Is Closing Moab a Good Thing? - Grindin' Gears

On the latest episode of Grindin' Gears, ‪@nickjaynes‬ and ‪@MrJoshAshcroft‬ discuss the Moab trail closures and the all-new ‪@RamTrucks‬ Ramcharger. Is it finally an EV pickup worthy of overlanding duty?

[@DifferentialComms]

Sorry in advance for the camera's autofocus shifting to the Colorado's headlight and off of our faces. We know it's annoying, but didn't want to re-shoot the episode.

[@downbytheriver501]

You’re playing a fool’s game: if you allow them to take even an inch, it opens the door for future attacks on public lands.

[@nicholaslewis7148]

My favorite part was Josh’s introduction. Didn’t really seem all that excited to say your name. But it was good for a big laugh haha

[@MrJoshAshcroft]

Haha. Yeah for like the whole first minute or so I look wildly uninterested. I was weirdly focused on the screen on the camera to make sure we're both in frame and forgot I needed to talk. Note to self - wake up before it's time to record.

[@rangerrecon]

I get the SxS hate and the desire for related restrictions - the SxS crowd is doing that to themselves and even the 4x4 crowd had to learn this and enforce policies like 'leave it better than you found it'. However, I don't get the environmental concerns. Sure, driving on a trail impacts environment of the trail, but that is a fraction of a percent of the total land area. I've heard that people that are not in motorized vehicles (hikers, etc.) claim the motorized vehicles disrupt their enjoyment, but I suspect that this goes back to the SxS and motorbike crowds due to noise. Other vehicles (e.g. Jeeps) crawling over the trails at a few MPH aren't disturbing anyone. As for EVs, they are here to stay. For me, EVs aren't a viable consideration until more infrasture is in place and more safety issues are addressed (e.g. what happens when you go through water with these batteries or the risk of puncturing a battery when rock crawling, etc.). And, when these batteries catch on fire, the vehicle goes up quick! Will manufacturers warranty these vehicles when off-roading? The key advantage to the EV is the high torge at low RPM, and who wouldn't want that on the trail? I don't think that there is a valid debate against EVs on efficiency, the concerns are about the viability of the battery technology. Will EVs be able to support mass adoption with this technology? Is there sufficient material to build all of the required batteries? Are we efficiently recycling them in an economically way? Are people able to afford the cost of a battery replacement? And again, infrastructure is still an issue. For example, can we drive from AZ to hit the trails in Moab and then drive back to AZ? Are there a sufficient number of charging stations? What special considerations are necessary? What if a vehicle does run out of electricity on the trail? Maybe Rotopax will come out with charging batteries you can hang off of your vehicle instead of gas cans.. The issues with EVs aren't insurmountable and there are clearly benefits. The question is: how long will these early adopter pains linger?

[@TheBeatenPaths]

Well, anyplace humans go, it gets destroyed. So I get it. There's also a huge movement in North America trying to keep all motorized vehicles out of fresh waterways. As an avid fly fisher, nothing bothers me more than seeing a dirty greasy 4x4 or side by side polluting a river as they cross it or drive up & down through it. Rivers are actually very fragile ecosystems. I know they don't look it when you're standing beside one, but they are.

[@downbytheriver501]

If anyplace humans go get destroyed, I vote we abolish fly fishers from accessing the rivers too then. You wading around in the waters destroys vital habitat and kills countless fish.

[@TheBeatenPaths]

@@downbytheriver501 Agreed, I'm with ya. I'd give up fishing in a heartbeat if the 4x4's kept their grease, oil & road grime out of the rivers too. I'd give up something as irrelevant as a hobby for the greater good, without hesitation.