Hey everyone, I'm looking for some help and advice as I'm a complete novice, apart from an hour in a Daihatsu Fourtrak many year ago! I've got a '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee, not lifted or anything, and was wondering if there's anywhere I could go for a beginners run? I've been on the Island for almost 9 years, moved here from the UK, Wales, so am pretty good with different areas. Also, any tips, basic necessities, etc would be gratefully accepted. Cheers, Jer.
Hey welcome to the site. I can't help ya much as I am new to the whole off reading thing to. Just installed a 4.5 lift in my 91 cherokee. Hope to get on to some trails soon.
I would suggest starting on something easy like a trip to Barsby lake, it's a bumpy road with some semi deep puddles but nothing that requires any sort of driving skill or line picking. You could also get into extension fairly easy and there is some great offroading in there for all levels. I do however see you are from South Island so maybe Shane can chime in here about some entry level wheeling in the Sooke / Duncan area. Also if you are on Facebook, there's a great group of folks down South Island. The facebook page is "West coast jeep club" (No you don't have to own a jeep) and they go out every week and do a lot of entry level wheeling. As for gear you should be carrying....20-30' recovery strap, comalong, couple liters of fresh water incase you over heat or get stuck in the bush for any length of time. Some standard tools i.e socket set, open end wrenches etc. I carry a lot more as I go a lot of gnarly places but diff fluids, brake fluid, engine oil, spare engine belts, u-joints, spare tierod, chainsaw / handsaw, chains, tarp the list goes on. All I can really suggest is don't push your limits if you're by yourself and always, ALWAYS be prepared to break down, nothing worse than breaking down and not being prepared.
Thanks Larry, I've looked up and added west coast jeep club. Can I ask what a comalong is? The type of roads I'm looking at doing I suppose are just like logging roads, so just basic essentials. I'd love to get up high and see some views, hopefully there's places on the South Island. Cheers.
I think it's 'come-along' - but basically a tool that connects to a tow strap to pull your truck out when it gets stuck. Definitely a must if you don't have a winch.
About the closest places to Vic is Sooke and Duncan as Larry says. I'm around Duncan myself and would be happy to show you some trails. The best views are inland from here, but there are some good ones out past Cowichan lake. I just posted a new thread in the trail run section so maybe we can get a few of the newer guys together for an intro run.
Welcome to the site!
Thanks Shane, I've got a buddy who wants to have a run too so I'll try to see when we can make it work.
This is a come-along, you can buy a 2ton at your local hardware store for around $35
This little guy has saved me on more than one occasion.
They are great little devices. I will have one with me till I get a winch
Hey beer-n-meat, just curious which hardware store you were able to score a 2ton come along? I've been lookin for a decent one for awhile. Thanks.
Jerang - There are a bunch of trails in the shawnigan lake/goldstream area. Take south shawnigan lake rd to Sooke lake rd, and you'll see a few dirt road turn offs. Some better than others, but lots of fun to explore. Good views as well.
http://m.canadiantire.ca/en/tools-hardware/shop-equipment/hoists/2-ton-h...
Well I had no idea canadian tire had those. Thanks!
I picked mine up at the "Home hardware" in Nanaimo.