Rock Crawling - Please Help Me Understand the Appeal

[jkburg]

This is not meant to belittle anyone’s love of this type of off-roading, instead it is a genuine question. As someone who is new to off-roading I just don’t understand why someone would want to put their $50k ride in jeopardy from driving up big rocks. I can see the appeal of everything else, especially driving sand/beach but just want someone to tell me why you like it so much.

Sponsored

 

[NurseDan]

This is not meant to belittle anyone’s love of this type of off-roading, instead it is a genuine question. As someone who is new to off-roading I just don’t understand why someone would want to put their $50k ride in jeopardy from driving up big rocks. I can see the appeal of everything else, especially driving sand/beach but just want someone to tell me why you like it so much.

Same boat

 

[hellahella]

The same reason some people choose to shoot a ball through a hoop.

but the ball is $50k and the hoop are rock ledges

 

[Squatch]

You can control how much jeopardy you get your rig into, but...

It's usually been the challenge of the obstacles and there are rigs people have put far more than $50K into that have rolled over showing off.

I like going where most vehicles can't and seeing areas that would be really difficult--if not, impossible--to get to by foot with enough food and drink to enjoy it when I get there.

 

[jkburg]

The same reason some people choose to shoot a ball through a hoop.

but the ball is $50k and the hoop are rock ledges

So is that a you like it because you like it. Is the thrill the sense of danger or what?

 

[Runningwaters]

I don’t really look to rock crawl, but I love to explore and have had to crawl to get to some area I wanted to get to etc.

So for me, it’s being able to get wherever I want. It feels pretty darn good making it over some nasty rocks, mounds, etc. and getting to some scenic area or discover something cool.

 

[BlueBronco]

For the same reasons you do the things you like to do? Joy and a sense of accomplishment.

 

[rgwinn]

Because it’s fun to take 5 hours to drive a 1/2 mile.

I once took a new (friends wives) Jeep Wrangler up to the Rubicon Trail. We had a 6-pack of beer, a couple bottles of water and some jerky, and no clue what we were getting ourselves into. We ended up getting stuck between a rock and a very large tree. After several hours of cussing we made it back up the hill we just had come down and back to pavement. Ended up with several dents, scratches, bent rim, dented fuel tank and learned a few things. Needless to say next time we went we were slightly more prepared, and driving 1970s Blazers.

Extreme Rock crawling is not for the faint of heart and not good for new daily driver vehicles.
Areas like Moab are nice because you can do some great off-roading without the danger of severe damage if your careful.
The appeal is the journey, and the camaraderie, and testing your skills, and vehicle against the elements, hopefully coming out of it with good memories.

happy trails

 

[wilbersk]

This is not meant to belittle anyone’s love of this type of off-roading, instead it is a genuine question. As someone who is new to off-roading I just don’t understand why someone would want to put their $50k ride in jeopardy from driving up big rocks. I can see the appeal of everything else, especially driving sand/beach but just want someone to tell me why you like it so much.

Until you’ve done it, it’s hard to explain how much fun it is.

 

[hellahella]

So is that a you like it because you like it. Is the thrill the sense of danger or what?

I think some people find it fun.
It’s challenging, overcoming obstacles literally, being outdoors in nature, esp when you camp out..
Some people leave their cozy homes to sleep in a tent too.

 

[Erock]

They like it because they get to call everything else mall crawling... I guess.

 

[SnowBronco]

I rock crawl with my bronco allll the time!! It's kinda addicting....

 

[OldGrayMare]

We just spent 5 hours on the trails today. Hills, rocks, ruts...just cruising. It’s just you and nature. Conquering obstacles large and small. Being free to do as you please.

 

[Apples]

You don't need a $50k vehicle to rock crawl. In fact it's better if it's the cheapest 4x4 you can get your hands on and make run reliably.

Those of us planning to run our $50k vehicles on the hardest stuff we can find have been doing it for some time and have experience deciding where and when we're in over our heads.

If you're not there, start easier and work your way up.

 

[BroncoMike]

It's a skills test, with consequences. Your skills and your machine against the terrain.

A show and shine at Starbuck's is only so satisfying, anyone can sign a loan agreement and show up with something pretty for everyone to look at. If a bird craps on your hood, the feeling of defeat must be crushing.

Using a vehicle for its purpose, at extremes, is challenging. Most motorsport competition is prohibitively expensive or highly regulated today, crawling can be fairly inexpensive and sees little external regulation.

Unlikely that anyone here will convert you, though. If you don't get it, you probably never will. That's cool, there are plenty of things to do with your favorite truck that don't involve the risk of attenuating the cosmetics.

Sponsored