October Moab Trip

[TJJT]

the fun treks books are also good, very good directions and waypoints

https://a.co/d/b8jNvOj

I bought that a couple months ago, great resource

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[TJJT]

That looks incredible

 

[TJJT]

Lots of great dispersed camping in the area. Use an app like OnX to find and plan your camping and trails so you don't have to just stick to campgrounds. These apps also will rate the trails, some of which in Moab can be difficult/dangerous. If you are camping in Canyonlands (White Rim), you'll need a reservation and a backcountry permit.

I'm planning a trip to the Moab area in Oct as well. I'm expecting the weather could turn unexpectedly cold at that time of the year, so may have to pack a lot of different types of clothing. You'll be absolutely blown away by the beauty of your adventure. So happy for you!

Weather can certainly be a challenge. When will you be there?

 

[TJJT]

Just got back from Moab 2 weeks ago. I’ve got a decent sized lift and 37s, but no lockers. The lift honestly didn’t make that much of a difference, I still drug ass and belly all over the place. We did Fins and things, hells revenge, poison spider, and onion creek. I missed out on top of the world, I plan to return and finish what I started. I’ll also do chicken corners and Elephant hill next time I’m in town. The wheelbase of the gladiator is its own worst enemy. Be prepared for scrapes on the bottom, but also be prepared to be amazed at the climbing capabilities.

Hoping to not tear stuff up that badly

 

[TJJT]

This was on 7 Mile Rim, I believe. Beautiful trail! This was my JK and JL last October. Sadly, it was the swan song for the JK. It performed perfectly but this was the trip where I decided I needed a Gladiator to carry camping gear.

This pic was taken on White Rim. First time I've encountered a Big Horn Sheep in the wild!

Looks amazing, can't wait to get out there

 

[TJJT]

We love Moab so much! Bring ample tools! Pack extra food and water. Download trail maps before you leave an area with cell service. If rain is in the forecast avoid low lying trails as they will flood fast.

Finns and things is a good trail to start on as it has bypasses at I think every obstacle. Hells revenge is a blast, make it through the entrance and you’ll be good to go! Sand Flats Road at sundown is an absolutely awesome drive. Top of The World is worth the trip. The burgers at The Broken Oar are great!

If there are specific trails that you’re on the fence about, let me know and I’ll try and give some insight if we’ve done it before.

I appreciate the tips, you may hear from me

 

[TJJT]

I've been once with my JKUR on 33's, once with 35's, and three times in my JLUR with 35's and my brother's JTR with 35's. All had 2 inch lifts, but the JK had a 2.5 the second time. Sounds like your JT is equipped perfectly.

Probably the single most important thing you've got, from my experience, is the front sway bar disco. Keeping tires on the ground is the single best thing for traction....I'd give up lockers before giving up articulation. The hitch slider will get a great workout, too, but 100% did the job on my brother's JT.

What you will find is that the JT with its long wheelbase is the champion hill climber. My JLUR handled every hill my brother's JT took, but many took more effort, as the long wheelbase allowed for long reach to get traction. The JT felt more stable and seemed to struggle just a little less for traction. The main limiting factor for the JT was the rear overhang, but that hitch skid handled it. It also had a mild disadvantage to the JL with turning circle, but that only mattered at Elephant Hill. It was only a minor one, though.

I'm super jealous and wish I could jump in the convoy with you! I'm dying to get my JT out there!

One more thing...I typically aired down to 17 psi and in the heat, that would swell to 20. It seemed to handle everything just fine.

I highly recommend White Rim Trail. It's not technically tough at all, but the scenery is killer and there's one wonderful hill with a dog leg that will pucker you up, but won't be a challenge for the Jeep. With your RTT, camping on that trail would be just amazing. I've done it twice, each time in one full day with the finish at night.

You'll have to register online in advance to get onto White Rim and to camp there, if you want to do it.

Can't wait to see the pics and hear the stories! If you are in central Indiana, I'll buy the cold beverages to hear them in person!

I'm on the northside of indy

 

[JWR_Explore]

Enjoy the trip, it is a beautiful area. I've been mutliple times, but never in my Jeep. I will return in Oct/Nov....mainly for photography in areas near Moab.

I am on northside of Indy as well.

 

[TJJT]

If you have an insulation kit for your RTT, bring it; the desert gets cold at night. Avoid buying fuel at City Market, every single time someone I know got a bad batch of fuel it was from that place. Moab Brewery is... okay-ish for food (cheap food, expensive prices, not a great atmosphere and meh beer), but I like Moab Diner for breakfast. Even if you're camping, you have to go to Moab Diner at least once; look, I don't make the rules.

There is a spring at the north end of town along the river, the water is potable and delicious, fill up your waters there.

Watch the sky and do not camp in the dry washes. It's tempting to make camp on that soft, flat sand, but flash floods happen fast and are a threat to life and property. I've seen floods come up in seconds that will sweep away full size rigs and take out camps. Camp on higher ground, especially during shoulder season when the weather is unpredictable.

Most important: Stay. On. The. Trail! The desert soil is very fragile and relies on a crust of cryptobiotic soil for stability. Mature soil is easy to spot, but immature soil can be pretty much invisible. Tire tracks and foot prints can last for decades, so stay on marked roads and trails. If you absolutely must venture off the marked trail, walk in the sandy washes and on the sandstone while avoiding stepping on plants (even if they look dead).

Waste does not decompose in the desert, it gets mummified and last forever. Don't toss out organic waste thinking it will decompose and don't dig cat-holes for pooping. Bring wag-bags and carry out all waste. The ground is rocky or sandy; you can't dig a hole in rock and sand doesn't do anything to help with decomposition like forest soil does. None of us want to stumble across your mummified second-hand burrito on the trail.

That's all good advice. The RTT is ready to go, it has bars in it for supporting snow on top!

 

[JTenn]

@TJJT this will be your best friend out there. It worked great for me.

RENO Hitch Slider, 2" Receiver Hitch Slider Skid Protection 45,000 lbs Compatible with 3/4" D-Ring or Soft Shackle for Trucks Off-Road Vehicle Towing Recovery Hitch protection (Black) https://a.co/d/jhr4YDt

 

[TJJT]

@TJJT this will be your best friend out there. It worked great for me.

RENO Hitch Slider, 2" Receiver Hitch Slider Skid Protection 45,000 lbs Compatible with 3/4" D-Ring or Soft Shackle for Trucks Off-Road Vehicle Towing Recovery Hitch protection (Black) https://a.co/d/jhr4YDt

I have one just like that from 41.22

 

[Billyj7175]

Make sure you have a hitch skid if you do Fins or Hell's.

Yup...3.5" lift on 37's and I still skidded down almost everything.

 

[Sweetums]

I’ve done a similar trip and my only advice is to be prepared for anything—weather can flip quick, especially around this time of year. Also, if you’ve got long stretches of driving between places, I’ve found that booking business class flights can really take the edge off the travel grind for those longer legs. Makes the whole trip way more enjoyable, especially if you’re hopping around different spots. Can’t wait to hear how it goes.

How is booking business class flights in any way relevant to driving a truck across the country to do off road trails?

 

[JTenn]

If you have room to move it, take your spare tire out from under the bed to gain some clearance. Get ready to scoop some sand, lol. You'll have a blast. It's beautiful out there.

 

[Sweetums]

I'm not sure how much you will really gain with moving the spare, the rear hitch sticks out farther and hangs down more. I've scraped up my hitch slider, but I don't think I've ever hit my spare.

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