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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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
Along the Rubicon Trail: Fellow overland adventurer and friend of The Adventure Portal, John Rainey took his rig, a 2010 Jeep Wranglertowing a Turtleback trailer with a buddy and traversed the Rubicon Trail. Here is what he reported.
“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 Hilland out to the real world.”
Water crossing in Rubicon Springs.
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.
For more Overland and Off-Road Vehicle Supported Adventures, CLICK HERE
Leitner Designs is an American design and technology company, located in Mission Viejo, California, that invents, engineers and markets products designed to improve the function and utility of light trucks. The company’s motto, “Carry Your World” captures the breakthrough products Leitner Designs has brought to the market since its founding in 2007.
Their flagship product is the Active Cargo System (ACS). It is a patented cargo management system that allows you to carry all your gear securely. Its modular design is easily upgradable with numerous accessories. The ACS eliminates the shortcomings of truck racks currently on the market. Its design not only allows you to carry large items above the roof line, but its center load bar can be slid out of the way to carry large items such as motorcycles and bicycles. Its “Quad Rail” T-slot mounting technology allows endless accessories to be securely attached allowing complete customization!
The product showcases:
All aluminum TIG welded construction weighing 65 pounds
Simple no drill installation (2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma)
Rubber load pad to prevent damage to cargo
Locking water proof side mounted Gear Pods
Fuel can mounting plates
Load stops to keep gear from shifting
Stainless steel tie down rings
Locking Hi-Lift Jack mounting brackets
Roof Top Tent mounting brackets
Light brackets
Compatible with many Thule accessories.
Bernhard Leitner, says: “I have owned pickup trucks for over 24 years and none of the truck racks available served my needs. I needed a rack that could carry my gear in waterproof lockable storage and not get in the way when loading my motorcycles. I wanted a product that had a factory look and finish that enhanced the look of the truck and not distract from it. Leitner designs is owned and operated by adventure seekers. We hit the trails every weekend testing and refining our products. Everything we design, engineer and manufacture is done with your next adventure in mind.”
“Four wheeling, like any other activity, has its rules and principles. During my 40-plus years in this sport, I have seen and experienced a lot. The following axioms flow from all the wisdom I have picked up from others I respect. My list is actually longer, but I trimmed it to some of the better ones.”
Retrain your instincts– “Your instincts are wrong off-road, and you have to learn the correct ways. For example, if you’re going down the hill and the vehicle is sliding, the natural tendency is to step on the brakes. That just locks ‘em up and you slide more. If it’s wet and muddy, you will slide in the direction of off-camber. If you’re driving on a shelf road, you’ll go right off the edge. Learn the proper steps to take, and commit those to memory.”
Steep, sandy downhill -go with the flow.
Focus on clearance and traction – “Clearance and traction are basic tenets for dirt and rocks. You can get these by applying the correct driving technique and by mechanical means. The technique comes from your driving skills, as well as your ability to read lines and chart the proper course. Mechanical means include bigger tires and suspension to lift the body up. Traction is gained through better tires, lockers in the axles, and by airing down. Learn to drive without upgrading the vehicle with mechanical aids. You will develop better technical skills and improve your ability to pick lines.”
Disengaged sway bar to maximize articulation.
Pick your line and drive the line – “Four-wheeling is a game of inches. Four wheeling by design involves driving over difficult trails. That’s part of the fun. Even so, we try to minimize the hazards. As you view the trail ahead, pick a route that is most likely to afford traction for all four wheels. A lot of times moving just a few inches in one direction makes all the difference of keeping traction on all wheels.”
Lori, editor and co-founder of The Adventure Portal- picking a line
Keep momentum to increase flotation – “Momentum and flotation are the basic tenets for soft surfaces like sand and mud. Use steady momentum to carry you through soft surfaces. Too often drivers hit the gas too hard or at the wrong time, and they end up stuck. Airing down produces a larger footprint for each tire. This spreads the weight over a larger area so you have less weight per square inch. Combined with the proper momentum and driving techniques, this provides the flotation we need for soft surfaces.”
Change your tire pressure for the terrain – “It’s a game of pounds (PSI) too. We air down considerably to drive off road. When you’re in the 10-12 psi range, being off by 1 psi can make all the difference when you’re going through soft surfaces like sand, mud and snow. Make sure your pressure is just right.”
Don’t spin your wheels! – “Spinning wheels get you in trouble. If you no longer have forward progress and you start to spin your wheels, several things can happen.
– If you’re in a situation that’s a little off camber, you’ll drift. You can drift into a much more difficult situation.
– If you’re on soft material, like mud or sand, you’ll bury it.
– On firm ground the vehicle can literally start jumping up and down
placing tremendous destructive forces on the drive train each time the
wheels come down.
Tom of Badlands 4×4 training scoping the line choice and amount of acceleration.
Take precautions and the right equipment – “The more remote and more difficult the trail, the more prepared you need to be. For an easy trail near town on a Saturday with your buddies, you might get by without spares. Do the same on the Rubicon and it could be a day out to purchase parts and a day back before you can start your repairs. By the way, consider helicopter insurance from calstar.org (ed: or just have a Spot) next time you do the Rubicon. And remember the 7 P’s – Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pathetically Poor Performance.”
Losing rear traction
Keep it slow – “Ten mph is fast off-road. We are not racing and over 10 mph is fast. When you are going fast off-road, do not hit the small 5″ or 6″ (or bigger for that matter) rocks embedded in the wash when aired down. You can cut the sidewalls on both tires on the same side before you are able to stop. Avoid them or slow down and ease over.”
Stick to your recovery plan – “Chaos reigns when someone gets stuck. Everybody has an idea of how to get the driver unstuck – the quicker the better. And everybody tries to help without a plan. That is counterproductive and can be dangerous. Put one person in charge and hold a recovery meeting to plan your strategy. Remember slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
Lori learning recovery safety measures
Expect delays on any run – “The more vehicles you have, the more likely something is to happen: breakdowns, someone gets stuck or blows a tire bead, riders need bathroom breaks. Assume your trip won’t stay 100% on schedule, so don’t get all wigged out when there is a delay. But groups are not bad. There is safety in numbers.”
There is an exception to every rule! – “I couldn’t resist adding one more axiom. Sometimes you have to break the rules – like when your life is in danger. Sometimes you break the rule just because – like going alone. The point is there are exceptions but your level of caution needs to go way, way up.”
“Even though I list 11 axioms here, which are considered self-evident and assumed to be true, the sport of 4-wheeling has in addition dozens, even hundreds of rules designed to make you a better driver and to keep you safe. If you hear of others, and they really strike a chord with you, add them to your list.”
Thanks to Tom Severin for his off road driving wisdom. Check out his four wheel drive trainings and trips at 4×4 Training.com.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK – What are some of your favorite 4WD driving techniques? What are the off-road driving techniques that you have found hardest to learn?
Tell us about it in the comments!
The owner of this month’s rig is Bernhard Leitner of Leitner Designs. The TAP crew met Bernhard while camping out at Blair Valley in Anza Borrego State Park a couple of years ago. We had seen him cruising by and ended up talking with him about his amazing rig.We thought we’d share his story and some interesting facts about the Pinzgauer.
Bernhard has always been interested in Pinzgauers as they were manufactured in the town that he was born, Graz Austria. In the 1960’s his father worked at the company that manufactured Pinzgauers as an engineering apprentice. In 2003 Bernhard’s uncle told him that the Swiss Army was modernizing their fleet of vehicles and auctioning off their supply of aging Pinzgauers. Bernhard wanted both the 4×4 and 6×6 variants. His uncle agreed to drive the three hours it would take to get to the town where they were being sold and choose two for him. Bernhard’s Uncle had been a mechanic all his life and he trusted his uncle’s judgment implicitly. He wired the money and had them shipped to the U. S. sight unseen. He did not regret it as the Swiss had taken impeccable care of both for the last 30 years. Storing them in underground heated shelters during the winters.
We asked Bernhard a few questions about his 6×6 1973 Pinzgauer that we thought our readers might want to know:
1. What’s the advantage of having 6 wheels? The advantage is the increased amount of traction and flotation six wheels provide, 50% more to be exact. With the six wheels, the ride is really smooth. He floats over washboard, sand etc. The Pinzgauer has three axels so the wheels are closer together than a standard 4 wheel drive. It climbs rocky terrain almost like a caterpillar. It has an independent suspension system which means that each wheel moves independently. He never has spotters when scoping out a line on a difficult trail unless they are pinzgauer owners themselves. The Pinz has almost no articulation and traditional wheel placement could lift three wheels off the ground! Bernhard went on to say however that even with three wheels off the ground, he’s got three on….so on a standard vehicle it’s like having one wheel off the ground; manageable. Another thing is that the Pinzgauer has portal axles giving the vehicle 13.25 inches of ground clearance with modest 34” tires, so it can straddle most obstacles that would hang up a traditional 4×4, allowing a completely different driving style.
2. Does the length of the wheelbase make it harder to maneuver on switchbacks and other tight turns? No. The Pinzgauer has a tighter turning radius than the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It’s got a 40’ turning radius to the Jeep’s 41’ and he sits directly over the front axels…there is no hood. “This is one of the wonderful features of the truck and lets you see what’s on the trail ahead of you even when the hood is pointing toward the sky”. Bernhard says his Pinz turns like a forklift and makes the sharp turns that most people don’t expect it will be able to do.
Here are the comparative specs and commentary from Bernhard:
Pinzgauer 712Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Wheelbase 117in 116in Overall length 195in 185in Width 69in 74in Payload 3300# 1000# Curb Weight 5300# 4200# “The wheelbase on my truck is only one inch longer then a 4 door jeep. This is why I can do all the trails the jeeps go on. Plus with the extra axle in the middle it takes a lot to high center the truck. It is also only 11 inches longer then a jeep unlimited but can carry 3X the weight.” This is a man who loves his rig!
3.Is it easy to get parts for the Pinz? Does it break down often? The vehicles have only recently been retired from service with the Austrian army and NOS (new old stock) parts are readily available from Swiss Army Vehicles; a dealer in Fayetteville Arkansas. Bernhard carries loads of spare parts in case of a breakdown on the trail but has not encountered anything that couldn’t be easily fixed while out on the road. The simplicity of the vehicle with no electronics makes the Pinz an ideal overland rig, and in case the two spare tires are not enough it can be driven on just 4 wheels.
4. What do you like most about owning a Pinzgauer? “I get to meet everyone! When I go camping, people come by to ask me about my rig. They bring some beer, we share food. It’s great! I have met so many nice people that I wouldn’t have if my vehicle wasn’t so unique.”
Specs: Manufacturer: Styer Puch Country of origin: Austria Model: Pinzgauer 712M Troop transport Year: 1973 Engine: 2.5L air cool 4 cylinder Gasoline 90Hp top speed 55MPH Transmission: Synchronized 5 speed manual transmission 4WD: synchronized 2 speed transfer case, shift on the fly. Front and rear differential locks. Suspension:Front Independent Pendel /with coil springs. Rear Independent Pendel Axle with leaf springs Ground Clearance: 335mm (13.25″) Electric: 24 Volt waterproof system Approach/departure angle: 45/45 degrees. Climb angle: 100%. Sideslope: 40%. Modifications: -Custom front winch bumper with 9500# mile marker winch -Rack for four 5 gallon jerry cans -Elevated Dog Bed between driver and passenger with food and water bowls -Custom bridging ladders and mount -Custom toolbox mount -Custom second spare tire holder -12 volt charging system for trailer -Custom Snorkel tested to 5 feet of water fording -24 Volt on board MIG welding system. -15 Pound CO2 tank -Hella H4 100w lights -Fuel tank guard
~A big thank you to Bernhard Leitner of Leitner designs, maker of the Active Cargo System, and look for our write – ups on his custom made trailer and his budding new business….coming soon~
For more overland and off-road ready rigs, CHECK HERE
