Summer Event 2018

SQRLPWR · August 27, 2018

This year's camping and wheeling at Vidito's Family Camping in Wilmot NS was super fun, with good people and zero drama - exactly what Backcountry 4x4 Club is all about

I arrived with Jordan and Josh late Friday and quickly got pitched up.

Saturday morning was amusing. Tom had gone out to test some trucks, and he arrived at the camp ground with one he was looking to buy. The guys quickly 'assessed' it, picking the thing apart whilst the poor dealer stood there with a nervous grin on his face

After the truck assessment, we hit the trails. Some of the trail highlights for me were;

Half Moon - Flopped It!

For me this was a blast! 100 yards in to the trail is a rutted section, with a deep right-hand rut hard up against an embankment. Most rigs can climb through off-camber, but my short width meant the right tires were in the rut, and the left tires were way up high on the center 'hump', so I was flopped into the side of the embankment to the right. With no traction left on my left tires, I was just about able to reverse back for another try. A small tree was blocking the left side, so I had no way to directly climb up to the brush. I had to get back into the hole and pull the Zuk up sideways into the clearing.

Surprisingly no body damage was done.

International Hill - Almost Flopped it.

As you come down the hill it's pretty steep. Mid-way down the hill there are some big drop-off rocks next to some big rocker crushing rocks to avoid.

The last time I was here was with the Xterra with it's long wheelbase, it seemed to climb down the hill with no issues. The Zuk with it's tiny footprint and super soft YJ leafs was a totally different experience. Sending the front right tire off the drop-off rock shifted the Zuk all the way right, then as the rear left tire came down, it shifted the Zuk all the way left. The weight transfer almost flopping me over left. Jordan in the Toyota behind me said my rear tire was a foot off the ground. With some careful braking and spotting we got through it, but what a buzz!!

Clear Cut - walked it

If you're a stock rig or on 33 inch tires or less, the entrance to the hill on the trail can be challenging as there is a rock garden to get through. As you climb up the hill there are some more large rocks to deal with. The Zuk just took these obstacles in it's stride. Love it!

As we headed home on Sunday, we avoided the highway. Unfortunately all 6 bolts backed off the rear wheel of Dave's truck with the camper on it. Thankfully it happened on a straight section of road in Mount Uniake, so he was able to direct it into a parking lot withe 3 wheels, leaving a 30ft line in the road as the brake backing plate ground down to nothing. Luckily no other damage to his truck, other than a pushed in rear fender. Bill made some phone calls and managed to get some new studs and bolts, and we got Dave back rolling in an hour.