Why we have 4x4 [Archive] - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

: Why we have 4x4


TheMonkey
05-14-2005, 10:50 AM
so, i'm hauling a 20' trailer (23.5' end to end), and want to do some sight seeing. so, heading east on highway 90, i figure i'll dip into yellowstone at the north entrance, and shoot out the east entrance.

it was great, tons of buffalo, a nice bike ride, and a look at 'ol faithful.

the way to east entrance, we need to go over sylvan pass. i guess i didn't really think about what 9,000 foot elevation can be like in may. we unexpectedly hit a snow storm! i used to think that closed roads during the winter were just because they felt like being conservative. they *just* opened sylvan pass. as we approached the pass, they stopped us in the storm because the road was in bad shape and they were escorting people through only one way at a time.

on the way down, hauling this big trailer, things got a bit hairy. no guard rail, and i'm waiting for a mudslide to hit from the other side. at one point, the mud was getting to be 6"+. so i go into 4x4 and feel relieved at the noticable difference.

i can tell you one thing.... even with a 3/4 ton DA truck, i would not have felt comfortable with only 2wd and stock tires. i unexpectedly found myself thankful for all terrain tires and 4x4.

this picture was taken when i felt comfortable enough to take my hands off the steering wheel:

http://img7.echo.cx/img7/3697/sylvan8qz.jpg

pt536
05-14-2005, 11:24 AM
Weather can change rapidly in the mountains out west!

How far west are you heading?

TheMonkey
05-14-2005, 12:05 PM
moving from minnesota to washington. 2 loads in a cargo trailer. 1 round trip, 1 one way.... this was on the way back from the first load.

we were going to keep going on the 2 lane hwy through the big horn pass (?), but after seeing that it was at 10k feet altitude with weather patterns brewing, we made a direct path back up to the interstate. we only made about 100 miles progress that day, but definitely the best experience.

TheMonkey
05-14-2005, 12:14 PM
Weather can change rapidly in the mountains out west!

How far west are you heading?

i see you are from nw washington... i'm hoping to end up in bainbridge island, but we may stay short term in skagit valley area.

pt536
05-14-2005, 12:22 PM
I am about 30 miles north of Skagit Valley. If you stay there for a while, let me know and possibly get together.

In a previous post you mentioned selling the trailer after the move. I know someone looking for a 20' enclosed trailer......

TheMonkey
05-14-2005, 12:26 PM
I am about 30 miles north of Skagit Valley. If you stay there for a while, let me know and possibly get together.

In a previous post you mentioned selling the trailer after the move. I know someone looking for a 20' enclosed trailer......

sounds good. not sure on timing for trailer yet (maybe late summer), but it is certainly too big for me to keep it.

scott.

wi65td
05-17-2005, 01:52 PM
Had a similar experience with a friend of mine a few years back on Independence Pass (4th of July Pass to some) which comes out on the back side (East?) of Aspen, CO. There's are reason it normally doesn't open 'til July 4th! and even then it was slick.