Off road trail driving

[Ronin]

I don't believe that being in 2wd=trail damage or wheel spin. It comes down to knowing when you need it and when you don't. I have always been a believer in the tread lightly/leave no trace philosophy and do not wheel spin while on the trail. If it comes to that type of situation, 4H will be engaged before proceeding and disengaged after getting past that spot.

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[Uhdinator]

Keep in mind this also:
In 4H you have traction control and brake lock differential.
In 4L you have brake lock diff but no traction control.

Turn off Traction control on the trail when in 4H. BLD works all the time even in 2WD.
The reason being is traction control will cut engine power, and use brakes to keep both axles the same speed and compares it to your actual forward movement/speed. If you start bogging down in sand or a soft spot you want to maintain your momentum. With traction control off the engine will not reduce power and does not care if one axle is going faster or slower than the other. BLD still compares speed of each wheel on the SAME axle and applies braking but does not cut power so if you need to keep the wheels churning as in deep snow, sand or mud.

Traction control is best used for driving on ice/hard packed snow highway driving, designed to help prevent a spinout into a ditch. That is all I use it for. Driving in deep snow you will feel it surging all the time if its on. If You want to keep the wheels churning and maintain momentum turn it off.

 

[blnewt]

If you want to know about specific trails in the area and/or recommendations let me know. We don't live in the area but did spend the last two weeks of September this in Ouray and Jeeped every single day we were there.

Check your inbox, I'll be interested in what you went through, and TIA

 

[Odyssey USA]

I think others have answered your specific questions. Since you mentioned you were going to Colorado, I can give you some information about the trails around Silverton and Ouray.

The trails/roads in the San Juan Mountains area of Colorado are not particularly difficult but most are rocky/bumpy or have washboard. Airing down and disconnecting the sway bar (it can be done in either 4H or 4L) will provide a much higher level of ride comfort. A stock Rubicon can do almost all of the trails in the area without much effort. The hardest technical trails are Poughkeepsie Gulch and Black Bear Pass. If you a fear of heights or don't like shelf roads, your trail options are pretty limited.

For most of the trails in the area, they are too rocky/bumpy to go quickly. As such, 4L is appropriate. 4L also helps to control your downhill speed allowing you not to use the brakes as much.

If you want to know about specific trails in the area and/or recommendations let me know. We don't live in the area but did spend the last two weeks of September this in Ouray and Jeeped every single day we were there.

There’s also the San Juan Mountain Trail Group on Facebook. Lots of locals there too.

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