Moab Advice

[GixxerJasen]

I'm taking the family to Moab for Thanksgiving week. I've been reading a ton on all the trails and stuff to do in the area but wanted to get some firsthand advice from folks who might know the area and know our vehicles. I've got a stock Limited that I swapped for 18" wheels today. We want to get away a little bit and see some cool stuff without going over my limited skills or the capabilities of my truck. Any advice on where to go? Also, air down? How much? I did buy a portable compressor to air up when done if needed.

 

[markw1855]

I'm taking the family to Moab for Thanksgiving week. I've been reading a ton on all the trails and stuff to do in the area but wanted to get some firsthand advice from folks who might know the area and know our vehicles. I've got a stock Limited that I swapped for 18" wheels today. We want to get away a little bit and see some cool stuff without going over my limited skills or the capabilities of my truck. Any advice on where to go? Also, air down? How much? I did buy a portable compressor to air up when done if needed.

Got pics of the truck with 18”?

 

[GixxerJasen]

Got pics of the truck with 18”?

Yup, went from this...



to this...





Cooper Discoverer ATP II (Discount Tire Exclusive) in 275/70R18

 

[markw1855]

Yup, went from this...

View attachment 75532

to this...

View attachment 75530

View attachment 75531

Cooper Discoverer ATP II (Discount Tire Exclusive) in 275/70R18

Nice. So looks like you got 18 inch Raptor Ford Rims. With 275/70R18, does it rub?

 

[GixxerJasen]

Nice. So looks like you got 18 inch Raptor Ford Rims. With 275/70R18, does it rub?

No, it's only 1" taller than stock overall and about half an inch narrower.

 

[balthisar]

Potash Road is fun, beautiful, and won't overwork the truck in the slightest.

 

[StephenOsborne1]

Gemini Bridges should be doable, if they haven't closed it. Gotta check out Horseshoe Bend. Try taking the Gemini Bridges road there ( most the way anyway). Try renting a side by side for a day and play on the slick rock. Totally worth it. The Expy won't suffice there. Hell's Revenge is really a blast. Fins and things is good too. Metal Masher is a bit more advanced. There is a back country loop through canyonlands NP the Expy would be great driving. Give yourself plenty of time, take water and food. And a camera.

 

[SublimeHiPpOs]

Check out Onion Creek. We drove that two summers ago in our 18 Platinum with the 22" wheels without issues. Gorgeous scenery and you cross the creek (which is only like 2-3" deep) like 20 - 30 times (fun to count them as you go with the kids).

 

[Oldwhatshisname]

Check with Rory Irish at Moab Motorsports (trail mater on YouTube). He knows every rock on every trail in the area and which ones your rig can safely handle.

 

[skydude]

 

[skydude]

Potash Trail and Shaffer trail from top to bottom!

 

[GixxerJasen]

Based on balthisar's recommendation I did some looking and happy to see skydude confirm my plans. Looking to coordinate an afternoon drive of Potash then up Shaffer trail and then run around to Dead Horse Point state park for picnic dinner and then some night sky viewing, hopefully able to coordinate with their telescope night.

Onion Creek and Gemini Bridges were on my list, thanks for the confirmation.

Any word on airing down? I read something about going down to about 20psi for some of these trails. How does that check out with you all?

I'll have to look into the side by side rental. My son and I did that in Ruidoso New Mexico and had a blast.

 

[Chromo]

Check out Onion Creek. We drove that two summers ago in our 18 Platinum with the 22" wheels without issues. Gorgeous scenery and you cross the creek (which is only like 2-3" deep) like 20 - 30 times (fun to count them as you go with the kids).

I did the same with a 2019 Platinum in 2020, it was great!

 

[Chromo]

Long Canyon Road is also doable and fun, you will fit under the rock that bridges the road.

 

[tcpipa]

Beyond dirt roads, which there are many in Moab, there's a limit to where you can safely take a street Expy before you end up with a Matt's Offroad Recovery t-shirt.
I highly recommend taking a sunset 4x4 tour on Hell's Revenge trail, which is the vehicle (not mountain biking) version of the famous Slickrock trail. You'll be in a proper rig modified for the area. We had a great time this summer with Brenden from Portal Offroad Tours. https://www.portaloffroadtours.com/ .

If you end up exploring Expy friendly dirt roads, go see the Bartlett Wash area a few miles North of town. It's a popular area for biking and hardcore 4x4s, but it's unlike most anything else and worth seeing.

Adam

 

[duneslider]

Matts Offroad is in St. George, not Moab, but there are recovery guys in Moab too just not as internet famous.

A longer day trip is going up Gemini Bridges, then hit the highway and go out to Dead Horse Point, then on the return take Long Canyon. If you are into Mountain Biking there are some really fun trails in Dead Horse Point now, very family friendly. They do rent bikes out there too.

We like going out to Tusher Tunnel. The SxS's have really torn the trail up out to here but it is still very doable in the expedition. I did it this spring. My FIL had his brand new Ram 1500 Rebel and he was freaking out a little. It was over his comfort level. In years past I have taken people out there that were in Honda Pilots but I don't think I would do that now with how bad the trail has gotten.

Not an offroad trail but the Corona Arch hike is always a family favorite.

If you want to drive a little bit, roughly an hourish from Moab is Goblin Valley and this is also a family favorite. My kids can play here for hours. If you are into hiking look for the hike to the Goblin's Lair, not super long hike either.

Its been a long time (we mountain bike more than 4x4 now) but I think Onion Creek and Fisher Towers is easy.

Years and years ago I bought a book called "Guide to Moab, Ut Backroads and 4 Wheeldrive Trails. It is always in the trailer for when we go to Moab. We go to Moab at least once a year, sometimes twice a year.

 

[GixxerJasen]

Years and years ago I bought a book called "Guide to Moab, Ut Backroads and 4 Wheeldrive Trails. It is always in the trailer for when we go to Moab. We go to Moab at least once a year, sometimes twice a year.

I've got that sitting here next to me. It's got post it notes sticking out of it with notes written on them from this thread.
I bought the combo with the GPS tracks to use with my Garmin out there.

Thanks for the info here from everyone, can't wait for vacation to start.

 

[m3olsen]

I've got that sitting here next to me. It's got post it notes sticking out of it with notes written on them from this thread.
I bought the combo with the GPS tracks to use with my Garmin out there.

Thanks for the info here from everyone, can't wait for vacation to start.

@GixxerJasen , I think you asked about airing down recommendations a couple of times. Did you get the responses you needed? I don't have experience so can't offer help.

 

[duneslider]

You shouldn't need to air down for any of the trails listed. I haven't aired my expedition down on any of those trails.

There was one time I had to park in some really soft sand in a wash when we went rock hounding and I was a bit worried that time but 4 wheel and the locker pulled me right out.

 

[GixxerJasen]

Yea, based on what I've seen and read, no real need to air down for worry of getting stuck, it seems more to make the ride better for the occupants of the vehicle and to deal with any potential rock damage along the way. I've got the stuff to deal with airing down but figured I'd see if anyone had any first-hand knowledge of what works to share.