first off road experience pics and report!

4831 Views 19 Replies 13 Participants Last post by dbb, Oct 18, 2005

lowrider90

Discussion Starter · Sep 10, 2005 (Edited)

Report: I have to tell that my RTL is as good as any 4 wheel drive I have driven over sand. Since 1978, I have had international scout/jeep-cj5. jeep charokee/dodge dikota(mistake) nissan exterra (awsome)/ chevy pickup 1500 and the ridge has performed at the top of the list. I tried to get myself stuck, but could not! of course i didn't gun it to bury the tires, that is just stupid. I did at the most extreme back down the slope towards the water so I would have to start uphill ( as you know that is the hardest to do, especaillly on sand!) the ridge slipped just a hair, but did not let me down, Flawless. Only down-side is that I wish the VSA would disengage while the tires were low (15PSI) it wasn't a problem, but was annoying at times. I did not need to lock the rear diff, but i tries it both ways, no problem, was a bit easier with the lock on though. pics coming soon, sorry. by the way, that is my english springer put up her first pheasant at 6 months old!

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VaVet96

· #2 · Sep 10, 2005

Great pics. Thanks for the good news on your trip. It brought back fond memories of our ride at Hatteras in the Outer Banks of NC this summer.

Tex's Ridge

· #3 · Sep 10, 2005

Beautifull pics...love the sunset. Appreciate your sharing these with us.

rms56

· #4 · Sep 10, 2005

Red Rocks!!!

Kellcut

· #5 · Sep 10, 2005

Nice pictures, nice truck...

Cute puppy!

lowrider90

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 10, 2005

VaVet96, your trip to NC had a great deal to easing my pain (whether the ridge could perform on sand. Your pics were a help. I think the sand on the beach in NC was a lot softer than what I was on. thanks

rlguy

· #7 · Sep 10, 2005

How beautiful can life be?!? Great pix. Thank you.

rlguy

VaVet96

· #8 · Sep 11, 2005

lowrider90 said:
VaVet96, your trip to NC had a great deal to easing my pain (whether the ridge could perform on sand. Your pics were a help. I think the sand on the beach in NC was a lot softer than what I was on. thanks

Glad to be of help. There's just nothing like getting out there with a nice chunk of beach to yourself. So relaxing, and then knowing the RL will get you back off the beach makes it even more fun

CEIS

· #9 · Sep 16, 2005

Floating on the sand is one thing, trail riding is another.

I put my ridge to the test on a good incline with loose footing. I can't say that I was pleased with the outcome. In D1 with a VERY light pedal & I still couldn't get the diff to lock - I think I would have spun for awhile and dug some trenches.

Keep testing the limits of what you can do with your truck on various terrain. That is the only way to get comfortable with what it can do.

Cheers,
Ceis

shingles

· #10 · Sep 17, 2005

CEIS said:
Floating on the sand is one thing, trail riding is another.

I put my ridge to the test on a good incline with loose footing. I can't say that I was pleased with the outcome. In D1 with a VERY light pedal & I still couldn't get the diff to lock - I think I would have spun for awhile and dug some trenches.

Keep testing the limits of what you can do with your truck on various terrain. That is the only way to get comfortable with what it can do.

Cheers,
Ceis

I assume you pushed the VTM-4 lock button? Once you do, it's locked. Not saying that would have helped in your situation, but there's no "getting it to lock" Either it is or it isn't.

Toobuku

· #11 · Sep 17, 2005

Now that is the only way I'll get to use my 4 wheel drive. On the beach for a beach dive. Unless I find myself in snow. Very nice pictures also. By the way, this is for Tex Ridge... Unless my internal compass is off, Lowriders picture was taken at sunrise! I don't think Cape Cod has a west facing shoreline.

just an observation!

Tex's Ridge

· #12 · Sep 17, 2005

Toobuku said:
By the way, this is for Tex Ridge... Unless my internal compass is off, Lowriders picture was taken at sunrise! I don't think Cape Cod has a west facing shoreline. just an observation!

So what do you call all of the shore lines from Ptown, north truro, fisher beach, ryder beach, duck harbor beach, chequessett beach etc. etc. they are all facing west.

lowrider90

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 17, 2005

Actually, this was a sunset shot, North side of Cape Cod looking westerly, But curiously, I was looking WNW, almost all west.

Toobuku

· #14 · Sep 17, 2005

My humble apologies to all!

I guess I need to look at detailed maps of the eastern seaboard since I've ever been to New England! I stand corrected.

crossingtheline

· #15 · Sep 22, 2005

Looking goood!

go4bal

· #16 · Oct 15, 2005

What kind of dog is that in the photos?

G

· #17 · Oct 15, 2005

go4bal said:
What kind of dog is that in the photos?

Looks like a Brittany Spaniel.

rtboy1961

· #18 · Oct 15, 2005

Did you notice it was a red RL in the pictures he was bragging about how well it did in the sand? Word on the street is other RL owners are ordering red paint from honda to cover up their RL"s. I call that "Pozers".

lowrider90

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 15, 2005

go4bal said:
What kind of dog is that in the photos?

English springer spaniel, she is an awsome hunter!!

dbb

· #20 · Oct 18, 2005

lowrider90 said:
I have to tell that my RTL is as good as any 4 wheel drive I have driven over sand.

As one who has driven many vehicles on the beaches of Nantucket (including a 1961 IH Scout!), I was wondering how the RL would fare, especially since it has no low range transfer case. It's good to know it can handle it well. In my experience the best were V8-powered Ford Expeditions and Dodge Durangos, as long as the tires were deflated to 13-15 psi.

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