When the going gets steep and snowy, even the mighty Ford F-150 Raptor can get into trouble. This is was the case as TFL’s Roman Mica attempted the Gold Mine Hill off-road test high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
The Gold Mine Hill off-road test is a way for TFLcar and TFLtruck to evaluate the AWD and 4×4 systems in crossovers, SUVs, and trucks. The vehicles are rated on a 5-snowflake scale.
- Ground Clearance
- Tires
- Traction: 4×4 or AWD system
- Power Train: engine and transmission
- Comfort: suspension tuning
Each tested vehicle is expected to go up a steep a rocky trail to a sharp left corner, come to a complete stop, then get going again to negotiate the turn. Depending on how the vehicle does, there is an additional test to get right up to the old Gold Mine. This section is narrower, steeper, and has an articulation obstacle.
Naturally, the Gold Mine hill takes on a whole new level of difficulty when it’s covered in snow and ice.
Get the whole story in the video below.
