📍 Meet-Up Arkansas Meetup - Feb 26 - Mar 1

[OmahaBravo]

Updated 01.14.26

Trail rash is very possible (pinstripes/ light scratches). Body damage is unlikely (especially if we are conservative of when we spot) but theres still a chance.

Here's what you are getting into if you choose to come AND choose to run the trails I am going to map out:

Trail Conditions​

• There will be water crossings
  • Water crossing information can be found on post #75 and cab sealing/add'l trail conditions can be found on #78
  • Water levels will get above hubs
  • We will not be driving into fast moving water
• There will be mud holes
  • Its more dirty water than thick goopy mud, there's one in particular thatwill get into your cab if its not sealed well (my truck stayed dry both times)
  • whatever penetrations you have into the cab will more than likely be tested. make sure they are sealed up good. Hit me up for suggestions. i've had success with the method i employed
  • Depending on rain, there could be some mud or, if there is a lot of rain, there will be "it will be an experience" mud

Oh, front and rear recovery points are a REQUIREMENT. I have no affil with Brennans garage but thats the rear recovery gear I run.
A winch is highly recommended.

Attending Tremors
Attendee list can be found on post #76.

Dates​

Feb 26 - Mar 1
Arrive Thursday
Wheel/Hangout Friday/Saturday
Check out Sunday

Lodging​

Tent/RTT/Camper/Trailer/RV:
Turner Bend To make a reservation call 479-667-3641 at Round the Bend
Note: they are only going to take 10% right now for tax reasons. You'll pay the rest in January.
They have plenty of RV and camping sites. However, they ONLY have three camping sites near the RV spots. The other sites are down the road near the store.
Therefore if you reserve one of the two that are left (I reserved one), post on here if you dont mind someone splitting it with you. They allow up to 4 people per site but they charge $10 for each person over two people.

Cabin/Rental/Hotel:
For those who want/need a cabin and it not be at Turner Bend you can certainly find them but they will be dispersed throughout the area. Use your favorite rental app to find them. Look in the Cass/Oark area. Expand to Ozone if you have to.
For those who want/need a hotel, youll have to go back to I40 in Ozark/Mulberry to find those. ~20 min drive from where we will be to I40.

Food​

Thursday supper: on your own
Friday breakfast: on your own
Friday lunch: Oark General store
Friday supper: Taco Bar at camp (see post #83)
Saturday breakfast: on your own (Oark General store is an option as well)
Saturday lunch: on the trail
Saturday supper: S&S Grillhouse (Clarksville) or Arkansas Brewing Company (Ozark) - we can decide as a group.

Fuel
Gasoline is available at Turner Bend, in Oark, and at Red Lick country store (south of Ozone)
Diesel is only available near I40 (Ozark and Clarksville)
Honestly, fuel shouldnt be an issue but we can coordinate if need be. Besides, Red Lick and Turner Bend have stickers (if you're the collecting type)

Comms
GMRS radio is required. We gotta be able to communicate with each other.
If you need one, buy a usb-c rechargable Baofeng unit off Amazon. Theres a few to choose from so... get the highest wattage one you want to buy? I have the UV-5R with a stubby antenna (my outside the vehicle comms) and it works just fine.
I'm not a comms guy so ask someone else if you have a more detailed question on radios and such.

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Looks like a really fun trip! While I'd enjoy the scenic drives around the Ozarks, it sounds like you've got some fun trails lined up for the group.

 

[FuelTankReInforcedSkidPlt]

Sounds fun, only a 12 hr drive.

Water above the hubs will take a fluid change, glad I need to do that, so will wait till after the trip.

 

[Trektor73]

Following along. Both weekends work for me currently.

 

[ramv]

Interested. We side by side in that area, hadn't thought about taking my truck on any of the trails. (We normally stay at Mulberry Mountain.)

 

[OmahaBravo]

Interested. We side by side in that area, hadn't thought about taking my truck on any of the trails. (We normally stay at Mulberry Mountain.)

Hoping we can avoid the sxs crowd but currently the trails i'm mapping/eyeing are all east of the Pig Trail (Hwy 23).

 

[ramv]

The only trails I've been on east of the highway was down to Hanging Rock Hollow falls from the highway and back. (Pretty popular with the SXS crowd from what I have seen.)

 

[ScoutMed]

I am local to FSM if you need any help with the set up.

 

[TellurideTremor]

Sounds fun, only a 12 hr drive.

Water above the hubs will take a fluid change, glad I need to do that, so will wait till after the trip.

Tell me more about when/why water crossing leads to fluid change?!?!

Recommend or required?

 

[Tugboat]

Sounds like a great trip - unfortunately I have a prior commitment for those dates in February.
Have fun guys and stay safe

 

[thatdood]

Arkansas meetup… Sounds like a family reunion

Joking.. joking..

 

[Donnie With A Dee]

It's only at 3 1/2 hour trip for me. Either weekend can could work for me. Problem is I have no camping gear. So I'd have to stay in a hotel somewhere if there's something close by. Also, I wouldn't be able to come for 4 days. It'd have to be probably two. No winch. What type of rear attachment points would we need? Will the stock front ones work? Definitely interested.

 

[OmahaBravo]

It's only at 3 1/2 hour trip for me. Either weekend can could work for me. Problem is I have no camping gear. So I'd have to stay in a hotel somewhere if there's something close by. Also, I wouldn't be able to come for 4 days. It'd have to be probably two. No winch. What type of rear attachment points would we need? Will the stock front ones work? Definitely interested.

Hotels can be had within 30-45 min but your selection might be limited.

Look at the link i posted about rear recovery. Something of that nature would be good to have in case you have to be recovered. I like that type because its highly unlikely you'll shear the receiver pin so the only other part to fail is the soft shackle, which does not weigh much. Brennan makes a 2" receiver just like that one in case you want something that'll work across other vehicles.

Stock front connection points should be plenty sufficient for what we'll be doing. My goal is to avoid winching. The only time i had to when i ran the trails was to prevent body damage. But, thats on a trail I have no plans to take yall.

The risk of body damage exists only because we wll be maneuvering between trees and maybe some rocks. We may run into a spot or two that someone might want a spot just to be safe... but my plan is for that to be few and far between due to time and wanting to make this a trip that >80-90% of folks feel comfortable attending.

 

[ccradier]

I am hoping to be down for this!!!!!

 

[FuelTankReInforcedSkidPlt]

Tell me more about when/why water crossing leads to fluid change?!?!

Recommend or required?

It's in the Owner's Manual under the Four-Wheel Drive chapter: "If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and power transfer unit lubricant should be checked and changed if necessary."

The issue is that axles/transfer cases have breather tubes to equalize pressure as components heat and cool. When you submerge hot components in cold water, you get thermal contraction that can pull water past seals or through the breathers if cab level water. Seal technology is way better than it was 30 years ago, but wear and tear is still a thing, especially with how we off-road these trucks at weight. Water in gear oil turns it into a milkshake that destroys lubrication properties and causes accelerated wear on gears and bearings.

Quick check: pull the fill plug and stick a clear straw in there to pull out a sample for visual inspection, if it comes out milky or coffee-colored, change it immediately. Even if you're not ready to change it, at least pull a sample to see what condition it's in. $150 in fluid now vs. a $2000+ rebuild later. Ford says "recommended" but if you do regular deep crossings, treat it as required.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...A&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

*Oh and be sure to cycle your front hub lockouts a few times over the following weeks as well after crossing water

 

[OmahaBravo]

It's in the Owner's Manual under the Four-Wheel Drive chapter: "If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and power transfer unit lubricant should be checked and changed if necessary."

The issue is that axles/transfer cases have breather tubes to equalize pressure as components heat and cool. When you submerge hot components in cold water, you get thermal contraction that can pull water past seals or through the breathers if cab level water. Seal technology is way better than it was 30 years ago, but wear and tear is still a thing, especially with how we off-road these trucks at weight. Water in gear oil turns it into a milkshake that destroys lubrication properties and causes accelerated wear on gears and bearings.

Quick check: pull the fill plug and stick a clear straw in there to pull out a sample for visual inspection, if it comes out milky or coffee-colored, change it immediately. Even if you're not ready to change it, at least pull a sample to see what condition it's in. $150 in fluid now vs. a $2000+ rebuild later. Ford says "recommended" but if you do regular deep crossings, treat it as required.

Good info

*Oh and be sure to cycle your front hub lockouts a few times over the following weeks as well after crossing water

I've found that mine dont seal well despite having replaced the exterior gasket. I pull mine, hit 'em with cleaner and then regrease them pretty good before reinstalling if i drive through any water that is at/above hub height.
But, certainly helpful to actuate them every once in a while .

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Maybe we should bring one of these... Anyone have theirs handy? @Najaf4life - can we borrow one?

 

[Hawksfan]

The wife and I could be down for this it comes together

 

[ccradier]

I can't wai to get bac to Arkansas! Using every bit of daylight I get and some darkness to get the ol' girl ready for this excursion. Looking forward to meeting some great people and eyeing some great tucks!

 

[TellurideTremor]

Let's hope the weather cooperates in February.

Currently at the famous Oark Cafe and General Store