I came up with a good straight, yet cosmetically challenged wheel from my accident earlier this spring. So I now have a good full size spare. I cringe at the thought of trying to get out of the Idaho back country on that space saver spare. I also carry an air compressor and plug kit. Triple A wont come anywhere near where I could get stranded.
I am running Michelin X terrains. They seem to work pretty damn good. I may go with some BFG A/T next time around and go a bit taller.
Right now I am looking at putting Thule cross bars on the factory roof rack and setting up a roof top wire basket type of thing to carry the spare, a good handy-man jack, some tow rope and other misc. off road necessities and keep them out of the truck. I'll set it up so I can back it into the garage and hook it up to pulleys from the ceiling and just lift it off when not in use.
how much would a full size spare cost? I saw an ml the other day at the trailhead( Iwent on the trail, they just were towing dirt bikes) but he had BF goodrich all terrains 265 75 R17 and they looked great and really rugged... I wish i could trade with him.
you should come out to CO and do some of our back country (not implying differene in difficulty, just saying it'd be cool to offroad w/ another ML since i have never seen another one on the trails.
__________________
where we're going, we don't need roads
Last edited by ML430-OFFROAD : 05-21-2007 at 08:06 PM.
Vehicle: 2002 ML 500, 1994 Ford Explorer donated to Doctors without Borders
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,990
Quote:
Originally Posted by ml3addict
sick pictures and all, but pavement is as far as i go with the benzo
To each his own. I'm more on your side, but these guys really make me proud of my truck. I only dream of finding a nice off-road trail. I'm sure there are plenty in New England. I'll find them this summer.
To each his own. I'm more on your side, but these guys really make me proud of my truck. I only dream of finding a nice off-road trail. I'm sure there are plenty in New England. I'll find them this summer.
LOL. i'm with you... when only i want to take my ride off the road, everything around starts looking either too civilized or too much wild..
how much would a full size spare cost? I saw an ml the other day at the trailhead( Iwent on the trail, they just were towing dirt bikes) but he had BF goodrich all terrains 265 75 R17 and they looked great and really rugged... I wish i could trade with him.
you should come out to CO and do some of our back country (not implying differene in difficulty, just saying it'd be cool to offroad w/ another ML since i have never seen another one on the trails.
I'm a newish member, first post. I'm in Aurora, CO. I'd love to hook up with others that want to get their ML's dirty. I don't know the area well, just moved from TX 1-2 yrs ago. My next set of shoes will definitely be more along the BFG's, taller and more off-road. My rig is nasty from years of camping, MTB and kayak hauling, and all manner of mountain adventures. I already have the Yakima Load Warrior on top for gear.
FYI, the truck rails have developed some rattles. I have to check that out soon, they feel a little loose. I'm not sure they were designed for more than the appearance that you can haul stuff.
I'm a newish member, first post. I'm in Aurora, CO. I'd love to hook up with others that want to get their ML's dirty. I don't know the area well, just moved from TX 1-2 yrs ago. My next set of shoes will definitely be more along the BFG's, taller and more off-road. My rig is nasty from years of camping, MTB and kayak hauling, and all manner of mountain adventures. I already have the Yakima Load Warrior on top for gear.
FYI, the truck rails have developed some rattles. I have to check that out soon, they feel a little loose. I'm not sure they were designed for more than the appearance that you can haul stuff.
Brad
welcome to benzworld, Brad. you first post is useless without pics though !!!
Yeah, I need to work on that. But trust me when I tell you its WELL used. Moving, hauling, run-ins with trees, kayak straps and bikes have all left their marks. The abuse is testament to how well built the drivetrain is. It does still clean up pretty well though.
She was really pretty when she was new. We were featured in a "D" magazine ad for a local dealer with all the gear. It was pretty comical, every month there was a different ad highlighting the MB's and their owners. Always some lawyer, CEO, heart surgeon, etc. with their clean, pristine car in front of the opera, city hall, what have you. Then one month me and my racked ML in front of a trailhead at Grapevine Lake. My daughter calls her "Barbie" cause "she has a nice rack".
I'm a newish member, first post. I'm in Aurora, CO. I'd love to hook up with others that want to get their ML's dirty. I don't know the area well, just moved from TX 1-2 yrs ago. My next set of shoes will definitely be more along the BFG's, taller and more off-road. My rig is nasty from years of camping, MTB and kayak hauling, and all manner of mountain adventures. I already have the Yakima Load Warrior on top for gear.
FYI, the truck rails have developed some rattles. I have to check that out soon, they feel a little loose. I'm not sure they were designed for more than the appearance that you can haul stuff.
Brad
yet another who uses the utility side makes me so happy! I am definitely down to meet up and do some wheeling. FYI the good trails don't really open up till end of June and sometimes mid July. I take it you have some experience. I have looked at getting a rack, i have the bars just nothing to put on them besides ski stuff.
Linear Mode
