Wheeling/Camping at Anthracite Offroad Adventure Area (AOAA) in PA

[mjp2]

Long, boring, photo-heavy post ahead but it was all really fun for me and my family.

Had a chance to properly use the Bronco last weekend and it genuinely surprised me. With all the hero switches and the cameras this is wheeling on easy mode. The camera option to show the front wheels, what they're on, and where they're going was a total game changer. I hit every obstacle exactly as intended without the need for a spotter and almost made it look like I knew what the heck I was doing out there

The Bronco towed beautifully and the 4 cylinder never complained. The manual transmission and 4.70 gears certainly helped in that department. I'm running blue Sumo Springs, Ford brake controller, and a weight distribution hitch to make sure we stay safe. I installed the Sumo Springs without the included spacers so the truck rides like stock when unloaded. I highly recommend that upgrade even if you just carry a lot of gear from time to time.

First stop was food and drinks as it was gonna be a 4 hour drive.

Set up camp in the dark, so this is from the next day before we hit the trails:

I kept up pretty well with the Jeep Rubicon rolling on 35s. I'll be right there with him once these 33s wear out.

Put the top down, folded back the @Dirtydog headliner, and strapped it to my @Mountains2Metal tilting attic shelf. Pretty happy to have a quick option for quiet highway driving followed by open-air enjoyment when I want it.

Everyone was in good spirits as we hit the trails, though my youngest didn't want to be in the shot.

The weather could not have been better. Perfect temps, sunshine, and Fall setting in.

First little obstacle of the day / of my ownership of the Bronco. Unremarkable but still momentous lol

Like it was nothing.

And then just lots of wheeling and pretty scenery.

Goofing around

AOAA is seriously gorgeous. The trails are well maintained, well marked, and have options for all skill and rig levels.

My @BA OffRoad dashboard accessories mount came in handy. Phone with onX running, GMRS radio (yes I'm licensed ), and travel trailer backup camera all mounted, visible, and still out of the way.

I mean, come on...

Jeep doing Jeep things:

Bronco doing Bronco things, which is to say it made the drive down and back up look really boring.

Like, really boring. The two moms can be heard trying to wrangle the 6yo as he wanted to run down the hill we were driving up, thus my wife didn't get a full video.


At the top of that climb my 9yo looked like I just asked him to take out the trash lol

Lots and lots of rocky trails throughout the day, with several cool hill climbs with similar terrain. My wife wasn't thrilled with those so I don't have any pics or videos of them.

More scenery and a shortcut between trails

Obligatory group photo

And our youngest found bigfoot and got a sticker for his efforts

Great trip, no breakage, AOAA is fantastic, and our kids asked when we could go back. The vibe on both the trails and at the campground is properly chill. The weekend was a win all around.

Stopped off at Cabela's on the way home to have my first dump station experience. They offer that service for free because they know you'll drop a couple hundred once you walk inside the building. Smart business

I could not be happier with this or any other truck. If you have the chance to wheel AOAA, do it.

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[Ford Motor Company]

Long, boring, photo-heavy post ahead but it was all really fun for me and my family.

Had a chance to properly use the Bronco last weekend and it genuinely surprised me. With all the hero switches and the cameras this is wheeling on easy mode. The camera option to show the front wheels, what they're on, and where they're going was a total game changer. I hit every obstacle exactly as intended without the need for a spotter and almost made it look like I knew what the heck I was doing out there

The Bronco towed beautifully and the 4 cylinder never complained. The manual transmission and 4.70 gears certainly helped in that department. I'm running blue Sumo Springs, Ford brake controller, and a weight distribution hitch to make sure we stay safe. I installed the Sumo Springs without the included spacers so the truck rides like stock when unloaded. I highly recommend that upgrade even if you just carry a lot of gear from time to time.

First stop was food and drinks as it was gonna be a 4 hour drive.

Set up camp in the dark, so this is from the next day before we hit the trails:

I kept up pretty well with the Jeep Rubicon rolling on 35s. I'll be right there with him once these 33s wear out.

Put the top down, folded back the @Dirtydog headliner, and strapped it to my @Mountains2Metal tilting attic shelf. Pretty happy to have a quick option for quiet highway driving followed by open-air enjoyment when I want it.

Everyone was in good spirits as we hit the trails, though my youngest didn't want to be in the shot.

The weather could not have been better. Perfect temps, sunshine, and Fall setting in.

First little obstacle of the day / of my ownership of the Bronco. Unremarkable but still momentous lol

Like it was nothing.

And then just lots of wheeling and pretty scenery.

Goofing around

AOAA is seriously gorgeous. The trails are well maintained, well marked, and have options for all skill and rig levels.

My @BA OffRoad dashboard accessories mount came in handy. Phone with onX running, GMRS radio (yes I'm licensed ), and travel trailer backup camera all mounted, visible, and still out of the way.

I mean, come on...

Jeep doing Jeep things:

Bronco doing Bronco things, which is to say it made the drive down and back up look really boring.

Like, really boring. The two moms can be heard trying to wrangle the 6yo as he wanted to run down the hill we were driving up, thus my wife didn't get a full video.


At the top of that climb my 9yo looked like I just asked him to take out the trash lol

Lots and lots of rocky trails throughout the day, with several cool hill climbs with similar terrain. My wife wasn't thrilled with those so I don't have any pics or videos of them.

More scenery and a shortcut between trails

Obligatory group photo

And our youngest found bigfoot and got a sticker for his efforts

Great trip, no breakage, AOAA is fantastic, and our kids asked when we could go back. The vibe on both the trails and at the campground is properly chill. The weekend was a win all around.

Stopped off at Cabela's on the way home to have my first dump station experience. They offer that service for free because they know you'll drop a couple hundred once you walk inside the building. Smart business

I could not be happier with this or any other truck. If you have the chance to wheel AOAA, do it.

A road trip is always a good time with family. We hope you all had a great time!

 

[JerryG]

A road trip is always a good time with family.

IMO this statement is a wrong as the decision not to put air vents in the back of the Bronco

 

[tasker]

great place! went for the first time for the MEB Bronco Round up in June...had a blast! Trail pics brought me right back, thank you!

 

[UNBROKN]

I like this camper. I am shopping right now. Trying to decide whether to get one I can pull with the Bronco or if I want one we can pull with my wife's Yukon XL. Which model is this? How did your Bronco pull?
I was guessing this is the G20BH based on the double windows (typical in bunkhouse floorplans). That thing is nearly 4000 lbs empty.

 

[mjp2]

I like this camper. I am shopping right now. Trying to decide whether to get one I can pull with the Bronco or if I want one we can pull with my wife's Yukon XL. Which model is this? How did your Bronco pull?
I was guessing this is the G20BH based on the double windows (typical in bunkhouse floorplans). That thing is nearly 4000 lbs empty.

It's an early-2020 G19BH. We wanted the bunkhouse layout for the kids, and the Geo Pro models seemed to be the best built we could find in our price range. We got a killer deal on it and drove to South Carolina to pick it up.

We specifically wanted one without a pop-out for the weight savings, and this one's rated for 3500lbs loaded. Also, the aluminum framing of the box is stronger and lighter than the stick-built approach used for most travel trailers.

Tongue weight adds up fast as it has dual batteries and 2 propane tanks on the tongue, which is why I got the Sumo Springs. I wanted that extra load carrying capacity in the rear even if the overall trailer weight was within spec.

Definitely invest in a WDH and brake controller regardless of what you're using to tow, and get the Sumo Springs if you're using your Bronco.

I will say there's a noticeable difference when the 37 gallon freshwater tank is full vs. empty. Mileage dropped to 11 when towing vs my usual 18.5 but that was also going through the small mountains in eastern PA.

For most trips we'll be pulling with my wife's Explorer Sport, which is rated for 5k. Mileage on that one hurts more as the 3.5 Ecoboost gets really thirsty and it's only got a 16 gallon tank but it pulls more confidently. We'll be taking it to Florida in the Spring and will be utilizing the tongue bike racks for us and the flip-up bottom bunk area with its own access door for our kids' bikes. Little features like that will really make you appreciate the trailer the more you use it.

This past trip was honestly more pleasant than any of the times we've rented a cabin at a campground. You won't regret getting a Geo Pro or E-Pro trailer. They're made really well and are thoughtfully designed.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

great place! went for the first time for the MEB Bronco Round up in June...had a blast! Trail pics brought me right back, thank you!

Thanks for sharing your experience with us on the forum. We love to hear all about your adventures!

 

[tasker]

ALL of my adventures?

 

[mjp2]

Frog Hole is the most innocuous-looking puddle until you see it swallow a rig whole lol

 

[scotman623]

I have been to AOAA several times.. Lots of great trails to explore… Looks like you and your family had a great time…

 

[jabberwocky]

This is great thanks for sharing. I visited AOAA for my first time in October.

Where did you make camp near AOAA?

 

[mjp2]

This is great thanks for sharing. I visited AOAA for my first time in October.

Where did you make camp near AOAA?

AOAA has an attached campground. They actually share a driveway

http://www.trailheadcampground.com/

We'll definitely return there. It was a great weekend.

 

[LockedBronco]

AOAA has an attached campground. They actually share a driveway

http://www.trailheadcampground.com/

We'll definitely return there. It was a great weekend.

Any sign of trailhead getting sewer and water?

 

[mjp2]

Any sign of trailhead getting sewer and water?

It's been in the works for probably a decade now. Electricity at each campsite but no other utilities. The port-a-johns are kept clean, if that helps.

We had our travel trailer full of 37 gallons of fresh water in addition to what we brought for drinking. Even though we had our own facilities we primarily used the port-a-johns. At least for now it's desirable to have a camper as it's still relatively rough camping on site.

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