Outdoor Adventure USA

I stumbled into offroading via Ham Radio. A bit over ten years ago I got a radio license to help support a Baker-to-Vegas radio team; the first year I worked the race with a Jeep friend from a high mountain location miles from civilization. I began renting 4x4 vehicles and never looked back.

A few years ago I acquired "Red", a 2006 V6 Touareg. I was looking at a few other vehicles at the time, but the Touareg felt best for my needs.... I needed a solid road cruiser for my many business trips; a vehicle that I could entertain clients; yet ready to go to the trail. It was a base model with the standard steel suspension (sport-tuned), full-time high/low 4x4, and locking center diff. With great memories this 2006 Touareg has taken me to the shelf roads of the San Juans; the slickrock of Moab; the deserts of Anzo-Borrego; the talus of Big Bear; the high meadows of Bishop, and my backyard in Las Vegas.

Yet time was short - on a 3-year lease I knew I wanted to upgrade from my base model to one with all the offroad toys. In June of 2009, I purchased "Gray". a new 2009 VR6 Touareg with the 4-corner Air Suspension, Nav/Sat, Hitch, and Leather package. I couldnt get it all - the second optional rear-diff was order-only - but I do intend to retrofit one over the winter of 2010. These first pictures of "Gray" are very new, with only my 32" set of road tires. The antennas, 32" BFG's, and other radio toys are yet to come; the Surco basket (later "Red" shots) will likely not return as I opt for a more recessed custom rooftop mount; and the spare hitch-mounted on the back or left inside.

"Red" will be in Lease Return by end of August. But before I do return, I was able to take both up the trail recently with the help of a couple friends.


Both of my Touaregs up on 7700' Wheeler Pass, a climb between Indian Springs and Pahrump NV.
I drove "Red" and Touareg-vet Matt drove "Gray". We were up there to take new Touareg owner Ron on his first offroad trip.


The debut of "Gray" with just 200 miles on it . Photos from the trailhead of Potato Ridge in the Red Rock Park area of Vegas.


The Air Suspension is up, allowing 13.5" of clearance. Shown with road tires; soon to have the BFG's.

Dash

A view from inside. The Color MFD in Offroad Mode, showing Low-Range, Tiptronic Gear 2, the angle of the front wheels (23 degrees), the air-lift left (Offroad, with Xtra the highest) and the status of both differentials (currently off). Observers may notice the TPMS fault - which I have since reprogrammed.


The Air Suspension also drops down to "Load" mode. Excellent for civil moments, or just smashing snow.
Oddly, there are some Touareg owners who fit 22" wheels and permanently program them this low. Big Offroader Sigh.


"Red" from Big Bear last summer.


The full Baker-to-Vegas Ham Radio configuration. Our group supports 4 LASD teams, including 2008-2009 champs MCJ.


"Red" in a happy moment during a snow storm in Las Vegas.


Last year on our last day in the San Juans, a bunch of us traveled up to Buffalo Boy (12,000').

Next,the action shots.

A select series of images from my three years with "Red".



Borrego


Porcupine in Moab




San Juans of Colorado





Hells Revenge in Moab


Amongst the Jeeps on Potato Ridge near Las Vegas


Coyote Flats southwest of Bishop

My 2009 and 2006 Touaregs flank a Silver 2008 Touareg V8 (with Nittos) on the climb up to Wheeler Pass.


The Last Run of "Red". An action shot on a lower hill climbing Wheeler Pass.


Many new adventures await for "Gray".

Congrats on the new acquisition!

While I was aware that the Touarag was off-road capable, I'd never seen one in action to the extent you've used yours. I look forward to seeing it in person on the trail soon

I have to say that I was amazed when I took the Touregs through Anza Borrego. With a little spotting they were able to tackle some pretty intense terrain. I look forward to seeing Karl's new VW in action.

Karl,

Are you leasing again or did you purchase this one? I assume that since your are considering modifying it with a locker that you purchased it?

OLLIE wrote: Are you leasing again or did you purchase this one? I assume that since your are considering modifying it with a locker that you purchased it?

Yep, I own this one. I get to drill holes in it and everything In six years I may get the pink slip as well (I hope to do that in five) Got a near zero rate on it, so its not really that bad.

The Rear Diff Locker will likely cost around $3k minus whatever I can sell the original for. Its not just the locker, its the control module, enhanced rotary switch, and any harnesses and VAG-Com coding. Fortunately very localized. I already do have the center locker (standard on all Touaregs) and of course the computer EDL (which can be turned off for those sandy places).

I officially handed over my keys to the Red 2006 V6 Touareg to VW Leasing on Tuesday August 25.

Surprisingly (or after lots of buffing and $600 worth of rocker panel fix) - the lease inspector reported no damage from my offroad adventures. Just dinged for a stupid windshield rock hit courtesy AZ DOT. And some of you guys took me over some nice rocks -- the worst still by far a big fist sized dent in my rocker coming off the wrong way on a ledge on Gold Mountain one mid-November day in 2007.

I can safely say you can go to Hell (Hells Revenge) and back in a leased rig and come out quite okay

Now its time to focus on the Gray 2009. Time to mount the Ham and CB antennas; find a permanent place for the tire air compressor and tank; properly mount the radios; and figure out what I want to really do with the 32" spare. Maybe add some lights. Then there's that Rear Diff.

Yeah - more projects ahead!