Snow Wheeling with Tracks Off Trail?

[snivilous]

If you had tracks on your truck, would it be looked down upon to just go wherever you wanted? I was thinking about this the other day (after watching the Ken Block RaptorTRAX video again), since snowmobiles go wherever they want and no one bats an eye, so if you had four tracks on your 4Runner or whatever vehicle could you do the same? You don't go off trail normally because it'll tear up the environment, but if you're on four feet of snow and only sink in two inches, does that still apply?

I've thought about building a tracked 4Runner in the far future, but it seems like the cost would never really justify it, even for where I live up in the mountains--but if you had access to anywhere because of having tracks, that would be a lot more worthwhile imo (especially since you have trails that get gated, and then trails that become snow mobile highways, etc).

And then one side question to ponder, would you answer the same way for someone with beadlocks? Is there that much of a difference between a big track and a tire running 1psi?

Food for thought! Just wondering what people think.

 

[02SE]

Snowmobiles get stuck all the time. The saving grace is that they are light enough you can usually get them out by yourself, or with the help of some friends.

When a truck with one of those track set-ups gets stuck, it could be a much bigger problem to get them unstuck.

I really don't know how it would be viewed by the Forest Service. But based the possibility of having some truck stuck in a sensitive area where no vehicles are allowed, I think it would be frowned upon.

Give the Forest Service a call and ask.

 

[nevada]

If you had tracks on your truck, would it be looked down upon to just go wherever you wanted? I was thinking about this the other day (after watching the Ken Block RaptorTRAX video again), since snowmobiles go wherever they want and no one bats an eye, so if you had four tracks on your 4Runner or whatever vehicle could you do the same? You don't go off trail normally because it'll tear up the environment, but if you're on four feet of snow and only sink in two inches, does that still apply?

I've thought about building a tracked 4Runner in the far future, but it seems like the cost would never really justify it, even for where I live up in the mountains--but if you had access to anywhere because of having tracks, that would be a lot more worthwhile imo (especially since you have trails that get gated, and then trails that become snow mobile highways, etc).

And then one side question to ponder, would you answer the same way for someone with beadlocks? Is there that much of a difference between a big track and a tire running 1psi?

Food for thought! Just wondering what people think.

I think their specific wording is "tracked vehicle" so technically, it should be legal. though, the question may come in whether is was manufactured that way, or altered to have tracks.

I wouldn't have issue with it.

but, as said above, snowmobiles while designed for the snow do get stuck, and often.

in regards to the other question, I have had that same argument with, "those in power" and have gotten nowhere.

whenever we snow wheel, we dont hit the road, we are always supported by snow. but I think that would open it up to ever rig, and end up being a mess. people already cant keep themselves out of fields and meadows...

 

[MN4runnerman]

A snowmobile club probably wouldn't like it if you drive down a trail they maintain. Off a trail though your taking a risk because you can get stuck and who's gonna come and rescue you then. If they can't get to your vehicle they might say to you to leave it until the snow melts. Although some of those big mountain sleds could probably give you a yank out.

Like one of these

 

[marshal]

yes, there is a huge difference in performance from the tracks vs people with beadlocks. a large tire - say a 40" at 0PSI has a huge footprint, but a set of tracks is even bigger. plus the method of movement is entirely different. with the track, the track itself doesn't ever actually move. the motion is derived from pulling the track up off the ground with the drive cog and the vehicle then moves across the track itself vs the rolling of the tire.

the tracks you're looking for that ken block uses are mattracks

 

[MN4runnerman]

Here is a much cheaper option I think but way less kewl 90 Suzuki samurai on mattracks

 

[MtnT4R]

I've heard that those mattracks are pretty maintenance intensive, and have only ever seen them used on snowpacked roads. Ken Block does go offroad, but really only downhill in more controlled environments.

My .02, while it would be pretty badass and fun on some open fields, you would probably get really stuck really quick. Even with sleds, you have to keep your momentum up and need to be fairly skilled with your throttle and balance in deep snow. Doesn't seem worth the enormous amount of work.


To truly go offroad you would need an asymmetrical tracked vehicle like this guy:

 

[KidVermicious]

If you had tracks on your truck, would it be looked down upon to just go wherever you wanted? I was thinking about this the other day (after watching the Ken Block RaptorTRAX video again), since snowmobiles go wherever they want and no one bats an eye, so if you had four tracks on your 4Runner or whatever vehicle could you do the same? You don't go off trail normally because it'll tear up the environment, but if you're on four feet of snow and only sink in two inches, does that still apply?

I've thought about building a tracked 4Runner in the far future, but it seems like the cost would never really justify it, even for where I live up in the mountains--but if you had access to anywhere because of having tracks, that would be a lot more worthwhile imo (especially since you have trails that get gated, and then trails that become snow mobile highways, etc).

And then one side question to ponder, would you answer the same way for someone with beadlocks? Is there that much of a difference between a big track and a tire running 1psi?

Food for thought! Just wondering what people think.

Snowmobiles don't go wherever they want, at least they're not supposed to. Lots of high use areas are restricted to Existing Trails or Designated Trails. They are much lighter impact though and get a lot more open travel areas than those of us with wheels.

You'd want to check with the appropriate land management agency, but I'm pretty sure that any vehicle with snowtracks qualifies as a snowmobile, at least for now.

 

[nevada]

Snowmobiles don't go wherever they want, at least they're not supposed to. Lots of high use areas are restricted to Existing Trails or Designated Trails. They are much lighter impact though and get a lot more open travel areas than those of us with wheels.

You'd want to check with the appropriate land management agency, but I'm pretty sure that any vehicle with snowtracks qualifies as a snowmobile, at least for now.

while there may be some areas that are strictly off limits, around here, they don't have to stay on trails. and can run cross country at will.

 

[MN4runnerman]

To truly go offroad you would need an asymmetrical tracked vehicle like this guy:

I've seen someone in Wisconsin (where all redneck inventions are made) put an f150 cab on a snow groomer's frame and made a sick ice fishing vehicle out of it currently looking for pics.

 

[MtnT4R]

I went back and watched the Raptortrax video again, and when he is tearing up the mountain and along the ridge he's on a groomed trail. There must have been a lot of prep work for that shoot. The downhill looks friggin awesome though!