Maiden Off-Road Trip in Bronco (photo heavy)

Lots O Fords

Thanks for posting this.
I like hearing about shake down trips. Helps others a lot.
You read things and then go, hmm I didn't think of that.
Beautiful country for sure.

• Ordered a new tent, a 3P, to replace my old 2P. Got a killer deal on a very good tent @ 40% off.
  • https://www.backcountry.com/marmot-tungsten-ul-tent-3-person-3-season
• Replaced my old Little Red Campfire with an Ignik Elite and their 5LB gas growler. Got it all @ 20% off.
  • https://ignik.com/products/firecan-elite-fire-pit
• Replaced lantern, headlamp, got some new air down tools and I purchased a cot instead of replacing my old sleeping mat.

raqball

Based on this trip I replaced a few aging items and corrected a few issues.

• Replaced lantern, headlamp, got some new air down tools and I purchased a cot instead of replacing my old sleeping mat.

BostonBadlands

The cot will protect you from snakes but not bears. Just sayin!😉

BostonBadlands

Glad it went without mishap. My maiden trip was central Utah, and I got three flats on those OEM Goodyears.* Now you know you really need to actually test out all your gear, especially if you'll be distant from services. Check the "Clubs" listings for other Bronco owners near you, and also consider joining regional all-4x4s club. Safety (and wisdom!) in numbers.

All veterans can get a free lifetime pass for all national parks. Now that's a bargain!

*I didn't air down, and rocks worked their way up through the ply. I know better, now--and will be replacing them with KO2 before any major soloing.

JoergH

I hate to tell you this, but if you don't air down, you're going to have the same issue with flats with the KO2's. I've seen this over and over again on runs. The guys that say "I don't need to air down on this trail" are the ones with flats. The guys that always air down, rarely get them (never say never!).

raqball

Looks like my next trip will be, hopefully, on May 6th.. The forecast for the next 10 days is rain, rain and more rain... The week of the 6th looks clear, for now, but this is the PNW and the forecast changes every 10 minutes or so...

I wanted to get out next week but since the chance of rain is high for each day, I assume it gonna...

_insert super duper sad face emoji here_

Jakob1972

Can you please head down to Central Texas.


We need the rain. LOL

Jakob1972

Can you please head down to Central Texas.


We need the rain. LOL

UserError

For some weird reason, rain follows my decision to wash my WT… 😂😂😂

raqball

I just leave mine filthy.. I am a bad owner to my poor Bronco, I know...

I try and get out off-roading every few weeks so cleaning it up with any sort of detail is kinda pointless.. Every few months I might run through a self-service car wash and blast it semi clean, but that's about it.. I generally don't bother unless it gets pretty muddy.. I do clean up the interior though...

raqball

I finally have everything needed for a solo off-road and overnight camping trip. I generally wheel solo and do not go out unprepared to 'unstuck' myself if needed. Winch, recovery gear, air down tools, air tank to air back up, etc..

The weather looked good so off I went.

Got to the trailhead and aired down to 20psi..



My ultimate destination: (more on that later)



Along the way:








Back after a short hike down a small trail to investigate:



The Bronco in all it's glory!




Spent a few hours on the 1st day investigate the trial and a lot of side trails. Got to my intended destination, the lake area, late and all the good dispersed camp sites I found were either taken or full of widow makers so I doubled back to one I had found earlier. Got there right before dark and set the tent up as fast as I could. Before i knew it, it was dark so I passed on cooking and ate a tasty MRE for dinner..

Woke up next morning and brewed up some coffee (read: Life Support Juice).. Plowed down 2 cups, and off I went. Spent a lot of the day just investigating side trails and small hiking trails I'd find in my general camp area.

I was debating staying a 2nd night but noticed the wind picking up and clouds forming mid-afternoon so I decided to head back to camp and pack up, then head back home..

Airing back up at trail exit:



All in all It was a great time, and why I purchased the Bronco..

I had some old and crappy air down tools that I used but I doubt they are very accurate anymore so I just kept an eye on the in dash TMPS readings..

When airing back up, the Power Tank was awesome! it took about 1 minute per tire to go from 20 to 38 and that was with me stopping several times to check pressure while filling...

Interior of Bronco, specifically the rear seat area, cargo area and all the gear back there, got a little dusty but that was expected as I am running with hard top off and Bikini only.. The Rain Gear Trail Cover was great (forgot to snap photo of it on, will do so next time). While it didn't rain overnight, it did keep the dew and the critters out of the interior..

raqball

I just leave mine filthy.. I am a bad owner to my poor Bronco, I know...

I try and get out off-roading every few weeks so cleaning it up with any sort of detail is kinda pointless.. Every few months I might run through a self-service car wash and blast it semi clean, but that's about it.. I generally don't bother unless it gets pretty muddy.. I do clean up the interior though...