| 2 | Unimproved or rarely graded roads. 4WD or extra clearance needed at times,
with no special driving skills required.
|
| 2.5 | Roads seldom graded. 4WD, good clearance, and low gears often needed, with
some extra care and a bit of off road driving experience useful. |
| 3 | Roads in difficult terrain; expect some erosion damage, repaired barely
enough for passage. 4WD, good clearance, and low gears are essential. |
| 3.5 | Roads in difficult terrain; expect to drag front, rear, or middle
occasionally. Excellent stock truck or utility vehicle required, with
considerable driving skill needed. |
| 3.5+ | This is not quite a "4" but too much challenge for some stock vehicles. |
| 4 | Roads in difficult terrain with considerable erosion damage that is repaired
only enough to get well-equipped vehicles through. Modifications for improved
off-highway performance and top driving skills are needed. |
| 4+ | Like above, but more so. Low gears, tall tires, and limber suspensions
required, with limited-slip or locking differentials are strongly recommended.
It is common to have as many as 10 percent of the vehicles experience major
mechanical failures (gears, axles, drive shafts) on these trails. |
| 5 | Locking differentials and tow hooks, front and rear, necessary. Winch
urgently recommended, unless you have a really good buddy who is sure to be in
position to help you with his winch. |
