STingray1300

OK, so we all just learned: don't go wheelin' with Aragorn.

I will reiterate: you will NOT need a winch on the Colorado high passes unless 1) you go at the wrong time(s) of the year or 2) you're one of those that just shouldn't be up there in the first place...

MikeBo

I have been going to the San Juans for 25 years, generally in the Ouray and Telluride area. I drive my truck out and camp, however I now rent a jeep, I just prefer not to subject my expensive truck to the beating. Can they do it sure, but I have more fun in a rental keep, the jeep is twice as fast in the mountains, the turning radius on switch backs is so much better.

I drove my truck for years and if that's all the money I had, I would do it... it's one of the most beautiful places on earth. You do not need a winch, get the back roads book described and stay off the 4 and 5 level trails...these are for modified jeeps only. If you need a winch, you are in the wrong place and your truck will be seriously jacked up.

Take your time, if you want to cover more ground ...then do some easier trails in your truck and rent a keep for a day.

Theocoog

Here's a couple of additional links that might be useful to some:

https://expeditionportal.com

https://www.alltrails.com (they have filters to find offroading trails)

http://www.transamtrail.com

This is a fun slippery slope, no pun intended, that gets expensive fast: tires, winch, tools, etc...

Boa Man5

Thanks guys for all the tips. I'll do more research before I try to make any major financial decisions. My first purchase is without a doubt the tires, so I will be focusing on that for now. Winch is probably one of my last items, and something that would only be purchased if I felt it made since financially outside of offroading. I've been stuck a few times now that it would have helped me get out, but thats just out of not knowing my limits and not being smart.

Aragorn

I only got stuck once, and that was in the 81 1 ton blazer.......that was also 23 years ago. However having one you can help others. I just seem to have bad luck when I'm not prepared for the worst. If I have one I don't need it ever.

DavidKR

I've done a couple easier trails in my 2014 with 157" wheelbase, with a leveling kit and 35s. Switzerland Trail, Yankee Boy Basin, and a couple others I don't remember the names of. with my truck being as long as it is, would it be in my best interest to pretty much just stick to trails listed as easy so avoid body damage?

johndeerefarmer

I wouldn't go without a winch. If you go in early July there is still snow in places and I have had to use my winch several times over the years

Aragorn

Generally easy trails will be gravel roads with a couple rocks and most likely you won't get damage. Moderate trails with a larger vehicle you have more risk of damage and extreme trails are the case of you will most likely have damage of some sort unless you are driving a rock crawler (over simplified.)