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GOLD MINE HILL AND

CLIFFHANGER:

HIGH MOUNTAIN OFF-ROADING

Your truck is a symbol of freedom, and off-road capability is a big part of the equation. This is why we use two challenging trails in the Rocky Mountains near Boulder, Colorado to evaluate a truck’s off-road worthiness.

2016 Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X

The Gold Mine Hill is a moderately challenging trail. It is accessible year-round, but it may become impassable in the winter when the snow gets too deep. The trail is so called because it leads up to a defunct gold mine that was active in the nineteenth and the early twentieth centuries. This off-road challenge consists of three stages. First is a steep and rocky incline that is closely lined by trees. This is just a warm-up. The second is a 90-degree left turn that is part of the incline. We always come to a complete stop before the turn to kill the momentum and make it more difficult. This is a place where the truck’s 4x4 or AWD system is really put to the test as weight is shifted while navigating this tight turn. This is where tire choice becomes paramount. Finally, a steeper and washed-out section with large dips is there to test every aspect of the truck’s off-road performance, including: ground clearance, approach/departure/breakover angles, suspension articulation, and tire grip. The passenger front tire lits off the ground on most trucks that attempt the final stage. Trucks that don’t have off-road oriented or specialized tires or a locking differential are not likely to make it to the top of Gold Mine Hill.

We use five criteria to evaluate each truck’s off-road worthiness:

•Tires

•Ground clearance, approach/departure/breakover angles

•AWD / 4x4 system traction management

•Suspension articulation and comfort

•Power delivery

Some trucks make the Gold Mine Hill look easy. These are the trucks that are eligible for TFLtruck’s Gold Hitch: Off-Road Truck of the Year Award. These trucks also graduate to the Cliffhanger trail test.

The Cliffhanger 2.0 is a new trail that we certified in 2016 for testing the most capable 4x4 trucks. The likes of the Ram Power Wagon, Toyota TRD Pro, and the Ford Raptor are the trucks eligible to tackle this trail.

The Cliffhanger is longer than the Gold Mine Hill and it goes above the tree line. The payoff is a special 360 degree view that features the Continental Divide to the west and the Front Range to the east. The way to get there is a steep and rock layden trail that requires maximum traction. There is not much warm-up time. Rocks the size of basketballs, and often larger, can quickly stop your progress. There is a medium-sized ledge halfway through the trail that requires maximum ground clearance and adequate underbody skid plate protection. It is possible for trucks with a longer wheelbase to touch a large rock underneath. Driver skill and spotter’s help are required. This trail was certified with a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock.