As a Jeep person, it's awesome to see offroading with different vehicle types together. There are way too many fanboys that bash anything that isnt what they like. I dont really get it. I am often watching some Jeep video and some Toyota or Defender guy comes in talking all kinds of trash. Why? You should be excited seeing another take on things with a cool, different vehicle.
Agreed. I'm a fanatic of jeeps, and am known in my friend group as the jeep nut, but I will always love on other rigs. I don't understand having a cult idealogy for cars.
I could not agree more. I have never understood the cliques and clans with offroad/overland rigs. We all have the same goals, we’re all interested in doing the same things.
Yeah I don't get it either. Fanboys take it personally that's why. Having other vehicles around is awesome and drives innovation. Ignore the haters and everyone is allowed to have their favourite.
I love Jeeps and have previously owned a YJ, TJ, and and an XJ. We now have a Subaru Crosstrek and and Outback, and they both perform just as well as our Jeeps did on the beach. Although I felt a little more comfortable with the ground clearance in our Wranglers in the deep ruts, but the Subies still did great and had no issues in the sand. Whatever works for you, just have fun and tread lightly!
Nice video. Reminds me of how I got into offroading with Subarus in the early 80s around the sandy beaches and tracks of southern Queensland and Fraser Island.
I will never own a Subaru and likely never another Jeep but this video made me so happy. Such a beautiful place and really enjoyable video. I hope to make it out this way after the whole Covid-19 thing passes. Thank you for the break from reality.
Donald-this is such a GREAT video and so fun to relive this weekend out there! Can’t wait to do this again sometime and stay in a different campsite. 😃
Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed finally meeting up and the extensive tour of such a cool area, as well as just hanging out and chilling at camp! Looking forward to doing it again when things get back to normal!
What a great video! Really enjoyable. In 1969 I lived on a mountaintop across the highway from the sand dunes. I was one of the medics for the radar station and I believe the radar station, along with the one at Tillamook, were eventually turned into facilities for some other government function. That was such a cool assignment due to all of the incredible activities we were involved in such as crabbing, fishing in the ocean, fishing in the lakes and rivers, taking the 6-wheel drive Amphicat out on the sand dunes, using the radar site's boat on Ten Mile Lakes. From my house on the hill I could access an old logging road and hike to the back side of Ten Mile Lakes and catch a limit of trout within minutes of arrival. We used to camp back there and really did not have to pack food or water. Oregon rocks! I would move there in a heartbeat and have talked with my wife regarding it.
Great video. Had to watch it twice to figure out just where on the coast this was... only to realize with a jolt it is one of the places on the Oregon Coast I am most familiar with. If that fog wasn't there in those final morning shots of the campsite (and, well, if we went back in time about 30 years...) you'd be able to see the tips of the poles on my father's troller from there. Beautiful spot, and a fun adventure - thanks for sharing!
That's awesome! It's a really neat area, I had always visited either the central coast nearest to Eugene, or else far south down by Gold Beach where my dad likes to go fishing, bypassing this area countless times over the years, but really enjoyed my weekend out there with Cory & Julie. A lot more there to explore too, I'll be getting back that way for sure.
@@softroadingthewest It's not exactly an offroad trip, but if you do get to the area again it's worth a trip to Shore Acres out on Cape Arago. The spray against the cliffs is impressive, but it is surreal to be standing there on the remains of old Simpson's tennis court right by the sea - right out of another time.
man i had no idea your awd could do that out in the sand...13 psi is the ticket it seems.... i think it's a testament to how simple and important it is to just take the extra minutes to air down. i was down to 15 the rother day in the banshee hill section and i was having a blast. i saw a jeep and a supercharged taco scream up banshee hill well, like banshees....
Love your videos. I'm in Eugene and love having all of these great adventures chronicled. Looks like you got a great OR Coast day for this one Thanks for sharing it all.
Thank you for another fantastic video! Every one I see gives me more confidence and makes me do happy I bought a twin of your vehicle. Next up is to mimic your tire set up and lift . Thanks again
Being Jeep youtuber, I can definitely say absolutely before even watching. Jeeps are great, but Subies should be better in the sand! Great video as always!
softroadingthewest could you do a video on how you made the platform for your subbie? I’m planning on building one and your look is the one I’m going for
Another great video, thanks for sharing! I got a 2020 Crosstrek not too long ago and was able to take it out to my first fun unlaced road with it (old coast road by Big Sur, california...plenty of vids on YT). It wasn’t anything crazy but I was shocked how well the Subaru handled through the deep ruts, watery mud, rocks from the mountain, etc. your videos definitely gave me the confidence to try getting out there and see where the road leads!
I think I need to take a trip to Oregon next summer. There's nothing quite like this in Mn. There's a few off-road parks but definitely need to get to the west coast. Great video. I love to see different vehicles challenging the beaten path.
We can remember camping there on a trip from Vancouver to the Mexican border and were so surprised to see the extent of the dunes when much of the coast was rocky . A lovely area .
For sure, this was definitely not the softest sand I have encountered...I struggled much more on some deep soft dry river sand last summer. This trip was prior to our state's stay-at-home order, which we are respecting. We are eager to get out there again as soon as we are able! Thanks for watching!
Great one Donald! Loved the opening drama and the shot of Lucie! You captured how we all feel! It was so great that Colin and Lucie joined you this time! I’m amazed you were able to get everything into the car! Great footage as always with wonderful camera angles that caught all of the action and the quiet nature moments as well! You do such a great job of balancing both! This episode brought back wonderful memories for me. I met my wife on those dunes 39 years ago! I was running one of the first 3 wheel rental businesses just a couple of miles north of where you were. I was handling everything when we first opened but eventually we realized we needed a cutie to run the front desk 😉. I hired a young girl who was just finishing up her senior year in high school. We got to know each other real well during that summer. It eventually led to wonderful rides through the dunes and out to the beach to watch the sunset after we closed the shop for the day. I guess it all worked out ok as we’ll be celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary this year. Thank you Donald, I really appreciate all that you do on this channel!
I wouldn't quite make that claim. There are some types of offroading that Wranglers can navigate that would destroy most Subarus, AND other CUVs...like rockcrawling. Modern Wranglers also come with TCS now, and are available with diff-lockers, as well as AWD (SelecTrac). The aftermarket is incomparable too. Stock Subies don't even usually have skidplates, or stout recovery points. CUV bumpers and rockers are low and vulnerable too, compared to Wranglers. There are notable differences between softroaders and offroaders. Even many Jeep, Rover, Toyota, and Ford (supposed) 4x4s are softroaders these days. They don't have a true low-range. They don't truly lock the front and rear drivelines together. They don't come standard with skids. They use TCS instead of traction-diffs. Unibodies and independent suspensions can work fine off-road. The Jeep XJ, Jeep ZJ, Jeep WJ, Jeep KJ, Jeep Commander, HMMWV, 4Runner, FJ, IFS pickups, and the independent-suspension ATVs/UTVs have proven that. TCS, AWD, and plastic cladding are no substitute in abusive terrain for traction diffs, 4Low, and sturdy metal skids/rockers though. Locked diffs don't overheat in sand/mud/snow/rocks. Brakes, clutches, and auto-trannies do. Transaxles are also less accessible than tcases and divorced diffs. R&P changes, lifts, and locker additions are more difficult with transaxles vs divorced diffs. Look at the lift and re-gearing headaches of the unibody IFS (divorced-diff) Liberty/Commander vs the new unibody FIS (transaxle) Cherokee.
That shot at the start is so sad,,, Looks like she is waiting for her Prince Charming,, I really hope and pray your daughter has a long happy and great life. You are a great start for her. Your show has turned out to be my favorite, I just wish I was younger, 64 and limited by my broken down body. Live Life Full While we can.
Indeed, I'm really happy with this find (picked it up off Craiglist for a fraction of the price from a guy who never actually used it). Colin uses it the most and he loves it; I have camped in it a couple of times and found it to be very comfortable.
Indeed, hauling it can be a PITA when my small car is fully loaded, but I also agree it's worth it. I'd still rather use that than a conventional one-person ground tent.
Stupendous! 👏🏻👏🏻 Such a great video 👍🍻. That looked like the perfect adventure before having to shelter in place. Thank you. Great to see both kids out too👍 Stay safe. Wash your hands. This won’t last forever, right?😬
Hey I have the perfect thing for when you take so much gear...A trailer! Nah, just kidding...maybe. Good to watch outdoor things when you cant go outdoors. Glad to see you made it out of your back yard though. See you on the next adventure. George.
Having built an off-road utility trailer last year, mostly for hauling firewood out of the woods behind my Yota, I can say it's a total game changer. 100% would do so again.
I run king springs on all four corners in my SG forester and once they broke in (stiff at first) I've found them to handle beautifully - they hardly a sag when fully loaded. I wish I had dunes near me!
I may have been too subtle with the credit on screen, but the footage was from Cory's Mavic Air. CJ Adventure graciously shared the footage with me. I haven't replaced my lost drone yet, but I'm actively searching and will pull the trigger on another used Spark once I find the right deal.
This was a blast for sure. Can't wait for this all to pass...will definitely be sporting a deeper appreciation for being able to wander the wilderness at my whim.
I've been enjoying your videos for a few months now. Being landlocked in Nashville, TN, I really like seeing your adventures in the beautiful Oregon forests and beaches. How did you get started doing this? I'd love to explore more camping areas myself here around the south, but I'm not sure if there are very many overlanding areas, I usually park and venture into the woods by foot.
I drove up a random forest service road just looking for someplace to take a photo of the car in nature. Enjoyed it so much that I just kept going up more and more forest service roads. :-) It's definitely much much easier out here in the west.
Donald, dont worry if your kids are not overly helpful, as one day, when they have their own family, they will have to be doing the lions share. Its lifes way of paying them back but in a nice way of course. We've all been there at sometime or another...
Haha, to be fair, Lucie can be helpful when prodded. :-) She actually contributes quite a bit to the video production efforts. She certainly doesn't mind it though if camp gets magically set up while she looks at her phone, LOL.
The DIY awning is across the rear, covering my kitchen now. I snagged a used "real" awning for cheap which is now along the drivers side where the DIY awning was. I do appreciate how fast & easy it is to set up and take down.
Why don’t I ever get sunsets on the Oregon coast like that? I used to work in Coos Bay and never got to photograph a sunset as beautiful as you guys had. So jealous. Awesome video.
Haha...in a lifetime of going frequently to the Oregon coast, I've had far far more dull gray sunsets than nice ones. We lucked out on the last two trips though!
I'm 65 and have decided I'm to young to stay indoors. I also have a 2015 Forester and am now drawing up plans to turn her into a micro camper. I live in Oregon and this place is just too damn beautiful and fascinating, not to explore. An SUV or Crossover can get into places a lot of other vehicles can't. I love my Subaru, but I can understand the attraction to a Jeep. Get outside and unplug for a few days or weeks, you'll live longer.
I've been working this week on finishing up the much-requested kitchen build video, should have that out soon. I probably won't do another complete walkthrough of the the entire car until I finish a few more changes I have planned. I do have a pretty solid list of videos I can still produce while stuck at home though, plus some archived content from last summer I never got around to editing. :-) Thanks for watching!
I Love this video can you please tell me where and how you got to that campsite. I do believe that was on the north side jetty at coos bay right? Anyhow I would love to know. Thank you so very much for your time and video's I really appreciate them. Have a Great Day and stay safe.
You probably would get stuck on the sand dunes i drive on. The sand is soft and deep. You have to dig deep to find the moist packed sand. Even with the lower low range trans it's still not low enough for deep soft sand. Most of the videos that i see of Subaru's driving in the sand the tires are barely sinking into the sand. I have a video of me driving on a sand dune where i can actually get stuck.
Yeah, this sand was pretty firm. I've been in softer sand and struggled noticeably more. Even here, I could feel it would be verrrry easy for me to get stuck making the wrong move. There are a few other dunes areas in Oregon I've not been to and now I want to try them all. I've seen videos from other places - Utah maybe? - where there were some dunes that looked WAY more soft and treacherous than what we experienced here. Where do you go where the sand is softer/deeper?
@@softroadingthewest The sand dunes i drive on are right by my house in Florida. I posted a video of driving on the sand dunes on my channel. I will have to make another video about driving on the sand dunes. See how far the side walls of the tires sink into the sand. Dig in different areas to see how deep the soft dry sand is down to the moist packed sand. And more wheel bearing videos with my modification, and how to get rid of the door ajar chime so you can listen to the radio and not have to hear the chime all the time. I want my channel to be about stuff that i can't find online.
@@softroadingthewest It might help, but having a manual trans it's direct drive unlike a auto trans. I need the lower 1.59 dual range trans and that would probably help. When i had car on 4 jack stands I put it in gear and it was hard to stop ether of the rear wheels, so i am pretty sure that i have a LSD rear diff. I don't really have a problem getting stuck in the sand. I just don't have a low enough low range to have enough power to drive through deep soft sand dunes. Even with the lower low range trans i can start smelling the clutch get hot after a while. A auto trans would be better, but not as fun to drive. I think that if i air down there will be more rolling resistance, but maybe the tires won't sink down as deep like if i don't air down.
Another great video. Your Subaru had no problem. I’d like to know how your friends attached the shovel to the back end of their Jeep. I drive a 2017 2 door Sport, and I’d like to do that with mine. Is it an after market bracket that bolts to the tire carrier? Thanks.
Not sure on the shovel mount, but if you're on Instagram, you can ask them via their IG account @cjadventureoregon, or could also comment on one of their videos to ask them, they have a TH-cam account and there's a link in the description. They're super nice and helpful people. :-) Thanks for watching!
Good to see you all getting out amongst all this craziness that’s going on, looks like the whole crew went along too! Stay safe can’t wait for the next video as always., miss the West coast even more! New drone?
For the record, this was filmed pre-craziness, almost a month ago. It's funny, I just realized my weekly trip to the grocery store was on the same tank of gas I bought on the coast weeks ago, partway through this trip. And still a third of that tank left. :-) Drone footage was graciously provided by CJ Adventures. I'm on the hunt for a replacement for my lost drone however. :-) Hopefully by the time I can get back out there, I'll be re-equipped.
Yes. One cot is awesome, two cots is a squeeze but we've done it. The main problem with two cots is that the tent's two doors are situated in corners and there's no way to set up two cots with a space between them without blocking both doors...so you end up needing to climb over a cot to get out either door. My main use is for solo camping, and for that it feels pleasantly roomy, and I can just stand in the middle, which makes changing so much more comfortable. If I was going to camp regularly with two people in the tent, I'd probably want the T4. I have it on my To Do list to make a video showing what fits in the T3 and what the limitations are, hopefully I can get on that one soon.
Hey! I absolutely love your videos! Specially this one in the town I grew up in. I currently reside in Portland metro area and recently started getting into overloading. Would love to meet up sometime!
Another great video. Wait... I haven't watched it yet. Meh, my statement still stands. Have you thought of doing a "best of" compilation from past vids? I'm sure your legions of fans would love one. Just a thought 😁
The My Subaru Isn't A Jeep video from a few months ago was kind of my take on a highlight reel, albeit very focused on the driving of various terrain. The other day I was mulling over an idea for a different type of compilation, but...ooof...that first one was a royal PITA to edit, LOL. I guess we'll see how desperate I get as the lockdown continues. :-)
Can you please what have you done modification? Specifically suspension and wheel settings? HD springs, shocks, subframe adjuster?? Looks wheels are over the max size. Very interesting. I have same forester and have done HD spring, shocks and 215/70/16 tyre.
Suspension is stock, aside from 1" strut-top spacer lift. Wheels are 15x7 +15 and tires are 215/75/15, which is somewhat larger around than the OEM tire size, but not nearly as large as the 235/75/15 many run on this same car (usually with a 2" lift). The smaller wheel diameter (thus taller sidewall) and the +15 offset (which pushes the wheels/tires outward a bit) maybe gives the illusion they are larger than they actually are. Your 215/70/16 are actually very slightly larger than my tires. :-)
I see you are using a radio for comms. have you thought about getting your ham radio license? it is easy and there must be a ham radio club in your home area. (if not more than one ham club.) instead of a 5 watt radio you could have a 50 watt radio or a handheld radio.
Getting the HAM license is somewhere on my list but a low priority for the moment. The GMRS works great for what I got it for...vehicle to vehicle comms when I'm with others on the trail. Most of my friends only carry handheld FRS walkie-talkies, but I was tired of always misplacing mine or having the batteries die at inopportune moments, so getting the GMRS was primarily just a way to have a radio attached to the car and hardwired for power. Given that I go out solo a lot, HAM is still something I'd eventually like to get into in order to have far-reaching range.
@@softroadingthewest understand. I drug my feet for a long time before I got mine. General class now but working on my Extra class. ham radio gives you the ability to operate long distances in case of emergencies and to be located by other hams for quick location finding. enjoy your travels, I have a 2014 forester XT. I keep looking at your upgrades and mods.
Hi I'm from cottage grove or. What beach were you camping at. I'd love to take my sequoia out there. Also you should hit Monday trail out of cottage grove. It takes you to the old bohemia mines. You can see the trail on TH-cam
Thanks for sharing and might I suggest you build a drawer system of 80/20 extruded aluminum as you might get more into your vehicle. Goto 80/20.net. It’s super cheap deals. I am making a system now for my 4runner and all in with locking drawer slides I have spent 280 in supplies. Now I just need to build it🤣😂😅
You can access drivable beach via the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area just south of Florence. Head out South Jetty Beach Road. Grab a map at the information board. There is a sand "road" that runs from the Goosepasture staging area due west and up over the beach dune, or you can head out into the dunes from Goosepasture and there are a few other access points. Air down! :-)
She has not one but TWO pair of white sneakers. * sigh * I tried to get her something practical for camping/outdoorsy stuff, but she refused anything that didn't meet a certain perceived fashion threshold. One day she'll tire of cleaning those white shoes and recognize the value of sometimes placing function over form. :-)
When I was in college, I had a friend who worked at a restaurant with a bar that often had live music. One of the regular acts was this guy who played electric guitar and sang his own songs plus a few covers. His most popular song was Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix. Over the course of his set, he would occasionally break into the opening riff for a few seconds so you thought he was finally playing it, but then cut it off and say something like, "Oh sorry not yet" and then proceed with his other material...forcing the customers to stick around and listen to the rest of his stuff if they wanted to enjoy Purple Haze. That apparently had a huge impact on me...I have used this device in various ways my entire life. :-)
Jonathan Rash I have a stock SH Forester XT, and I have 225/65r17 (28.5”) Falken Wildpeak AT tires in stock suspension, in the OEM wheels and mud flaps, no rubbing. Good sidewall protection (5.8”).
Moving to a smaller diameter wheel allows you to fit a tire with more sidewall, which is beneficial for airing down but still having plenty of tire to keep your rims off the rocks. If you start looking at offroad rigs, Subaru or othewise, that actually go offroad (as opposed to some of the built mall-crawlers you see on low-profile tires) they commonly have the smallest possible wheel and the tallest possible tire. If you have the OEM 16" wheels, changing wheels is certainly less urgent than if you had something like 18" wheels. The other advantage to most of the 15" offroad/rally wheels made to fit Subarus is the lower offset value, usually +15 instead of the stock +48. That pushes the wheel/tire outward, and helps you fit a larger tire without running into the spring perch.
Absolutely AWESOME!! Everything about this video, like all of your videos, is so well crafted. Constantly on awe of all the cameras and angles you use, as well as that post-edit pop. Music was on point as well. By the way, where do you get your music?
Haha, well, there is no place along the sides of the car that isn't heavily pinstriped. I don't shy away from narrow trails and the paint has paid the price. I suspect most of it would buff out, based on what I've seen other people do, but I can't bring myself to go to the trouble, since it's just going to get scuffed up again. I'd love for the car to be coated with something much more scratch-resistant, but that gets expensive fast and I just can't justify the cost for something that's solely for looks. For now I've got more practical upgrades to spend money on. :-)
Great content. Can someone explain to me how it is advantageous turning off the traction control when it comes to tackling these types of conditions. I have heard this from others. I thought it would be better having the traction control on so that if one tire spins, power will be provided to a tire with more traction. Operating the vehicle with traction control off would mean driving the car on a convectional 4 high system with no front or rear lockers, such as the drivetrain of a Forester. Please forgive me for my ignorance, if someone could explain the benefit to me it would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great video's, I really enjoy them.
Traction control uses selective application of individual wheel braking to stop the spinning wheel(s) from spinning, but that is unfavorable when driving in sand where momentum and keeping the wheels churning is actually advantageous to maintain forward motion. My experience with trying to climb dunes or sandy inclines is that when traction control is on, it just bogs you down, because the car essentially hits the brakes and stops you. Traction control switched off allows your accumulated momentum + furiously spinning wheels to keep you moving forward. Sand, mud, and in some cases, deep snow, it's better to turn off the traction control. Some people advise turning it off as soon as you leave pavement but I disagree with that...on a gravel road the traction control can be a lifesaver. I leave it on all the time, switching it off only in these rare scenarios where you actually want the wheels to keep spinning.
@@softroadingthewest Thanks for the explanation. You brought up a good point about the traction control bogging you down because the brakes stop you. I have a '15 Forester with a manual gearbox. Up until now, it does not even sweat to tackle the snowy conditions we experience here in Southern Ontario, Canada. This is good to know if ever I experience excessive wheel spin. Keep up the great content my friend.
Modern Subie center diffs clamp even with the TCS turned off, but the brakes don't slow wheelspeed and the engine power isn't reduced like when the TCS is on. Install a rear Torq-locker in your Subie for just $430 USD and you can reduce the wheel slippage even when TCS is turned off. Cusco also offers front LSDs for Subies, but they are expensive and can cause quirky steering on pavement. Winchmounts are available for many Subies too. I have a multi-mount winch that fits in the rear hitch on my Crosstrek. I can leave the winch at home when I'm commuting during warm weather. Traction boards can be quite useful on difficult surfaces too.
Airing way down is the biggest key to driving on sand. Avoid sudden movements like hard acceleration, hard braking, and sharp turns. Roll with a buddy so you've got recovery assistance if needed.
I haven't, but I'm not too concerned frankly. My paint is already scratched beyond belief from the narrow PNW trails I've explored over the past couple of years. Ultimately I'm not a fan of how mudflaps look on this car and given how often I have stuff on the bottom of the car snag and get broken or torn off, I'm not too keen on adding more floppy plastic bits. :-) There is a TON of information on mudflap options on subaruforester.org. As I recall there's a name brand that is on the spendy side, and a less expensive brand that apparently works at least as well...I just don't remember which is which. :-)
I'm only at around 67,000 miles on this Subaru. I previously owned two other Subarus, one of which I had up at 180,000 miles...and then sold it to someone else who kept right on driving it. If regular maintenance is taken care of, I think they're pretty reliable and long-lived. None of my Subarus have ever broken down and left me stranded.
At this time of year, wet weather is frequent. Just checked, it had rained there the weekend prior to our trip. No rain for about 6 days leading up to this excursion. This definitely wasn't the softest sand I have experienced... I had far more trouble with some river sand last summer.
Awesome video! How many times did you hit the bump stops? hahaha. I was impressed by your forester's performance on the soft sand dunes! Planning any mods during the stay at home order?
Due to some quirks in my self-employment, I'm actually busier than usual working extra hours on some of my less lucrative contracts, trying to make up for losses in my usual client work. So I don't find myself with the extra hours many people are using to catch up on backlogged projects. I guess I shouldn't complain, but I'm working pretty much every waking hour these days. For a while I thought I would try to do two videos per week while everyone's locked down, but I've realized there's no way I can keep up with that. So...short answer, LOL...no, probably no extra modding. I still haven't even washed my car since...well...maybe October..?
Wow, glad to hear that you're busy. Have you seen the video where someone traces their rear top hat onto cutting board material to make saggy butt spacers? That seems like a quick, useful project.
Matthew Heiskell I already have additional “saggy bum” spacers in the rear...alas, doesn’t come close to fixing the issue. If those struts are coming back off, they are absolutely getting better springs before they go back on. 😄
@@softroadingthewest This is the first video I watched of yours, so I do not know what modifications you have on your Forester. Clearly the Sparco wheels and oversized tires, but couldn't really see much else at a glance. Two things that I absolutely love for extra robustness and capacity on mine: King springs (also have 1/2" spacers in the rear, but probably not necessary with the springs, as well as adjustable control arms in the rear to correct wheel camber), and the Class 3 hitch with a cargo tray. Obviously, the tray needs to be unloaded and removed while at camp and on the dunes, but it can hold much bulk and hundreds of pounds while traveling with zero hit to fuel economy and very little effect on handling (with the springs). Anyhow, fun video, thanks for sharing it, and thanks for the added bits with the teen attitudes... it's a good reminder to parents that, no, we are not alone. Hahaha.
I was at Horsfall campground in late February and was told by one of the campground host that I needed a safety permit to drive a vehicle on the dunes. Been looking online for it but seems to be that its to operate atv/motorcycle/SxS, apart from the flag and daily fee what else do I needy I drive my 4RUNNER on the dunes?
Yes, an Oregon ATV permit is required to access any of the dunes areas as well as a number of other BLM and National Forest operated OHV areas. They are indeed for motorcycles and ATVs, but they are also required for a street-legal vehicle...I have one on my car. There's no test, you can get it online, or at pretty much any shop that sell ATVs or dirt bikes. It's something like $12 for a two-year permit.
As a Jeep person, it's awesome to see offroading with different vehicle types together. There are way too many fanboys that bash anything that isnt what they like. I dont really get it.
I am often watching some Jeep video and some Toyota or Defender guy comes in talking all kinds of trash. Why? You should be excited seeing another take on things with a cool, different vehicle.
Agreed. I'm a fanatic of jeeps, and am known in my friend group as the jeep nut, but I will always love on other rigs. I don't understand having a cult idealogy for cars.
I could not agree more. I have never understood the cliques and clans with offroad/overland rigs. We all have the same goals, we’re all interested in doing the same things.
Agreed! Subaru, Jeep, Yota, it doesn’t matter
Yeah I don't get it either. Fanboys take it personally that's why. Having other vehicles around is awesome and drives innovation. Ignore the haters and everyone is allowed to have their favourite.
I love Jeeps and have previously owned a YJ, TJ, and and an XJ. We now have a Subaru Crosstrek and and Outback, and they both perform just as well as our Jeeps did on the beach. Although I felt a little more comfortable with the ground clearance in our Wranglers in the deep ruts, but the Subies still did great and had no issues in the sand. Whatever works for you, just have fun and tread lightly!
I just got a Subaru Forester and your channel makes me so stoked for all the things I can do in it!!
Nice! Congrats on the Forester, enjoy getting out there!
Best Subaru commercial ever! Cant wait to outfit my 2020.
Nice video. Reminds me of how I got into offroading with Subarus in the early 80s around the sandy beaches and tracks of southern Queensland and Fraser Island.
Aww man I would LOVE to explore those sandy areas!! Thanks for watching!
I will never own a Subaru and likely never another Jeep but this video made me so happy. Such a beautiful place and really enjoyable video. I hope to make it out this way after the whole Covid-19 thing passes. Thank you for the break from reality.
Thank you for sharing such a fantastic adventure. I can't truly express how much I enjoy your videos. Thank you.
Donald-this is such a GREAT video and so fun to relive this weekend out there! Can’t wait to do this again sometime and stay in a different campsite. 😃
Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed finally meeting up and the extensive tour of such a cool area, as well as just hanging out and chilling at camp! Looking forward to doing it again when things get back to normal!
Ahhhh another fun, beautiful, relaxing, and rejuvenating video. Thanks for sharing. Great videography and I like the music!
What a great video! Really enjoyable. In 1969 I lived on a mountaintop across the highway from the sand dunes. I was one of the medics for the radar station and I believe the radar station, along with the one at Tillamook, were eventually turned into facilities for some other government function. That was such a cool assignment due to all of the incredible activities we were involved in such as crabbing, fishing in the ocean, fishing in the lakes and rivers, taking the 6-wheel drive Amphicat out on the sand dunes, using the radar site's boat on Ten Mile Lakes. From my house on the hill I could access an old logging road and hike to the back side of Ten Mile Lakes and catch a limit of trout within minutes of arrival. We used to camp back there and really did not have to pack food or water. Oregon rocks! I would move there in a heartbeat and have talked with my wife regarding it.
Great video. Had to watch it twice to figure out just where on the coast this was... only to realize with a jolt it is one of the places on the Oregon Coast I am most familiar with. If that fog wasn't there in those final morning shots of the campsite (and, well, if we went back in time about 30 years...) you'd be able to see the tips of the poles on my father's troller from there. Beautiful spot, and a fun adventure - thanks for sharing!
That's awesome! It's a really neat area, I had always visited either the central coast nearest to Eugene, or else far south down by Gold Beach where my dad likes to go fishing, bypassing this area countless times over the years, but really enjoyed my weekend out there with Cory & Julie. A lot more there to explore too, I'll be getting back that way for sure.
@@softroadingthewest It's not exactly an offroad trip, but if you do get to the area again it's worth a trip to Shore Acres out on Cape Arago. The spray against the cliffs is impressive, but it is surreal to be standing there on the remains of old Simpson's tennis court right by the sea - right out of another time.
man i had no idea your awd could do that out in the sand...13 psi is the ticket it seems.... i think it's a testament to how simple and important it is to just take the extra minutes to air down. i was down to 15 the rother day in the banshee hill section and i was having a blast. i saw a jeep and a supercharged taco scream up banshee hill well, like banshees....
Very good camera lead! Thanks for sharing your time with us!
Love your videos. I'm in Eugene and love having all of these great adventures chronicled. Looks like you got a great OR Coast day for this one Thanks for sharing it all.
Having both a jeep and forester, love them both. Nice vid and looks like tons of fun
Thank you for another fantastic video! Every one I see gives me more confidence and makes me do happy I bought a twin of your vehicle. Next up is to mimic your tire set up and lift . Thanks again
Nice! Good luck with the build and have fun!
Being Jeep youtuber, I can definitely say absolutely before even watching. Jeeps are great, but Subies should be better in the sand! Great video as always!
Looks like good times! Enjoy all the outdoors has to offer.
The windsurfing and kiteboarding has to be awesome out there!
This is top notch filming and editing! Beautiful video
Thank you, this was a fun one to pull together! Thanks for watching!
softroadingthewest could you do a video on how you made the platform for your subbie? I’m planning on building one and your look is the one I’m going for
You're in luck, that is *exactly* the video I have been working on this week! Check back this weekend! :-)
Beautiful. Makes me want to do an Oregon trip as soon as the lockdown is over.
Yeah I only touched northern Oregon last summer got to see a lot of Washington in my Forrester though.
Another great video, thanks for sharing! I got a 2020 Crosstrek not too long ago and was able to take it out to my first fun unlaced road with it (old coast road by Big Sur, california...plenty of vids on YT). It wasn’t anything crazy but I was shocked how well the Subaru handled through the deep ruts, watery mud, rocks from the mountain, etc. your videos definitely gave me the confidence to try getting out there and see where the road leads!
Hey bud watching from Belfast Northern Ireland love your videos keep em coming & you & your family stay safe love fom my family here in Belfast 🍀💚👍
No, no, no! It's not even allowed to do that with a Subaru! Only Jeep can! :)))) The SH ruuules!!! Keep it up!!!
Great weekend with the kids, wonderful footage.
I love canping in Oregon - thanks for your videos. I will follow CJ Adventure as well.
I see that teardrop has the UWS utility box on it. Nice choice! Those are built near my hometown in Florida.
I think I need to take a trip to Oregon next summer. There's nothing quite like this in Mn. There's a few off-road parks but definitely need to get to the west coast. Great video. I love to see different vehicles challenging the beaten path.
Maybe not, but for a good part of the year we do have some pretty challenging snow. Gotta be at least as challenging as sand.
Great video! The videography and music work is really well done. So much more than just an off-roading video. Well done sir!
Thank you! :-)
We can remember camping there on a trip from Vancouver to the Mexican border and were so surprised to see the extent of the dunes when much of the coast was rocky . A lovely area .
The Forester is pretty capable, though that is quite firm sand. Good to see people getting out there :-)
For sure, this was definitely not the softest sand I have encountered...I struggled much more on some deep soft dry river sand last summer. This trip was prior to our state's stay-at-home order, which we are respecting. We are eager to get out there again as soon as we are able! Thanks for watching!
You did all that not in a Jeep?!?! How on earth could you? JK :) Another good one. Keep em coming!
well done !!! a great fun video !!! editing was very good !!!
Is it weird that I fall asleep to this video at night. I like to dream I'm out their.
Me too.👍
Ya thats weird
Great one Donald! Loved the opening drama and the shot of Lucie! You captured how we all feel! It was so great that Colin and Lucie joined you this time! I’m amazed you were able to get everything into the car! Great footage as always with wonderful camera angles that caught all of the action and the quiet nature moments as well! You do such a great job of balancing both! This episode brought back wonderful memories for me. I met my wife on those dunes 39 years ago! I was running one of the first 3 wheel rental businesses just a couple of miles north of where you were. I was handling everything when we first opened but eventually we realized we needed a cutie to run the front desk 😉. I hired a young girl who was just finishing up her senior year in high school. We got to know each other real well during that summer. It eventually led to wonderful rides through the dunes and out to the beach to watch the sunset after we closed the shop for the day. I guess it all worked out ok as we’ll be celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary this year. Thank you Donald, I really appreciate all that you do on this channel!
Aww man that is an awesome story! Thanks Dan, hope you are doing well!
I have a Subaru Outback it’s a monster I live in the mountains it’s truly a beast that can keep up with any jeep or truck
I wouldn't quite make that claim. There are some types of offroading that Wranglers can navigate that would destroy most Subarus, AND other CUVs...like rockcrawling. Modern Wranglers also come with TCS now, and are available with diff-lockers, as well as AWD (SelecTrac). The aftermarket is incomparable too.
Stock Subies don't even usually have skidplates, or stout recovery points. CUV bumpers and rockers are low and vulnerable too, compared to Wranglers.
There are notable differences between softroaders and offroaders. Even many Jeep, Rover, Toyota, and Ford (supposed) 4x4s are softroaders these days. They don't have a true low-range. They don't truly lock the front and rear drivelines together. They don't come standard with skids. They use TCS instead of traction-diffs.
Unibodies and independent suspensions can work fine off-road. The Jeep XJ, Jeep ZJ, Jeep WJ, Jeep KJ, Jeep Commander, HMMWV, 4Runner, FJ, IFS pickups, and the independent-suspension ATVs/UTVs have proven that. TCS, AWD, and plastic cladding are no substitute in abusive terrain for traction diffs, 4Low, and sturdy metal skids/rockers though. Locked diffs don't overheat in sand/mud/snow/rocks. Brakes, clutches, and auto-trannies do.
Transaxles are also less accessible than tcases and divorced diffs. R&P changes, lifts, and locker additions are more difficult with transaxles vs divorced diffs. Look at the lift and re-gearing headaches of the unibody IFS (divorced-diff) Liberty/Commander vs the new unibody FIS (transaxle) Cherokee.
That was awesome to watch! No big macho crap, just awesome adventure. I like the way Americans are cruizy 💖👍
Great footage and music. Go Subaru go. Stay safe it will all be ok. Greetings from Winnipeg
Great adventure, thank you for taking us along.
Cool. Forester did well. Looks like fun!!!
Real question is can the jeep keep up😂😂😂
Beautiful area looks like an easy drive for my tundra, the sand down here at south padre island can get pretty deep
The sand can get pretty soft there when it hasn't rained for a while
@@hispeed1985 that's a beautiful area we don't have trees like that here just the beaches
@@Adrian-jh5cr we're surrounded by trees here on the coast north to south and quite a few miles inland too
I loved growing up and riding 4 wheelers at florence and coos bay
I see you came to my part of Oregon. I live 30 minutes south of Coos Bay and have done lots of ATC/ATV riding on the dunes
That shot at the start is so sad,,, Looks like she is waiting for her Prince Charming,, I really hope and pray your daughter has a long happy and great life. You are a great start for her. Your show has turned out to be my favorite, I just wish I was younger, 64 and limited by my broken down body. Live Life Full While we can.
That Tent Cot is pretty sweet!
Indeed, I'm really happy with this find (picked it up off Craiglist for a fraction of the price from a guy who never actually used it). Colin uses it the most and he loves it; I have camped in it a couple of times and found it to be very comfortable.
@@softroadingthewest I have a Kamp-Rite myself and the biggest downside is how much interior space it takes up in the trunk. Well worth it in my book.
Indeed, hauling it can be a PITA when my small car is fully loaded, but I also agree it's worth it. I'd still rather use that than a conventional one-person ground tent.
Stupendous! 👏🏻👏🏻 Such a great video 👍🍻. That looked like the perfect adventure before having to shelter in place. Thank you. Great to see both kids out too👍 Stay safe. Wash your hands. This won’t last forever, right?😬
Thanks! I sure hope it will be over soon...definitely ready to get back out there!
Hey I have the perfect thing for when you take so much gear...A trailer! Nah, just kidding...maybe. Good to watch outdoor things when you cant go outdoors. Glad to see you made it out of your back yard though. See you on the next adventure. George.
Hahahaha How did I not see that coming?? LOL Thanks George!
Having built an off-road utility trailer last year, mostly for hauling firewood out of the woods behind my Yota, I can say it's a total game changer. 100% would do so again.
@@om617yota8 I love my trailer. It is a modified Harbor Freight type trailer. Been following me around two years now with no issues.
@@swidahooverlanding2867 Saw that on another video you did with Donald. Neat build.
Another great Video. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe and healthy so you can make many more. Cheer
I run king springs on all four corners in my SG forester and once they broke in (stiff at first) I've found them to handle beautifully - they hardly a sag when fully loaded. I wish I had dunes near me!
Did you find your drone again or get a new one? Noticed the beautiful aerial shots towards the end there
I may have been too subtle with the credit on screen, but the footage was from Cory's Mavic Air. CJ Adventure graciously shared the footage with me. I haven't replaced my lost drone yet, but I'm actively searching and will pull the trigger on another used Spark once I find the right deal.
Thanks for clarifying Donald. I was wondering the same thing. I noticed a very subtle credit but it blended right in with the background.
That looks like a lot of fun. Hopefully we'll all be able to safely hit the trails again soon! 🤞
This was a blast for sure. Can't wait for this all to pass...will definitely be sporting a deeper appreciation for being able to wander the wilderness at my whim.
I've been enjoying your videos for a few months now. Being landlocked in Nashville, TN, I really like seeing your adventures in the beautiful Oregon forests and beaches. How did you get started doing this? I'd love to explore more camping areas myself here around the south, but I'm not sure if there are very many overlanding areas, I usually park and venture into the woods by foot.
I drove up a random forest service road just looking for someplace to take a photo of the car in nature. Enjoyed it so much that I just kept going up more and more forest service roads. :-) It's definitely much much easier out here in the west.
I think that was one of your best videos.
Good stuff as usual! Looks like an awesome place for a road trip down from WA.
Another beautiful video. Stay safe!
Donald, dont worry if your kids are not overly helpful, as one day, when they have their own family, they will have to be doing the lions share. Its lifes way of paying them back but in a nice way of course. We've all been there at sometime or another...
Haha, to be fair, Lucie can be helpful when prodded. :-) She actually contributes quite a bit to the video production efforts. She certainly doesn't mind it though if camp gets magically set up while she looks at her phone, LOL.
I'm going to guess that the Subie will have no problem with the dunes.
You changed something with your awning?? Give us a update
The DIY awning is across the rear, covering my kitchen now. I snagged a used "real" awning for cheap which is now along the drivers side where the DIY awning was. I do appreciate how fast & easy it is to set up and take down.
Why don’t I ever get sunsets on the Oregon coast like that? I used to work in Coos Bay and never got to photograph a sunset as beautiful as you guys had. So jealous. Awesome video.
Haha...in a lifetime of going frequently to the Oregon coast, I've had far far more dull gray sunsets than nice ones. We lucked out on the last two trips though!
Gorgeous sunset
I'm buying a Forester for daily driving and light offroad, next I want to buy 2 door Wrangler. This is perfection.
That will be a nice pair of vehicles to have!
I'm 65 and have decided I'm to young to stay indoors. I also have a 2015 Forester and am now drawing up plans to turn her into a micro camper. I live in Oregon and this place is just too damn beautiful and fascinating, not to explore. An SUV or Crossover can get into places a lot of other vehicles can't. I love my Subaru, but I can understand the attraction to a Jeep.
Get outside and unplug for a few days or weeks, you'll live longer.
Awesome video! During quarantine have you thought of making an updated build video? Thanks for the interesting content!
I've been working this week on finishing up the much-requested kitchen build video, should have that out soon. I probably won't do another complete walkthrough of the the entire car until I finish a few more changes I have planned. I do have a pretty solid list of videos I can still produce while stuck at home though, plus some archived content from last summer I never got around to editing. :-) Thanks for watching!
Lol, I live in coosbay and havent taken my jeep to the dunes yet.
I Love this video can you please tell me where and how you got to that campsite. I do believe that was on the north side jetty at coos bay right? Anyhow I would love to know. Thank you so very much for your time and video's I really appreciate them. Have a Great Day and stay safe.
You probably would get stuck on the sand dunes i drive on. The sand is soft and deep. You have to dig deep to find the moist packed sand. Even with the lower low range trans it's still not low enough for deep soft sand. Most of the videos that i see of Subaru's driving in the sand the tires are barely sinking into the sand. I have a video of me driving on a sand dune where i can actually get stuck.
Yeah, this sand was pretty firm. I've been in softer sand and struggled noticeably more. Even here, I could feel it would be verrrry easy for me to get stuck making the wrong move. There are a few other dunes areas in Oregon I've not been to and now I want to try them all. I've seen videos from other places - Utah maybe? - where there were some dunes that looked WAY more soft and treacherous than what we experienced here. Where do you go where the sand is softer/deeper?
@@softroadingthewest The sand dunes i drive on are right by my house in Florida. I posted a video of driving on the sand dunes on my channel. I will have to make another video about driving on the sand dunes. See how far the side walls of the tires sink into the sand. Dig in different areas to see how deep the soft dry sand is down to the moist packed sand. And more wheel bearing videos with my modification, and how to get rid of the door ajar chime so you can listen to the radio and not have to hear the chime all the time. I want my channel to be about stuff that i can't find online.
What do you air down to in sand? I've found that makes a massive difference. I take it right down to 12-13 psi and it helps tremendously.
@@softroadingthewest It might help, but having a manual trans it's direct drive unlike a auto trans. I need the lower 1.59 dual range trans and that would probably help. When i had car on 4 jack stands I put it in gear and it was hard to stop ether of the rear wheels, so i am pretty sure that i have a LSD rear diff. I don't really have a problem getting stuck in the sand. I just don't have a low enough low range to have enough power to drive through deep soft sand dunes. Even with the lower low range trans i can start smelling the clutch get hot after a while. A auto trans would be better, but not as fun to drive. I think that if i air down there will be more rolling resistance, but maybe the tires won't sink down as deep like if i don't air down.
Do you need a pass or permit to access or drive on the Oregon coastal beaches such as the Oregon Dunes or near Hauser?
Another great video. Your Subaru had no problem. I’d like to know how your friends attached the shovel to the back end of their Jeep. I drive a 2017 2 door Sport, and I’d like to do that with mine. Is it an after market bracket that bolts to the tire carrier? Thanks.
Not sure on the shovel mount, but if you're on Instagram, you can ask them via their IG account @cjadventureoregon, or could also comment on one of their videos to ask them, they have a TH-cam account and there's a link in the description. They're super nice and helpful people. :-) Thanks for watching!
Thanks brother, I’ll look them up.
The only things you need to not get stuck in the sand: 4wd/awd, low tire pressure, a little bit of knowledge on what to and not to do.
Good to see you all getting out amongst all this craziness that’s going on, looks like the whole crew went along too! Stay safe can’t wait for the next video as always., miss the West coast even more!
New drone?
For the record, this was filmed pre-craziness, almost a month ago. It's funny, I just realized my weekly trip to the grocery store was on the same tank of gas I bought on the coast weeks ago, partway through this trip. And still a third of that tank left. :-) Drone footage was graciously provided by CJ Adventures. I'm on the hunt for a replacement for my lost drone however. :-) Hopefully by the time I can get back out there, I'll be re-equipped.
Thanks for sharing, beautiful area. Btw, do you use cots in your Gazelle 3?
Yes. One cot is awesome, two cots is a squeeze but we've done it. The main problem with two cots is that the tent's two doors are situated in corners and there's no way to set up two cots with a space between them without blocking both doors...so you end up needing to climb over a cot to get out either door. My main use is for solo camping, and for that it feels pleasantly roomy, and I can just stand in the middle, which makes changing so much more comfortable. If I was going to camp regularly with two people in the tent, I'd probably want the T4. I have it on my To Do list to make a video showing what fits in the T3 and what the limitations are, hopefully I can get on that one soon.
Hey! I absolutely love your videos! Specially this one in the town I grew up in. I currently reside in Portland metro area and recently started getting into overloading. Would love to meet up sometime!
Toujours de belles vidéos thanks you ;) 😁
Anyone know what that orange thing in the sand at 14:32 was? Looked like a Maxtrax to me
It looks larger and flat.
Another great video. Wait... I haven't watched it yet. Meh, my statement still stands.
Have you thought of doing a "best of" compilation from past vids? I'm sure your legions of fans would love one. Just a thought 😁
The My Subaru Isn't A Jeep video from a few months ago was kind of my take on a highlight reel, albeit very focused on the driving of various terrain. The other day I was mulling over an idea for a different type of compilation, but...ooof...that first one was a royal PITA to edit, LOL. I guess we'll see how desperate I get as the lockdown continues. :-)
Love the drama lol
Subaru should donate you the latest Forester, but would u prefer what u have?
Can you please what have you done modification? Specifically suspension and wheel settings? HD springs, shocks, subframe adjuster?? Looks wheels are over the max size. Very interesting. I have same forester and have done HD spring, shocks and 215/70/16 tyre.
Suspension is stock, aside from 1" strut-top spacer lift. Wheels are 15x7 +15 and tires are 215/75/15, which is somewhat larger around than the OEM tire size, but not nearly as large as the 235/75/15 many run on this same car (usually with a 2" lift). The smaller wheel diameter (thus taller sidewall) and the +15 offset (which pushes the wheels/tires outward a bit) maybe gives the illusion they are larger than they actually are. Your 215/70/16 are actually very slightly larger than my tires. :-)
I see you are using a radio for comms. have you thought about getting your ham radio license? it is easy and there must be a ham radio club in your home area. (if not more than one ham club.) instead of a 5 watt radio you could have a 50 watt radio or a handheld radio.
Getting the HAM license is somewhere on my list but a low priority for the moment. The GMRS works great for what I got it for...vehicle to vehicle comms when I'm with others on the trail. Most of my friends only carry handheld FRS walkie-talkies, but I was tired of always misplacing mine or having the batteries die at inopportune moments, so getting the GMRS was primarily just a way to have a radio attached to the car and hardwired for power. Given that I go out solo a lot, HAM is still something I'd eventually like to get into in order to have far-reaching range.
@@softroadingthewest understand. I drug my feet for a long time before I got mine. General class now but working on my Extra class. ham radio gives you the ability to operate long distances in case of emergencies and to be located by other hams for quick location finding. enjoy your travels, I have a 2014 forester XT. I keep looking at your upgrades and mods.
i love my subaru forester, no sand dunes though cuz im in montana.. =p
Hi I'm from cottage grove or. What beach were you camping at. I'd love to take my sequoia out there. Also you should hit Monday trail out of cottage grove. It takes you to the old bohemia mines. You can see the trail on TH-cam
Lol I'm not heidi. I'm her husband keith
It's not Monday trail. Its Noon day trail.
Thanks for sharing and might I suggest you build a drawer system of 80/20 extruded aluminum as you might get more into your vehicle. Goto 80/20.net. It’s super cheap deals. I am making a system now for my 4runner and all in with locking drawer slides I have spent 280 in supplies. Now I just need to build it🤣😂😅
I’m intrigued by this system. I’d be very interested to see what you’ve designed using the 80/20 extruded aluminum. Here’s a better link: 8020.net/
Could you share the locations? We’re heading down there next week.
Hi! Where is a good spot in the Reedsport/Florence area to access the beach with a stock Jeep? Thanks
You can access drivable beach via the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area just south of Florence. Head out South Jetty Beach Road. Grab a map at the information board. There is a sand "road" that runs from the Goosepasture staging area due west and up over the beach dune, or you can head out into the dunes from Goosepasture and there are a few other access points. Air down! :-)
White shoes and camping/adventure is a very risky game to play. 😂
She has not one but TWO pair of white sneakers. * sigh * I tried to get her something practical for camping/outdoorsy stuff, but she refused anything that didn't meet a certain perceived fashion threshold. One day she'll tire of cleaning those white shoes and recognize the value of sometimes placing function over form. :-)
I love the double (triple?) fake out of the dunes. Ha
When I was in college, I had a friend who worked at a restaurant with a bar that often had live music. One of the regular acts was this guy who played electric guitar and sang his own songs plus a few covers. His most popular song was Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix. Over the course of his set, he would occasionally break into the opening riff for a few seconds so you thought he was finally playing it, but then cut it off and say something like, "Oh sorry not yet" and then proceed with his other material...forcing the customers to stick around and listen to the rest of his stuff if they wanted to enjoy Purple Haze. That apparently had a huge impact on me...I have used this device in various ways my entire life. :-)
Hey softroadingthewest, as an SH forester owner myself, I was wondering what the best mod is to start softroading?
Tires. Single biggest improvement I experienced in off-pavement performance.
@@softroadingthewest Thank you very much, how important is changing the wheels as well?
Jonathan Rash I have a stock SH Forester XT, and I have 225/65r17 (28.5”) Falken Wildpeak AT tires in stock suspension, in the OEM wheels and mud flaps, no rubbing. Good sidewall protection (5.8”).
Moving to a smaller diameter wheel allows you to fit a tire with more sidewall, which is beneficial for airing down but still having plenty of tire to keep your rims off the rocks. If you start looking at offroad rigs, Subaru or othewise, that actually go offroad (as opposed to some of the built mall-crawlers you see on low-profile tires) they commonly have the smallest possible wheel and the tallest possible tire. If you have the OEM 16" wheels, changing wheels is certainly less urgent than if you had something like 18" wheels. The other advantage to most of the 15" offroad/rally wheels made to fit Subarus is the lower offset value, usually +15 instead of the stock +48. That pushes the wheel/tire outward, and helps you fit a larger tire without running into the spring perch.
@@4RT0119 Thanks! And you fit those on the stock wheels no problem?
Absolutely AWESOME!! Everything about this video, like all of your videos, is so well crafted. Constantly on awe of all the cameras and angles you use, as well as that post-edit pop. Music was on point as well. By the way, where do you get your music?
Thanks! I source music from artlist.io, a licensing subscription service for this purpose.
How rashed out is the subies paint by now?
Haha, well, there is no place along the sides of the car that isn't heavily pinstriped. I don't shy away from narrow trails and the paint has paid the price. I suspect most of it would buff out, based on what I've seen other people do, but I can't bring myself to go to the trouble, since it's just going to get scuffed up again. I'd love for the car to be coated with something much more scratch-resistant, but that gets expensive fast and I just can't justify the cost for something that's solely for looks. For now I've got more practical upgrades to spend money on. :-)
Great content. Can someone explain to me how it is advantageous turning off the traction control when it comes to tackling these types of conditions. I have heard this from others. I thought it would be better having the traction control on so that if one tire spins, power will be provided to a tire with more traction. Operating the vehicle with traction control off would mean driving the car on a convectional 4 high system with no front or rear lockers, such as the drivetrain of a Forester. Please forgive me for my ignorance, if someone could explain the benefit to me it would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great video's, I really enjoy them.
Traction control uses selective application of individual wheel braking to stop the spinning wheel(s) from spinning, but that is unfavorable when driving in sand where momentum and keeping the wheels churning is actually advantageous to maintain forward motion. My experience with trying to climb dunes or sandy inclines is that when traction control is on, it just bogs you down, because the car essentially hits the brakes and stops you. Traction control switched off allows your accumulated momentum + furiously spinning wheels to keep you moving forward. Sand, mud, and in some cases, deep snow, it's better to turn off the traction control. Some people advise turning it off as soon as you leave pavement but I disagree with that...on a gravel road the traction control can be a lifesaver. I leave it on all the time, switching it off only in these rare scenarios where you actually want the wheels to keep spinning.
@@softroadingthewest Thanks for the explanation. You brought up a good point about the traction control bogging you down because the brakes stop you. I have a '15 Forester with a manual gearbox. Up until now, it does not even sweat to tackle the snowy conditions we experience here in Southern Ontario, Canada. This is good to know if ever I experience excessive wheel spin. Keep up the great content my friend.
Modern Subie center diffs clamp even with the TCS turned off, but the brakes don't slow wheelspeed and the engine power isn't reduced like when the TCS is on.
Install a rear Torq-locker in your Subie for just $430 USD and you can reduce the wheel slippage even when TCS is turned off.
Cusco also offers front LSDs for Subies, but they are expensive and can cause quirky steering on pavement.
Winchmounts are available for many Subies too. I have a multi-mount winch that fits in the rear hitch on my Crosstrek. I can leave the winch at home when I'm commuting during warm weather.
Traction boards can be quite useful on difficult surfaces too.
Hi, I have a 2002 subaru forester 2.5L stock. what are your tips? i have never driven on sands, beaches, and dunes? I have all season tires. Thank you
Airing way down is the biggest key to driving on sand. Avoid sudden movements like hard acceleration, hard braking, and sharp turns. Roll with a buddy so you've got recovery assistance if needed.
Have you ever tried putting mudflaps on your SH? I have a 2010 XT and have noticed my paint being chipped on the bottom right side of the rear doors.
I haven't, but I'm not too concerned frankly. My paint is already scratched beyond belief from the narrow PNW trails I've explored over the past couple of years. Ultimately I'm not a fan of how mudflaps look on this car and given how often I have stuff on the bottom of the car snag and get broken or torn off, I'm not too keen on adding more floppy plastic bits. :-) There is a TON of information on mudflap options on subaruforester.org. As I recall there's a name brand that is on the spendy side, and a less expensive brand that apparently works at least as well...I just don't remember which is which. :-)
@@softroadingthewest Gotcha, thanks. I was planning on just doing DIY mud flaps. Can buy the hardware/urethane for under $20 :)
@@Fedzvidz Oh nice! That would undoubtedly be my approach, if I were to add mudflaps. :-) Good luck!
Hi,how many miles on your Subaru.... just wondering how reliable Subaru.
I'm only at around 67,000 miles on this Subaru. I previously owned two other Subarus, one of which I had up at 180,000 miles...and then sold it to someone else who kept right on driving it. If regular maintenance is taken care of, I think they're pretty reliable and long-lived. None of my Subarus have ever broken down and left me stranded.
That sand must have been rained on recently? Seemed pretty packed down, sand is my enemy......
At this time of year, wet weather is frequent. Just checked, it had rained there the weekend prior to our trip. No rain for about 6 days leading up to this excursion. This definitely wasn't the softest sand I have experienced... I had far more trouble with some river sand last summer.
Awesome video! How many times did you hit the bump stops? hahaha. I was impressed by your forester's performance on the soft sand dunes! Planning any mods during the stay at home order?
Due to some quirks in my self-employment, I'm actually busier than usual working extra hours on some of my less lucrative contracts, trying to make up for losses in my usual client work. So I don't find myself with the extra hours many people are using to catch up on backlogged projects. I guess I shouldn't complain, but I'm working pretty much every waking hour these days. For a while I thought I would try to do two videos per week while everyone's locked down, but I've realized there's no way I can keep up with that. So...short answer, LOL...no, probably no extra modding. I still haven't even washed my car since...well...maybe October..?
Wow, glad to hear that you're busy. Have you seen the video where someone traces their rear top hat onto cutting board material to make saggy butt spacers? That seems like a quick, useful project.
Matthew Heiskell I already have additional “saggy bum” spacers in the rear...alas, doesn’t come close to fixing the issue. If those struts are coming back off, they are absolutely getting better springs before they go back on. 😄
@@softroadingthewest This is the first video I watched of yours, so I do not know what modifications you have on your Forester. Clearly the Sparco wheels and oversized tires, but couldn't really see much else at a glance.
Two things that I absolutely love for extra robustness and capacity on mine: King springs (also have 1/2" spacers in the rear, but probably not necessary with the springs, as well as adjustable control arms in the rear to correct wheel camber), and the Class 3 hitch with a cargo tray. Obviously, the tray needs to be unloaded and removed while at camp and on the dunes, but it can hold much bulk and hundreds of pounds while traveling with zero hit to fuel economy and very little effect on handling (with the springs).
Anyhow, fun video, thanks for sharing it, and thanks for the added bits with the teen attitudes... it's a good reminder to parents that, no, we are not alone. Hahaha.
I was at Horsfall campground in late February and was told by one of the campground host that I needed a safety permit to drive a vehicle on the dunes. Been looking online for it but seems to be that its to operate atv/motorcycle/SxS, apart from the flag and daily fee what else do I needy I drive my 4RUNNER on the dunes?
Yes, an Oregon ATV permit is required to access any of the dunes areas as well as a number of other BLM and National Forest operated OHV areas. They are indeed for motorcycles and ATVs, but they are also required for a street-legal vehicle...I have one on my car. There's no test, you can get it online, or at pretty much any shop that sell ATVs or dirt bikes. It's something like $12 for a two-year permit.
Guys don't really change. The sand box and cars just get bigger 😉
Haha, well said!
The space issue is why I ended up getting an outback
Are both vehicles using all terrain tires?
All-terrains on my Subaru (BFGoodrich T/A KO2). I believe Cory & Julie have mud terrains on their Jeep.
Beautiful and fun