YELLAHEEP
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Littleton, Colorado
I missed the oportunity to voice my side of this little incident in Dr. Moab's thread and after reading Kejtar's post in the Member's forum, I would like to contribute.
I'm sure there isn't a single person that feels worse about the flop than Ryan. Ryan did a great job of spotting all of the rigs over the obstacle, his spotting had absolutely nothing to do with my rig laying over.
There were a few comments made on the trail and in a few posts about how no one was there for me to help prevent the flop. Well, I'll agree that it was a bummer that everyone left the obstacle when I started up, but I'd rather have the damage than someone getting hurt. Sure, maybe one or two people grabbing the Jeep coulda saved it, but the reality of this situation is that it was my decision to attempt the obstacle and it most certainly was my responsibility to address any concerns about it BEFORE attempting it. After revewing the incident in my head a million times, I really should have asked for a side strap as a precaution. Rocker Knocker is the kind of obstacle where a side strap would always be a good idea on any rig, with any driver.
I also believe that having the solid locker in the front and having only 13 psi in the tires contributed to the problem. Just before it flopped, the right front grabbed and pulled up, pitching the front end to the left and high on the upper ledge. Then I could feel the passenger side tires fold as the sidewalls got pushed under the wheels - I'm still surprised I didn't pop a bead on the left rear. More air pressure probably would have allowed the tires to slip a bit easier for the "crab-walk" needed to get into climbing position.
If for nothing else, I learned:
- When in doubt, taking a strap is cheap insurance
- Low tire pressures aren't perfect for all obstacles
-
folks are the best!
So, Ryan don't beat yourself up :cheers: , Mark thanks for locking that thread before it got outta hand :thumbup: , and a huge thanks to the guys that got my rig shiny side up again - that went smoother than the flop did. :worship: :clap:
Heard this during the event: Chicks dig body damage, wives don't. Boy ain't that the truth! :laugh3:
I'm sure there isn't a single person that feels worse about the flop than Ryan. Ryan did a great job of spotting all of the rigs over the obstacle, his spotting had absolutely nothing to do with my rig laying over.
There were a few comments made on the trail and in a few posts about how no one was there for me to help prevent the flop. Well, I'll agree that it was a bummer that everyone left the obstacle when I started up, but I'd rather have the damage than someone getting hurt. Sure, maybe one or two people grabbing the Jeep coulda saved it, but the reality of this situation is that it was my decision to attempt the obstacle and it most certainly was my responsibility to address any concerns about it BEFORE attempting it. After revewing the incident in my head a million times, I really should have asked for a side strap as a precaution. Rocker Knocker is the kind of obstacle where a side strap would always be a good idea on any rig, with any driver.
I also believe that having the solid locker in the front and having only 13 psi in the tires contributed to the problem. Just before it flopped, the right front grabbed and pulled up, pitching the front end to the left and high on the upper ledge. Then I could feel the passenger side tires fold as the sidewalls got pushed under the wheels - I'm still surprised I didn't pop a bead on the left rear. More air pressure probably would have allowed the tires to slip a bit easier for the "crab-walk" needed to get into climbing position.
If for nothing else, I learned:
- When in doubt, taking a strap is cheap insurance
- Low tire pressures aren't perfect for all obstacles
-

So, Ryan don't beat yourself up :cheers: , Mark thanks for locking that thread before it got outta hand :thumbup: , and a huge thanks to the guys that got my rig shiny side up again - that went smoother than the flop did. :worship: :clap:
Heard this during the event: Chicks dig body damage, wives don't. Boy ain't that the truth! :laugh3: