[Calvin2518]

I currently have a manual Tacoma. I was thinking of getting a Raptor/TRX, but was sold on the manual. The total lack of power has me upgrading to the hummer for the power and the efficiency (compared to the Raptor/TRX).

I do some serious wheeling with my Tacoma. Covered in Colorado pinstripes and the skid plates are nice and scratched, within reason.. it still looks like the nice new truck it is, but you get the point

The question I have is: who is going to be taking these things off roading?

I’m planning on getting PPF over the entire thing in lieu of ceramic, which I’ve come to think is more gimmicky than helpful. I plan to get it scratched up (well, the PPF) and hopefully stuck too.

Does anyone else have some plans to try some harder trails in Colorado like Redcone, Argentine Pass, etc?

Side note: what are people’s thoughts on the tires coming on the truck? I am a bit worried they’re not snow rated for Colorado, but they seem like great tires otherwise.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Side note: what are people’s thoughts on the tires coming on the truck? I am a bit worried they’re not snow rated for Colorado, but they seem like great tires otherwise.

If you plan on doing frequent driving on snow covered or icy roads, I'd get winter rated tires. With how heavy the vehicle is, it's probably going to be pretty important.

Anyone doing heavy offroading should be ready to break and damage stuff on the truck. The battery should be well protected, but there's still always a risk of something unexpected happening.

 

[Calvin2518]

If you plan on doing frequent driving on snow covered or icy roads, I'd get winter rated tires. With how heavy the vehicle is, it's probably going to be pretty important.

Anyone doing heavy offroading should be ready to break and damage stuff on the truck. The battery should be well protected, but there's still always a risk of something unexpected happening.

For sure. I'm running Falken Wildpeaks on my Tacoma that are just fantastic in the snow. I find it interesting that the Hummer isn't coming with snow rated tires. Well, kind of. Mud tires just typically aren't rated for snow. I know plenty of Coloradoans that run mud tires all winter.

I'm definitely used to breaking stuff on the trail and getting scratches. Hopefully nothing too serious with how capable the Hummer is!

 

[skiborsy]

The tires are the same as what comes on the Bronco Sasquatch, for what it's worth - Goodyear Wrangler Territory MTs. TRX comes with the AT version of the same tire and I've been impressed with how they handle snow despite not having the 3-peak symbol. Haven't had my Bronco in snow yet to compare. Lots of complaints the MTs pick up pebbles/rocks and sling them at the side of the vehicle on Bronco forums, and offroad videos have complained they have a soft sidewall when airing down (which would be especially an issue given the 9k HEV weight).

Keep in mind with the narrower Colorado passes that the HEV is as wide as a Raptor/TRX - some of the shelf roads may just be too narrow, though 4 wheel steering should help with the switchbacks. And much harder to avoid pinstriping on narrower Jeep trails (PPF of course helps).

Also have to keep in mind that there is not a spare tire mounted under the bed on the truck, so either need to go bed mounted or hitch mount if you're doing anything serious, especially in light of the rare bolt pattern these vehicles will have.

 

[Calvin2518]

The tires are the same as what comes on the Bronco Sasquatch, for what it's worth - Goodyear Wrangler Territory MTs. TRX comes with the AT version of the same tire and I've been impressed with how they handle snow despite not having the 3-peak symbol. Haven't had my Bronco in snow yet to compare. Lots of complaints the MTs pick up pebbles/rocks and sling them at the side of the vehicle on Bronco forums, and offroad videos have complained they have a soft sidewall when airing down (which would be especially an issue given the 9k HEV weight).

Keep in mind with the narrower Colorado passes that the HEV is as wide as a Raptor/TRX - some of the shelf roads may just be too narrow, though 4 wheel steering should help with the switchbacks. And much harder to avoid pinstriping on narrower Jeep trails (PPF of course helps).

Also have to keep in mind that there is not a spare tire mounted under the bed on the truck, so either need to go bed mounted or hitch mount if you're doing anything serious, especially in light of the rare bolt pattern these vehicles will have.

Good to hear that they’re getting decent reviews on the bronco forums! It’s interesting that as a 35” tire, the Goodyears weigh almost exactly the same as my Falkens on my Tacoma (33” tire).

Definitely nervous about getting a flat on the trail. We recently did Argentine before the snow hit here with a raptor that got a flat tire towards the top. I think I’ll be getting a spare wheel/tire, for sure, for the Hummer.

My Tacoma had its fair share of pinstripes after Argentine, but not nearly as bad as the raptor. The raptor just straight up couldn’t do redcone, and not sure I’d want to try in the hummer, but the 4 wheel steer makes me think it might be possible.

I’m hoping the PPF helps with the hummer. Nothing I’ve ever hit has been so deep it would go through the PPF, but with ceramic only on my Tacoma, I’ve had plenty of instances where pinstripes went through the ceramic, through the clear coat, and into the paint. 😔

 

[skiborsy]

Good to hear that they’re getting decent reviews on the bronco forums! It’s interesting that as a 35” tire, the Goodyears weigh almost exactly the same as my Falkens on my Tacoma (33” tire).

Definitely nervous about getting a flat on the trail. We recently did Argentine before the snow hit here with a raptor that got a flat tire towards the top. I think I’ll be getting a spare wheel/tire, for sure, for the Hummer.

My Tacoma had its fair share of pinstripes after Argentine, but not nearly as bad as the raptor. The raptor just straight up couldn’t do redcone, and not sure I’d want to try in the hummer, but the 4 wheel steer makes me think it might be possible.

I’m hoping the PPF helps with the hummer. Nothing I’ve ever hit has been so deep it would go through the PPF, but with ceramic only on my Tacoma, I’ve had plenty of instances where pinstripes went through the ceramic, through the clear coat, and into the paint. 😔

Is Red Cone the gulch they went up in the Rivian reviews/press videos? Because I was thinking that didn't look wide enough for a Raptor/TRX/Hummer/Jeep with a wide axle. Clearly we need some semis to break trail for all these wider trucks with pretty paint (I know of one trail I won't go back up because the brush is just too close for comfort/just not worth it).

 

[Nebula1701]

Is Red Cone the gulch they went up in the Rivian reviews/press videos? Because I was thinking that didn't look wide enough for a Raptor/TRX/Hummer/Jeep with a wide axle. Clearly we need some semis to break trail for all these wider trucks with pretty paint (I know of one trail I won't go back up because the brush is just too close for comfort/just not worth it).

time for some PPF! xD

 

[skiborsy]

time for some PPF! xD

It's much less fun (to me) when there's no ability to select a line (and even with PPF I imagine the scraping sound hurts your soul a bit).

 

[Calvin2518]

Is Red Cone the gulch they went up in the Rivian reviews/press videos? Because I was thinking that didn't look wide enough for a Raptor/TRX/Hummer/Jeep with a wide axle. Clearly we need some semis to break trail for all these wider trucks with pretty paint (I know of one trail I won't go back up because the brush is just too close for comfort/just not worth it).

I don’t recall the Rivian doing Redcone, but maybe I just missed that video. I know when Car & Driver did their Trans-America-Trail they did Blackbear Pass, but Redcone is definitely less well known.

So having a Tacoma, but regularly wheeling with my friend with a raptor, most of the time he did fine. And was way more comfy than I was… but definitely a few areas where the size really mattered. The brush always SOUNDS bad, but after a wash it always looks fine. The (careful) way I drive, I have a feeling with the PPF, I’ll be fine.

Here’s a video I made of my buddy’s tacoma and buddy’s Jeep at Redcone.

 

[Calvin2518]

time for some PPF! xD

Have you seen the Ceramic Pro brand PPF, Kavaca? I have the XPEL ultimate+ PPF on the entire front end of both my Audi and truck right now, love it. But might try the Kavaca on the ENTIRE hummer!

 

[Calvin2518]

It's much less fun (to me) when there's no ability to select a line (and even with PPF I imagine the scraping sound hurts your soul a bit).

I agree. I hate being forced into a bad situation. I think the crab walk and 4 wheel steer will really be a game changer on the trail to be able to pick a new path if one’s not possible with a normal truck. But TBD. I’m gonna go tear it up and try though!

I got sent down a really nasty gulch in spring in Colorado, a tree root scratched the rear side of my truck pretty deep, the sound made me want to die inside!

 

[skiborsy]

I agree. I hate being forced into a bad situation. I think the crab walk and 4 wheel steer will really be a game changer on the trail to be able to pick a new path if one’s not possible with a normal truck. But TBD. I’m gonna go tear it up and try though!

I got sent down a really nasty gulch in spring in Colorado, a tree root scratched the rear side of my truck pretty deep, the sound made me want to die inside!

I was thinking of these videos (lots of others from this same trip):

. Not wide rig friendly.

 

[Calvin2518]

I was thinking of these videos (lots of others from this same trip):

. Not wide rig friendly.
View attachment 1742

Ahh! OK, I do remember that video.

For sure, the width is going to make normal off road trips more... tricky, for sure. BUT! I want to share a few photos and video from an adventure we had that I mentioned a few messages up, where we got turned down a really nasty gulch. This was an off shoot of Switzerland Trail in Boulder, CO, called Pennsylvania Gulch. Gnarly trail.

Very similar to the video with the Rivian above. We were able to get all of our trucks through, including a full size Tundra, with NO damage or scratches, but it was a slow crawl and a TON of spotting. I'm hoping I can do Redcone and similar and walk away with no damage due to the 4 wheel steer, crab walk, and extra cameras. I think it will be possible with the great 9,000 off roader!

Side note - in the videos below, THIS is where I think Crab walk is going to be a life safer. Not moving past a dumpster in the GM Ads. Being able to put both sets of axles facing uphill so the back end doesn't slide into a root is going to be a game changer. You'll have to let me know what you think!

Pennsylvania Gulch Off Roading

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[StillHummer]

Have you seen the Ceramic Pro brand PPF, Kavaca? I have the XPEL ultimate+ PPF on the entire front end of both my Audi and truck right now, love it. But might try the Kavaca on the ENTIRE hummer!

We use Xpel at my work, I'm the Sales Manager for our auto protection division...and it's the best PPF money can buy.

I have no experience with Kavaca, but we've used CeramicPro coatings for years with very good results. I'd PPF the whole truck then coat it if you can afford it, but I don't know if anyone has been able to plot out all the panels on the Hummer EV yet.