Nebraska National Forest Trip. (long post with numerous photos)

raqball

Oct 10, 2024

This trip was to the Nebraska National Forest as a shakedown for the Taxa TigerMoth I recently purchased and for some off-roading.. It was a 3-day and 2-night trip.

For this trip, since it was a shakedown for the TigerMoth, I decided to stay and an established campsite just outside of the Forest. I arrived at the campground around 3PM and got all setup. I then explored the campsite on foot to check the complex out. I made dinner about 5PM and settled in for the night.

As the sun went down, I chilled by my fake fire and slung down a few ice waters.. Went to bed early as I was planning on an early start to hit the trails in the Forest.

That was pretty much day 1. Arriving, getting set up and checking out the campground..

Map of the area: (the teal colored tracks are new trails that I recoded for upload to onX.. I was able to get 3 new trails recorded and I hit several trails that were already mapped.

I woke up early, about 5am and drank some coffee by my fake fire until about 7AM when I hit the trails. The areas trails are mainly two track with loose sand, some of which was fairly deep. There was also areas of loose dirt and sand mixed.. I aired down to 18psi and hit the 1st trail of the day.

The first 4 or 5 miles of this trail was narrow with deep sand that had numerous switchbacks. A few of these switchbacks had loose and deep sand with sloping berms. These berms put me at extreme off-camber angles. On one, I was at 20 degrees and on another I was at 18 degrees. Pretty cool little trail and I had a blast on it.. I didn't get any photos of these as I did not want to stop because of the angels and because the sand was soft and deep.

I had already put the Bronco into Sand mode using the G.O.A.T selector and it performed like a champ!

This trail had a cool lookout tower. The stairway to the tower was gated and locked so I could not get to the top but still pretty cool..

Later in the day I went down a previously unmapped trail and it was a blast. This trail was a two track but the tracks were very hard to see due to grass and weed overgrowth on them. This trail also had massive ruts and washouts to the sides in certain areas which were also very hard to see until you were right up on them. I am generally a slow poke so I saw them all before any chance of disaster hit. I'll leave a note in the onX trail report for others to be very cautious. One area had what was about a 5-6 foot deep rut where if a wheel went in it, you'd probably tip over.

This was my favorite trail of the day. Out in the absolute middle of nowhere with nothing but prairies for as far as the eye could see..

All out of photo room (I wish we could add more than 15 per post) so I'll continue in the next post.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Kenneth, Jakob1972

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Oct 17, 2024

#20

raqball
The rest of the trails I hit were also fun. They were a mixture of dirt and sand. Some had a combo of both.. Here are a few more trail photos then I'll get into the TigerMoth and it's shakedown.

I have more photos but you get the idea.. The trails were all fun and over the course of both days wheelin' I hit about 12 trails total. There is more to be mapped so I'll be back!

The TigerMoth was awesome! From cooking with its pull out kitchen to sleeping inside it at night. I have no complaints at all. I didn't need anything that I didn't bring but I did find a few things that I want / will add..

The lights on the interior are nice and there is a light on the back that illuminates the cooking area. Nice!

I need to get my organization and packing skills up to par as it was a mess every time I wanted to find something. This is my fault and not an issue with the TigerMoth.

I also need to hone my leveling skillz. I tired, tried and tried again but I could not get it level and finally gave up when it was close enough..

When I picked the TigerMoth up from the RV dealer I noticed several missing items. I contacted Holly @ Taxa who helped me find the new 2023 and told her the screen doors and the shore power pigtail were missing. She promptly sent them out but I did not have them for this trip.

While on the trip I noticed the water Jerry Can was leaking from the bottom seams. Again contact Holly and she is sending a new one out. Stellar service from Taxa. The TigerMoth I purchased was probably on the RV dealers lot for a while, in Wisconsin, so I am not surprised the Jerry Can was bad after sitting outside in their brutal winters..

Things I want to add:

Netting for the front interior roof area to store bedding or other items

A stick on clock and temp gauge that I can stick on the inside wall

More / better storage bins

Small USB powered fan

Small Mr Buddy propane heater

I was not diggin' the stove that came with the TigerMoth so I just used my Jetboil HalfGen. It works great and I am use to it. Only one burner but that's all I really need. Since the other stove that came with it is brand new, I'll probably just sell it..

Two minor gripes:

The display for the battery voltage is always on. I wish it would time out / dim then maybe have a button to light it back up. It's a red light on the voltage display and it sticks out like a sore thumb at night

The roof vent handle knocked me in the noodle (head) a few times. Might get a pool noddle and cut it down to place over the handle.

Overall I am very pleased with the TigerMoth. It's everything I wanted and more. I went over my budget getting it but I am glad I did..

Awesome photos of your Bronco adventure! Looks like a time was had. Thanks for sharing with the community.

raqball

Jun 23, 2025

#21

UserError
Would you have photos showing how deep the deep ruts were?

I had not forgotten about your question. I was recently back out on that trail and snapped a few photos. As normal, photos don't really show the severity of these ruts.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Unicorn, Chief Ron

Jun 24, 2025

#22

raqball

The bottom two look like you could easily get high-centered. Let your tires sink (or spin) into the sand, and you're stranded up high. I'd like to visit there, but win some kind of anchoring device or system.

I think I'd want a good heavy chain with heavy rods, 2-3 feet long, with good loops or rings. Lay the chain out, then pound in the rods through the links, about a foot apart. Then hook up my winch to that rig and pull. Once out, use the winch to extract the rods from the ground.

@UserError @raqball, I've hitchiked in 31 states, 5 provinces, hopped trains in two, and been arrested in three, and detained for interrogation in two more. I've also done long-haul trucking (semis) in most of those states. Most of my working life has been behind the wheel, even farm tractors and police cruisers.
Somebody suggested, since I like to travel, I should check out Europe or South America or Africa. My answer: "I just might, as soon as I'm finished with North America."

Unicorn, Chief Ron

Jun 24, 2025

#23

BostonBadlands
The bottom two look like you could easily get high-centered. Let your tires sink (or spin) into the sand, and you're stranded up high. I'd like to visit there, but win some kind of anchoring device or system.

I think I'd want a good heavy chain with heavy rods, 2-3 feet long, with good loops or rings. Lay the chain out, then pound in the rods through the links, about a foot apart. Then hook up my winch to that rig and pull. Once out, use the winch to extract the rods from the ground.

You would 100% get high centered on several of the massive ruts on that trail. Well, maybe @Unicorn would not but the rest of us would..

The more serious issue, IMO, is the grass and weed overgrowth, along with the hard to see and follow 2 track as they prevent you from easily seeing some of the drop offs and ruts until you are right on top of them. Getting to close to them, and having a tire drop off, could easily result in a rollover.

It's a 2-track trail but the tracks very hard to see and follow in many of the areas where these ruts are. Someone blazing through the trail could be in for a big surprise.

In my trail report to onX, I made sure to note this and caution others about the necessity of using slower speeds.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc, Unicorn

Jun 24, 2025

#24

raqball
You would 100% get high centered on several of the massive ruts on that trail. Well, maybe @Unicorn would not but the rest of us would..

The more serious issue, IMO, is the grass and weed overgrowth, along with the hard to see and follow 2 track as they prevent you from easily seeing some of the drop offs and ruts until you are right on top of them. Getting to close to them, and having a tire drop off, could easily result in a rollover.

It's a 2-track trail but the tracks very hard to see and follow in many of the areas where these ruts are. Someone blazing through the trail could be in for a big surprise.

In my trail report to onX, I made sure to note this and caution others about the necessity of using slower speeds.

Still, looks like fun! The ruts and washouts force you to slow down and take in that expansive landscape. I adore locations like that! I'll happily forgo the baja GOAT selection. But no trees or rocks--you'd need some kind of anchoring system. Don't know if my description of three heavy rods, pounded into the dirt, and connected (at ground level) to a heavy chain is understandable to you, but I think it would be a fairly compact system to stow and carry.

Chief Ron, Unicorn

Jun 24, 2025

#25

BostonBadlands
Don't know if my description of three heavy rods, pounded into the dirt, and connected (at ground level) to a heavy chain is understandable to you, but I think it would be a fairly compact system to stow and carry.

Yes I understood it. Using some type of earth anchor would be the only option if out solo. The system you describe, or burying a spare tire would work. Metal earth anchors would be easier and quicker but burying a tire would also do the trick.

Extra caution would be needed during the winching operation as a metal earth anchor being pulled out of the ground under that amount of force would create a speeding missile that's launched back towards the vehicle..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Chief Ron, Deano Bronc

Jun 24, 2025

#26

BostonBadlands
Still, looks like fun! The ruts and washouts force you to slow down and take in that expansive landscape. I adore locations like that! I'll happily forgo the baja GOAT selection. But no trees or rocks--you'd need some kind of anchoring system. Don't know if my description of three heavy rods, pounded into the dirt, and connected (at ground level) to a heavy chain is understandable to you, but I think it would be a fairly compact system to stow and carry.

Used to be a local guy around here that used to make and sell and anchoring system kind of like that. If I remember right rather than a chain he used a plate that had "T" holes in it and the "rods" were shaped like a "T" at the top and a point at the bottom.... The top of the "T" was about 3" across and were driven in to face the vehicle. Both plate and rods had hooks at the top to connect to a high lift for removal and a head to hit with a sledge to drive in..... The whole thing rolled up in a canvas bag.. Pretty cool little system. Saw another guy recently that was making something similar recently at one of the local 4x4 expos....

raqball

Jun 24, 2025

#27

Sounds like the perfect place to deploy the Pull pal. Check it out.
https://www.pullpal.com

21 Badlands, 2 dr, four banger, slushbox, SAS. PERFECT!

Chief Ron, Deano Bronc

Jun 24, 2025

#28

raqball
You would 100% get high centered on several of the massive ruts on that trail. Well, maybe @Unicorn would not but the rest of us would..

The more serious issue, IMO, is the grass and weed overgrowth, along with the hard to see and follow 2 track as they prevent you from easily seeing some of the drop offs and ruts until you are right on top of them. Getting to close to them, and having a tire drop off, could easily result in a rollover.

It's a 2-track trail but the tracks very hard to see and follow in many of the areas where these ruts are. Someone blazing through the trail could be in for a big surprise.

In my trail report to onX, I made sure to note this and caution others about the necessity of using slower speeds.

I think I should be able to clear that... BUT first thing I did looking at the pics was consider what line can I pic that wont test that theory.....Those edges will just crumble off. I am thinking hug the right side... Hard if I could get one tire up on the center there.... Still going to worry about the edges giving way.... Do NOT want to go outside the tracks. THAT sir is a fricken challenge! That is a very subtly TOUGH obstacle! The people that do not see how difficult that is are the ones that will be calling recovery.

Chief Ron, Deano Bronc

Jun 24, 2025

#29

Sven
Sounds like the perfect place to deploy the Pull pal. Check it out.
https://www.pullpal.com

I remember those.... Those have been around a long time! Seem to work pretty well too.

Chief Ron, Deano Bronc

Jun 24, 2025

#30

Sven
Sounds like the perfect place to deploy the Pull pal. Check it out.
https://www.pullpal.com

A Deadman would also work. The Deadman is smaller, lighter and cheaper. It works similar to burying a spare tire but would be a whole lot easier..

I've never seen a Deadman in real life action but have thought about buying one since I arrived in Nebraska where most of the 4 wheeling spots are open prairies with no anchor points..

https://www.deadmanoffroad.com/collections/the-deadman/products/the-deadman-v2

Edit to add a video of it in use:

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Chief Ron, Deano Bronc

Jun 24, 2025

#31

raqball
A Deadman would also work. The Deadman is smaller, lighter and cheaper. It works similar to burying a spare tire but would be a whole lot easier..

I've never seen a Deadman in real life action but have thought about buying one since I arrived in Nebraska where most of the 4 wheeling spots are open prairies with no anchor points..

https://www.deadmanoffroad.com/collections/the-deadman/products/the-deadman-v2

Edit to add a video of it in use:

Looks good, but he's positioning it in easy-to-shovel beach sand. It could also work in rocky desert ground, but that would be a lot more work.

Deano Bronc, Sven

Jun 24, 2025

#32

BostonBadlands
Looks good, but he's positioning it in easy-to-shovel beach sand. It could also work in rocky desert ground, but that would be a lot more work.

IMO it's better than trying to burry a tire, which has been my plan when I've been going out to the sand dune prairies, or lugging around a heavy and bulky pull pal.

But yes, depending on the terrain you might be digging for a while and it might take a lot of effort. You'd need a good shovel but it beats the alternative of being hopelessly stuck and needing to call a recovery service or for rescue..

It's a to each their own type of thing. Options are good and people can use whatever they feel comfortable with. Have a plan, and a back up plan, and have whatever gear or items you decided you need to recover..

No matter what is being used people need to be safe about it. There are plenty of horror stories about people being seriously injured and even killed due to improper winching..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc, BostonBadlands

Jun 24, 2025

#33

raqball
IMO it's better than trying to burry a tire, which has been my plan when I've been going out to the sand dune prairies, or lugging around a heavy and bulky pull pal.

But yes, depending on the terrain you might be digging for a while and it might take a lot of effort. You'd need a good shovel but it beats the alternative of being hopelessly stuck and needing to call a recovery service or for rescue..

It's a to each their own type of thing. Options are good and people can use whatever they feel comfortable with. Have a plan, and a back up plan, and have whatever gear or items you decided you need to recover..

No matter what is being used people need to be safe about it. There are plenty of horror stories about people being seriously injured and even killed due to improper winching..

Agree with you 100%.... But I like the tire idea as well, If you find yourself in a situation where you need something to attach to .... and well .... you already have the tire.... you can use it. Not as easily as some of the other solutions BUT you already have it! and it takes up no additional space. Yes it is a lot of work. Any recovery is a lot of work.... I do not have a spare tire... and I am not about to carry one... so...

Deano Bronc, raqball

Jun 24, 2025

#34

This thread is getting me motivated. The Dakotas are two of the four states I've never been in (six--Alaska and Hawaii were stopovers, don't count). And the Nebraska National "Forest" extends into South Dakota. And I drive a Badlands, too! Seems natural. Do the Badlands (which, I gather, doesn't have much off-road trails) and Mr. Rushmore.

I think I will get a fabricator to cut and configure the steel rods I have in mind. Since I can't etch a diagram here, here goes:
1) they're three feet - long rods, by 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. I'm thinking three should work.
2) The top is bent into a ring, about 4 inches diameter. This is to pull them out upon recovery.
3) I lay down three feet of fairly heavy chain on the ground, where I want to position my "anchor."
4) I pound these three rods into the dirt, at about 45 degrees, tilting/pointed away from my rig (winch pull point), through chain links. Tilted away, they should stay sunk into the ground, and not get pulled out to fly back.
5) I connect (soft shackle) my winch to the nearest link.
6) Theoretically, I have a good anchor to pull against. After I'm out of my hole, I drive over the chain, and pull the rods out by connecting a shorter tether to a pull point on the Bronco.

So--you think that should work? It would be a lot less weight and smaller gear than the pullpal, and maybe less volume than the deadman.

Jun 25, 2025

#35

BostonBadlands
This thread is getting me motivated. The Dakotas are two of the four states I've never been in (six--Alaska and Hawaii were stopovers, don't count). And the Nebraska National "Forest" extends into South Dakota. And I drive a Badlands, too! Seems natural. Do the Badlands (which, I gather, doesn't have much off-road trails) and Mr. Rushmore.

I think I will get a fabricator to cut and configure the steel rods I have in mind. Since I can't etch a diagram here, here goes:
1) they're three feet - long rods, by 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. I'm thinking three should work.
2) The top is bent into a ring, about 4 inches diameter. This is to pull them out upon recovery.
3) I lay down three feet of fairly heavy chain on the ground, where I want to position my "anchor."
4) I pound these three rods into the dirt, at about 45 degrees, tilting/pointed away from my rig (winch pull point), through chain links. Tilted away, they should stay sunk into the ground, and not get pulled out to fly back.
5) I connect (soft shackle) my winch to the nearest link.
6) Theoretically, I have a good anchor to pull against. After I'm out of my hole, I drive over the chain, and pull the rods out by connecting a shorter tether to a pull point on the Bronco.

So--you think that should work? It would be a lot less weight and smaller gear than the pullpal, and maybe less volume than the deadman.

I don't see why it would not work as long as you have a sufficient amount of solid earth depth to pound the rods down into. If the first 2 feet of earth are comprised of softish mud, soft soil, soft sand, or soft whatever then you'd only have one foot of solid earth left for the earth anchor. That, more than likely would not work..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Jun 25, 2025

#36

raqball
I don't see why it would not work as long as you have a sufficient amount of solid earth depth to pound the rods down into. If the first 2 feet of earth are comprised of softish mud, soft soil, soft sand, or soft whatever then you'd only have one foot of solid earth left for the earth anchor. That, more than likely would not work..

Could be a "seemed like a good idea at the time" sort of thing.
Maybe I can find these on the "Acme Off-Road Recovery Equipment" website that Wile E. Coyote recommends.

Jun 25, 2025

#37

BostonBadlands
Could be a "seemed like a good idea at the time" sort of thing.
Maybe I can find these on the "Acme Off-Road Recovery Equipment" website that Wile E. Coyote recommends.

You could always dig down through the soft stuff until you hit solid ground, then drive the rods down in from there.

I think your proposal is a good idea that would work so long as you have enough solid ground depth. Yeah you might need to dig down a bit to reach solid earth but like @Unicorn said, no recovery is ever an easy affair..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc, Unicorn

Fri at 1:52 pm

#38

The revival of this thread got me to thinking that my recovery plan, when out in open parries and sand dunes, was absolute crap.. While burrying a tire would work, that's going to take a lot of time and effort. Especially since 99% of the time I wheel solo..

After some thought and research, I think I am going to order this:

https://www.extremeterrain.com/redr...r-ground-anchor-12000-lb-capacity-jg1546.html

Same basic concept and design as a pull pal but this one is about 60% less, price wise.

Even if it only worked once and broke, it would still be worth the cost -vs- having to call a recovery service. The reviews of it are pretty positive..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc, Sven

Fri at 4:34 pm

#39

raqball
The revival of this thread got me to thinking that my recovery plan, when out in open parries and sand dunes, was absolute crap.. While burrying a tire would work, that's going to take a lot of time and effort. Especially since 99% of the time I wheel solo..

After some thought and research, I think I am going to order this:

https://www.extremeterrain.com/redr...r-ground-anchor-12000-lb-capacity-jg1546.html

Same basic concept and design as a pull pal but this one is about 60% less, price wise.

Even if it only worked once and broke, it would still be worth the cost -vs- having to call a recovery service. The reviews of it are pretty positive..

Looks good, especially for people who do a lot of beach driving. The low-tide sections scare me--too many images of Bronos & others stranded with incoming tides.

I do think I'll find a steel fabricator and have him cut me1/2 or 3/4 inch rods, with a closed ring fashioned on the top--something that can be pounded down, then pulled out with a line to the winch or tow point. Much smaller package to add to my ~~mess~~ gear.

Unicorn

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