run but most of my favorites have been with 3-5 good guys who have been pretty serious off-roaders. Meaning they aren’t 3 sheets to the wind 30 minutes into the run and they approach running the trail intelligently and respectfully. When you run something like the one posted below you better be with a respectful group. I did this one in my LJ with the lady that posted this. Wasn’t on this particular run but that’s a pretty hairy section of trail.

 

[Jteakus]

I think bolted to front passenger side of bed is best, centers the weight and you can stack gear around it, My bed is so full when we travel I have no room anywhere but under. 37 spare with 39's on truck is not ideal though.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I think bolted to front passenger side of bed is best, centers the weight and you can stack gear around it, My bed is so full when we travel I have no room anywhere but under. 37 spare with 39's on truck is not ideal though.

I was actually thinking front driver’s side. I usually like to set things up as the drivers side being the working side and passenger side is the camping side. That way if I stop off the side of the road for lunch or whatever en route I’m off the traffic side. That’s what I tell myself anyway. Not really sure why but I’ve always set up camp on the passenger side. So spare/jack/tool chest to the driver’s side and power supply small fridge and camp gear to the passenger side of the bed. Recovery gear hangs out in the back passsenger seat and my Wingman bag hangs out on the front passenger seat. (That’s for my snacks and too many snacks energy drinks)

 

[Jteakus]

This is pretty slick

https://dv8offroad.com/products/jee...dHQVl9yT7NqY-hrzric7s5T10w4W662qxlo3ZEfIDJytg

 

[Viper501]

I like the idea of a skid for the tire with some high molecular weight plastic as a slider / lubricant. I also wonder if anyone has taken a saw to the bed to move the tire up slightly into the bed and smooth out the underbody. Never really looked up under there to see if the idea is feasible but it could kill two birds.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

This is pretty slick

https://dv8offroad.com/products/jee...dHQVl9yT7NqY-hrzric7s5T10w4W662qxlo3ZEfIDJytg

That one is close to the center of my radar. Been looking hard at it. I like how it mounts. Wondering what the measurement is between the rail mount and the tire mount.

 

[ChrisNLA]

That DV8 one looks pretty good. I like that it attached two the floor and the rail. Ive seen some that depend on only a side attachment and depend on the weight of the tire at the floor and end up shaking / breaking things loose.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

That DV8 one looks pretty good. I like that it attached two the floor and the rail. Ive seen some that depend on only a side attachment and depend on the weight of the tire at the floor and end up shaking / breaking things loose.

That’s actually what I’m leery abouton the install. It’s a mind screw to drill a hole into my bed. Says it has to happen with over a 35” though so will have to bite the bullet if I go this route. I was hoping someone had one so they could measure and see if there’s room for a .50 ammo can on top of the side mount.

 

[ChrisNLA]

That’s actually what I’m leery abouton the install. It’s a mind screw to drill a hole into my bed. Says it has to happen with over a 35” though so will have to bite the bullet if I go this route. I was hoping someone had one so they could measure and see if there’s room for a .50 ammo can on top of the side mount.

I have drilled....15 holes in my bed so far.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Last time I drilled holes in a Jeep it took some liquid courage and a buddy’s moral support. I don’t drink anymore and he moved to TX.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Last time I drilled holes in a Jeep it took some liquid courage and a buddy’s moral support. I don’t drink anymore and he moved to TX.

I built emergency vehicles for many years. Got real used to drilling into expensive vehicles

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I built emergency vehicles for many years. Got real used to drilling into expensive vehicles

Cool! I drove the hell out of em for many years. Now there’s an idea!!! Interceptor package for a Gladiator!!!

 

[ChrisNLA]

Cool! I drove the hell out of em for many years. Now there’s an idea!!! Interceptor package for a Gladiator!!!

Funny you should say that. I saw something this morning on the way to work...

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Was that an LE lightbar or one of those wide load caution type lightbars?

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