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10 POINT TRAIL RATING SYSTEM My own 10 pt. system - quite
similar to the trail rating system used by Massey & Wilson in their 4WD
ADVENTURES books. It has more details regarding minimum & required equipment.
It also has more details as to terrain features and weather requirements |
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| Rating 1 ... paved to graded gravel and dirt, regularly & well maintained, wide roadway gentle grades, shallow water crossings, suitable for normal passenger vehicles, no special tires/equipment or vehicle modifications necessary. | ||
| Rating 2 ... dirt, gravel roads irregularly maintained, generally wide roadway, washouts possible in wet weather, suitable for passenger vehicles with all-weather tires - high-clearance vehicles (HCV) should be considered, inclines could be steep but short | ||
| Rating 3 ... dirt roads, not usually maintained, expect washouts, rutting, reduced speeds necessary due to road irregularities, rounded/worn rocks in roadway, steep inclines requiring lower gears possible, HCVs with A/T (All Terrain) tires or FWD suggested, "P" rated tires are only marginal at best, start carrying chains in wet weather. | ||
| Rating 4 ... dirt roads, trails (what I call 'good' wagon trails), not maintained , deep ruts and washouts, sharp rocks; drifting sand; deep mud, when wet, steep inclines, HCVs with M/T (Mud-Snow/Traction) tires and off-road shocks, FWD (4 Wheel Drive) w/ AT tires, lower gears, limited-slip differentials and/or low range suggested, NO "P" rated tires here, 1 axle set of chains should be carried during any wet weather, | ||
| Rating 5 ... dirt trails, ("wagon trails"), not maintained, deep ruts and washouts; a lot of larger-than-fist-size rocks, deep drifting sand; severe gooey mud when wet, long steep twisting inclines, HCVs will be in trouble here in less-than-perfect weather; FWD SUVs with 'really good' AT tires as a minimum, suggest FWD with at least one limited-slip axle. Lifted vehicles will really start to show their stuff here, winch suggested, some off-road experience would be nice - type of trails to gain off-road experience - may occasionally need to air-down tires, better have a Hi-Lift and know how to use it, chains required in wet weather, skid plates, vehicle armor suggested (~MOAB 3) | ||
| Rating 6 ... dirt trails, (" old wagon trails"), not maintained, deep ruts and washouts, no significant roadway at times, lots of washes, some deep & steep washes, deep drifting sand for long distances, extremely slick and/or deep mud when wet, climbing inclines will require MT tires and low range, Stock SUVs will be in trouble during any weather, Suggest lifted, FWD, MTR tires, low gears and at least one locked axle, winch highly suggested. off-road experience required, airing down will probably be needed, 2 axle sets of chains suggested, skid plates, vehicle armor needed , spotter occasionally needed (~MOAB 3+) | ||
| Rating 7 ... dirt trails , ("bad old wagon trails"), extremely deep rutting and washouts, many deep & steep washes, many large often sharp rocks, climbing inclines will require at least one locked axle, possibly need winch in some cases, Larger MT tires, lower gears, articulated suspensions highly suggested, limit of stock FWD trucks, winch required - much off-road experience with experienced spotter needed occasionally, 2 axle sets of really good chains required in wet weather, skid plates, vehicle armor required, expect minor vehicle scratching & denting vehicles in less than well-prepped condition can expect repairs | ||
| Rating 8 ... trail? or path, no discernable roadway, narrow passages, large rocks, steep inclines, deep drop-offs, 32 & larger tires required, fully articulating suspensions needed, limit of large trucks, winching may occasionally be required, both axles locked during some sections, chains on both axles required during bad weather, must be an accomplished off-roader with a an accomplished spotter , damage to vehicle even when equipped with armor & skid plates, possible chance of repairs even on well-prepped vehicles (~MOAB 4) | ||
| Rating 9 ... Trail ??, rock crawler-style-prepped vehicle with 35 inch or larger tires highly suggested, short wheelbase vehicles only, winch required, both axles locked, not good for any vehicle in bad weather, driver and spotter must be accomplished and daring, expect vehicle damage & repairs (Moab 4+) | ||
| Rating 10 ... NO TRAIL, Rock Crawler Country, 35 inch or larger tires required, requires much winching, both axles fully locked all the time, driver & spotter probably in excellent physical condition and both have severe mental abnormalities, NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED IN BAD WEATHER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES |
