2008-12-22: Anza Borrego VW Toureg Tour

[BorregoWrangler]

Wow, guys! What a great day. I really wish I could of made it but I had to keep things close to home. Looks like everybody did a great job getting those Touaregs through, as well as the 4Runner! Yeah, everynow and then you'll come across one of those yahoos! As for the CHP, I didn't think they ever patroled the trails out there or had authority off the highway like that. It is obvious that the guy had no idea what he was taking about! Great pics, folks!

[OLLIE]

Wow, guys! What a great day. I really wish I could of made it but I had to keep things close to home. Looks like everybody did a great job getting those Touaregs through, as well as the 4Runner! Yeah, everynow and then you'll come across one of those yahoos! As for the CHP, I didn't think they ever patroled the trails out there or had authority off the highway like that. It is obvious that the guy had no idea what he was taking about! Great pics, folks!

The CHP was driving a 4WD 3/4 Ton Chevy truck. He even warned us about keeping the covers on our lights... in the middle of the desert!!! ...strange day.

[ChasH3]

Ollie, great pictures....Yep, I got a ticket for no light covers when I was going into the Palm Canyon Camp ground last year...

Wow, guys! What a great day. I really wish I could of made it but I had to keep things close to home. Looks like everybody did a great job getting those Touaregs through, as well as the 4Runner! Yeah, everynow and then you'll come across one of those yahoos! As for the CHP, I didn't think they ever patroled the trails out there or had authority off the highway like that. It is obvious that the guy had no idea what he was taking about! Great pics, folks!

The CHP was driving a 4WD 3/4 Ton Chevy truck. He even warned us about keeping the covers on our lights... in the middle of the desert!!! ...strange day.

[dialbat]

Can a canyon part of the trail be done with stock Touareg tires? (no air suspension)

[OLLIE]

Can a canyon part of the trail be done with stock Touareg tires? (no air suspension)

Those two Touregs had 32" All-Terrain tires and no air suspension. I think with enough patience, the right spotter, and some additional rock stacking it would be doable. I don't know what kind of tires the stock Toureg runs as far as tread. One of the issues we ran into was side shift/slip. We also set them on the rocker panels a few times. So if you are afraid of some scraped plastic on the underside or some frame touching then I wouldn't advise it. Both these guys lease their Touregs and even with that, they weren't concerned too much about that kind of rubbing. They just didn't want any panel dents and scrapes.

[Arkarch]

The out-of-the-dealer tires are usually street 29's... often Conti's or Dunlops. We were just scraping... with streets you would placing weight on undercarriage components and definitely damaging the rockers and covers.

My own rockers are beat from multiple trips, but I have priced out repair for lease return being somewhere around $200 each side. I am willing to accept that. I will also need to replace the plastic covers. Other damage to be expected - the Trans Crossmember takes a fair beating, but so long as it doesnt bend its ok.

There are also a number of tricks of trade - a big one - turning off ESP (computer) on hill climbs and sand so the Touareg doesnt start hunting for traction and killing momentum.

That said, a fair amount of AB should be doable with a stock 29" Touareg. Go with experienced AB'ers though - not only can they keep you out of situations, the expanse of the desert leaves few landmarks (especially around Vallecito Wash) and I could see how one could get very lost out there.

[VegasMatt]

Can a canyon part of the trail be done with stock Touareg tires? (no air suspension)

Those two Touregs had 32" All-Terrain tires and no air suspension. I think with enough patience, the right spotter, and some additional rock stacking it would be doable. I don't know what kind of tires the stock Toureg runs as far as tread. One of the issues we ran into was side shift/slip. We also set them on the rocker panels a few times. So if you are afraid of some scraped plastic on the underside or some frame touching then I wouldn't advise it. Both these guys lease their Touregs and even with that, they weren't concerned too much about that kind of rubbing. They just didn't want any panel dents and scrapes.

Ditto on that. Bumps and minor stuff underneath I don't mind as much, as it is pretty solid under there as long as you don't bang too hard. The tranny crossmember is kind of a weak point, and it touches down more than anything if you're not careful. But be mindful, as you don't have anything under there other than chintzy plastic panels for protection. (And they do go crunch crunch crunch when you're on them, trust me )

Stock tires are mainly highway tires (Pirelli Scorpion STR, Scorpion Zero, Dunlop GrandTrek ST8000, Continental 4x4 Contact, Goodyear Eagle LS2, etc) with a 29" diameter, therefore lowering your T about 1.5 inches from where we are. Basically, that means you have that much more you'd need to build up to get through that obstacle. It also means the breakover angle is that much shallower, increasing the chances of hanging up in places where we did not. All things to keep in mind when thinking of doing this. Also, as a rule, it's never a good idea to go off-roading alone, just in case the fit hits the shan.

Matt

[BorregoWrangler]

Wow, guys! What a great day. I really wish I could of made it but I had to keep things close to home. Looks like everybody did a great job getting those Touaregs through, as well as the 4Runner! Yeah, everynow and then you'll come across one of those yahoos! As for the CHP, I didn't think they ever patroled the trails out there or had authority off the highway like that. It is obvious that the guy had no idea what he was taking about! Great pics, folks!

The CHP was driving a 4WD 3/4 Ton Chevy truck. He even warned us about keeping the covers on our lights... in the middle of the desert!!! ...strange day.

I bet this guy just wants to be a park ranger real bad!

[dialbat]

Thank you guys for your recommendations.
I'm absolute noob in off roading, but i've been dying to take my Touareg off-roading

Hopefully one of the next trips will be open to public

[Frogeye]

Great photos everyone. I found a new avatar.