Preparing for Offroad Trip to Moab, UT . . . tips / recommendations?

[rcl4668]

I'm getting ready to attend an offroad group trip to Moab. I would not be bringing my Bronco but rather I will be co-driving my friend's rig, a Jeep Rubicon. I am a novice off-roader and am tagging along to learn offroad skills and get some "seat time" on the trails. We will not be doing anything super difficult at Moab. My friend will be grciously offering his rig and all related safety equioment for the car but I am wondering what you seasoned off-roaders would recommend in terms of clothing and any equipment (gloves, etc) that I could bring to be better prepared especially in winter conditions. Thanks for your help!

Sponsored

 

[mjohnso3]

I'm getting ready to attend an offroad group trip to Moab. I would not be bringing my Bronco but rather I will be co-driving my friend's rig, a Jeep Rubicon. I am a novice off-roader and am tagging along to learn offroad skills and get some "seat time" on the trails. We will not be doing anything super difficult at Moab. My friend will be grciously offering his rig and all related safety equioment for the car but I am wondering what you seasoned off-roaders would recommend in terms of clothing and any equipment (gloves, etc) that I could bring to be better prepared especially in winter conditions. Thanks for your help!

If it were me and I have this golden opportunity to go to Moab , whether novice or beginner, my Bronco is coming with me.

 

[Felix808]

When are you going? Not sure what al you'll be doing but gloves are always good to have on hand. Bring a good hat, sunglasses, good shoes & plenty of fluids as it can get hot out there depending on when you go.
Enjoy .

 

[EasternSierra]

Carry appropriate clothing and gear to get you through an unplanned overnight in the backcountry if you're stuck for any reason (breakdown, for example). Carry lots of water for the same reason.

 

[Squatch]

Bikini, definitely. Preferably a thong. Your seat will thank you.

 

[Alanp970]

Bring plenty of layers. This time of year it can be frigid in the morning and warm up quite a bit during the afternoon. It’s always super dry so chapstick and water are essential

 

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

Check with locals (BLM office or 4x4 vehicle rental shop) about closed roads and trails. Activists have been hard on BLM

to reduce off-roading. This book is a must:

 

[bellboyfab]

You’re probably gonna need to give more information on this because clothing needs now will differ from clothing needs later in the year.
It snows in that area this time of year so it can and will get very cold. I did the off roadeo thanksgiving weekend in Moab and it was cold and there was snow on the ground in certain places. So if this is a trip coming up in the coming weeks plan and dress for cold weather. Always carry plenty of water (1 gal per person per day) and food. Personally I wouldn’t got to Moab and not take my bronco especially if you have a Sasquatch. The best seat time you can get is going to be in YOUR rig or a very similar one. Equipment wise I would say basic recovery gear, couldn’t hurt to have a winch in the group, some form of comms, basically all the same stuff you would hear if you were doing one of your local trails.

 

[Scoop]

Has your friend with the jeep been to Moab before? I'm a bit confused by your post. Is the owner of the jeep going with you to "co-drive"? Or is the co-driver someone else?

All good advice. (Except the bikini!! LOL). Bring good leather gloves to use if you need to winch, good hiking shoes for grip on the slick rock, and a nice hat with a Bronco logo so you can "rep" your Bronco. Practice saying "My Bronco would make that look easy!"

I second getting the Funtreks book. Ask what trails the group will like be running and read up on them and the obstacles so you know what to expect. Watch some Youtube videos of the trails.

Have fun! Moab is awesome!

 

[Morton2020]

If you have a mount on the dash for a phone or camera to record video, you won’t regret it. Have fun!

 

[Big Rig]

Check with locals (BLM office or 4x4 vehicle rental shop) about closed roads and trails. Activists have been hard on BLM

to reduce off-roading. This book is a must:

This book is the BEST!!! Definitely a must have when exploring Moab.

 

[B22-2023]

If it were me and I have this golden opportunity to go to Moab , whether novice or beginner, my Bronco is coming with me.

Look at the bright side though, at least he’ll get “a badge”. I don’t know how many times a Jeep person has said out on trails, “Yeah that’s a good run, and you’d get a “badge”…….if you had a Jeep”. What is this badge thing, I almost feel like saying what, like the Campfire Girls?

 

[indio22]

My first time off-roading in Colorado, before internet and widespread cellphones, I asked a woman in a parking lot (she was getting into an old FJ) for a trail recommendation. Then my girlfriend and I headed into the mountains, managed to find the trailhead and had a blast driving it.

That was in my old CJ, no sat phones, wifi, bunch of recovery gear or other stuff. I'm not a big "what if" buyer. What if this happens, what if that happens. OP you're in America not breaking down in the jungles of Africa. Take your Bronco to Moab and have some adventure.

 

[Callelk]

Bring a GoPro with suction mount. Share.........

 

[AZ_Craig]

That was in my old CJ, no sat phones, wifi, bunch of recovery gear or other stuff. I'm not a big "what if" buyer. What if this happens, what if that happens. OP you're in America not breaking down in the jungles of Africa. Take your Bronco to Moab and have some adventure.

I don't necessarily disagree with this sentiment, but try going 50+ miles off pavement in the middle of no where in Utah or Nevada during summer and break down without water, food or a way to keep cool. Plenty of people have died in Death Valley due to this exact sort of mistake (including many who have driven onto 4WD roads without the right vehicle).

Yes, in most cases you may luck out and have someone else come along who can help you or be able to get back to somewhere with a cell single or a bit more traffic, but you may be walking 20+ miles in some pretty bad conditions. You should be prepared for the worse in most cases, especially if you are messing around in sub optimal conditions.

Sponsored