PHXPHOTOG
Well-known member
Just got back from my 4th annual Moab 4WD overland trip. This one was interesting to say the least. For the first three trips (often documented on this site) I was sharing TB driver seat time with a good friend of mine. About a year ago he purchased a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition. Since then we have been taking the Wrangler on hardcore trails and keeping the Silverado on Moderate or difficult trails.
The Chevy pulled through incredibly well no matter how hard we pushed it. There were many miles of rock climbing, hill climbing, and steep descents. We were able to complete Hells Revenge start to finish bypassing a couple of major obstacles. It was a careful push for a Trail Boss.
On Day Two we were near the end of completing a grade 6 trail called Steel Bender. I was driving and my friend (the Jeep owner) was spotting, there was also a person in the rear seat. From the top breakover position of a steep rock face drop all I could see was the usual hood and sky view. The spotter guided me forward. As soon as the nose cleared the brakeover point it was one sfift motion as the rig flopped onto it's side then fell onto the roof landing upside down. Nether myself or the passenger were injured. We were suspended upside down by seatbelts. I was able to climb out the passenger window. My friend helped the guy in the backseat out his window.
We were starting to atempt a self recovery when two other Wranglers came by. They were super cool guys and assisted with getting us back on our wheels. The recovery was straight forward with three easy moves utilising the winch on the crashed jeep and the Wangler helping us out. First we turned it 90 degrees on it's roof to line it up for the flop. Second we brought it to it's side. Third we pulled it onto it's wheels. The BFG KM3 tires aired down to 15 pounds didn't even break a bead. I had killed the engine the moment it was on it's roof. It fired up and we drove it out!
Once back in town we removed the windshield completely and a bunch of other broken parts. Then continued to wheel it hard for the next 10 days.
It is now at a body shop. The original repair estimate is 20 grand. We will find out next week if it will get fixed or totaled. We are hoping for a repair. It is a good rig.
Moab is a massive playground for all types of off roading. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I will never tire of camping and wheeling there.
"Living like I'm dying!"
Steve
The Chevy pulled through incredibly well no matter how hard we pushed it. There were many miles of rock climbing, hill climbing, and steep descents. We were able to complete Hells Revenge start to finish bypassing a couple of major obstacles. It was a careful push for a Trail Boss.
On Day Two we were near the end of completing a grade 6 trail called Steel Bender. I was driving and my friend (the Jeep owner) was spotting, there was also a person in the rear seat. From the top breakover position of a steep rock face drop all I could see was the usual hood and sky view. The spotter guided me forward. As soon as the nose cleared the brakeover point it was one sfift motion as the rig flopped onto it's side then fell onto the roof landing upside down. Nether myself or the passenger were injured. We were suspended upside down by seatbelts. I was able to climb out the passenger window. My friend helped the guy in the backseat out his window.
We were starting to atempt a self recovery when two other Wranglers came by. They were super cool guys and assisted with getting us back on our wheels. The recovery was straight forward with three easy moves utilising the winch on the crashed jeep and the Wangler helping us out. First we turned it 90 degrees on it's roof to line it up for the flop. Second we brought it to it's side. Third we pulled it onto it's wheels. The BFG KM3 tires aired down to 15 pounds didn't even break a bead. I had killed the engine the moment it was on it's roof. It fired up and we drove it out!
Once back in town we removed the windshield completely and a bunch of other broken parts. Then continued to wheel it hard for the next 10 days.
It is now at a body shop. The original repair estimate is 20 grand. We will find out next week if it will get fixed or totaled. We are hoping for a repair. It is a good rig.
Moab is a massive playground for all types of off roading. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I will never tire of camping and wheeling there.
"Living like I'm dying!"
Steve
