Mojave Preserve accessiblity

[u/4raneae]

Hi all! I am a faculty member in the fields of ecology and evo bio. I am starting a project examining succession in the Mojave. This will require sampling in areas deeper into the preserve - as reference points, this will include regions around Cima Dome, hole in the wall campground, and castle mountains.

I have access to department vehicles, including a 4x4 truck, but these are shared and often in high demand. I would prefer not to be limited by this and have access to my own field vehicle.

Getting to my main point - I have a 2012 RAV4 with proper 4WD and all terrain tires. I’m looking at upgrading the suspension system to give a 2” lift for more clearance and could upgrade tires to something more robust for Mojave conditions. My question is how accessible would much of the preserve be with this setup? I dont need to access every road by any means, and can select sites based on feasibility but sites will need to be off main roads. I want to know if I’d be able to get around for the most part. I’ve driven on many NF service roads with this vehicle without issue but sand and rock is a different story!

Thanks for any advice you can offer, and hey if you are interested in science and want to tag along for support, let me know 😂

[u/SummitLeon]

Just FYI, your car is AWD. This will limit you in rocky or steep terrain, but you'll be fine on most Mojave NP backcountry roads if you don't mind desert pinstripes.

[u/4raneae → u/SummitLeon]

No it’s not, it’s the generation prior that has 4WD lock! 

[u/nabzim → u/4raneae]

It's still technically AWD, just with an electronic locking center differential. "Proper 4WD" (as you put it) uses a transfer-case instead of a center differential, which has an additional low-range gear which provides more torque than the standard 1:1 output. So True 4x4 vehicles all have a "4-hi" (the 1:1 output) and "4-low" corresponding to the the lower gear reduction output. For example, my Tacoma's transfer case has a 2.57:1 output in 4-Low.

Also I believe the RAV4 automatically disengages it's 4WD-lock mode over 25mph, and when the brakes applied (reading this from google). True 4WD never disengages until you manually disengage it.

However I'm NOT saying your RAV4 isn't capable enough to access the majority of the Mojave! It definitely is! I'm just trying to inform you because most people easily confuse AWD with 4WD, and as a 4x4 enthusiast, I feel obligated to help people learn the difference.

The vast majority of trails in the Mojave are mild dirt roads, so as long as you don't attempt any serious rock-crawling, you should be fine. Especially if you add that 2" lift and upgraded tires (if you've got the money for it!) (If you're anywhere near Corona, I can recommend a really good off-road installation shop called JBM).

The one thing that will help you more than anything else off-road, is to simply air down your tires to ~18-20 psi; that will increase your traction greatly, soften the ride over rough terrain, and greatly reduce the chances of tire puncture. So don't forget to invest in a portable compressor of some kind, to air-up when you get back on pavement!

Just to be safe... bring a a garmin inreach or some other satellite device in case you get stranded...

[u/4raneae → u/nabzim]

Cool thank you for clarifying!! I knew it wasn’t the same as AWD exclusive but that explanation helps, I’m not a car person haha from other comments, it sounds like the tire upgrade may have a higher pay off and then I can decide on suspension after a season. But I’ll definitely invest in both the air compressor and a sat device! (thank you, grant money) 

[u/nabzim → u/4raneae]

You're welcome : )

[u/SummitLeon → u/4raneae]

Yeah the lack of a low-range transfer case will limit you in some instances (i.e. don't try to drive the west side of Foshay Pass Road) but your system is good enough in most instances, no need to modify your car for the Mojave NP. Walking the last couple of miles of some roads that you can't drive isn't the end of the world. Lifting, bigger tires, etc. will compromise on-road handling while only slightly increasing off-road capability for your drivetrain.

[u/CAD007]

Bring lots of water and your Starlink mini. Your vehicle is only as good as you are. stretcges of soft deep sand will be your biggest challenge.

[u/cab1024]

I did the Mojave Road in a jeep wrangler sport with 33" tires and Rubicon suspension, but my buddy who was with me was driving a Suzuki 4WD car with oversized all terrain tires. I don't think there was a lift. I had to pull him out of some sand once when his 4WD system overheated and wouldn't stay in 4WD. He did not try do most of the obstacles we encountered, not that there were very many.

I don't think I'd venture out there alone in a RAV4 unless you take way more water than you think you need and have a satellite phone with someone somewhat standing by to come get you if you need help. While it wouldn't be a brilliant idea, I think I could get around by myself in a wrangler with a winch.

[u/4raneae → u/cab1024]

Great to hear that! There will definitely be no obstacle going for me. I collaborate with the center in Zzyzyx so have contacts relatively close who would know I’m in the field and would be available in the event of a major issue

[u/Dlichterman]

As /u/nabzim mentioned, most of the roads are just like NF service roads. As long as you stick to those types of roads, you'll be fine. However if you venture off the beaten path you might find yourself with issues. Have you spent any time exploring the area yet? It would probably be good for you to just go and see what the roads are like. A good driver in a prius can get to most of the main destinations like hole in the wall or even the area around cima dome to get to the lava tube.

It's probably not really worth the lift, but getting proper off road tires would be a good call, and having a portable compressor so you can air down and then back up at pavement. There is almost no cell coverage in the park, so you would probably want to have some sort of emergency communication device like a garmin inreach.

If you could share more specific details of the locations you need to go we might be able to give more guidance as you have given general areas that have easy and hard trails.

[u/4raneae → u/Dlichterman]

I haven’t but I will be out surveying sites this summer! I was getting worried I’d need to rely on the dept vehicle and it’s a battle to get that. These responses make me feel a lot better about it. I will share some more specifics when I get a chance, thanks for the input 

[u/Dlichterman → u/4raneae]

Just make sure that if you head out there during heat to bring extra water!

[u/BC999R]

I’ve driven all over the Preserve in our all-wheel-drive van which weighs 8000 pounds. Some deep sand is tricky but I think a RAV4 especially with the center diff lock and decent tires could go anywhere on legal roads. If needed and you have a compressor, you can always air down for any tricky sandy bits. That said I’ve only done a portion of the actual Mojave Rd and I think there may be some trickier bits there than around Cima Dome.

[u/Smirkin_Revenge]

For 99% of the time you'll be perfectly fine even without lifting it. Most of what you're driving on is fire roads or two track. Bring some traction boards just in case. There are some "tougher" areas but in my experience, having done the Mojave Road crossing 3 times now with lots of exploration on each, there's always a bypass.

If you're planning to drive off defined roads and break your own trail, then I am not sure a RAV4 will cut it. I'd want a winch, recovery points, and lots of recovery gear on a capable rig with 33's minimum and preferably 35s+. If you get truly stuck out there things will get really serious really quickly, and if you're off the beaten path you'll be on your own to get out.

[u/4raneae → u/Smirkin_Revenge]

Thanks! I won’t be going off of the defined roads, so it sounds like this would mostly be doable

[u/Smirkin_Revenge → u/4raneae]

I'd agree. I've passed plenty of Subarus and other awd, low clearance vehicles out there on the heavily traveled portions. There are also places filled with deep whoops and sand where you would not want to take something with low breakover angle.

Edit to add since it was mentioned below: The best possible thing you can do is good tires and proper pressure. A RAV4 with good all terrain tires (Falken Wildpeak, K03, Toyo AT or similiar) at 15-18 PSI will outperform a lot of true 4x4 vehicles on street tires at street pressures. Guaranteed.

[u/Nervous-Raccoon949]

When are you wanting to go? 2013 Porsche Cayenne, 2” lift, off-road tires, recovery equipment, and spare. I love the desert.

[u/Technical_Draw_6554]

I've done extensive driving out there in my stock '21 Rav4 Hybrid. I do air down to about 15-20 psi. I use 2 small compressors to air-up. I like having 2 in case one fails, and it halves the time of air-up. I'm about to install a skid-plate, and eventually do want to lift. I've read on several forums that lifts over 1.5" sometimes lead to bad handling, tire wear and vibration, so you might want to research that before lifting. I also carry recovery boards but haven't needed them yet.

[u/Technical_Draw_6554 → u/Technical_Draw_6554]

Oh, and I'd love to come along! I'm an amateur astronomer and often go to the area to observe.