Vader - Just a heads up. Rule #1 on the Paragon website reads:

1. SUV/4x4s must travel in a group of 3 or more and ATV/Motorbikes must travel in at least a pair. There is no exception to this rule.

I don't know if you guys have more than 1 ATV going, so I wanted to bring it up beforehand.

 

Cool video Vader. I wouldn't sweat it quite so much. That aint no weenie truck you got there. I'm bettin it'll be fine. If you got into some deep stuff and hydrolocked it, that'd be bad, but it sounds to me like they saw some splash stains in there, and wanted to scare you straight.

As for Paragon, unless they get hit with some nasty weather, there won't be much mud there. Darn near all of those trails are rocky. Most of the mud/water holes have bypass trails. There were a couple of stream crossings that I hit, but even the weeniest of trucks (an Oldsmobile Bravada!) blew right through them. Bumps, scratches, and bruises are the biggest hazards at PAP. Sticking with the green trails is a good plan, because it will be fun, but not nearly as hard on the truck as the blues(I cracked my transfer case mounting bracket on a blue trail ).

Wheel on, Vader.

 

How much body damage should you reasonably expect from off-roading somwhere like Paragon? I know this seems a bit like an impossible question, guessing at the unknown, but I'm curious what you guys with some experience have come away with. Anyone care to talk about their battle scars?

 

TRUST ME...there will be no body damage to my truck. She's too new and too pretty to be banging up. Looks ike I'll be using a lot of the bypasses


Seriously, I have never been there so I don't know what to expect, but like I said, I don't plan on scratching, smashing or denting my truck.



BREW

 

Well I'll be taking notes from you, Brew.

 

Are you coming that weekend?


BREW

 

No, sorry I should have been more clear. I'll be down in Wildwood and then out in Cali for most of September. I'm looking forward to hearing about your bumps and bruises (or lack thereof) after you guys get back.

 

Oh Ok....I thought so. I remember you telling me you will be down here that weekend. But come on man, don't ya think Paragon will be better than WackyWood


BREW

 

Without question, but I'm already committed. I'll live vicariously through you fellas.

 

...well I promise to get a bunch of pictures and if I can steal my buddys video camera, Ill get some video also.

have fun in Wildwood...damn its crazy down here now, but should slow down a bit by that weekend.



BREW

 

I don't think that body damage is a concern on the green trails. I'd say that the worse case scenario is that we have to stop and move a branch here and there if it's a potential pinstriper. Our trucks aren't exactly short or narrow. The bigger threat is rocks vs. undercarriage - especially if you are driving a long wheelbase truck with no lift or large tires. The trail ratings seem to be very much tied to the size of the rocks on the trail. The greens are the lightest and require the least clearance, but even they will require some driving skill to navigate.



As for battle scar stories at PAP:

1. A cracked xfer case mount, suffered after coming down too hard on a large rock on a blue trail - $100
2. A blown auto hub - $70 for a pair of sweet new Warns
3. A new pinstripe, because I had to take a line on a blue trail that put me too close to a tree - $00.00
4. Climbing a seemingly impossible 100' vertical out of a lakebed, while the rest of the group who said it could not be done watched in awe - PRICELESS!

 

That sissy Brew ain't takin no bypass with me. If my "getting ready to blow up " engine can handle it, than that black truck is going with me....stay with me Brew...I'll not lead you astray


I'm bringing my digital camcorder too so we can get some video and I'll digitize and make DVDs for anyone who wants them.


I'm psyched even if my truck is screwed.


My wife asked if I was cancelling the trip..."heck no....as far as I'm concerned I've got a license to kill now...I've got a terminal patient who's gonna enjoy the ride...."

(psst. Not really...I'm gonna have it checked as good as possible but I'm still gonna wheel. )

 

haha, atleast your in good spirits vader! an yeah ill definetly be interested in getting the videos you get from the trip!!

JUST UNDER A MONTH TO GO!!!


sofar from my offroading ive got a pin strip or two...an some other lil scratches nothing that cant be buffed out....an only damage is comin out of a mud hole my bumper scraped an broke the plastic mounting bar behind it. nothing major...(althought the dealer wanted $450 to fix it....i started laughing at him)
oh, an somehow i lost all 7 pins that hold the plastic front bumper piece under the grill n head lights....dont ask me how ive done that lol....

 

Sissy??? Well whos sitting on the beach right now trying to get a tan...LOL

I guess I can hang with you and show you how its done

I was planning on taking al lthe pictures and if I had some video and doiong the same thing. Putting it all together on a dvd with music and all that good stuff..


And the countdown begins..24 more days


BREW

 

Man I got spf 150 on...no tanning for me...I hate this place. I'm sitting in a hallway on the floor as I type this....mooching off a free wireless connection somewhere in the building.

2 more days and this mess is over.