The Mad on Mud Club

[Barrbeast]

So, the other weekend I took my first trip up to my local offroad training site after taking out a membership of the site's member's club.

These are the pics I posted of that wee trip...

Some flex shots for Alex (got her on 3 wheels) :lol










First steep bank I found, Foxy marched straight up it




This was a lot steeper than it looks




Few marks from the diffs catching on the way down




Decided I'd leave this one for the pure offroaders that some of the members keep on site




Should I go up it?






Silly question, Trol power!






Do I go through...




... of course!




Looks rocky






There were a lot of sounds of chassis and diff housings scraping on rock... I love that sound!






Still part of the site. You can actually see the tracks heading up the hill.




Few last flex shots on the way out










Planning to go back this weekend!

 

[Barrbeast]

Went up again on Sunday between 1.15pm and 5.45pm. Had an awesome time

Just need to bring a photographer next time!






Made a few attempts at this slope, first from this side...




It's not so obvious from the pic but it's actually a fair size step there on a reasonable gradient. Mixture of solid rock and hard clay. I though my approach angle would be good enough to go up that side. I was wrong :doh

Fairly solid impact thud followed by a careful back off so I could inspect the damage... turns out one of the front recovery hooks had hit the step and bent down a bit! (pic taken once I got home, it's the closest hook)




Impact point was around the middle of the pic. I can see it but then I know where to look!

So then I tried the other side of the slope... twice! Let down by the fronts being right up against another step and a lack of grip for the rear wheels even with the difflock engaged, back end just kept slipping sideways into the middle of the slope. Probably could have done it with a bit more beans but It's always foremost in my mind that I've got to drive home again!

View of that section from the top, first attempt was left side of this pic, second and third were the right side. Doesn't look it but the steps actually start very soon after the two tracks stop.

 

[AlexD333]

Awesome pics dude! Looks like good fun!

 

[Barrbeast]

A few shots on the top of the big hill on the site.


















Made two attempts at this slope (steeper than it looks, honest).




Problem was a combination of a steep gradient, very loose soft soil, and a cross-axle!



Pic is from the top down. If you look you can see the front tyre marks on the high point in rut (bottom left of pic, no grip other side) and a bit behind that you can see rut deepens to create the cross-axle

Even with the diff locked the ground was just too loose for the gradient!

View looking up the cross-axle (deep rut is on the right). Tyre tracks aren't an indication as they're from the front wheel rolling back down - stuck her in reverse and let the engine take her down gently.




Bird's eye views of the cross-axle, front axle first, then the back axle.






Just about to go into the washbay after a great afternoon

 

[Barrbeast]

Awesome pics dude! Looks like good fun!

It is! :thumbs Just need to take a passenger so I can get some action shots like yours bud

Looks like you had an awesome day too :clap

 

[AlexD333]

Nicely done dude, I never did figure out why extremes terrain looks flat on videos n pics :lol :nenau

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

looking good, truck n terrain, making me yearn for another trol.

 

[Barrbeast]

Cheers guys :thumb2

I forgot to mention there was an incident early in the afternoon when I went through one of the water pools without checking it with the wading stick first :augie

Suddenly hit an underwater trough deep enough to put the main part of the winch bumper under - could only see the bullbar sticking out as the wet stuff was just above the bottom of the headlights! (just below the air intake)

Luckily remembered all I'd been told and just kept going and the bow wave kept the level around rest of the truck surprisingly low. Was a bit bum clenching at the time though!

Have now marked my wading stick with the official wading depth (700mm) just to be on the safe side :lol

 

[AlexD333]

Cheers guys :thumb2

I forgot to mention there was an incident early in the afternoon when I went through one of the water pools without checking it with the wading stick first :augie

Suddenly hit an underwater trough deep enough to put the main part of the winch bumper under - could only see the bullbar sticking out as the wet stuff was just above the bottom of the headlights! (just below the air intake)

Luckily remembered all I'd been told and just kept going and the bow wave kept the level around rest of the truck surprisingly low. Was a bit bum clenching at the time though!

Have now marked my wading stick with the official wading depth (700mm) just to be on the safe side :lol

Phew, lucky bunny. I've already seen a drowned mav, don't wanna see a beautiful patrol too

 

[Barrbeast]

Phew, lucky bunny. I've already seen a drowned mav, don't wanna see a beautiful patrol too

Yeh wading stick is a must!

 

[AlexD333]

Yeh wading stick is a must!

Never heard of that before, but sounds clever :lol

 

[Barrbeast]

One of the things they recommend in the member's pack. I just use my old shepherd's crook as it's pretty long.

Invaluable for trying to make sure you don't drown your truck (provided you use it of course!)

 

[elty001]

Never heard of that before, but sounds clever :lol

any old stick will do mate.if your not sure about the depth of water you intend to go through just gauge it with something to give you an idea of the depth.
also know the safe wading depth of your truck.
mark the safe wading depth of your truck on a stick and if it comes above that then don't do it.
simples:thumb2

also gives you some idea of whats beneath the water.give it a good poke to see if its rocky,muddy,gravel,silt etc

cracking pics by the way rob.

 

[Barrbeast]

Cheers Elty :thumb2

Looking forward to seeing that winch of yours fitted, when you planning to do it?

 

[elty001]

as soon as the guy at work has made me the winch tray I will be fitting it.
hopefully within the next couple of weeks:thumb2

 

[AlexD333]

as soon as the guy at work has made me the winch tray I will be fitting it.
hopefully within the next couple of weeks:thumb2

Dont forget Pictures!!! :naughty

 

[bry]

Great pics,Nice trol,looks like you had a great day.The last time i did any wading was with a fellow forum member.And that was a man made lake at K.O.R.C .We crossed with a bow wave up to the head lights.And like your wading time it was a bum clencher.Lol..

 

[Barrbeast]

Great pics,Nice trol,looks like you had a great day.The last time i did any wading was with a fellow forum member.And that was a man made lake at K.O.R.C .We crossed with a bow wave up to the head lights.And like your wading time it was a bum clencher.Lol..

:lol Hopefully that pool won't be quite so bum clenching next time - my lift springs get delivered today :sly

Probably shouldn't speak so soon though - the guy that owns the site likes to change the routes and depths regularly to keep things interesting!

 

[Fez_uk]

looking good mate. Get in with some of the locals and go as a small group. Then you can try more extreme stuff

 

[Barrbeast]

looking good mate. Get in with some of the locals and go as a small group. Then you can try more extreme stuff

That's the plan bud :thumb2

Also if you or anyone else on here is ever up around my neck of the woods I can speak to Walter (site owner) and see if we can arrange to get you on the site with your own vehicle (you can't pay and play on a daily basis)

Either that or I can probably give you a go behind the wheel of the Trol

From speaking with some of the other members on Sunday the site apparently has a bit of a rep as a vehicle breaker if you don't use your head and judging by some of the areas I've seen so far I can see why, so I'm sure you'd enjoy it