LET’S TALK TRAIL RATINGS

When I joined the club several years ago. The only four wheeling I had ever done was chasing cows across the pasture trying to get them in the lot. I had just bought my CJ-5 and put a big motor in it, and what I thought were huge tires they 35X12.5×15 and very smooth. I thought I could go wheeling with anybody and any place. Then Shane Thatcher, Robert and Christine Foster and I went to the Talihina area for three days. When Shane and the Fosters started talking about trail ratings, I sat there with a dumb look on my face. I had never heard of trail ratings. I had never heard of lockers and what equipment it would take to run the different type trails they were talking about. I learned a lot on that trip, I didn’t even have power steering at that time. The third day my arms were so tried from turning, that I rode with Shane to let my arms rest ( they were calling me Arnold S). Needless to say I have learned a lot since that trip 9 years ago. Then I started asking what type of trails I could go on. What it would take to get my jeep ready to run the different type trails. Over the years I have heard this question ask by a lot of people that just starting to 4 wheel. Especially people that have never heard of trail ratings. The question what can I do to up grade my vehicle, has been asked many times also. Several of the board members that have a lot of wheeling experience, put their heads to gather and came up with the following recommendations. I cannot stress enough that these are RECOMMENDATIONS ONLY. Trail leaders can use these recommendations, to help pick trails that are suitable for the vehicles in their group for a run.

HERE AGAIN I WANT TO STRESS THAT THESE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS ONLY!  AND ONLY RECOMMENDATIONS!!

  1. Trail Rating No. 1
  2. Four-wheel drive might be need.
  3. Tires 33 inches and under.
  4. No winch or lockers
  1. Trail Rating No. 2
  2. Four-wheel drive will probably be needed.
  3. Tires 33 inches and small.
  4. Winch and at least one locker optional.
  1. Trail Rating No. 3
  2. Four wheels drive a must.
  3. 33-inch tires or larger.
  4. Winch optional, but is highly recommended
  5. One Locker required.
  6. Need to have a little wheeling experience
  1. Trail Rating No. 4
  2. 35 inch and larger tires required.
  3. Winch and locked front and rear required.
  4. Limited slip front axle only and Lincoln locks ok.
  5. Full spools rear only, no mini spools
  6. Must have some experience in trail driving
  7. Vehicle damage possible.
  1. Trail Rating No. 5
  2. 35 inch and larger tires required.
  3. Winch front and rear lockers required.
  4. Full spools rear only okay - no mini spools.
  5. NO Limited SLIPS.
  6. LINCOLN LOCKERS not recommended.
  7. Must have trail driving experience.
  8. Trail leader to judge the experience of the drivers.
  9. Vehicle damage likely!
  1. Please make any comments about the Trail Ratings by email.
  2. The email address is:
  3. All the comments will be read.
  4.  
  5. Neill Dorsey (JUS-A-5)