[KenCary]

Has anyone on this forum been riding on the trails at Uwharrie National Forest near Greensboro NC?:velo:

I have been invited to take a ride out there this weekend. I am told that they have many mild trails that are basically just dirt roads. I don't plan to attempt any serious off roading, but I would like to haul my son's quadrunner out to a place where he can tear up some dirt.

In doing some research, the Wolfe Den and Falls Dam trails seem to be rated as easy.

Part of my concern is that I want to avoid narrow trails where the brush could scratch my pristine Nitro paint.

Now I know the Nitro is no rock crawler, but I have had it in mud and sand and it can hold it's own. I basically want to avoid deep ditches, narrow trails and deep water. I'll be limited by the ATV in tow anyway.

Any input would be appeciated.

BTW if you do a Google video search, you can see some pretty intense 4-wheeling in the more challenging trails of Uwharrie National Forest like Daniel's Trail and the Rocky Mountain loop.

The person I am going with has had experience, but I'd like a second opinion.

Ken

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

It sounds very nice Ken. Take some pics for us if you do decide to go, but like you said, beware of low branches scratching up the paintwork.

 

[KenCary]

No More Garage Queen for this Nitro - Part 1

Just got back from a quick jaunt through Uhwari National forest in NC.

There are no easy trails despite what the brochure might say. Just about all the trucks on this trail were lifted, big-tired off-road modified vehicles.

Once I got on the trail, I could not turn around, so I figured WTF and put her in 1st and charged up the rock strewn hill. When I bought the Nitro, I read the specs and it had a better approach and departure angle than the Jeep Patriot, and the ground clearce was similar to this "trail rated" Jeep. What better way to put this therory to the test.

Shortly thereafter I encounterd a log bridge (not flush to the trail mind you,) but one where you have to crawl up the logs to get over. Again, up and over-- white knuckled, but safe.

The trip up the hill seemed straight up, but it was about 40 degress for most of the trip. I figured that I had the power and traction, which I did, but I was concerned about the multiple steep birms and large rocks in the ruts.

Well in the end, I made it up and down the trail unscathed. I wacked a few things under the Nitro a couple of times, but with no apparent damage. It turns out that all the vital components are tucked well up under the crossmembers. I do wish I had the '08 Liberty skid plates though (future mod). My biggest fear was ripping off the front bumper cover, but there is more clearance than most people realize. Also key is that the overhang is very short in the Nitro which gives a reasonalble approach angle.

For anyone who poo - poos the Nitro 4WD system, I can tell you my tires gripped the whole way up and at one point I had only 3 wheels on the ground with my driver side wheel pointed to the sky. I have the manual 4WD that locks the front and rear together.

Just one word of advice, I have the Wrangler all-season tires on 17" wheels, don't try these rocky trails in the low-profile tires on the 20" on the RT. You will likely bend a wheel or pop a tire.

I'll post Videos in Part 2. The videos show me coming down, but keep in mind that I charged up this same hill.

Take a look at the thumnails for an idea of how nasty this trail was (the photos don't even do it justice)

Now I am not going to claim that the Nitro is the ideal vehicle for this. But the Nitro is a real truck, with real capabilities, not a crossover.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it Consumer reports!! :Na_Na_Na_Na:

Ken

 

[KenCary]

No More Garage Queen for this Nitro - Part 2

OK Guys & Gals,

Here are links to 2 video clips of my adventure.

Maybe this stunt will someday earn me Nitro of the Month.





:woohoo::beerchug:

Ken

 

[Waldorf]

Ken,
those videos are awesome! Your pics tell the story as well! Great job with the videos! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us. :beerchug:

 

[dk1677]

Great Job Ken! Took some guts to do that with a new truck!:rep:

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Great pics and vids Ken. It looks like you had a fantastic day. Unfortunately we don't have anything like that around here.
The reps points are well deserved...:rep:

 

[KenCary]

Great pics and vids Ken. It looks like you had a fantastic day. Unfortunately we don't have anything like that around here.
The reps points are well deserved...:rep:

Thanks for the Rep points.

Though fun, I don't want to do this on a regular basis--- I'd buy an old CJ for that

 

[barleyandbeans]

Wow, that was great. You have more guts than I do. I'll have to wait a couple years and some scratches before I try that one but now I know that it can do it if I get stuck.

 

[KenCary]

Great pics and vids Ken. It looks like you had a fantastic day. Unfortunately we don't have anything like that around here.
The reps points are well deserved...:rep:

Hard to believe that in the vast expanse of Canada you don't have some serious off-road trails.

Your area may not be as hilly as NC, but I'll bet you have some serious rocks to bash a Nitro!

 

[KenCary]

Wow, that was great. You have more guts than I do. I'll have to wait a couple years and some scratches before I try that one but now I know that it can do it if I get stuck.

I acutally did find a small brush scratch while cleaning today, but luckily I was able to rub it out with a clay bar.

It took me all day to clean her up inside and out. We have been without rain for many months and the NC red clay dust is a killer. I even had to wash down the engine compartment.

Ken

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Hard to beleive that in the vast expanse of Canada you don't have some serious off-road trails.

Your area may not be as hilly as NC, but I'll bet you have some serious rocks to bash a Nitro!

Ken the biggest hill around here is the overpass on the expressway. No lie, it's as flat as a pancake. I miss the hills, where I came from in England was very hilly but here.....BORING.

 

[dk1677]

Yes that dust looks thick! Hows the air filter?

 

[DAYLEY/CHALLENGER]

Hey there Ken. The Uwharrie is only about an hour from me. I would have been uneasy about those trails. Looks like you made it ok. Enjoyed the videos and pics. Like the little four wheeler.............

 

[NitroTech]

Hard to beleive that in the vast expanse of Canada you don't have some serious off-road trails.

Your area may not be as hilly as NC, but I'll bet you have some serious rocks to bash a Nitro!

No lack of serious off-road trails where I am. Graham lives in the plush area of Canada. :chuckle: Ken you should invest in some skid plates. Now that the Liberty is out the skid plates are an easy bolt-on. :smileup:

 

[KenCary]

No lack of serious off-road trails where I am. Graham lives in the plush area of Canada. :chuckle: Ken you should invest in some skid plates. Now that the Liberty is out the skid plates are an easy bolt-on. :smileup:

You don't have to convince me. I was the one who started that thread.

Do you know it the plates cover the following:

1. Gas tank
2. Oil pan (yes I think
3. Muffler (mine is still in the stock location)

 

[KenCary]

Yes that dust looks thick! Hows the air filter?

Surprisingly my K&N does not look that bad. I will clean it much earlier than planned though. I think the open element of the K&N is better as no dust gets trapped in the airbox.

 

[KenCary]

No More Garage Queen for this Nitro - Part 3

The acorn does not fall far from the tree.

My son tearing up Uwharrie trails on his mini Quad.



Mini ATV Rock Crawl
A good day was had by all. :spinning::velo:

Ken

 

[dk1677]

Good one Ken!

 

[Paladin021]

Dirt? Scratches?!? No mini markets?!?!?!

Is this what REAL truck owners do with their trucks? I just sit at home and rub mine with a lint-free towel and complain about the jerk in front of me who HAD to wash his windshield in front of me on the highway. (Don't you HATE that?)

Kudos on your adventure sir! Looks like fun! (we'll take my wife's Jeep)