First Time Silver Lake - Questions - Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest

Catnip 0_o · February 8th, 2012, 06:42 PM

This summer I plan on heading over to Silver Lake with some buds of mine and trying out the TJ on the dunes. However, this is my first time going and I was curious as to what all I will need in order to ride the dunes. I know I will need a recreation passport and ORV stickers but is there anything else I will need?

Will I need a chauffeur's license or am I good with a normal drivers license?

Also what is some good basic recovery gear to bring to the dunes?

Thanks!

shawn · February 8th, 2012, 06:52 PM

ORV sticker and a Dune Flag.

Have good tow points, and a tow strap. There is always somebody around to give you a tug.

joe_jeep · February 8th, 2012, 06:55 PM

u need a dune flag. u need an orv sticker. u need to pay entrance to the park, or a mi state parks pass. bring a good tow strap with no hooks on it! bring a cooler full of water or sodas(no booze). bring some snacks. bring a camera you dont like anymore cause you will get sand in it. air tires down to at least 10 psi, less if you can. make sure the gas tank is full. then hammer down!

you will have alot of fun there. enjoy

XJcoupe · February 8th, 2012, 06:57 PM

they have there own web site, most answers can be found there and there picture and video threads/posts are pretty cool if your into that kind of wheeling,
http://www.silverlakeforum.com/

dreezy · February 8th, 2012, 07:00 PM

Lockers front and rear. You won't make it anywhere out there in a jeep without them. Might want to think about some serious power adders as well.

Rob the plumber · February 8th, 2012, 07:01 PM

I remember my first time there and being nervous to go up the first big hill. Good times!
Remember to stop or slow way down at the top of the hill. I've seen a few people shoot over the top and roll down the other side.

dougstephvoor · February 8th, 2012, 07:05 PM

Please for the love of god, drive two times around the park slow, before you hammer down.

It is a great place, but every time I go up their I see some newbie get hurt because of their unfirmiliarity of the drop offs and steep inclines.

Please look on you tube by typing in silver lake michigan, and you will see multiple video's of totaled trucks from driving hammer down.

Be safe.

Catnip 0_o · February 8th, 2012, 07:07 PM

Thanks for all the input guys, any tips or advice is welcome

Shotgun · February 8th, 2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreezy

Lockers front and rear. You won't make it anywhere out there in a jeep without them. Might want to think about some serious power adders as well.

I seem to recall a few Subaru's walking all over test hill.

mudrunner456 · February 8th, 2012, 07:12 PM

The one thing i always tell people going for the first time is STAY OUT OF THE WATER HOLES!!! They may look fun but there are some very deep holes out there.

Catnip 0_o · February 8th, 2012, 07:19 PM

Haha I am excited to jump in and have some fun but even now I'm nervous and its months away. When the time comes, I'll make sure to take it easy..at first :)

Renegade II · February 8th, 2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudrunner456

The one thing i always tell people going for the first time is STAY OUT OF THE WATER HOLES!!! They may look fun but there are some very deep holes out there.

Na, don't worry about those little 20' across water holes, they aren't that deep.

Maybe 5-6' at the most

toyota h8r · February 8th, 2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougstephvoor

Please for the love of god, drive two times around the park slow, before you hammer down.

It is a great place, but every time I go up their I see some newbie get hurt because of their unfirmiliarity of the drop offs and steep inclines.

Please look on you tube by typing in silver lake michigan, and you will see multiple video's of totaled trucks from driving hammer down.

Be safe.

thank god someone said this.........

ive seen too many people flying around and get hurt.......makes me nervous up there a lot

Catnip 0_o · February 8th, 2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Please for the love of god, drive two times around the park slow, before you hammer down.

It is a great place, but every time I go up their I see some newbie get hurt because of their unfirmiliarity of the drop offs and steep inclines.

Please look on you tube by typing in silver lake michigan, and you will see multiple video's of totaled trucks from driving hammer down.

Be safe.

I will make sure to keep this in mind, thank you.

marshall · February 9th, 2012, 08:21 AM

you should go on a non-holiday weekend and check it out. holiday weekends required a voucher last time i was there.

and windy days are the best, especially a head wind!

mudrunner456 · February 9th, 2012, 09:58 AM

i will be there on april 1st. just like every year. you can follow me around.

Freak · February 9th, 2012, 10:09 AM

X2 on the water

don't forget extra ball joints.

Catnip 0_o · February 9th, 2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

i will be there on april 1st. just like every year. you can follow me around.

I'd love to take you up on the offer but unfortunally I wont be going up until the 16th of june. Unless you plan on going there then as well.

curbdog17 · February 9th, 2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_jeep

u need a dune flag. u need an orv sticker. u need to pay entrance to the park, or a mi state parks pass. bring a good tow strap with no hooks on it! bring a cooler full of water or sodas(no booze). bring some snacks. bring a camera you dont like anymore cause you will get sand in it. air tires down to at least 10 psi, less if you can. make sure the gas tank is full. then hammer down!

you will have alot of fun there. enjoy

This was the best advise given. Follow these instructions.

maybe not the "hammer down" part.

NSmist · February 10th, 2012, 08:55 AM

Keep an eye out for quads and dirt bikes. They're EVERYWHERE. Watched one burn to the ground back in June after getting smacked by a dune buggy.

February 8th, 2012, 06:42 PM	#1
Catnip 0_o Martial Artist Join Date: 10-14-10 Location: MI Posts: 250 iTrader: (1)	First Time Silver Lake - Questions This summer I plan on heading over to Silver Lake with some buds of mine and trying out the TJ on the dunes. However, this is my first time going and I was curious as to what all I will need in order to ride the dunes. I know I will need a recreation passport and ORV stickers but is there anything else I will need? Will I need a chauffeur's license or am I good with a normal drivers license? Also what is some good basic recovery gear to bring to the dunes? Thanks!

February 8th, 2012, 06:52 PM	#2
shawn Resident HVAC/R Jambi Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: Milford/Commerce Posts: 9,664 iTrader: (24)	ORV sticker and a Dune Flag. Have good tow points, and a tow strap. There is always somebody around to give you a tug. __________________

February 8th, 2012, 07:00 PM	#5
dreezy Senior Member Join Date: 03-28-08 Location: Holland Mi Posts: 7,615 iTrader: (6)	Lockers front and rear. You won't make it anywhere out there in a jeep without them. Might want to think about some serious power adders as well. __________________ "I've got a message in a bottle, written in gas and oil, signed with a rag and a match"

February 8th, 2012, 06:55 PM	#3
joe_jeep welfare wheeler Join Date: 03-03-06 Location: hazel park, mi Posts: 4,848 iTrader: (35)	u need a dune flag. u need an orv sticker. u need to pay entrance to the park, or a mi state parks pass. bring a good tow strap with no hooks on it! bring a cooler full of water or sodas(no booze). bring some snacks. bring a camera you dont like anymore cause you will get sand in it. air tires down to at least 10 psi, less if you can. make sure the gas tank is full. then hammer down! you will have alot of fun there. enjoy

February 8th, 2012, 06:57 PM	#4
XJcoupe 1ton XJ Join Date: 04-04-11 Location: Sault Ont. Posts: 407 iTrader: (0)	they have there own web site, most answers can be found there and there picture and video threads/posts are pretty cool if your into that kind of wheeling, http://www.silverlakeforum.com/

February 8th, 2012, 07:01 PM	#6
Rob the plumber Licensed master plumber Join Date: 06-14-06 Location: New Baltimore, Michigan Posts: 4,598 iTrader: (27)	I remember my first time there and being nervous to go up the first big hill. Good times! Remember to stop or slow way down at the top of the hill. I've seen a few people shoot over the top and roll down the other side.

February 8th, 2012, 07:05 PM	#7
dougstephvoor Supreme Chancelor! Join Date: 03-21-10 Location: Saranac/Michigan Posts: 1,925 iTrader: (3)	Please for the love of god, drive two times around the park slow, before you hammer down. It is a great place, but every time I go up their I see some newbie get hurt because of their unfirmiliarity of the drop offs and steep inclines. Please look on you tube by typing in silver lake michigan, and you will see multiple video's of totaled trucks from driving hammer down. Be safe.

February 8th, 2012, 07:07 PM	#8
Catnip 0_o Martial Artist Join Date: 10-14-10 Location: MI Posts: 250 iTrader: (1)	Thanks for all the input guys, any tips or advice is welcome

February 8th, 2012, 07:12 PM	#10
mudrunner456 Senior Member Join Date: 10-29-06 Location: north muskegon, MI Posts: 520 iTrader: (7)	The one thing i always tell people going for the first time is STAY OUT OF THE WATER HOLES!!! They may look fun but there are some very deep holes out there.

February 8th, 2012, 07:19 PM	#11
Catnip 0_o Martial Artist Join Date: 10-14-10 Location: MI Posts: 250 iTrader: (1)	Haha I am excited to jump in and have some fun but even now I'm nervous and its months away. When the time comes, I'll make sure to take it easy..at first :)

February 9th, 2012, 08:21 AM	#15
marshall locally famous Join Date: 02-12-11 Location: mayville MI Posts: 1,865 iTrader: (4)	you should go on a non-holiday weekend and check it out. holiday weekends required a voucher last time i was there. and windy days are the best, especially a head wind!

February 9th, 2012, 09:58 AM	#16
mudrunner456 Senior Member Join Date: 10-29-06 Location: north muskegon, MI Posts: 520 iTrader: (7)	i will be there on april 1st. just like every year. you can follow me around.

February 9th, 2012, 10:09 AM	#17
Freak Wheelin the HD Join Date: 01-27-07 Location: Byron center, MI Posts: 6,945 iTrader: (14)	X2 on the water don't forget extra ball joints.

February 10th, 2012, 08:55 AM	#20
NSmist Pimpin hoes& Slingin Rock Join Date: 02-11-08 Location: Pontiac, MI Posts: 1,515 iTrader: (5)	Keep an eye out for quads and dirt bikes. They're EVERYWHERE. Watched one burn to the ground back in June after getting smacked by a dune buggy.