New Moab trail rating system

[jimfoo]

The moab trail rating system has been changed from the old 1-4+ rating system to a 1-10 rating system, similar to Colorado, though it seems a little harder. Below is an approximate description of the new ratings. The actual descriptions are on Red Rock 4 wheelers website, which is copywrited, so this is my interpretation of their ratings with my experience thrown into the mix.

Rating:1
County dirt road. The road is maintained. Most 2wd and all 4wd vehicles can drive these trails.

Rating:2
County dirt road. Some maintenance after rain or snow, but high clearance is recommended. Lower gearing may be needed. May have some ruts, smaller rocks, mild hills. Should be passable by all 4wd vehicles.

Rating:3
The road is hardly maintained, and the surface can be dirt, rock or sand. There can be ruts and holes. 4 wheel drive is recommended as is high clearance. Depending on the trail, it can be very difficult if wet.

Rating:4
Rutted and/or rocky road. Steps up to 12". 4WD under most conditions. The surface can be any combination of slickrock, dirt, sand or rocks. You should have high clearance. You may encounter water, mud, washes or eroded sections of trail. You should have good driving skills. Fairly steep slickrock sections may be encountered, but should be passable by most 4wd vehicles with low range.

Rating:5
Rutted and/or rocky road that can have long slickrock sections. Rocks or steps up to 14" and water crossings up to 12" with possible mud. 4WD required. Taller tires and traction aids are recommended as are good driving skills. Body damage is possible and things can be broken if care isn't taken.

Rating:6
Quite rocky or deep ruts, steps up to 24" with lots of slickrock. Mud is possible and water can be deeper than 12". Tall tires and traction aids are recommended as is good articulation and very good driving skills. Good approach and departure angles are needed as hills can be steep. Damage or breakage is possible. Rolling is possible on certain trails, though not likely.

Rating:7
Any trail surface is possible, but it will probably be long expanses of slickrock. The trail can have steep hills and many steps taller than 24". Recommended for experienced drivers. Vehicles should have tall tires and locker(s) and very good ground clearance. A winch could be helpful. Damage is possible and there are opportunities for the vehicle to roll if care is not taken.

Rating:8
Heavily modified vehicles and front and rear lockers are needed, and a winch is helpful. Fairly large rocks, ledges and steps are probable, Rolling is possible, and body/mechanical damage likely. Steep hills are possible.
Excellent driving skills needed.

Rating:9
These trails are even more extreme, with common rollovers and very likely vehicle damage. Requires front and rear lockers and a winch. Best for buggies or the most modified stock vehicles only. Breakage is likely. Very large rocks, steps and ledges possible as well as very steep sections.

Rating:10
The hardest of the hard! Buggies only on these trails. Very large rocks, ledges and steep climbs/descents. Rolling is very probable and breakage of some vehicles almost guaranteed. If you have to ask how hard it is, you don't belong on it.

[mick968]

Just checking out the rating system and the projected trails that will be available to take on.I have what I guess you would decribe as a standard LR Discovery(97 SE7).I have added suspension (springs/shocks,2" lift).and will have some off road rubber by Rally time(currently sporting 255/70/16 Goodyear RT/S).The rating system mentions lockers or modified drivetrain,as far as I know it has what it came from factory(L/S ?). So with that in mind are some of trails still in my wheelhouse for trying out?While I am not oblivious to the fact that could always be the chance of damage(either mechanical or cosmetic),I have 1200 mile drive to Rally(Moab) and hopefuly back so I will be somewhat selective on the damage factor.I have a 5 mos. or so to get battle ready so there are a few things(armor wise) that I may still add to the beast.Any suggestions on what may be"must have or forget it items?

[jimfoo]

How much off-road experience do you have, as this also plays into things?

[jimfoo]

In general, I would say an experienced driver with a stock or somewhat modified Rover should be able to do most 5 rated trails, although some of them have a slight possibility for minor to moderate body damage for poorly chosen lines. An example is Poison Spider. While it can be driven by a stock vehicle, I have seen someone roll on their side from a poorly chosen line.
Stock is assuming no driving lights/ground effects up front. With those, I wouldn't go above a 4. 6 is possible with slightly modified Rovers, although body damage is much more likely. There are exceptions like Hell's Revenge, which has bypasses for harder obstacles. I would consider it a 5 myself.

[mick968]

10 years ago I would have decribed myself as a experienced off-road(Jeep)(especially for the area-midwest) but haven't been out for a while(just acquired the Rover 4 mos. ago and have been getting it what I would call reliable road worthy to this point).At no point would I portrait myself as a experienced(from a mountain/Colorado)(and or Landrover standpoint).I plan on being there Wed. morning for the drivers ed. or traing seminar.I totally understand the experience/skill factor of the driver playing a big part and or knowing what the vehicle is capable of doing(and or not).Just didn't want to get out there and get the"you aren't going anywhere in that thing" scenario.I think what I have (Discovery)(with the suspension enhancement already and tires to come) will at least be a candidate for some of the festivities.Thanks.

[05LandRover]

What is the highest rating a stock LR3 can go on?

[dlane]

What is the highest rating a stock LR3 can go on?

With good driving skills...a 6 is possible.

Dave.

[jimfoo]

But without good skills, and depending on exactly which trail, you can get body damage easily on a 6 trail. To be safe, I'd stick with 4s to some 5s depending on the particular trail.

[AreaBFE]

I like the 1-5 system better. There seems to a lot of overlap.

Just my $.02

[mtnranger]

Dave's right about the 5 but I've seen his LR3 in places I wouldn't thought possible Poughkipsee for example. Cause he's got skills.