I'll be in the Ouray, CO area next month and would like to do some of the easy to moderate trails in the area. I would like to do the Alpine Loop-Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass, as well as Ophir, Corkscrew, Hurricane, and California. Vehicle is a 2020 4Runner with 3" lift using upgraded Dobinson springs and IMS shocks/struts, sliders and skids and 285/70 AT tires. Based on previous threads I've read, the vehicle is capable and I plan to take it careful and slow.

My concern however, is that I have a roof top tent that is adding about 200+ pounds to the roof. Is this something that would a deal breaker on these trails or will I be able to handle them with the additional roof weight? My concern is rough, off camber sections of the trail and the corresponding higher center of gravity. I'd love to hear from those who have experience on these trails.

Thanks,

I did all of those -- well almost all of them -- last week. You should have no problem with your set up. Stay away from lower Engineer (Mineral Creek) which is very rocky (big rocks) and holes; I did Mineral Creek last year and needed a spotter to get through the roughest sections. There is little off camber on the trails you cited.

200 lbs added weight is not that much; I have the seven passenger SR5 with the third row seating. Loading up my son's family with grand kids in the back row certainly is well over 200 lbs and I have had not any problems.


How much added height does your tent add? There are a couple of places where the trail is chiseled into the side of the mountain leaving an overhang. I have the TRD Pro roof rack which is above the standard roof rack and had no problems with overhangs.

Poughkeepsie and Clear lake are closed for the rest of the year, but everything else is open. Get a free Alpine Loop trail map at the visitors center in Ouray, next to the hot springs swimming pool.

I also did Yankee Boy Basin this year. Most of it was quite easy, but the last couple miles past the forest service restrooms was really bad; lots of big rocks and holes leaving your vehicle to teeter-totter on diagonal wheels -- need to use ATrac or differential lock to get over those.

While in the area, be sure to see Box Canyon falls, swim in the hot springs pool, and the short hike to Cascade Falls.

For a good rough road (fairly easy) trip, drive to the top of Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride (this the end of Black Bear which you should avoid).

If you are feeling a bit adventurous, you might try Imogene Pass; a bit more difficult than those you cited, but doable with your setup. I did that last year with my SR5 with 2.5 leveling kit.

If you go over Ophir to the Telluride side, you have to get back to Ouray either by Imogene (mentioned above), or you can get back via Last Dollar road which goes past the Telluride Airport.

Have fun and enjoy!

Not to hijack but also considering Imogene Pass in a stock ‘19 TRD Pro with upgraded tires; KO2’s, adequate for Imogene if I take it slow in the rough spots? Thanks.

I just did Finns and Things in Moab as well as Imogene Pass from Telluride this past weekend and I had my full camping setup. You'll be fine, just air down and take it slow. I have to admit there were a few situations where I needed a spotter as it felt very off camber in the driver seat. And whenever the terrain looks rough, go out and walk it and try and pick your lines (or use a spotter).

As I stated above, just air down and take it slow. I went from Telluride to Ouray and I have to admit the Ouray side was a bit more difficult. I heard the traffic up there has been getting worse, but we hit the trail at 7am and only saw 2 vehicles on the way up...on the way down, let's just say it was getting pretty crowded around 10-11am.

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Just want to thank fkheath and blksubykid for their responses. That was just the type of info I was looking for. I will definitely be airing down as well.

The RTT is an Alu-Cab Expedition tent. I believe with the load bars, it adds about 12 inches in height above my Sherpa rack. Hopefully, it will make it through any low clearances.

KO2s is what I have, stock size, but I opted for the load range E which adds another layer or two of plys; better for sharp rocks.

The worse places on Imogene is a couple places where you have diagonal holes so you end up in teeter-totter mode. With a Pro, you have differential locks which will get you over those. Also, the KDSS will give you more axle articulation than my SR5. In an SR5 you definitely need to use ATrac for those places.

I have never aired down my tires. I guess I am too lazy to get a big air compressor and spend the time airing back up. The ride is fine, and you don't need more patch size on the rocks; you may need it on sand, but the Alpine Loop is all rocks, no sand.

Yeah, you should be fine on those trails. I've done them all in both a 1st gen Tacoma and a 4th gen 4runner with less lift/tires. There should be nothing that throws you that far off even with the added weight. Your biggest issue on the loop is probably going to be traffic (ironically). Definitely take the side trip to American Basin, it's beautiful. FWIW the only trail that has really got a rough spot is Poughkeepsie-- I accidentally went down that trail in the Tacoma in a rainstorm and it was hairy. Luckily it's closed apparently, lol. If you want another really cool trail, look into going up to Porphyry Basin -- I think it takes you just a little higher than Engineer Pass even.

Thanks for this. I am also considering an Alu Cab Expedition V1 tent. How do you like it with the Sherpa rack? Considering the same setup or possibly a direct mount using the Alu Cab load bars and custom brackets from Tiny Rig in Westminster, CA. Do you run an awning with the Alu Cab? Not sure what options you have besides their 270 degree awning mounting to the tent. I was looking for a smaller awning, 8X8 from ARB. Thanks. Tom

Tom,
I love the Sherpa rack and found it very versatile before getting the Alu-Cab 3.0 tent. If I knew I was going to get the tent at the time, I would have forgone the Sherpa rack and used what you describe - custom brackets for the Alu-Cab load bars. I think OK4WD also has a custom solution in the works that uses Sherpa mounts to attach the load bars. With a custom mount, think it could put the tent about 2-3" lower versus on top of the Sherpa rack. I also have the Alu-Cab Shadow awning but have not yet installed it. Hoping to do so in the next week or so. I too was looking for something a bit smaller, but the ease of setup sold me on the Shadow awning. I love the Alu-Cab tent and primarily was sold on the ease of setup. Hope this helps.

Yes it definitely helps. How much sag do you get in your vehicles suspension with the weight of the Alu Cab up there? I know it is a fairly heavy tent and I am presently on stock ‘19 TRD Pro suspension. Thanks again👍

How is the Alu Cab for keeping out bugs? I hear the mesh is a bit larger than a no see um netting. Nice to see someone else running this tent, I am impressed with the quality having seen one up close on an 80 series. Seems very few folks with 5th gens have one.

5th gens are a poor platform to run a 200+ lb tent. They don't have the necessary roof load capacity to carry a 200lb tent up there safely and it really does impact driveability. A Land Cruiser, even an 80 series has a much higher roof load rating. I had the Eezi Awn Stealth on mine at one point and it was way too much weight up top. I suppose that's why very few 5th gen people run the Alu-Cab RTT, not saying there aren't though.

Well within static and dynamic load ratings for a 5th gen. I will also be running without a roof rack as well, so that should save another 75 lbs or so. I do wonder how Jeep guys do it with heavier setups on top of their Rubicon Unlimiteds though🙄

Pretty sure Jeep guys run an internal re-inforcement in conjunction with their hardtop, a couple companies make them.

Just did most of the alpine loop last week. Never scraped. Had a great time. Smiled lots. Stock size tires. 2” lift. Camped at Alta Lakes. Best campsite of the trip. This isn’t my wife’s hobby and she drove cinnamon pass no problem.