2012 Moab VX Run

[VX KAT]

Gold bar rim- only about 2 miles from town on paved roads, probably around 5-7 hours for the whole trip, this may be the best pick for the group. Fairly easy trail with lots of optional stuff for the bigger guys to play on and the newcomers to watch, plus it has an amazing view to eat lunch at. The only downfall is that this trail has one obstacle that cannot be bypassed and you will make contact with your front lower cladding and rear gas tank skid. (see below for pics)


Gold bar rim-
[/QUOTE]


Would bridging ladders work there ?
There's a variety of materials, strengths and prices for them:






BRIDGING LADDERS:

"During off road expeditions one occasionally comes across a ditch or washout that is too wide or deep to cross, or a vertical step that can't be negotiated. For these situations you need a ramp or bridging device that you can place across the gap and drive over. Some people (and even vendors) get confused between bridging ladders and sand ladders, and think they can use them interchangeably. Of course this is not the case, as a bridging ladder needs to be capable of supporting at least a quarter of the weight of the vehicle, while a sand ladder can be much more flexible and lighter (see below). Of course, you can use most bridging ladders as sand ladders if you wish, saving you from carrying both.
When it comes to choosing a set of bridging ladders, it does not pay to try skimp and cut corners. The Mantec are the best and strongest bridging ladders I've seen. They will accommodate the weight of a Range Rover with no problem.





Mantec Bridging Ladders (4-BRIDGYS) Aluminum alloy, 5 ft x 15.5", 20 lbs each, $450 pair
4mm high grade aluminium, and their strength folded into the designs of both products. Mantec Sand Tracks are tried and tested over years of use in the Sahara Desert. Standard dimensions are 60" x 18" weighing 20 lbs per pair. A stronger alternative to sandtracks/ladders.
Special mounting brackets for securing them to a roof rack are also available for $99 a set.


http://72.167.88.134/BPSite/landrove...ingLadder.html
http://www.rangerovers.net/outfittin...c/ladders.html
http://mantec.co.uk/productdetail.cf...6FC6100BEB80B#





Fiberglass offroad "bridging" ladders:
2500kg = 5500 lbs.
3000kg = 6600 lbs.
Overland Journal didn't like them, fiberglass splintered off on first use, expect they'd fail.
http://www.tracmat.com/index.php?opt...d=69&Itemid=73
http://www.tracmat.com/






SAND LADDERS:


Pierced Aluminum plated SAND ladders (don't think you can use them for bridging): $250 - $350/pair (60"x16" or 48"x12")
http://www.okoffroad.com/stuff-sandladders-aluminum.htm




HD pierced steel plating Expedition Sand Ladders, coated in bedliner..... only for traction, not bridging: ~$180/pair, (60"x16") weigh 25 lbs EACH
http://www.okoffroad.com/stuff-sandladders.htm






A GMC Forum thread where the different types are discussed:
http://forums.trailvoy.com/showpost....45&postcount=1

[vt_maverick]

Somebody who's not carrying their wife, two kids, and three weeks worth of stuff, please be sure to bring these along.

[Triathlete]

My front end never hits

[pbkid]

I did Elephant Hill a few years back with BigSwede. We had 6 or so vehicles in the group and it was still an all day affair. I think we left town around 8ish and got back around 5 or 6. That was with a stop for lunch at hells kitchen, hiking the cracks and viewing the green/colorado river confluence...all must do's. With a large group I can see this trip going into darkness.

sounds like its out of the question for the VX run.

Awww I sorry.. I was mearly poking at you because its fun. I have been on several of your excursions and enjoyed each and every one of them. Lots of laughs and fun times and memories to be had by all. UGH now I must get out and see whats stuck under my bus tire one moment.....

no harm no foul sir

I would bet a non locked VX will make it up!

I have VERY high doubts my Runner will make it up with 33's and a rear locker.

in fact, i would be very surprised if i could, and you know my confidence level billy

My front end never hits

haha BS... i saw it slam a good 10 times on steel bender last year.

[VX KAT]

All kidding aside....(and money and space were no object)...would the Mantec BRIDGING ramps work on the Waterfall obstacle?

Or maybe even one of the SAND ladders would work for such a quick short distance?? (realizing much more of the weight will be bearing down when truck is nose down like this)

INPUT please....

[tomdietrying]

Here is one of my favorite shots of Elephant Hill in 2007.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/DSC00815.JPG

Peace.
Tom

[Ldub]

All kidding aside....(and money and space were no object)...would the Mantec BRIDGING ramps work on the Waterfall obstacle?

Or maybe even one of the SAND ladders would work for such a quick short distance?? (realizing much more of the weight will be bearing down when truck is nose down like this)

INPUT please....

One way to find out...

[VX KAT]

One way to find out...

ahhh..a volunteer! excellent!!!

[Ldub]

ahhh..a volunteer! excellent!!!

You bring em', I'll crunch test em' for you...

[vt_maverick]

If you bring 'em and they save me from some damage I'll gladly make a donation.

[VX KAT]

You bring em', I'll crunch test em' for you...

If you bring 'em and they save me from some damage I'll gladly make a donation.

Hmmmmmm.....tempting......anybody think we could get by with any of the SAND ladders?
I've got to see if I can find out the weight limits on those two sand ladders.....(yes, I know they're not supposed to be used for bridging)....

[VX KAT]

Anybody know if this is the exact same obstacle on Gold Bar Rim???

Gold bar rim-

[Triathlete]

Yes it is the wall on GBR.

[VX KAT]

Yes it is the wall on GBR.

BTW....any of you other NEW VXers or those that haven't done GOLD BAR RIM looked at the description in the Wells trail book? (see page 86) .....

I know Wells always makes them sound harder than they are (as both Hell's Revenge and Fins&Things are both also rated as Difficult, and all stock VXs can do them).....but ledges ....I'm going to pass on this one, I hate ledges....

• DIFFICULTY: Difficult. Many difficult ledges, especially at the top. For modified vehicles with very high ground clearance, lockers, large tires and good articulation.

• FEATURES: Popular hardcore trail with great view at top. Often driven downhill as a continuation of Golden Spike.

• ...drop down very large ledge at 2.3 miles

• ...more difficult ledges to follow.

• ...big ledge on right at 3.7 miles

I was looking thru last year's pics....HOW ABOUT DOING 7 MILE RIM for the Tuesday/VX run? It has such absolute spectacular scenery & viewsl Rated as "Difficult", 12.5 mile loop, 3 - 4 hrs -but double that, so 8 hrs, has bypasses on difficult ledges, has Wipe Out Hill for the harder core gang and others can bypass it. I made it last year, basically unscathed and a few stock VXs also made it OK last year.
See page 59 in Wells book.

[Scott Harness]

I really enjoyed 7 Mile Rim last year