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I never niticed my rear shocks were soft...

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Everyone has there own opinion on this.

I said they are soft since the rear tends to be bouncy going over bumps. It takes the rear a few cycles to even out after a bump. The Bilsteins helped this. Now it hits a bump and then levels out and no more bouncy feeling. Much better IMO.
 
Yesterday I did 110 miles off road in blistering 116 degree desert heat. The Chevy wheeled like a boss.
Engine temp never noticeably fluctuated even working truck hard with AC on. Trany temp stayed at 177 most of the time but did hit 199 once when working hard in 4WD low.
This is my 5th 4WD rig. My last one was a Chevy Avalanche so I am used to wheeling full size rigs. BUT...my leveled front end and the big hood on the Boss has made for a few heart stopping moments. This thing climbs like a champ. When your on the steep you have to pick your line far ahead of the wheels and hit the line. It's not a fault, it comes with wheeling a full size rig. You can't see over that hood. When it gets crazy is on a steep breakover when all you see is your hood and sky. Yesterday I hit one of those and after the front wheels broke the ledge I came down on my rock sliders and broke traction. The truck hung in there and scraped along to pull me up onto the ridge. The whole time I could not see anything but hood hood and sky. I was by myself and it was a little more excitement than I wanted but I love to do it. My life has been spent in the Arizona desert and the Rocky Mountains. Those are my stomping grounds.

Some other notes. By nature I am that grumpy older guy that scoffed at first over some of the tech. Like "Who needs hill descent? I will control the vehicle myself." Now, I LOVE that button. It flat out works! It blows my mind at how good it is as keeping the wheels rolling without lockup. I spent years learning proper descent control. Now you can push a button and be pretty confident the truck will help you out if you don't have years of off road experience yet.

The 10 speed transmission put this truck in a whole new league. I tow a 30 foot RV. It is stellar for that. When I am off road I run in manual and work the column button like it is a paddle shifter. Incredible performance. It would be cool if it was a paddle shifter...

If your a lurker here to see what owners have to say I say buy one. This truck is everything I need it to be. It's my work truck, my tow vehicle, and out of the box it is a very capable off roader.

Steve

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Tried to go to sheep’s bridge a few weeks ago and ended up at the mesquite campground instead…
 

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Tried to go to sheep’s bridge a few weeks ago and ended up at the mesquite campground instead…
Hey Double Track, I know right where you were at. On the Horseshoe Dam RD side of things. Some great camping down there. I tried to get to Sheeps Bridge from that side twice and have not made it yet. First time was an unplanned crap shoot, didn't come close. Second time we were on the right trail but the other rig we were with bailed out so we didn't go for it. We had desert pinstriped the trucks up pretty bad the day before. Their Tundra had all they could take. I get it, my scratches are NOT badges of honor. I hate them. It is just the price of what I like to do.

For what it's worth this is what I found out about the trail to Sheeps Bridge on that side. On your way into Mesquite Campground you pass a cattle loading coral on the left side of the road. I think it's before the Mesquite turn off? It's the only cattle ramp. The trailhead to the bridge is directly across the road from that. We did a couple of very minor water crossings before we turned around. I am sure the actual Verde River crossing was right ahead of us. I am not going to go blasting across the Verde River lightly. Those kind of water crossings scare the hell out of me. We had talked to some guys in a Jeep club that said it was doable at that point but I never saw it myself.

This was a few months ago. Your pictures look like you had high water? We need every drop we can get. I spend a lot of time in the desert. It is killing me to see the effects of the 21 year drought. When cactus are falling over and dying it is sad.

What part of the Valley are you in?

Kind Regards,

Steve
 
Good to know! I found the turnoff you’re talking about. It’s near the boat ramp, right???

I’ll try your route next time. Probably later when the heat dies down some.
 
Double Track I think we are talking about the same place. Before you get to the dam there is the old run down cattle coral loading ramp on the left hand side. The trailhead to sheeps bridge is across the road and breaks East at first. I was told this will lead to Sheeps Bridge but I have not been there from this trail yet. I don't want to be "that Guy on the net" that said so. One of these days I will find it from the Bartlett side.

YellowStones, I have spent a lot of time in Utah, Colorado and Arizona backcountry. I have not yet come accross a bunch of aliens skinning a cow. If I ever do I hope my camera works....
 
2021 Trail Boss
 

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Gave the TB another work out. This time it was a 1,000 mile trip towing my travel trailer from Phoenix to 9000 feet in the Rocky Mountains. We just spent 5 days at Fish Lake, Utah. My 2021 TB 5.3, 10 speed was perfect for the task. All temps and systems were as they should be. Trailer is 30 foot box, 37 feet tip to tail. GVWR 7,427 lbs. From the desert to the mountain climbs I had all the power I needed. I love that 10 speed!

Had a great time with friends. Fish Lake is an incredible place.

Steve

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Nice pics and thank you for sharing! I’ve got a local trip planned in a couple weeks with a 33’ total length TTL up the Big Bear. I’ve been a bit nervous with the trailer weighing 7,600lbs loaded. Glad to hear you had no issues with yours. It helps calm my nerves a bit. Can’t wait to put my TB to the test.
 
TBCAL21, It will do just fine. When your maxing it out like that it is all about balance and tongue weight. When I first started out on that trip my front end was a little squirrely compared to other trips. I took about 150 pounds (2 gear cases) out of the trailer and put it in the truck bed over the axial. Just that little adjustment calmed it down. If your truck is squatting it's not balanced.

Keep in mind the TB has an off road suspension and a 2 inch lift. Not ideal for heavy towing but it works. I also have my front end leveled. It is not as stable as the Chevy Avalanche I used to tow with but still reasonable. When I start a trip I get up to speed then gently rock the wheel to create a little sway. I can tell by the feel of it if I hit my mark on the load. You don't want a light front end.

I know Big Bear. Many years ago I went night skiing there on the sheer man made ice they called snow.

Have a safe trip!

Steve
 
TBCAL21, It will do just fine. When your maxing it out like that it is all about balance and tongue weight. When I first started out on that trip my front end was a little squirrely compared to other trips. I took about 150 pounds (2 gear cases) out of the trailer and put it in the truck bed over the axial. Just that little adjustment calmed it down. If your truck is squatting it's not balanced.

Keep in mind the TB has an off road suspension and a 2 inch lift. Not ideal for heavy towing but it works. I also have my front end leveled. It is not as stable as the Chevy Avalanche I used to tow with but still reasonable. When I start a trip I get up to speed then gently rock the wheel to create a little sway. I can tell by the feel of it if I hit my mark on the load. You don't want a light front end.

I know Big Bear. Many years ago I went night skiing there on the sheer man made ice they called snow.

Have a safe trip!

Steve
Thanks for the insight. I was thinking of weight placement to make the experience as safe as possible. My old truck was a 2006 2500HD crew ca with the LBZ diesel. It was great for towing trailers of this weight. That truck was about 400 heavier than my TB. May not seem like much but I am sure I will notice the difference.
 
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Spent several days 4wheeling in Moab, UT. It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. We did lots of trails rated moderate. They are perfect for a TB and even some of those are pushing it hard. One of the most famous trails there is called Fins & Things. It is rated difficult not recomended for a TB but I had to try it. It was like a buket list thing for me. I am happy to say we were able to do the entire trail. But it was not without taking some hits. We did take a few of the bypasses around the super crazy stuff but once your on it your committed to crazy stuff. The truck performed like a Boss and exceeded my hill climbing and descending expectations. This truck can wheel with Jeeps and Razors. My friend and I had the best 4wheel experience of a lifetime. And I have been doing this for a long time. Here are a few stills from the trip. I will post video when I get a chance.

Steve

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