By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each policy linked to above. You also agree to the storing of cookies on your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our site is used.
Technical Ratings and Concerns Explained
Warning
All ratings are subjective and can change as a result of weather events and vehicle usage. Trail conditions can change daily. Trails Offroad™ is not responsible for the accuracy of the ratings listed. Ratings should be considered subjective approximations loosely framed from the below reference guide based on optimal conditions. Never go on a trail alone and never be afraid to turn around if it gets too difficult.
Table of Contents
Difficulty Ratings
1 - EASY
Suitable for high clearance 2WD
Stock equipment is sufficient and no special equipment needed.
Dirt and/or rocky road. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 5", such as rocks, dips, or ruts. Slight grades with good traction.
2 - EASY
Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD
Stock equipment is sufficient, but terrain will likely test tire traction and ground clearance.
Dirt and/or rocky road. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 9", such as rocks, dips, or ruts. Can be steep but with good traction.
3 - MODERATE
Best suited for a high clearance 4x4
Stock vehicles with high ground clearance, 4WD capability, and offroad tires.
Typically, more rock or undulated road surface. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 12", such as ledges, drops, climbs, or water crossings. Careful tire placement may be needed. Can be steep or loose.
4 - MODERATE
Typically challenges the limits of a high clearance 4x4
Low-range gearing needed. Undercarriage damage is a possibility.
Typically, more rock or undulated road surface. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 18", such as ledges, drops, climbs, or water crossings. Careful tire placement becomes necessary. Can be steep, loose, and slightly off-camber.
5 - DIFFICULT
Best suited for a lightly modified 4x4
Small lift and larger than stock tires. Skid plates and rock sliders recommended.
Rocky, rutted, or undulated road surface. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 2 feet tall, such as ledges, drops, climbs, or water crossings. Careful tire placement necessary. Can be steep, loose, and off-camber.
6 - DIFFICULT
Typically challenges the limits of a lightly modified 4x4
Lockers and winches recommended. Likelihood of getting stuck is high. Vehicle damage possible.
Frequently rocky, rutted, or undulated road surface. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 3 feet tall, such as ledges, drops, or water crossings. Careful tire placement necessary. Terrain will be steep, loose, or off-camber.
7 - SEVERE
Best suited for a highly modified 4x4
Maximum ground clearance and excellent articulation required. Lockers and winches used often. Body damage likely.
Very rocky, rutted, or undulated road surface. Challenges and/or obstacles less than 5 feet tall, such as ledges and drops, or near-vertical grades up to 10' feet tall. Strong water crossings and/or deep mud. Tire placement becomes critical. Significant traction loss with steep, loose, and off-camber terrain.
8 - SEVERE
Typically challenges the limits of a highly modified 4x4
Large tires and rollover protection required. Spare parts recommended. Body damage and rollovers probable.
Very rocky, rutted, and undulated road surface. Challenges and/or obstacles less than 7 feet tall, such as ledges, drops, and undercuts, or near-vertical grades up to 14' feet tall. Strong water crossings and/or deep mud. Technical tire placement required. Severe traction loss with steep, loose, and off-camber terrain.
9 - EXTREME
Best suited for specialized buggy type vehicles
Largest tires possible. Rarely completed unassisted. Vehicle damage and rollovers are highly likely.
Consistent challenges and/or obstacles up to 10' tall, such as ledges, drops, and undercuts, or near-vertical grades up to 18' feet tall. Very poor traction. Technical tire placement required. Extremely steep and off-camber.
10 - EXTREME
Typically challenges specialized buggy vehicles
Body damage guaranteed. Tube chassis recommended. Rollovers common. Winching Required.
Challenges and/or obstacles more than 10' tall, such as ledges and undercuts, and/or near-vertical grades more than 18' feet tall. Very poor traction. Extremely steep and off-camber.
Points of Concern
*Noted concerns are a representation of normal, in-season trail conditions for a stock, high clearance 4x4 vehicle.
None
There are no concerns along the trail.
Full Size Not Recommended
Large vehicles designed primarily for towing and/or cargo hauling, generally with long wheelbases, such as trucks, RVs, trailers and vans.
Body Damage
Higher than normal risk of incurring dents and cosmetic harm to a vehicle's exterior body panels. This is not associated with undercarriage or wheel damage.
Width
Natural terrain constraints like dense vegetation, tightly spaced trees, erosion, or rock formations, that limit the available space for maneuvering or passing.
Height
Low hanging obstacles creating clearance issues for tall vehicles, rooftop tents, campers, trailers, etc.
Short Wheelbase Recommended
2-Door Wrangler or equivalent, generally around 100” or less.
Narrow Shelf Road
Single-lane trail carved into the side of a steep hill or mountain, with a drop-off on one side, where passing oncoming traffic may be difficult.
Mild Off Camber
Sloping terrain causing a vehicle to lean at a subtle angle, not steep enough to cause instability.
Moderate Off Camber
Noticeable sideways angle that feels significant in the cab, but does not compromise stability and maintains traction on most tires in dry conditions.
Extreme Off Camber
Steep sideways angle with a high risk of rollover.
Impassable When Wet
Soils turn to slick grease or mud that can clog tire treads. Traction can become impossible, or trail can flash flood with rain.
Deep Sand
Soft, sandy terrain such as dunes, beaches, or dry lakebeds and riverbeds, where tires generally lose traction if momentum is stopped.
Mud
Mostly year-round mud pits where vehicles can sink or become stuck and self recovery will require winching.
Pinstriping
Scratches left on a vehicle's paint by close contact with bushes, branches, or other vegetation due to overgrowth or narrow conditions.
High Water Crossings
Water crossings higher than hub deep, where hydrolocking a motor is a significant risk.
Beginner Tips
Welcome to the Trails Offroad™ Advanced Rating System! If you're a new member or about to try your very first trail, here are a few important tips to take into consideration to better understand ratings and be better prepared for the trail you choose to drive.
- Air Down Your Tires: Before hitting the trail, be sure to air down your tires for better traction and a smoother ride. (Check out our handy "Airing Down 101" section for guidance!)
- Expect Bumps: Even "easy" trails can have bumpy or jarring sections. They're not technically challenging, but they can still keep things interesting!
- Know Your Limits: Always be mindful of both your limits and your vehicle's capabilities. Offroading is about adventure, not pushing beyond what's safe.
- Traction is Key: Mud, loose gravel, or slippery conditions can surprise even experienced drivers. Never underestimate the importance of traction—it's your best friend on the trail.
- Understand the Ratings: Take a moment to review the Technical Ratings and examples. These are designed to help you choose trails that match your skill level and vehicle capabilities.
Whether you're an experienced explorer or just getting started, these tips will set you up for a safe, enjoyable, and successful adventure. Happy trails!
Airing Down 101
The Importance of Airing Down: A Guide for Offroad Enthusiasts
The Trails Offroad™ Advanced Rating System assumes that tires are "aired down" when traveling on the trail. But what does that mean? Simply put, airing down refers to intentionally reducing tire pressure in an effort to improve overall performance off-pavement. This technique is critical for offroading, offering significant benefits:
- Improved Ride Comfort: Softer sidewalls absorb bumps and vibrations, making the ride smoother for both your suspension and your passengers.
- Enhanced Traction: Airing down increases the tire contact patch—up to 80% in length and 20% in width—boosting grip on loose, rocky, or uneven terrain.
- Improved Sidewall Deflection: Lower pressure allows the sidewalls to flex and conform around obstacles, increasing traction. At higher pressures, tires tend to push away from obstacles, resulting in a harsher ride and reduced offroad performance.
- Extended Tire Life: Softer tires are better able to conform to sharp or jagged rocks, reducing the risk of punctures and premature wear.
What PSI Should You Air Down To?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The ideal tire pressure PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) depends on factors like tire size, wheel size, terrain, and vehicle weight. Here is a general guideline:
- For easy to moderate trails, reduce air pressure by about 25% of the manufacturer-recommended PSI. Example: If typical pressure is 35psi deflate down to 26psi.
- On aggressive, rocky terrain, lower it by 30-35% to improve grip and control.
You can find your vehicle's recommended PSI on the driver's side door panel or in the owner's manual.
Final Reminder
Always carry the proper tools to air down and, more importantly, to air back up before returning to pavement. A portable air compressor or CO2 tank is a must-have for safe and efficient offroading.
Surface and Traction Issues
About Tire Traction and Trail Ratings:
The Trails Offroad™ Advanced Rating System is based on normal and typically dry conditions based on average traction. The following situations need to be taken into consideration when evaluating a trail's difficulty.
Caution: Slippery or Impassable When Wet
Traction is vital for offroading, and moisture drastically reduces it. Rain, snowmelt, or even damp conditions can turn clay and dirt so slippery, its almost like grease and can make rocks dangerously slick, leading to loss of control. Exercise extreme caution, as even easy trails can become treacherous when wet. Ice should also be considered a hazard on your part when making decisions.
Caution: Traction Issues on Sand
Sand is common on offroad trails and poses traction challenges even for the best vehicles. Its loose, granular nature provides little resistance, causing tires to spin without grip and vehicles to get stuck—especially when tires are inflated to normal pressure and dig into the sand. To improve flotation and traction, lower your tire pressure when driving on sand. Please note, not all sand is equal and various types of sand can have different levels of traction in addition, ambient temperature and moisture conditions can change the sand over the course of a day (from compact in the morning to fluffy and light in the afternoon).
Understanding 2WD, AWD, and 4WD
When offroading, knowing your vehicle's drivetrain is key. 2WD sends power to only two wheels, limiting traction on loose or uneven terrain. AWD automatically distributes power to all four wheels but is better suited for light trails and slippery roads than rugged offroading. 4WD, with its ability to lock power evenly between axles, provides maximum traction and control, making it ideal for tackling challenging trails and obstacles. Choose wisely based on the terrain and your vehicle's capabilities.
The Advantage of Low Range (4 Low)
Low range is essential for serious offroading. It reduces your vehicle's gear ratio, delivering more torque to the wheels at lower speeds. This added power and control are crucial for climbing steep hills, navigating rocky terrain, or crawling over obstacles. Low range minimizes wheel spin and strain on the engine, making it easier to conquer tough trails safely and efficiently.
FAQs
Why don't Scout Routes use a numbered rating system?
Scout Routes are 'Lite' trail guides and do not contain enough granular level information to pinpoint and verify a technical rating to a specific number, rather the range is given.
What if I feel a trail's technical rating is incorrect?
Provide a trail review and Community Consensus with photos from the trail visually displaying why you feel there is a rating discrepancy.