Is there a standard rating system for evaluating terrain?

[EdmundGTP]

Specifically as it applies to the ability of a vehicle to travel over it?

 

[Offroader5]

As far as for "offroading" there are two main scales. Which one you're most familiar with depends usually on where you're from. It's either a 5 or 10 point system. Where the "5 point" system can still have decimal half points like a 2.5 or 4.5 trail rating so in reality it's really a 9 point system. The wording can vary depending on who wrote the specific rating scale you find on the web...but here are typical examples:

Here's an example of a "5 point" scale:
Expeditions West: Expeditions Handbook - OHV Trail Rating Guide

Here's a "10 point" scale more tailored for Moab trails...but the idea is the same in terms of roughness of trail:
Cruise Moab - Trail rating system

 

[Kraze]

I'm a proponent of the 3 tiered rating system. It goes like this.

The moderate trails: "If this trail was any flatter, it would be Florida. Let's go find something better."

Getting a little bit more serious: "This trail is gonna be fun, boys!"

And then there's the classic: "Hold my beer and watch this."

It really is the best rating system.

 

[nevada]

that's about what we have around here. the dot system. green, blue and black.

 

[JB.]

Specifically as it applies to the ability of a vehicle to travel over it?

Offroader provided some good links.

Here's another one.

4WD Trail Rating - Dirtopia, the Off-Road Encyclopedia

The Moab scale is handy since Moab is kind of a unique case compared to areas of varied forest, desert, etc.

I tend to think in a 10 point scale since that's what I was introduced to. I have books by three different authors that use three different scales (10 point, 3 point, 6 point).

Everyone is describing the same thing using different scales except for the caveat that Moab type terrain is a little bit of a special case in my view.

 

[SV_Dude]

And then there's the classic: "Hold my beer and watch this."
.

This level of trails usually ends with "that'll leave a mark" or "shit'll buff out".

 

[LandCruiser]

1. Drive fast it's just dirt
2. slow down, there be holes
3. you probably should have engaged 4x4
4. you probably should have aired down
5. you probably should have disconnected the sway bars
6. you probably should have driven a beater here
7. it looks like them Duke boys are in a heap o' trouble
8. does AAA come out here?

 

[Brique]

Haha! I love #7!

 

[EdmundGTP]

Interesting info.. Thanks guys!

 

[ndcent]

My Colorado pass book simply has easy, moderate and difficult. I did a bunch of moderate stuff in my slightly modified runner and a few difficult rated trails such as black bear and mineral creek.