Rubi Loves Rocks – Overlanding Tag-Team

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TAP Note: All of the info contained in this article is based on my subjective experience only and not meant to be taken as a generalization for entire populations. Lori Palmer: TAP editor

Pass it by the CFO- Right after I got my Jeep Wrangler Rubicon I spent a lot of time at the dealership getting her “built for overlanding adventures”. (See our Wrangler write up for components.) One day, as I was leaving, I overheard a salesman and a customer talking. The customer was saying that he wanted to add some components to his rig but would have to pass it by the CFO first; his wife. The salesman smiled and nodded, understanding this dilemma perfectly.

Rubicon turtleback trailer death valley the adventure portal — Death Valley trip 2014

Enjoying the overlanding Community- When Andy and I went to our first overlanding event we met a great group of like-minded people. Gear heads, trail fiends; it was great fun discussing runs, sharing experiences, and learning from each other. Getting together with a group of people that we didn’t know but who had common interests to ours, was a uniquely rewarding experience. They had driven some of the same trails we had and had experienced some that we wanted to do and visa versa. A lot of fun.

Overlanding; she said, “No thank you”- I met some wives there, started talking and soon saw a trend. This was their husband’s gig, period. They were there for their husbands but had little to no personal interest in overlanding. Most of the guys went out with groups of their friends and when the wives went along, they were passengers. They said that although the areas were beautiful, the journey was bumpy, boring and uncomfortable.

Get overlanding ladies!- When I asked the women if they would be interested in driving, I got a lukewarm response. When I asked if they had tried it; most had not. I honestly believe that if SOME, not all, but some women got behind the wheel and tried off-roading they would enjoy it. I was indifferent to driving off-road until boredom drove me behind the wheel. After taking turns driving my husband’s Taco off-road, I was hooked. Also, taking an off-road driver’s training class helped build driving skill and confidence, which enhanced my off-road experience immeasurably and gave me the courage to drive trails I would not have tried before. Once again, I cannot express how much fun we have off-roading together.

Rubi at 4WD training — Rubi at Badlands 4WD training

Overlanding: Play together, stay together- I am in no way advocating that men should give up their overlanding road-trips with their buddies. We all love our tribe time. But, I do believe that if you invite your partner to drive and she “kind of” likes it, then turn her on to an off-road training class to help build knowledge of safety and driving techniques and then get out there and play! (A shout out here to Badlands 4×4 4WD training courses in Southern California. There are 4WD certified trainings all over the United States. ) When a couple switches off driving, navigating, and filming they can have a blast. We do and so do our friends who share this passion. Play together, stay together and watch your CFO gladly go for purchasing that snorkel! Ya’ all are basically roommates for life, so common adventures are key.

the adventure portal AEV training — AEV’s In-Field 4WD Training-Florence OR

Women Only overland 4WD training Info– There is potential for two different Women’s only Training courses. I am in discussion with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) about the potential for a FREE Women’s Only Beginner Training Day in Florence, Oregon in Feb 2016. I would host the course alongside AEV trainers. Prerequisites for this course are an AEV built Jeep,or a stock Jeep. This is an event I went to last year (I was the only woman driving with a great group of guys.) and not only did I improve my driving, safety and tread lightly skills and knowledge, I got a chance to experience driving in an amazingly beautiful place. I have also spoken with Tom Severin of Badlands Off-Road Adventures and 4WD training about a Women’s Only beginners course. Again, I would host and Tom would train. The class would take place either in Anza Borrego State Park in San Diego CA or Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in L.A. Any style of 4×4 can be used. Price to be determined. We at TAP have taken a few of his courses and highly recommend them.

THESE CLASSES WILL ONLY HAPPEN IF ENOUGH WOMEN SIGN UP! CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT lori@theadventureportal.com SPECIFY THE CLASS(ES) YOU ARE INTERESTED IN, AND LETS GET OUT THERE AND GO!!!

Happy tag-team overlanding!

Share your experiences in the comment section below.

Check out where you can go in Southern California on our Overland Trails and Points of interests write-ups.

Factor 55 Pro – link thimble and Flatlink E: Winch safety gear

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Lori Palmer

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The first thing we noticed when we opened the box was what beautiful pieces of engineering these winch safety pieces are from Factor 55. Best of all, they are made in the USA. Of course looks alone are not enough, but it’s a good start. We will be putting them through their paces in the Sierra’s on a week long trip next month and will post a full review in September.

Pro – Link Thimble- Machined in the USA from lightweight billet 6061 aluminum. It attaches to a 3/4″ screw pin shackle and then onto an existing winch cable and synthetic rope eyes. The cable or rope eye is captured into the body of the Pro – Link by a removable oversized 5/8″ double titanium shear pin. It is compatible with both Hawse and Roller fairleads and is rated to 16,000 pounds maximum load capacity.

Flatlink E (Expert)- This unit provides a means to eliminate the conventional winch hook and replace it with a safer and more secure screw pin shackle, resulting in a closed winching system. It stows neatly against either Roller or Hawse type Fairleads and is used with a 3/4″ shackle and is compatible with steel cables or synthetic ropes up to 3/8″ in diameter.

Check out these and other Factor 55 products at factor55.com.

See our other gear reviews at TheAdventurePortal.com gear reviews.

Tempest Vermilion

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Lori Palmer

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This amazing video was shot and produced by Gavin Heffernan of SunchaserPictures.com and Harun Mehmedinovic of Bloodhoney.com and was created in association with BBC EARTH (bbc.com/earth/world). Check it out and TAP into Adventure!

Music- “White Dwarf 2” by Terry Devine-King.
Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

FunTreks Guidebooks and GPS Data Card

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Lori Palmer

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A TAP favorite: We’ve been devotees of FunTreks guidebooks for many years now and they’ve accompanied us along the majority of our trips. They provide detailed descriptions of trails with GPS Waypoint co-ordinates and certainly give a good sense of security and information when on the designated trail. This month FunTreks sent us their GPS Data Card version for “Calfornia Backroads and 4 Wheel Drive Trails” and we are looking forward to testing it out in our Garmin GPS next month on a week-long trip in the California Sierra’s. Look out for a full review in September.

FunTreks publishes guidebooks and more for so many areas. Check them out at FunTreks.com.

Check out our other gear reviews at TheAdventurePortal.com

Ten Safety Rules for Off-Road Driving

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Tom Severin

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This article is the second in a five-part series called “Things to Know”, written by Tom Severin of Badlands Off Road Adventures. Tom is an International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association© certified professional 4WD trainer and a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). He is an instructor for the United Four Wheel Drive Association (UFWDA) and the California Association of 4WD Clubs.

Here is what Tom has to say about 4WD driving safety techniques. Enjoy and remember when you are on the trails to tread lightly. The TAP crew has taken four of his classes and highly recommend them for the beginner, intermediate or even the advanced driver who wants to hone in on particular driving/safety techniques. Spending money on training is as important and often more so, than that new gear you want or “need”.

“Four-wheeling is one of the more exciting hobbies you can experience. Going off road opens your eyes to places you would not otherwise see. It also challenges you, as the terrain is far different from what you are accustomed to driving on. You can find yourself in a remote and very hostile environment in just a few hours. Follow these very important rules for a safer and more enjoyable ride.”

Make your location known beforehand- “Let someone know where you will be and when you expect to return. This applies to all trips, not just those in challenging areas. People have been known to get stuck or lost in relatively easy terrain. Should something happen and you’re unable to leave the area or call for help, your friends or family will know to contact authorities.”

4x4 training the adventure portal — There is safety in numbers.

There’s safety in numbers- “Always have at least one other vehicle along. This ensures that you will have transportation out in the event your vehicle becomes stuck or damaged and can’t be fixed there. Plus, the extra vehicle means additional manpower to help with problems”

Pack survival gear- “Even a Sunday drive on the beach can turn sour. Pack the proper gear to get you through the night and to handle medical emergencies that may occur.”
Prevent flying gear- “Tie everything down inside. Your gear will go flying around if you roll over or lay the vehicle on its side. Loose items become missiles which can injure and kill anyone inside.”

Tie your gear down. You don't want it hitting you in the head. — Tie your gear down. You don’t want it hitting you in the head.

Buckle up!-“Everyone wears a seatbelt, just like when you drive on paved roads. You and your passengers will get jostled around quite a bit on many of the trails. Plus, the possibility for a rollover or crash exists at any time. That big rock you suddenly hit could cause you or your passengers to go flying out a window. Make sure everyone is belted in.”
Arms and legs must always remain inside- “Many trails run through narrow passageways. Any arms or legs hanging outside can get torn off by the trees, cliff walls, or rocks just outside your vehicle. If the vehicle begins to tip your instinct is to put your hand out. There is no way you will be able to stop a vehicle this way. Roll your windows up if your can’t control the urge. Also, make sure no one holds onto the roll bar. Their fingers will get smashed in the event of a roll over. Hands can also be injured if you drive under low-hanging branches.”
Quit when you are tired- “Four-wheeling requires the utmost concentration. Any letdown can lead to an accident and perhaps death. If you feel fatigued at all, pull over and rest, or let someone else drive. Do not force it.”
Lock it down-“When driving off-road, you are seldom on level ground. Make sure your vehicle will not roll away from you. When you stop, put the vehicle in park, apply the emergency brake, and turn off the engine.”
Do not hang on a vehicle-“If the vehicle gets stuck in a precarious position, do not try to pull it down or otherwise tip it by hand and absolutely do not climb on the vehicle. Use the proper tools and techniques, and always be a safe distance away. A vehicle can and will crush you if given the chance.”

the adventure portal- high-lift strap recovery training — Rescue training using recovery straps.

Be careful when handling winches and high-lift straps- “Treat them with respect. The straps, clevises, and other pieces are under extreme tension when in use. Inspect all parts before using and stand clear while you are trying to recover a vehicle. A failure in gear or rigging can be lethal to you and bystanders.”

winching the adventure portal — Lori at TAP learning how to handle the winch cable with care.

SHARE SOME OF YOUR OFF-ROAD SAFETY RULES! Let us know what has gotten you home safe and happy in our comments section below.

A special thanks to Tom Severin for his off-road driving wisdom. Check out his trainings and trips at 4×4 Training.com

Happy Off-Road Driving!

An Off-Road Adventure Along The Rubicon Trail

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Andy Palmer

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Along the Rubicon Trail: Fellow overland adventurer and friend of The Adventure Portal, John Rainey took his rig, a 2010 Jeep Wrangler towing a Turtleback trailer with a buddy and traversed the Rubicon Trail. Here is what he reported.

Rubicon Trail Trip Report

“The Rubicon Trail is everything you have ever read about, and more. There is something for everybody, smooth granite, off-road dirt trails, potential water crossings, beautiful views and rocks, lots and lots of rocks. Two Jeeps, a 2010 Wrangler with Turtleback trailer (yes, I pulled my Turtleback all the way up the trail!) and a 1998 Grand Cherokee, departed Phoenix, AZ on a Friday morning and decided to take the scenic route, I-10 to CA 395 toward Lake Tahoe. We took 2 days to get there with a stop up an old dirt road for some overland camping Friday night outside Bishop, CA.”

“We opted to run the Rubicon Trail from Georgetown to Lake Tahoe. This is considered the more ‘traditional’ direction. It can be run in the opposite direction, but you will be against ‘traffic’ on some of the bigger hills (Cadillac, Big Sluice) and they are narrow, so keep an eye out down the trail and plan ahead for spots to let people pass. In Georgetown we picked up ice and fuel and headed off for an overnight stop and adult beverage at Uncle Tom’s Cabin. This is a must-see location and a great place to camp before you hit the trail first thing in the morning. They allow camping at no charge on their property and even have places for two rigs if you contact them ahead of time.”

“On Sunday morning, we headed out the trail head. We decided to intersect with the ‘official’ Rubicon Trail via Wentworth Road. This added about 2 to 3 miles to the trail length, but we were in no hurry.”

NOTE: “Make sure you download some good trail/road maps. I used an app on my iPhone called Gaia GPS and downloaded a few different tracks and topo maps. The roads and trails, including the Rubicon Trail, can be very poorly marked. There are yellow reflectors on parts of the trails, but they are spaced at times and can be hard to see. We had a light rain shower and the black tire tracks we were following completely disappeared.”

“Just short of Buck Island Lake we had our only major issue on the trail. The Grand Cherokee had a flexible brake line come loose, catch on the lugs of the tire and rip off the hard line. We were able to cap the line using some epoxy, but with only half the front brakes working, the Jeep was not safe to drive. Early Monday morning the other Jeep headed back up the trail and was able to find a replacement in Auburn and be back at our impromptu camp by 3 pm. By 4 pm, we had the line installed and the system bled and we were ready to roll.

“Tuesday morning we were back on the trail and made it to Rubicon Springs, found a wonderful camp spot next to the creek and set up camp. We spent Wednesday doing some exploring and resting. Thursday morning we made the trek up Cadillac Hill and out to the real world.”

General Observations/Opinions about the Rubicon Trail

“I have read on more than one location that this trail can be run on 33-inch tires open/open (front and rear open differentials). I am going to strongly disagree with this. The Jamborees do a good job of stacking the obstacles and putting spotters on all the major hard spots, but even then my opinion is that you need at a minimum 35s, preferably 37- inch tires, upgraded skid plates and one locker to do it (not to mention armor, winch and recovery gear).”
“Water is plentiful but needs to be filtered for drinking.”
The Friends of the Rubicon, have done an outstanding job of putting outhouses all along the trail and all over Rubicon Springs. I still carried Wag Bags, but never had to use them.
You WILL damage/dent something on this trail at some point. Make sure your rig is in good shape and that you have tools and spare parts available if/when needed.

HAVE YOU DRIVEN THE RUBICON TRAIL? TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST ADVENTURE IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

Many thanks to John Rainey for the write-up and photos.