The Trail Ride That Wasn't
I recently joined the Meetup group "OFFRO4D Las Vegas" and joined them for a trail ride in Logandale Nevada. I drove 69 miles from my home to the meet up location in Logandale. There were seven vehicles already there. I met and talked to the other drivers while we all air down our tires.
When the leader, Luc, thought the other two people who had signed up for the ride were not going to show up, we loaded up and headed to the turn off for "Logandale Trails".
Continue reading.
About a mile in we were stopped by a worker from Las Vegas Paving. They were there doing work on the road leading into the trail system. They were grading and widening and would eventually pave a portion of the road. We waited for the "follow me" vehicle to return and lead us past all the construction. Once we were released, we started to follow the "Logandale 13 Mile Loop". The trail soon turned to soft sand. About a half mile in my truck started to bog down. I pressed to 4H button and nothing happened. My truck stopped. When I tried going forward my rear tires simply spin and dug into the soft sand.
That's when I realized my 4WD was not working. I got out of my truck, seeing this the other drivers came over to see what was going on. I informed them my 4WD was not working. Together we checked the fuse and tried a few things but could not get it working.
I made the decision to turn around and drive back out and head home. But I was stuck. Luc, the leader of the group and a member of SNORR (Southern Nevada Offroad Recover) pulled my truck out of the soft sand and all the way to hard ground. I thanked him. He headed back to meet up with rest of the group and complete the trail ride. I headed back to Vegas on route 168 which runs along the west side of lake mead.
The next day I took my truck to my friend Jame's shop at Las Vegas Overlanding Co. It took him about an hour. He checked some things, did some tests, and discovered the plug connecting to the TCCM (Transfer Case Control Module) had somehow worked its way loose and was completely unplugged. He plugged it back in and made sure it was securely snapped in place. That was it, 4WD was now worked properly.
What did I learn from this? I should probably do a pre-drive check before I head out on an off-road trail ride. (like pilots do before they head off into the wild blue yonder)
Here's what I'm thinking:
*Make sure 4WD is working.
*Check fluids: oil, trans, power steering, brake, radiator, windshield washer
*Make sure my auxiliary lights are working (if I'm going on a night ride)
*Make sure my winch ( when I finally get it installed) in working.
*Check the wheels lug nuts and tire pressure.
*Make sure my portable air compressor is working.
*Make sure my onboard dc cooler is working (gota have cool drinks and lunch).
*Make sure I have a folding chair.
*Make sure I have all the supplies and recover gear I might need.
Get out, explore the trails, enjoy the worders of God's beautiful creation. Just be sure you are fully prepared. Do a "Pre-Drive Check" before you go.
When the leader, Luc, thought the other two people who had signed up for the ride were not going to show up, we loaded up and headed to the turn off for "Logandale Trails".
Continue reading.
About a mile in we were stopped by a worker from Las Vegas Paving. They were there doing work on the road leading into the trail system. They were grading and widening and would eventually pave a portion of the road. We waited for the "follow me" vehicle to return and lead us past all the construction. Once we were released, we started to follow the "Logandale 13 Mile Loop". The trail soon turned to soft sand. About a half mile in my truck started to bog down. I pressed to 4H button and nothing happened. My truck stopped. When I tried going forward my rear tires simply spin and dug into the soft sand.
That's when I realized my 4WD was not working. I got out of my truck, seeing this the other drivers came over to see what was going on. I informed them my 4WD was not working. Together we checked the fuse and tried a few things but could not get it working.
I made the decision to turn around and drive back out and head home. But I was stuck. Luc, the leader of the group and a member of SNORR (Southern Nevada Offroad Recover) pulled my truck out of the soft sand and all the way to hard ground. I thanked him. He headed back to meet up with rest of the group and complete the trail ride. I headed back to Vegas on route 168 which runs along the west side of lake mead.
The next day I took my truck to my friend Jame's shop at Las Vegas Overlanding Co. It took him about an hour. He checked some things, did some tests, and discovered the plug connecting to the TCCM (Transfer Case Control Module) had somehow worked its way loose and was completely unplugged. He plugged it back in and made sure it was securely snapped in place. That was it, 4WD was now worked properly.
What did I learn from this? I should probably do a pre-drive check before I head out on an off-road trail ride. (like pilots do before they head off into the wild blue yonder)
Here's what I'm thinking:
*Make sure 4WD is working.
*Check fluids: oil, trans, power steering, brake, radiator, windshield washer
*Make sure my auxiliary lights are working (if I'm going on a night ride)
*Make sure my winch ( when I finally get it installed) in working.
*Check the wheels lug nuts and tire pressure.
*Make sure my portable air compressor is working.
*Make sure my onboard dc cooler is working (gota have cool drinks and lunch).
*Make sure I have a folding chair.
*Make sure I have all the supplies and recover gear I might need.
Get out, explore the trails, enjoy the worders of God's beautiful creation. Just be sure you are fully prepared. Do a "Pre-Drive Check" before you go.