Rausch Creek Meet: 3/31/2012

[4ShoreRunner]

Hey everyone,

There is a group of us going up to Rausch Creek in PA on March 31st. If you are on facebook it was organized through the group "Northeast 4Runner Owners Association"

I think there are around 10 of us confirmed now, mostly 3rd gens.

I'll be driving up from DC after work on Friday and staying at the Hampton Inn Pine Grove. There is a Comfort Inn that offers a discount to Rausch Creek peeps close by as well.

All are welcome! I'll be posting pics in this thread after the event.

 

[limamike]

Just booked the same hotel.

 

[phillyd2]

On my calendar.

I'm about 1.5 hours away - right off the PA Turnpike if any need a pit stop.

RC has green trials that stock trucks can handle without issue if any first timers want to try getting off pavement.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

Just booked the same hotel.

Awesome!!!

On my calendar.

I'm about 1.5 hours away - right off the PA Turnpike if any need a pit stop.

RC has green trials that stock trucks can handle without issue if any first timers want to try getting off pavement.

Sweet! We should be hitting the trails around 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. I'll add that my completely stock trail (plus sliders) was able to do all greens and some blues without any problem at all.

 

[jangoforhire]

That's about an 1.5 hours from my school. I will have to see how much work I have that weekend and maybe run up there and join you guys! I would love to hit some simple trials.

 

[joneseyyy]

Probably in for this. Haven't booked a hotel yet; may want to camp depending on the weather.

 

[PracticalFJ]

Would love to join you'all (that's how you say it down there in the DC area, right?) but this east coaster isn't going to be able to make it. Please make sure to take plenty of pictures to share with us!

 

[angrydog]

I'm at Penn State, I'll see if I can drive down that Saturday morning but If I have work or lab **** to do then I won't be able to make it; But go Northeasters! I didn't know we had this many 5thers.

 

[Jesse1983]

well this sucks. we have a wedding to go to Friday night in Western Maryland. Is everyone wheeling on Sunday too? If so I can probably make that.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

well this sucks. we have a wedding to go to Friday night in Western Maryland. Is everyone wheeling on Sunday too? If so I can probably make that.

I think there are some folks planning on sticking around for some Sunday wheeling as well; however, I'll be heading back late afternoon Saturday. If you want to PM me your cell I can update you to let you know if people still plan on being there Sunday.

 

[Kraeken]

I may be able to do this! I'll know next week.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

BUMP.....one week out...

 

[Titanpat57]

Just got back back from OEX training in Conn....or I'd be all over this!!...the weather here in the NE has been beyond awesome the last week.

Have fun and be safe all!

 

[phillyd2]

Which trails are you guys planning on running?

 

[4ShoreRunner]

I did greens and some blues on my stock trail with just sliders....We should be fine to do greens and blues...I won't be going any harder than that.

 

[Kraeken]

Still not sure if I'm going, but there's a good chance. I have to see now how my work schedule changes.

However, I'm not afraid to say that I don't have an interest in banging up my $36k truck, not even scratching the paint. Are there trails there which can still provide a challenge without causing dents and scratches? Most of my offroading so far has been beach, mud and snow.

I also imagine I'll have to remove my Nfab bars for this as well. They reduce my clearance a little. I don't have real sliders though.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

Hmm...honestly I'd say it isn't worth the drive then. When going to these offroad parks esp in large groups, $hit happens! Either you start getting too confident or peer pressure sets in and you may start finding yourself outside of your comfort zone.

I haven't been there enough to know the greens well enough to give you an honest shake at if your truck will come out looking perfect. But if you don't want to risk scratching paint and think you need to remove your nerf bars then I would definitely sit this one out. I can do some recon for you on this trip and try and see if you can make it next time!

 

[phillyd2]

I don't have an interest in banging up my $36k truck, not even scratching the paint. Are there trails there which can still provide a challenge without causing dents and scratches?

Not saying this to be mean or to be a jerk but that standard would even keep you out of mall parking lots. I did the green trails in a stock Limited with running boards, without much issue. I put some pics on my build page but they were the most dramatic shots.

To be honest, I'm a old Jeep CJ driver so by definition I have zero common sense but even so your should make it with almost zero chance of any dents, unless you are stupid like me. More chance of pinstripes but as we will not be going much over 10-15 mph you could always bring pruning shears to simply cut back any small bushes that may worry you.

The other option is to come along and ride as a passenger to see what its all about.

 

[jangoforhire]

Not saying this to be mean or to be a jerk but that standard would even keep you out of mall parking lots. I did the green trails in a stock Limited with running boards, without much issue. I put some pics on my build page but they were the most dramatic shots.

To be honest, I'm a old Jeep CJ driver so by definition I have zero common sense but even so your should make it with almost zero chance of any dents, unless you are stupid like me. More chance of pinstripes but as we will not be going much over 10-15 mph you could always bring pruning shears to simply cut back any small bushes that may worry you.

The other option is to come along and ride as a passenger to see what its all about.

I'm possibly thinking about heading up in my stock Limited (no running boards). Did you still have stock tires when you ran these trails? That is the only thing I am worried about.

 

[Kraeken]

I didn't mean to sound like a priss, and I would love to do some more serious offroading. But this truck is my daily driver. I used to have an XJ and I beat up that truck. The paint looked like crap from branches and bushes. I plan on driving my current truck until it stops running, and I don't want it to look like hell early on...

The pics you posted in your build thread look pretty decent! I've also been watching youtube videos and the easier trails don't look like they would cause too much worry. It seems like an investment in sliders and skid plates would be wise. My Nfabs are great for loading the rack and letting my wife get in and out, but they would get destroyed on even the green trails. I would definitely take them off for Rausch Creek. How bad does the undercarriage get banged up? If one is not an idiot, what kind of damage can be expected underneath?

And like I said, my offroad experience (aside from mountain biking) is limited to sand, mud and snow. I don't know much about the forests and rocks and stuff.

Right now my schedule has me working both Saturday and Sunday nights, but if I can switch something around I would be able to come over there on Saturday.