Wheelers for the Wounded

[cdarveaux]

Just dropped the truck off at the dealership, it held up all the way home. I did buy a CV Axle in Austin but we were not able to get it on, ill be going to the dealership later today to watch them put the new axle in. Other than that it was a great time! And just for common sense and future advice: don't follow rock crawlers, don't follow drunk/drinking people, always have 2 or 3 jeeps per Hummer, and stick with a group you know. I learned so many lessons this weekend it's crazy. Dan it was a great time and I hope to do it again! Here are some pictures before the catastrophe:
And pictures of the damage (there are no pictures that Peter (The MP with the Green Jeep) or I took of the recovery):

 

[cdarveaux]

More pictures: (Messed up my boot ) new boots (puns intended )

 

[BlueSteeleHorse07]

Wheeler for the Wounded

More Pics of the Wheeler for the Wounded Event, May 4, 2013

 

[BlueSteeleHorse07]

more pics, sorry guys, I know its all jeeps, but just wanted to show everyone what the soldiers and their families went through during the event. A lot of the soldiers and families thought that they came up in the event to sit on bleachers and watch "shows" of vehicles going offroading; they didn't realize that they were actually going to participate. Dan

 

[Stouttrout]

Glad you guys had a good time. Yeah I heard you had a mishap on the trail Chris. The first rule is, do not go out at night if you have little experience wheeling or little experience with a particular trail. A 2 at night is a4 and can quickly get nasty. You where with Peter in the Airborne Cop4x4 Jeep that was cool but he has no experience offroad and I not sure why an F150 was even on that trail. Dan, wish I had more time to talk to you guys but I get busy fast. What did you think about the event?

 

[Stouttrout]

ROKY RD in the pic above is my Jeep. Gatorade bottles where floating on the floorboard on that trail.

 

[BlueSteeleHorse07]

Glad you guys had a good time. Yeah I heard you had a mishap on the trail Chris. The first rule is, do not go out at night if you have little experience wheeling or little experience with a particular trail. A 2 at night is a4 and can quickly get nasty. You where with Peter in the Airborne Cop4x4 Jeep that was cool but he has no experience offroad and I not sure why an F150 was even on that trail. Dan, wish I had more time to talk to you guys but I get busy fast. What did you think about the event?

The event was great! Initially, I thought that both Chris and I will get "hazed" by all the jeep drivers, but that never occured, that was evident with the high "five" as each group passes each other. The focus was more on the soldiers and their families. The soldiers and families with us had a great time. Richard, our trail guide was great, there was one time, he stop our group and veered of the beaten path to give everyone a good show with his vehicle, he took us to an area where a vehicle attempt to go though a level 6 obstacle trying to climb a steep incline with a 4 foot wall. I had recieved emails back from the soldier and his family thanking me for the pictures I sent to them. The reception for the soldiers and their families as they got out of the busses was outstanding, the food was great, the event was great overall.

Dan

 

[frumaker]

Glad most had a good time. Prow have gotten stories back to me on how some of the "soldiers" acted towards other wheelers. As a disabled combat vet myself, I am appalled at what I heard and hope things are addressed at future events like drinking and driving, treating others like crap, and so on.

For all the rest, keep having fun and I'm sure there were some soldiers there that acted appropriate.

And let's not talk about people's skill unless you have wheeled with them before. Carnage happens. I have even broken and I challenge people to come join me on the trails.

Hope there are no feelings hurt with this, but I dot really care if there is.


FRU

 

[3Hummers]

Post up as much in advance as you can for the next event. I would really like to make the next one.

 

[3Hummers]

Chris if I had been there I keep spare H3 parts. We could have swapped out your half shaft in no time. You should always have at least a spare half shaft and tie rod in your truck when wheeling. Glad you were able to drive it home.

 

[cdarveaux]

I can vouch for Fru I was in that position when these guys were drinking and attempting to recover me. Their behavior was disgusting their regard for safety was just as disgusting all around fools, we just happened to end up with these guys (Peter and I) by accident. And skill has really nothing to do with any of this, Fru does have a point with that and you really need to wheel with people before judging or knowing what their skill level is and just cause I'm a kid dosnt mean I can't wheel so don't even bring that into the conversation. I mean I think we all learned from our mistakes so that's what's important.

 

[cdarveaux]

Chris if I had been there I keep spare H3 parts. We could have swapped out your half shaft in no time. You should always have at least a spare half shaft and tie rod in your truck when wheeling. Glad you were able to drive it home.

Yes I learned to bring spare parts and a load of other things including learning how to replace them. But what's important is I learned from what happened.

 

[Bigunit]

FRU, the more I get to know you and having met you in person in Moab the more I have come to appreciate having your level head, quiet demeanor and perspective here on the forum. You are a no-BS guy but you are always willing to lend a hand. I appreciate that. And for those who have never met FRU, he is one quiet but really big, bad-azz dude I would never want to make him mad! :shifty:

 

[cdarveaux]

FRU, the more I get to know you and having met you in person in Moab the more I have come to appreciate having your level head quiet demeanor and perspective here on the forum. You are a no-BS guy but you are always willing to lend a hand. I appreciate that. And for those who have never met FRU, he is one quiet but really big, bad-azz dude I would never want to make him mad! :shifty:

Point made and spot on!

 

[frumaker]

FRU, the more I get to know you and having met you in person in Moab the more I have come to appreciate having your level head, quiet demeanor and perspective here on the forum. You are a no-BS guy but you are always willing to lend a hand. I appreciate that. And for those who have never met FRU, he is one quiet but really big, bad-azz dude I would never want to make him mad! :shifty:

It's was awesome meeting you too. Had a blast in Moab and would wheel with you anytime. All the bitching and moaning gets old. We should all be here for 1 common goal, but it seems at times we aren't. Anyone ever wats some drama free fun wheeling, let me
Know and count me in.


FRU

 

[Bigunit]

I agree FRU - let's end the bitching and moaning and get outdoors and do some wheeling! That does bind us together and everything else goes by the wayside.

 

[alrock]

Sounds like it was a great event

 

[3Hummers]

Chris we all learn something almost every time we go out. You can't carry everything that might break but the two most likely things you might break are your tie rod or half shaft. If you have those you are likely covered. If you don't have one of those by next run let me know and I will bring one or send the part/parts with Matt. We can also show you how to replace them. That is part of what we do.

 

[cdarveaux]

Chris we all learn something almost every time we go out. You can't carry everything that might break but the two most likely things you might break are your tie rod or half shaft. If you have those you are likely covered. If you don't have one of those by next run let me know and I will bring one or send the part/parts with Matt. We can also show you how to replace them. That is part of what we do.

Yeah I did a little research and found that those two are the most common failures in the H3 I have the inner tie rod going to the frame and ill pick up another halfshaft before my next run. And I'd love to learn and know to replace these two parts. Ill need to see about the outer tie rod that is connected to the wheel at the outer part of the A-Arm. But this last trip was a wake up call haha but it's always great to learn and I hope to teach someone when they have a failure mechanically or just general wheeling.

 

[BlueSteeleHorse07]

Sounds like it was a great event

It was. Dan

 

[BlueSteeleHorse07]

Yeah I did a little research and found that those two are the most common failures in the H3 I have the inner tie rod going to the frame and ill pick up another halfshaft before my next run. And I'd love to learn and know to replace these two parts. Ill need to see about the outer tie rod that is connected to the wheel at the outer part of the A-Arm. But this last trip was a wake up call haha but it's always great to learn and I hope to teach someone when they have a failure mechanically or just general wheeling.

Chris, **** happens; if you learned something from it great! Take it in strive and drive on. You did great out there I'll wheel with you anytime. Dan