Jeep Jamborees - Can My Jeep Do This?

Can My Jeep Do This?

by Brad Jeffrey

Publication Date: April 1996

After the article I wrote in the February issue of Extremz, I had many people stop by the store and ask, "Can my Jeep do this? Is a stock vehicle going to hold up on one of these off-road jamborees? Can I take mom's Jeepshe'll never know if I wash it good before I bring it back?"

I would prefer to write about the off-road trips I've taken in the pastbut I don't want to mislead people into thinking they can take their G.G.G. (glorified grocery getter) for a weekend of off-roading with our group.

First, I would like to make it clear that on most trail rides there is something for everyone. Trails are rated from 1 to 10; 1 being easy and 10 being difficult, and driving skills are important factor on all trail rides. Driving off-road is entirely different than driving to the corner store or down the freeway. The margin for error on some of these trails is minimal. One mistake could result in a broken vehicle or personal injury.

Also, when we plan a jamboree, we do not just go anywhere we feel like, ripping up the surrounding area. We believe in "Tread Lightly" - a program which is educational in preventing damage to the environment. Many people think that getting into mud holes up to their windshield is four-wheeling. Well, it's not - I prefer rock. In all of my years of four-wheeling, I have never seen a tire tear up a rock.

If you are a Jeep owner and want to go off-road, a stock Jeep could perform on a trail rated up to a 4, as long as you have a good set of tires on the vehicle. However, we also recommend properly installed tow hooks on the front and rear of the vehicle. If a stock Jeep is properly driven, it will hold up just fine.

If you are thinking about taking mom's Jeep out four-wheeling, think twice - it never works! No matter how clean you get it, she will know. Believe me, when I was 16 I was grounded from driving for a month...dad caught me!

If a vehicle is properly built, with a good, strong drive-train with locking differentials, a good suspension, and good tires, it will handle up to a trail rating of 7 or 8. To be able to ride a 10, besides a good skill level, you will have to have low gearing, oversized axles, and frame reinforcement, plus all the equipment needed to ride the trails 1 to 8.