Grading of obstacles on a trail.
- Jingo73
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Grading of obstacles on a trail.
How does the grading of an obstacle work and who decide the grading?
We’ve been on one of the 4x4 trails over the weekend and after finishing most of the trail saw that each obstacle was marked on the map with a grading. We drove down a grade 5 which wasn’t that challenging, the biggest danger was the, I think black mamba, that was of course laying at the most difficult part of the decent. It moved away quickly, but I was not willing to go closer to inspect the rocks better, decided on my line from far away.
Some of the obstacles was a grade 2 but you needed at least 4” lift to clear the rocks. Reading the map was a grading 7, because any resemblance between the map and the track was pure coincidence.
So does the grading means it’s dangerous and you’re gone die? Or
Its technically difficult and you need lots of experience? Or
You need high ground clearance? Or
You going to damage your vechile? Or
All of the above.
We’ve been on one of the 4x4 trails over the weekend and after finishing most of the trail saw that each obstacle was marked on the map with a grading. We drove down a grade 5 which wasn’t that challenging, the biggest danger was the, I think black mamba, that was of course laying at the most difficult part of the decent. It moved away quickly, but I was not willing to go closer to inspect the rocks better, decided on my line from far away.
Some of the obstacles was a grade 2 but you needed at least 4” lift to clear the rocks. Reading the map was a grading 7, because any resemblance between the map and the track was pure coincidence.
So does the grading means it’s dangerous and you’re gone die? Or
Its technically difficult and you need lots of experience? Or
You need high ground clearance? Or
You going to damage your vechile? Or
All of the above.
All things that are, are with more spirit chased, than enjoyed.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
- ThysdJ
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Re: Grading of obstacles on a trail.
There is no standardised grading system, leaving it up to trail owners to grade their own trails according to their own criteria. That leaves the grading of trails open to misinterpretation. We dont have many grade5 trails around although most trail owners would indicate that their trails are indeed Gr5 (or at least contains some obstacles that are that).
Thys de Jager
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1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 Sport. The original SFA. AGA... Gooi kole
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- Mud Dog
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Re: Grading of obstacles on a trail.
Most gradings AFAIK are made 'loosely' by trail owners, sometimes in collaboration with experienced drivers. I think the criteria is taken as a general degree of difficulty for a standard off-road vehicle with a driver of moderate experience. I don't pay too much mind to gradings and at best regard it as a general indication.
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- Jingo73
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Re: Grading of obstacles on a trail.
Thanks
All things that are, are with more spirit chased, than enjoyed.
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Re: Grading of obstacles on a trail.
Just be aware that too much grading will flatten the obstacles all together!
- ThysdJ
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Re: Grading of obstacles on a trail.
making them accessable for Fords, Tata's, land Rovers and the likes...Mr_B wrote:Just be aware that too much grading will flatten the obstacles all together!
Thys de Jager
CEO and Refreshments Manager at Team Offroad.
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Re: Grading of obstacles on a trail.
No use gagging yourself... you already said it!
- Mud Dog
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Re: Grading of obstacles on a trail.
Now that's just plain degrading!ThysdJ wrote:making them accessable for Fords, Tata's, land Rovers and the likes...Mr_B wrote:Just be aware that too much grading will flatten the obstacles all together!
When your road comes to an end ...... you need a HILUX!.
Life is like a jar of Jalapeño peppers ... what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.
Don't take life too seriously ..... no-one gets out alive.
It's not about waiting for storms to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
And be yourself ..... everyone else is taken!
Life is like a jar of Jalapeño peppers ... what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.
Don't take life too seriously ..... no-one gets out alive.
It's not about waiting for storms to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
And be yourself ..... everyone else is taken!
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Re: Grading of obstacles on a trail.
If you have no body damage, it's not a grade 5
Grading is more of a warning than a yardstick
Grading is more of a warning than a yardstick
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Re: Grading of obstacles on a trail.
I googled this:-
http://www.minwater.co.za/4x4.php
1: Very easy. Suitable for inexperienced drivers in 4x4's without low range and 4x2's with diff lock.
2: Easy to moderate. Some experience and a 4x4 recommended.
3: Moderate. Experience and low range recommended.
4: Difficult. Experience and low range imperative; recovery equipment and diff lock recommended.
5: Very difficult. Loads of experience, a serious 4x4 and recovery equipment imperative; diff locks strongly recommended.
http://www.minwater.co.za/4x4.php
1: Very easy. Suitable for inexperienced drivers in 4x4's without low range and 4x2's with diff lock.
2: Easy to moderate. Some experience and a 4x4 recommended.
3: Moderate. Experience and low range recommended.
4: Difficult. Experience and low range imperative; recovery equipment and diff lock recommended.
5: Very difficult. Loads of experience, a serious 4x4 and recovery equipment imperative; diff locks strongly recommended.