Overlanding in the Southeast US. How much vehicle do you need?
Posted by 93EXCivic@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 9 comments
I am in North Alabama and I am interested in doing a bit more off road adventures particularly with my kid. I have seen some routes around the southeast like in Daniel Boone National Forest, Georgia Traverse, Talladega National Forest, Outer banks.
I was just wondering will something like a Subaru, Volvo XC70, etc be ok for these routes with some decent all terrain tires and maybe a skidplate? Most of these places will take a decent amount of driving via road to get to so I would like something with reasonable road manners. I'd also like something reasonably modern so it has decent safety standards since I will be hauling the kid. Car will also be used a bit around town for various things but not as a daily.
Inevitable_Sun8691@reddit
Varies widely. There’s some I’ve been on that are plain easy with basic A/T tires and maybe 4x4, there’s others that are definitely very challenging and “at your own risk.” In the Uwharrie NF any trail with a “D” name is for fully built rigs only.
93EXCivic@reddit (OP)
I am guessing this is a dumb question but is there a rating system for trails like with mountain biking?
Drummer123456789@reddit
Onx has them listed from green to blue to black and rsted further from 1 to 10 within the same scale. Like 4 to 7 is blue and 8 to 10 is black
Mustang_289@reddit
99% of ”overlanding” in the southeast is forest roads that you could do in a Prius on all seasons. Theres literally one spot on the Georgia Traverse where 4wd may be necessary, but really 2wd and a locker/LSD is fine. You’ll be fine.
JollyGreenGigantor@reddit
For real. I did a lot around GA in a stock height WRX wagon with Continental all season tires.
93EXCivic@reddit (OP)
Sweet. Thanks. That is kind of what I figured.
I had done a bikepacking trip in Talladega and I seem to remember bits seeming like they might be tricky in a car so wasn't sure if that was representative of the Southeast more generally.
Mustang_289@reddit
Don‘t get me wrong, there are for sure some spots you can go and get some decent off-roading in such as Windrock, Beasley Knob, Hawk Pride, etc. However most of them are set up as offroad parks and you aren’t really “overlanding” or going anywhere with a purpose.
HPPD2@reddit
Really they only time it could matter is through mud. So just don't drive in areas prone to mud after a storm it shouldn't be that common of a scenario.
Ambitious-Grade9113@reddit
I do fine on 90% of trails with my bone stock 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 on Falken Wildpeak A/T4w tires