Power Wagon Registry

So I have a standard issue 05 Power Wagon, I'm going with a group from Minnesota through Wyoming, they are going up the infamous switch backs. Has anyone had a four door full size truck up there before? I'm not finding much info on the web. Thanks for any info

This is a cool video from the guys at Expedition Overland. Not full size rigs but they did haul trailers up it.
https://youtu.be/sAIUPl-L1ZY

Hello shortpipes,

I'm not familiar with that trial but I watched the video desertbenny posted and it seems like the climb at the beginning is the hardest part, so here are some things to plan for if you want to do it.

1) Make sure everything on your truck is in good working order, engine, trans, brakes, battery, radiator, belts, hoses, etc..
2) You should have rock sliders unless you don't mind banged up rocker panels
3) I would recommend at least 35" tires with good tread and sidewalls (remove the hubcaps and leave them at home)
4) Make sure your lockers, sway-bar disconnect and winch all work and you are familiar with how to use them
5) You are okay with new scratches in your paint
6) You have a way to air-up and down you tires on the trail, 20 psi works well for me on rocky trails
7) Let smaller vehicles go first so you don't block the trail in front of them
8) Take lots of pics and post them on the website, and have a good trip!

desertbenny wrote:This is a cool video from the guys at Expedition Overland. Not full size rigs but they did haul trailers up it.
https://youtu.be/sAIUPl-L1ZY

That was a good watch!

Are you a part of this group? http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threa ... t=Morrison

I wouldn't go without 35's and sliders.

I've posted elsewhere that the TACO is not that much smaller than the PW overall. So where a taco can go, a PW most likely can follow. Relatively speaking anyways. Yes it's bigger, but it's not HUGE.

The 2017 Toyota Tacoma double cab is 212-226″ L x 74-75″ W x 71-72″ H

The 2017 Power Wagon is 237-259″ L x 79-80″ W x 76-81″ H

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Sometimes it may be easier (though not easy) to back up alternating switchbacks rather than try to make the turn. It is amazing how wide our trucks get on narrow shelf roads!
It helps to have a good spotter also.

You could have kissed the inside tighter if you had some sliders

Yeah, I would have dragged my doors against a rock wall before taking that risk hahaha. You are a brave man with good insurance, sir!


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DamageWagon wrote:

Your oversized bumper and the older TACO aren't helping but length wise proves my comment there. The Tacoma has actually been getting bigger just like all cars.

I get concerned when a trail is too tight for even a midsized truck. Then it's a real Jeep trail for short wheel base vehicles.

trk4sale wrote:Sometimes it may be easier (though not easy) to back up alternating switchbacks rather than try to make the turn. It is amazing how wide our trucks get on narrow shelf roads!
It helps to have a good spotter also.

Everyone that was in Moab last year and did Elephant Hill got to learn about that.

Mike, I put those pics up just because I had them haha. The wheelbases are pretty close. But that's the size of a taco. The new ones are pretty much the same size. The issue isn't the wheelbase as much as the width, and their turning radius is nicer. But I'd rather have a good and patient driver in a full size than an idiot in a mini truck.


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DamageWagon wrote:Mike, I put those pics up just because I had them haha. The wheelbases are pretty close. But that's the size of a taco. The new ones are pretty much the same size. The issue isn't the wheelbase as much as the width, and their turning radius is nicer. But I'd rather have a good and patient driver in a full size than an idiot in a mini truck.

I thought the first generation was even smaller though? Yours looks like a second gen if I'm right. I remember driving a friends and thinking the turning was terrible, but that was before I bought the truck. i bet if I went back with the new reference in my mind, I wouldn't think that.

But I think it's a far comparison that if a Tacoma can get thru, a PW should be able too. Take that with a grain of salt.

Those tight ass turns can be a bitch. And Elephant hill was the first time I experienced that barely being able to get around turns and having to back up. You can ask Pit Slave, there was a section where I dunno WTF I was doing but had to back up like 30 times. Everyone else was like 2 or 3. Def put it into perspective how length affects turning.

The first ten tacos are tiny. They are a mini truck. The second gens are bigger, Mike, you are correct.

The main thing I come across is height and center of gravity. Of course at the same time, Tacomas and FJ's love getting flipped on their side. IFS is horrible for off camber scenarios. I'll take a solid axle all day long on an off camber trail.


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I think I'm gonna back track a little to bypass the switch backs and meet my group up top. I'm part of the Midwest Overlsnd Society.

Sorry, pretty late to the party here. I have done this trail before (8 years ago) solo with my at that time 2003 TJ Rubicon, and then again last year with a small group. Last years group there was an early 90's Full Sized Bronco that ran on propane. I led with my Jeep Cherokee XJ, and he was at the tail end, so I never saw him navigate the swithchbacks. I have learned in offroading, never say never, but IF you could do it, there would be some serious pucker factor in a full size truck. There are no good places on the switchbacks to pull over to sight see until you get to the top, and you won't be able to stop to let others around you or turn around. The expedition overland guys completing the trail pulling a trailer is wild, and is quite the feat. The switch backs should only take 1-2 hours, and it took them all day to do just that section. As for the Bronco in our group, he was a very experienced driver and said it was not a big deal for him. He would drive forward until he just kissed the wall and then back up. In a jeep, you can not make a single one of the switchbacks without at least a 3 point turn, (usually more). I have heard of driving up one switchback and backing up the next, but I have never seen it done so not sure how doable that is. My XJ has open differentials on both ends, and I never felt the need for lockers anywhere on the trail, but the swaybars disconnected and tires aired down was beneficial.