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2009
Trip and Trail Report:
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Jan - Haspin |
New Years Day! Got out the 92 Pup,
84 Runner and newest addition to TRCDToys the 86 Xtracab Pickup
(pup) see the web page for the 86. Since this is the 86 first trip
for driver and truck went to make it an easy trip, but not too
easy, and rig did fine. It was chilly but not unbearable, the mud
was still frozen which yielded a bit of a rough main trail. We
climbed a few of the mounds, zig zagged thru the mud (where one
found himself burried to the doors) and had a good run, only issue
was the 92's exhaust decided to ride in the bed vs hanging from
under. Now time to tweek a few things and get the fellas ready for
more wheeling to come....
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2008
Trip and Trail Report:
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Sept - Slade |
YES!!!! Babies and Mom's are fine and well enough for another
overnighter, this time Slade aka Red River Gorge, make sure you
peek at the pics & video. Only 3 TRCDToys rigs would make the
event, the 84 Runner 85 & 92 Pups. The first day - arrival - we
got unloaded mingled with some of the
Jeep Creeps
and went off for a quick ride as others would roll in. Must say
awesome scenery... So we headed off the dirt road to the first
turn off and up the first hill, the CJ7 went up, the 2 pups a
couple of quads, then the CJ5 then myself in the Runner, I lay
this out cause what happened next is always a site, as I come
around a slight curve going up this hill, I see the CJ5 rolling
(tumbling) towards me, I wanna say 2 or 3 time over and
luckily he stopped before rolling into me (thou I did throw it in
reverse quickly). We had him up right with the help of a
come-along. Occupants were unscathed, rig suffered a couple flats
and a busted motor mount. We limped him back to camp, these rest
were arriving, had some kick ass grub (smoked pork loin) ran
another light run.
The next morning, grabbed a coffee and some grub, a little
wrenching then off to do some trails. Found an dream of a trail,
had a little bit of everything (see the pics), so nice we did it
twice. Unfortunately we didn't stay as long as we had hoped, but
maybe next time, we'll definatly be back. As far as overall
issues, we swapped a headlight on the 85 pup (too hard of a smack)
and the 92 had some binding issues on the front driveshaft, but
this was the 2nd time out, you'll find that. Can't wait to go
back...
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Aug - Haspin |
Those that follow know that between July & Aug we were blessed
with a couple new arrivals,
but we were able to sneak a run in. On this run we had the 92 pup
fresh with a SAS, the 84 & 85 Runners and the 85 pup all ready to
wheel. We made it for an overnighter and had a great time, no
breaks or rig issues to report, the SAS worked flawlessly and
Kenny couldn't be happier.
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May - Haspin |
First trip
out for '08!!! Seemed like for ever to get to the dirt, getting
trucks loaded (hell even started). Typical wheeling fashion, the
week before was spent fixing brake lines, topping off fluids,
ArmorAll'ing the dash and welding up a front bumper (that was tore
off with a jack). But alas we did make it, got trucks unloaded and
aired down - We had 3 yot's on hand the 85 Pup and the 84 & 85
4Runners, also in the mix was a rail buggy and quad. It was the
Pups first time out in couple years, and ran well (make a few
tweeks) the 84 Runner ran well - considering the brake line had
just recently been ran. The 85 Runner snapped a J-Arm, luckily on
a light trail, which the spare arrived about 4 hours later, then
later tore the rear body (which happens way too often). The 91 Pup
is still down with a bad motor, BUT a replacement is in the garage
and ready to be swapped in, not to mention the SAS (more to come
on this - see the 91's page).
A solid trip - the Pup got broke in, and the 85 Runner got
broke, we'll be back out.
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2007
Trip and Trail Report:
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May - Haspin |
First trip down!!! All started off well, minus a
solid 10 minute down pour, which turned out sloppy - we arrived
Sat. to a dry Haspin, not overly dusty but not a mess. Haspin is
always better dry. We got a few quick trails in and a small creek
bed run, then shortly after the downpour which left the rest of
the weekend soupy. The players were Kenny(91Pup), Rick(85Runner),
Myself(John 84 Runner) and Scott(Quad). We had a couple slight
stucks the 91 on the sloppy hillsides needed a bit of a tug, with
a quick winch he was up, then on another climb he got sideways,
and with that the winch cable got jammed in the drum rendering
useless, while trying to pull it free Ricks bumper bent down 90
degrees. I myself got hung up on a climb between 2 trails (ruts)
which left my tailgate resting on a tree, a few straps and a tug I
was freed - Oh and did I mention all rigs are locked running
Swamper LTB's??? yes Haspin wet can get interesting. We did Devils
backbone, the Creek out and a bunch other off camber trails (see
trip albums page for visuals), we did come up one trial where
there was a hard lean to the driver’s side - pics don't do it
justice, when watching from behind and the rig in front takes a
good dip and continues with the pass side griping on trees is a
sight. Sun. morning (after a few Haspin Specials - Biscuits Gravy
and Eggs) we headed out for a quick run before calling it day,
light trails, some areas are still soaked others are better. Rick
leads us down and around, which when trying to back up he gets all
hung up, we strapped and tugged trying to avoid any body damage
(he was against a tree - a pillar ready to shatter windshield)
well as pics show he banged up the driver side rear quarters
busting the welds at the bob.
All in all a good first trip.
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April - Haspin |
Second run another Sat. to Sun. -
WOW - Haspin was dry - dusty dry which is good, solid traction
(but Haspin always has wet spots). Players for this trip
Rick(85Runner), Brian(who rode along and piloted the 85 for a bit)
Myself(84Runner), Kenny(91Pup) & Eric(Quad) who showed up late
Sat. Within the first 10 minutes of the first trail the 91 got
caught up in some deep stuff (mud) the front was pinned and the
rears were just spinning, Rick had maneuvered in to tug, but with
the angles & trees it took a few attempts, the angles I speak of
when tugging (from side to pull rear over) there was no slide the
truck would move a bit then want to tip, in the process of tugging
and trying to spin the tires to reposition the 91, Rick was out of
the Runner and the 91 was attempting a reposition - with straps
still hooked the Runner got tugged just enough to start it on a
roll back toward the 91. With a quick dive (luckily he runs no
doors and I was close) thru the pass door, over the seats I slam
the brakes by hand. The truck probably only rolled 5 feet but
seemed like a mile : ). We did a few other trails, Rick climbed a
set of bleachers to the second seat (see trip albums), no real
incidents until..... We decide to run to Devils Backbone, Brian
piloted Ricks Runner (he has before on other trials in the past)
the trip down was fine, but at the bottom Kenny tries climbing the
center back up (this used to be possible and on this trip still
unachieved) and those who may not know there are 3 other trails
that run up the left side Brian takes the far left which appeared
least challenging (no rocks to slip on), I was snapping pics of
Kenny when I hear Rick call out for help. I tell Kenny to hold up
and rush over (all in foot distance) and come across the Runner on
its side (Rick has climbed out and Brian was standing inside the
truck (there is a pic) all are ok, I snap a quick pic and am
informed Brian's arm is broke. I helped Brian up and out, he was
ok (he was belted in, but when it went over he put his arm out and
that's when it happened. I had Kenny try to climb up the trail
just to the side so we can upright the Runner and get Brian out.
Kenny couldn't make it so he went out the creek bed (just to the
right of Devils Backbone) I attempted to climb the same side Kenny
did in the interest of time, I was able to get to get in front of
Rick and strap to him. I tried to upright the Runner to no avail,
tires would start to spin then white smoke. Kenny made it back, we
hooked him up as well and with a few tugs he was up righted then I
hauled Brian up and out, ran into security on the way, they
radioed for an ambulance (since we didn't know where the hospital
was exactly). Rick and I dropped the trailer and took his Ford to
go get Brian. It didn't take long to get him patched up (under 2
hrs) and back to camp we went where his and Rick's wives awaited,
the girls took Brian home (who wanted to stay the weekend, God
love him : ) ). Eric showed up on the quad, the Runner was good
to go, so we finished the weekend out, no more incidents, a few
stucks and nice runs on the trails.
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2006
Trip and Trail Report: |
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Rest of 2006 |
Unfortunately, this page didn't get update the
way it was originally planned. We did get a few Haspin trips
in and a Dillsborough.
Haspin, found itself to a be a good time as usual
- I got myself in a couple of stucks, one was phrased best by
Rick (night run) 'I came a round the bend and saw your
taillights, but they were vertical, no horizontal'. Got myself
buried in a pit, we got it out, but the bumper took the
majority of the brunt. The 85 Runner took out its tailgate,
and those of us who know that sound, cringe - the sound
of the rear window shattering in the gate.
Climbed some great obstacles, crawled thru some off-camber
ruts / ravines. Maneuvered over and thru some great terrain,
Haspin can be a mud pit, but we were lucky the days we hit the
dirt, it was always dry or a little mud deep in the woods.
Devils backbone has gotten steeper; the 'bolder' in the
creek, always a blast to climb (watch your door / rocker
panel); the carved out hills giving a good run.
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July 22 - Haspin |
WHAT A TRIP!!!! Did an overnighter, started late Sat I
drove the Runner out met up with the 85 Runner & a couple
quads. The 85 was trailered in & had a couple issues with
flats on the trailer - but they made it. We loaded up in the
Runners did some wheeling, both rigs were on their game. We
did a late run to the "bone" - Devils Backbone, it was a night
run, I managed to get my rig sideways (not the good sideways)
the kind where the taillights are vertical. I managed to slip
into a rut, that had become a pond, with a couple good tugs
from the 85 we had her out on all fours. Then we opted for the
downhill (down the bone) down is the easy part, then a few
attempts at the up - both rigs we able to make it up, but not
directly, had to take a slight side trail and cross back over.
This is one steep hill - both trucks are locked in rear, one
in the front still a straight shot is TUFF, it had also rained
3" that morning, once ascended to camp we went. Camp was good,
cool night and a NICE camper to boot.
The next day, we arose early for some breakfast and back at it, this time
the quads went, did some moderate trails and back down the
bone, followed a trail out and around, wasn't too long before
one of the quads busted a tie rod end. Limped it back and back
out in the trucks.
Trip was a good trip, it had rained Sat AM, but had dried decently, it
wasn't dusty and it wasn't a muddy soup, the ruts we filled
with muck which made a few challenging, I know I slid into one
and drove through it with a wheel in the air, there was
another that the 85 Runner winched through for the extra
stability.
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June - Misc. |
This is going to be more of a quick update paragraph
- Since the last trip, been out only a time may be two. With
that being quick runs to Dillsborough, he got out!! Its been a
light summer, most will know why... The trip to
Dillsborough took me out for a week or two, again a trip with
out a camera : (
It was some good wheeling, there's a nice lil creek bed run, which took
out my tie rod, had a hell of a bend to it. but I did manage
to drive her home. Same trip the 92 Pick Up, gashed the
sidewall if a tire (non repairable by most shops) - but the
SAS is soon in coming then 33's.
The 85 Xcab is still out of commish, but looking better, the
85 Runner is ready, newly sprung and swampered.
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Feb.12, Vanceburg |
84 4 Runner, 92
Pickup and a slew of Jeeps, headed south. Trails and trees
covered in a white fluff, and the snow continued to fall most of the day.
No issues on the trail, had an incident with a Jeeper on the dirt road
in, his tow vehicle hit a bit of ice, truck and trailer slid
back down and almost went over the side, luckily for him a stump kept him from going over.
Mostly did trail riding in and out of the creek, with a nice run along
the ridge which dropped us down, after about a 1/4 mile of a
steep downhill grade covered in snow, we slide most of the way
down, then wrapped back out through a some rough rock steps.
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