Any off-roaders in here? Newbie needs help with learning the ropes..

[XutvJet]

My wife has a 2020 4runner Offroad with some decent AT tires. Neither her or I know a whole lot about off-roading when it comes to picking lines, where to put tires, etc. I know the 4runner like she has is wildly capable, but with someone like us behind the wheel, not so much right now. We both would love to get more experienced as we plan to do some overlanding out in CO, UT, and NV after our daughter heads to college next summer. We have access to nearby off road park to practice.

We're not interested in rock crawling, but rather how to navigate rocky fire roads, switchbacks, pushing through 1 foot or less water, getting yourself free, and stuff that would be considered easy or moderately-easy (i.e., 1 to 3 or green on the off-road scale). We would stick to more well-known trails and not try not to tackle muddy stuff (focus more on rocky/arid stuff).

I do watch a ton of overlanding videos, but was curious if anyone has stumbled across a YT channel(s) or websites that presents information for newer off-road drivers. I know there are many out there, but I'd like to hear your thoughts. I'd also welcome any input from those that off-road including must-have gear recommendations. I'm pretty handy working on cars and we'd travel with tools/pry bar, recovery strap, extra accessory belt, off-road jack, tire patch kit, air compressor, off-road trail app, axe, emergency SOS device, a Jerry can of fuel and water, and the more obvious stuff.

[vreihen16]

All of the things that you should NOT do are covered in videos on this popular YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@MattsOffRoadRecovery


.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

All of the things that you should NOT do are covered in videos on this popular YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@MattsOffRoadRecovery


.

I love that channel.

[Watching The World Burn]

What is the more obvious stuff? Is that say a winch? Snatch block?

Depending on where you are going to travel, would there generally always be something to anchor the winch too or not? If not, there is a device (can't remember what it is called, but its basically a spike you put in the ground) that you can attach the winch line too and it acts like an anchor. Ok, I looked it up, something like this - a winch anchor support platform
https://www.partsengine.ca/smittybil...ci6Q1l-iJZy866

This is basically if you are wheeling by yourself. Which is not recommended. Always go wheeling with someone else is what I would say. But if you do, I'd want a winch for sure. And I'd be letting someone know where I was going and to check in on me in X number of hours to make sure I'm back.

We did a run or two when we got my wife's Jeep, but it was a lease and we returned it, never really got into it that much to be honest.

[vreihen16]

I went off-roading exactly once in my old Jeep CJ-7. My S-I-L was bragging about how great her GMC Jimmy was, so we took the debate to an old fire trail nearby. Being experienced in racing but knowing zilch about off-roading, I shifted into 4-hi and drove up the first boulder-covered hill in the trail like it was a mine field slalom with the throttle floored. Stopped at the top of the hill, I watched her slowly trying to crawl up the trail like I take it is how most off-roaders drive. Half way up, she high-centered on one of the boulders. Point made, there was enough space to drive around the stuck "unstoppable" Jimmy and go home.....

[Manhattan]

I've been playing in the dirt for 30+ years. Up until l bought an 8-series last month, my daily for the past 15 years has been a 2006 Land Cruiser.

YouTube isn't a bad place to spend some time, but really, you should find a local group and do a "newbie" run on some easy/moderate trails. Hitting some trails with a mixed group - new to off-roading and experienced - is the best (and most fun) way to learn.

There are countless user groups/forums and FB Groups for Toyotas 4x4s and 4Runners exclusively - it should be easy to find a group that fits. ih8mud is huge for lots of Toyota models. But I think there are even bigger ones for 4Runners specially. Maybe ask your favorite AI.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/5th-gen-10-24.300/

[iminhell1]

I can do green trails in a fwd golf. Very good chance that the rough stuff you see the youtube crowd do you'll never get to. Fire trails are easy, they are maintained roads, as are almost all forest roads ... btw there are millions of miles of forest roads in the country.
Private land stuff can be a crapshoot on if it's passable or if you're calling for help.
For the most part your best tool is a good map and a phone to call for help from the local offroad group (many times they will help free and phone numbers are readily available; i have the colorado number in my phone for if i get into shit too deep).

Most things no video will actually teach you. You have to do. Go to the beach, get it stuck in 2wd. Toss it in 4 and try the crawl mode so you can see what throttle control is and why you don't use 4wd unless you NEED it.

[Donut Lord]

My tip. There is often a very drastic drop off in difficulty from where you can just get by with 2WD and you aren't passing an obstacle if you don't have 4x4, lockers, and 33inch wheels/tires. basically until you get to the you need a full crazy custom rig level, pretty much every 4x4 vehicle will be able to handle it the same. Sure, a Raptor looks cool, but a base Ford F150 4x4 will be able to handle near every thing that Raptor can before you need to edit the Raptor.

I have taken most of the most off road stock offerings you can buy today off road in one way or another. The higher you go up in trim levels does unlock some off road features, like lockers, etc. but often not worth the OEM price.

If you film anything, most all off roading will look like someone's driveway. I love those comments I get make me giggle every time.

Enjoy some off roading:

[chris_1001]

I do a bunch of off roading. I have a 2018 Jeep GC Trailhawk as a second vehicle. Just came back from my annual North Main Woods trip. Not hard core, but 200 miles of bone jarring logging roads. I also have a local ish area that you can do about 8-9 miles where you are not driving a car... Plus Driven Moab, Sedona and The jeep jamboree in ME 2018. Find a local off road FB group and go on a ride. I have taken some people who have never done anything "real" off road. I get "that was awesome!" to damn, that sucked, thought I was going to break my xxx"

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

All of the things that you should NOT do are covered in videos on this popular YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@MattsOffRoadRecovery


.

Had some bit of offroading experience -- riding shot gun with a co-worker who owned a Dodge Power Wagon -- and I quickly learned off roading a 4-wheeler was not for me. I had done a bit of off roading on various motorcycles but had already given that up.

Matt's YT channel every time I watch a video just reinforces the decision I made to forego any off roading.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

My wife has a 2020 4runner Offroad with some decent AT tires. Neither her or I know a whole lot about off-roading when it comes to picking lines, where to put tires, etc. I know the 4runner like she has is wildly capable, but with someone like us behind the wheel, not so much right now. We both would love to get more experienced as we plan to do some overlanding out in CO, UT, and NV after our daughter heads to college next summer. We have access to nearby off road park to practice.

We're not interested in rock crawling, but rather how to navigate rocky fire roads, switchbacks, pushing through 1 foot or less water, getting yourself free, and stuff that would be considered easy or moderately-easy (i.e., 1 to 3 or green on the off-road scale). We would stick to more well-known trails and not try not to tackle muddy stuff (focus more on rocky/arid stuff).

I do watch a ton of overlanding videos, but was curious if anyone has stumbled across a YT channel(s) or websites that presents information for newer off-road drivers. I know there are many out there, but I'd like to hear your thoughts. I'd also welcome any input from those that off-road including must-have gear recommendations. I'm pretty handy working on cars and we'd travel with tools/pry bar, recovery strap, extra accessory belt, off-road jack, tire patch kit, air compressor, off-road trail app, axe, emergency SOS device, a Jerry can of fuel and water, and the more obvious stuff.

Get out there and get some experience. Youtube and discussion sites are OK but you need to get seat time.

Go slow.

Use the right pedal sparingly.

Go slow.

Modern SUVs are very forgiving because of drivetrain torque management via traction control and individual four wheel braking. Individual four wheel braking (MB 4ETS and Porsche PTM for example) are game changers that eliminate the need for locking differentials for all but the most demanding Jeep-like conditions. I speak from experience.

Things to try:

• trailhead road FR-321 to Gray's and Torreys Peak west of Silverplume, CO. This is quite steep and both traction and ground clearance can be challenging. But there are no extreme dangers spots imo.
• Imogene Pass road from Telluride to Ouray, CO. This is a great beginner-friendly road with a variety of conditions and obstacles, and at the same time is challenging.

The two examples above are dry/arid with no water fording or mud. Assuming the recent weather has been dry and there is no snowmelt.

To put a bookend on this, do not attempt Black Bear Pass in Telluride as a newbie.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by chassis

Get out there and get some experience. Youtube and discussion sites are OK but you need to get seat time.

Go slow.

Use the right pedal sparingly.

Go slow.

Modern SUVs are very forgiving because of drivetrain torque management via traction control and individual four wheel braking. Individual four wheel braking (MB 4ETS and Porsche PTM for example) are game changers that eliminate the need for locking differentials for all but the most demanding Jeep-like conditions. I speak from experience.

Things to try:

• trailhead road FR-321 to Gray's and Torreys Peak west of Silverplume, CO. This is quite steep and both traction and ground clearance can be challenging. But there are no extreme dangers spots imo.
• Imogene Pass road from Telluride to Ouray, CO. This is a great beginner-friendly road with a variety of conditions and obstacles, and at the same time is challenging.

The two examples above are dry/arid with no water fording or mud. Assuming the recent weather has been dry and there is no snowmelt.

To put a bookend on this, do not attempt Black Bear Pass in Telluride as a newbie.

Thank you very much and to all the others that responded. I'm really not interested in tackling much in the way of moderate/severe obstacles and dangerous shelf roads.

Colorado and other arid areas are the ideal places for sure plus they're so beautiful, but it's a haul so I'll need to get some practice in before off-roading there. I'm going to try my luck at an offroad park that is somewhat local to me and many go out there in case we have an issue. What sucks about where I live is there is more risk of deep mud and slippery surfaces. I will definitely play it safe and not get in over my head. I like a little danger but I'm not gonna be stupid.

[spazzyfry123]

Been doing everything from a fun little Jeep that can get you to the beach to stretched wheelbase custom rock crawler builds on 42" tires and whatever in between.

Best advise isn't the kit, it's just to get out there and give it a go. Some of the "overland" trail platforms (Gaia, AllTrails, etc.) are good to have - especially with offline downloaded maps so you can use your maps through the phone to avoid getting lost even without cell reception. I'd also recommend going out with a friend in some of the unknown areas with tow/snatch straps and basic recovery gear should anything go awry.

Good luck and have a ton of fun!