You never know what you're going to find up the unpaved roads in Death Valley National Park! This is one of the surprise finds we made on a scouting day before our workshop a couple of weeks ago.
This rental car made it a few miles up a road rated for four wheel drive vehicles. The road was about to get worse just a few yards later, so we advised the driver to turn around. A tow can cost $1000 in remote areas in Death Valley. In most cases it's probably cheaper to rent a Jeep for a day than it is to have a rental car agency charge you for damages. Even with the best case and most common breakdown scenario on Death Valley's unpaved roads, a flat tire, can you imagine getting back out a rough road with those tiny pretend tires most rental cars come with?
There's one thing guaranteed with this approach: an adventure, and some good stories to tell when you get back. Hopefully acquiring those stories won't be too expensive, or life-threatening.
Coming across this guy way up a dry wash was good for a hearty laugh… unlike the rental car a couple of days later which came careening around a blind curve at top speed on the one-way Titus Canyon Road, traveling the wrong way!
You never know what you’re going to find up the unpaved roads in Death Valley National Park! This is one of the surprise finds we made on a scouting day before our workshop a couple of weeks ago. This rental car made it a few miles up a road rated for four wheel drive vehicles. The road was about to get worse just a few yards later, so we advised the driver to turn around. A tow can cost $1000 in remote areas in Death Valley. In most cases it’s probably cheaper to rent a Jeep for a day than it is to have a rental car agency charge you for damages. Even with the best case and most common breakdown scenario on Death Valley’s unpaved roads, a flat tire, can you imagine getting back out a rough road with those tiny pretend tires most rental cars come with? But there’s one thing guaranteed with this approach: an adventure, and some good stories to tell when you get back. Hopefully acquiring those stories won’t be too expensive, or life-threatening.
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很酷！
#rentalrally !
extreme rental, nothing like taking the rental compact out on a 4×4 trails with the fear of getting stuck with every dip you hit lol
Awesome!
In Vegas we went 4×4 all the time we found huge Crystals
City folk don't get the idea of "no road." Our streets are that bad.
Me gusta!!!
I say walk or bike. A car despoiling all that beauty is quite profane honestly.
Love it.
Great shot. When I was there, the ranger warned us about this so I didn't go on the more bumpy roads.
Sometimes I think people need to do more research about where they are going so they are prepared. Thankfully I learned that wise approach to travel from my Dad that was a hunter. Great story Jeff. I hope the people in this vehicle listened to you.
love it！
Here you go +Andrew Kent Morris… 135 miles non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA in temperatures up to 130F, the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. The 36th anniversary edition will be held July 15-17, 2013: http://www.badwater.com/
Go for it; show us how it's done. Unfortunately the water you'll need to consume will need to be trucked in.
Really expensive $1000 !
MEH. I’ve taken a smaller rental car through a much worse road with no problems or rental charges whatsoever. I Didn’t even have the rental insurance. It’s really in the driver. Ever seen Rally Racing? Rally Racing cars are two wheel drives and not much higher than a rental car. My caveat? I didn’t know the road would deteriorate like it did when I drove that rental car. Also, I probably wouldn’t have knowingly taken that car on an advertised “dangerous” “4X4” only trail, like these people did. I was even debating whether my Suburban could do it or should I take my Jeep; but, I chose comfort, instead; and, boy the looks I got, the comments and questions, when I exited the canyon in my Suburban – priceless. Now that I’ve driven it and have also done a crazy in a rental car, I’m pretty sure that with the right driver, that car could’ve gone back to the rental agency with no problems, like in my case. In my Suburban, there were some nervous moments on the trail and I would definitely not advise someone to try a doing it in a rental car. You’ve got to be one of those Red Bull sponsored crazies to try it. Then again, I’m sure there’ll be plenty to line up.