Yuma 4X4 - Trail ratings

Yuma 4X4 Trail Ratings

Just so you know...

First of all, no trail rating system is perfect, but ours is much simpler than most rating systems. Each rating has a good text description as well as a picture that shows you what to expect.

Vehicle damage or injury can occur at any time on any trail, no matter what the rating. It is each driver's responsibility to maintain their vehicle in good working condition, to be safe, and to drive within their abilities. Ask for help when you need it!

Remember, any rating system is subjective and ultimately, YOU must be the one to evaluate all roads or trails before you lock the hubs. Experience has shown me that one person's "EASY" could be another person's "DIFFICULT".

How we rate the trails:

Trails are rated by the most difficult obstacle within the trail. A trail could be easy except for one short section, which would raise the rating depending on how challenging the obstacle is.

Trail ratings are based on the last time we ran the trail. A hard rain can change a trail from easy to impassable overnight. Trails change all of the time by weather and use. A trail's rating can go up or down depending on the amount of recent rains, or amount of vehicle travel.

1 - IMPROVED / 1.5 - GRADED DIRT ROADS

1 - IMPROVED DIRT ROADS Passable by most standard vehicles, excluding vehicles with low hanging body panels, or are designed for on road sport driving with ultra low ride and tire section height .

1.5 - GRADED DIRT ROADS: Still passable by most 2wd vehicles, however caution is required and lower speeds may be necessary for vehicles with less clearance. Small rocks (less than 5 inches) may be embedded in road surface. Sufficient room for passing on most of the road. Some steep grades possible. AWD required if road is wet or icy.

2 - FORMED TRACK / 2.5 - RUGGED TRACK

2 - FORMED TRACK: Not passable by standard passenger vehicles.High clearance preferred, 4X4 preferred. Steep grades present, larger rocks embedded in trail (less than 7 inches). Some loose trail surfaces and shallow water crossings possible. A spotter may be required on the most challenging portions to prevent body damage on vehicles with less clearance. Sand and dry washes may challenge available traction requiring lower air pressure on some vehicles. Trail may be narrow and require backing to allow other vehicles to pass.

2.5 - Rugged Track: Not suitable for 2wd vehicles, or low clearance cross over vehicles. AWD required, Low Range preferred. Rutted, crossed axle terrain possible, with loose, steep climbs required. Deep sand possible. Some rock crawling possible on loose rocks up to 8 inches in diameter. Some larger rocks may be present, possibly requiring a spotter to negotiate. Small ledges possible, with larger embedded rocks present. Loose surfaces will be present, with tight clearance, smaller margin for error, and the possibility of body damage. Within the capability of any high clearance stock SUV or truck. AWD cross-over vehicles will struggle and may suffer damage due to lack of low range gearing.

3.0 - FORMED 4X4 TRAIL

3.0 FORMED 4X4 TRAIL : High Clearance SUV or Truck required with low range gearing. Trail will be very rough and heavily eroded, with large, loose rocks present and steep, loose climbs requiring good traction and driver skill to negotiate. Wheel placement critical. Skid plates suggested, along with larger tires (31 inch) necessary to prevent damage. Parts of the trail may be entirely in a wash, with loose sand and large rocks present. Possibility of rock ledges, and severe crossed axle obstacles. Good suspension articulation required to maintain traction. Rear locker recommended to limit trail and vehicle damage.

3.5 - RUGGED 4X4 TRAIL

3.5 - RUGGED 4X4 TRAIL: High Clearance SUV or Truck required, taller suspension and tires recommended. Few stock vehicles capable of completing the trail without damage. Very large rocks exceeding 12 inches present throughout trail requiring a spotter or heavily modified vehicle to traverse. Very loose and cambered climbs present, also heavily rutted requiring good suspension travel. Tall ledges present requiring good clearance or rocker panel protection. Little margin for error, and possibility of body damage. Tires must be 31 inch+ with aggressive tread and strong sidewalls. Lower tire pressure, skid plates, and limited slip or traction control required to prevent vehicle or trail damage. Rear locking differential and 33 inch+ tires recommended.

4.0 - CHALLENGING TRAIL / 4.5 - EXTREME TRAIL

4.0 Challenging Trail: High clearance modified vehicle required. Not within the capability of a stock vehicle without damage. Trail likely in river or wash bottom with very large rocks present. Heavily rutted and crossed axle terrain present, with large ledges and very steep hills with embedded and loose rocks. Body protection required to prevent damage, with good skid plates and stronger (or spare) steering components necessary. Winching and extraction possible. 33 inch tires, rear locking differential and flexible suspension required. 35 inch tires and front locking differential recommended.

4.5 Extreme Trail: Heavily modified vehicle required. Extreme rock crawling, with very large ledges present requiring winching for shorter wheelbase (SWB) vehicles. Body and drivetrain damage likely. Very cambered terrain may cause roll-over. Vehicles will require heavy modifications. 35 inch + tires required, along with front and rear locking differentials in upgraded axles. 35-40 inch tires recommended. Winch required on SWB vehicles. Roll cages or full metal roof required. Driver must be experienced.

5 - NO TRAIL
5 - NO TRAIL - Custom vehicle, very experienced driver required. Competition level vehicles on insane terrain with frequent roll-over and drivetrain damage. Full custom vehicles with massive axles, 37 inch plus tires, cutting brakes, very low gears, 1 ton drivetrain, and custom chassis.

NOTE: Images on this page are property of Yuma 4X4. All images were taken on Yuma 4X4 events, except for the rock crawling image, which was submitted to our website from a former member.