Mojave Road

dscobell · Dec 27, 2019

I am interested if you room for one more. I have a full sized truck with a FWC Grandby. I am reading the Mojave Road Guide. Looks interesting and a little concerning at the same time. Not interested in the water crossing as noted in previous posts. Ford does not recommend crossing water deeper than the axle. Oh well, plenty of places to bailout if necessary.

ntsqd · Dec 27, 2019

I'd strongly advise those who do not want to make the water crossings to still drive the length of Afton Canyon. I've heard it called "The Grand Canyon of the Mojave River" and while nowhere near that deep it still is impressive. When the trail climbs up next to the RR tracks to go thru the same notch with them is where to turn around. There is a crossing on the far side of that notch with only a small amount of room to turn around.

A good map will get you out to I-5 at Basin Rd.

5outta6 · Dec 28, 2019

dscobell said:
I am interested if you room for one more. I have a full sized truck with a FWC Grandby. I am reading the Mojave Road Guide. Looks interesting and a little concerning at the same time. Not interested in the water crossing as noted in previous posts. Ford does not recommend crossing water deeper than the axle. Oh well, plenty of places to bailout if necessary.

I drive a F-150........Most likely I won't drive through water w/o walking it before....

5outta6 · Dec 28, 2019

ntsqd said:
I'd strongly advise those who do not want to make the water crossings to still drive the length of Afton Canyon. I've heard it called "The Grand Canyon of the Mojave River" and while nowhere near that deep it still is impressive. When the trail climbs up next to the RR tracks to go thru the same notch with them is where to turn around. There is a crossing on the far side of that notch with only a small amount of room to turn around.

A good map will get you out to I-5 at Basin Rd.

Good advice..

Cayuse · Dec 28, 2019

I'm starting a new job January 13th so in all likelihood am out of the rotation this time around. Hopefully another opportunity will come up sometime down the line.

Bob

5outta6 · Dec 28, 2019

Cayuse said:
I'm starting a new job January 13th so in all likelihood am out of the rotation this time around. Hopefully another opportunity will come up sometime down the line.

Bob

Hope your new job goes well. Trips can be planned anytime....

5outta6 · Jan 8, 2020

ntsqd said:
I'd strongly advise those who do not want to make the water crossings to still drive the length of Afton Canyon. I've heard it called "The Grand Canyon of the Mojave River" and while nowhere near that deep it still is impressive. When the trail climbs up next to the RR tracks to go thru the same notch with them is where to turn around. There is a crossing on the far side of that notch with only a small amount of room to turn around.

A good map will get you out to I-5 at Basin Rd.

Is the turn around near the railroad bridge?

ntsqd · Jan 8, 2020

5outta6 said:
Is the turn around near the railroad bridge?

There is ample room to turn around before you make the climb up out of the river bed to go thru the notch right next to the RR tracks. If you decide to go thru that notch there is only a little room to turn around before the first crossing, and it is a bit off camber. I'd advise walking it once you get to the cable across the river bed.

ntsqd · Jan 9, 2020

https://mdhca.org/
Custodians of the Road, they have a post talking about the depth of the crossings and a map of the detour.

5outta6 · Jan 9, 2020

ntsqd said:
https://mdhca.org/
Custodians of the Road, they have a post talking about the depth of the crossings and a map of the detour.

thanks

Wango · Jan 9, 2020

Having read this and many other threads about this, have a question or two.
Any idea what average speed for a safe crossing would be, I understand the bow wake idea, just looking for a little more info. The deepest crossing for us so far has been just below the pinch weld below the door.
Is there any idea of an average depth.
FWIW, the truck is a 2016 F350 cclwb with a flatbed.
Moderate lift on 35 inch tires, diff breather tubes raised and relocated, another area of concern is the house batteries for the camper are in a tool box behind the driver side of the cab, box is pretty weather tight, but not water proof.
Am planning a trip regardless of crossing.
Too many great posts about it.
Tnx.

Dirt Rider · Jan 9, 2020

My truck has a 6 inch lift and 35" tires and water came to the bottom of my door, but remember the level changes and could be higher or lower, and there are some tight turns and more water under the train bridge as well. I would mainly worry about how high your intake is.

Adventurer · Jan 9, 2020

You can do a search online, but roughly 5mph or so. You don't want it to come back over the hood. If it does, you're going too fast.

Here is a good picture that shows the bow wave and how low the water is at the rear of the vehicle. It really highlights what you're trying to do, create a bow wave and the water doesn't even come up high enough to reach the doors, or bumper at the rear. 2nd gear, 4-low and just enough to "push" some water.

https://www.caradvice.com.au/734916/4x4-driving-tips-water-crossings/

Here is another (although the person may be going faster, or the water is deeper):
https://www.offroadaussie.com/4_wheels/4wd-tips-and-tricks-water-crossings/

Wango · Jan 9, 2020

Thanks guys, great info. Slow is always a bit subjective, but 5mph or so is a good starting point.
Also, yes i worry about air intake height as well.
A fully watertight raised air intake for a superduty isn't something i have found in the past.
Generally with water, i turn around if it goes above my rock sliders.

Adventurer · Jan 9, 2020

The Ford Tremor (which hasn't come out) is just a Super Duty with 35" tires (which is basically how they come now if you have the 20" wheel package) which has a fording depth of 33", almost three feet.
https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2019/06/27/2020-fseries-super-duty-tremor-off-road-package.html

Safari Snorkel (ARB USA) used to offer a snorkel for the diesel Super Duty, but stopped making them because no one with a Super Duty really goes into deep water (I guess).

You can typically drive through water that reaches the top of the tires with your truck, but if the water is moving it'll push your Super Duty down river until it settles at the bottom (ask me how I know...haha).

BTW, I've driven in deep water many times. The scariest part about it is floating sideways, so don't do that.

slash2 · Jan 16, 2020

Have you narrowed down the dates yet 5outta6, and/or the number of days on the actual trail? I'm still interested, but tentative depending on my work flow.

/2

5outta6 · Jan 17, 2020

I haven't nailed down any dates yet. I'm pretty flexible . I could meet up anytime between Feb.- 24 -28th and spend up to 4 days on the trail.

As of now, I most probably would go around the water crossings......

dscobell · Jan 17, 2020

Still interested. Feb 24-28th will work for me as would the week before. I will also be skirting the water if it is higher than allowed for my 350.

5outta6 · Jan 18, 2020

Is anyone else interested in meeting up sometime between Feb 24-28 (2020) and spending a few days on the road....weather permitting...

K6ON ??

K6ON · Jan 18, 2020

Looks like the 24th ~ 28th works for me. I'll check with my ride-along and see if available those dates.

Checked with the bro-in-law ride-along and we're good for those dates.

Mojave Road

Advanced Member

Custom User Title

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Custom User Title

Custom User Title

Senior Member

Contributors

Senior Member

Gone Traveling

Contributors

Gone Traveling

Senior Member

Senior Member

Advanced Member

Senior Member

Old & Soft

Similar threads

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days