Hello fellow Jeepers, Gladiators and Off-Road Enthusiasts,
Sooooo, you’ve got a JEEP!!! Maybe it’s a brand new one with paint that’s still drying from the factory, maybe it’s a used one that has proven itself off-road or one that you’re hoping to build into a formidable rock crawling BEAST! Regardless, you are ready to go. No more mall crawling trips for you!!! Before you jump in, there are a few things to consider.
- This hobby is DANGEROUS! Many of the trails in Arizona traverse narrow ledges, high mountains and are off camber. These trails will test your nerves, your resolve and can be very intimidating at times! On the plus side, you’re driving slow and the likelihood of you having an accident is less than getting into one on a highway.
- This hobby is EXPENSIVE! You are putting wear and tear on the Jeep and parts will break. Sooner rather than later you will be forced to upgrade your tires, suspension, steering, driveshaft……. Upgrades don’t stop as you feed your addiction and try harder trails. Also, getting towed from the trail can cost thousands of dollars! This risk of course is significantly minimized if you’re off-roading with a group like ours, but the possibility is still there.
- Kiss your WARRANTY goodbye! If you make even the slightest upgrades to your Jeep, the dealer most likely will refuse a warranty on any related components. Did you just upgrade to bigger tires? Well, there goes your suspension and steering components warranty. Added a few lights or a winch? You’ve just voided your electric and battery warranty. The list goes on…. Recently my broken visor clip repair was denied “due to excessive wear and tear from vibrations most likely caused by frequent off-roading”
Still want to play? Then read on……..
I’ve been off-roading for nearly 10 years now and find this hobby to be extremely rewarding and enjoyable. Whether it’s the breathtaking scenery, exploring the unknown, the sense of accomplishment conquering a trail or the thrill of overcoming an obstacle, those are all the things that give me the motivation to drive hours or sometimes days to the next Adventure!
And, when the &*($%^ hits the fan, the comradery of fellow Jeepers is out of this world! Strangers will bond together and selflessly help each other to get out of the most precarious situations! WELCOME to the world of off-roading and I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!
Now the boring logistics part that you need to get started:
- You will need a SPARE TIRE! On most trails in Arizona, sharp rocks on trails are a guarantee and getting a flat is very common. Make sure to always carry a spare!
- Purchase a GMRS RADIO! It always helps to know what’s happening ahead, why we’ve stopped, or what the next obstacle is going to be. To get started, I recommend the Midland GMRS radios. They’re cheap, easy to use and have pre-programmed channels including Valley Gladiators channel #12.
- Invest in DEFLATION/INFLATION Tools. No, it does not mean a gas station with an air pump!
- DEFLATION: To avoid getting a flat and to have a comfortable ride, it is required to “air down” on the trail. I typically run my tires around 17 PSI and will drop them even lower depending on how rocky or sandy the trails are. Staun Tire Deflators are considered to be the best and most expensive but after losing a pair or two, I have settled for cheap alternatives that work just as well.
- INFLATION: There are many options for inflating your tires. To get started, I would highly recommend investing in the Smittybilt 2781 compressor. It is fast, reliable and is the most common portable compressor used on the trails. Also, I personally like the Morflate 4 Tire Inflation System which allows me to inflate all 4 tires at once instead of babysitting each individual tire.
- STAYING HYDRATED on the trails in Arizona, especially in the summer is a must! The 16 cans Arctic Zone Titan fits perfectly on the floor in front of the back middle seat in a Gladiator or a JL for quick access. Combine it with a pair of 2 lb Yeti ICE Packs and you have a perfect combination to keep you drinks cold for hours.
- BRING LUNCH. Most of our trail Adventures last 4 to 6 hours and we will stop for lunch. So make sure to bring enough food for you and your companions. You may also want to bring a comfortable camping chair to relax in.
- FULL TANK OF GAS! Always show up to the trail with a full tank of gas. Even short trails could potentially turn into a full day if we have to turn around or find an alternative exit.
You’ve completed your first trail and you want to do more. Let’s talk about maintenance:
- Clean your Air Filters! Arizona trails are dusty. Don’t make the same mistake I did waiting to replace my filter after 20,000 miles only to realize that I was literally suffocating my engine. You can use either the OEM filters or reusable ones such as K&N Also, don’t forget to replace/clean your cabin filters as well. I recommend that you do this with EVERY OIL CHANGE.
- Change your OIL OFTEN! Chrysler recommend 7,000 to 10,000 miles before changing your oil and the new Jeeps come with an Oil Change Indicator light. If you offroad frequently, you’ll see the light come up every 2,000 miles or so. No, it’s not a mistake. Off-roading and 4W driving takes an additional toll on the engine and you should change it when prompted.
- Check your NUTS & BOLTS! Make sure to crawl underneath your Jeep before & after every trail and check that every nut and bolt is tight and also to make sure you don’t have any fluid leaks! You don’t want to be stranded in the middle of the trail because of a loose & missing bolt or not having any coolant left in your tank! Your suspension, steering components, axle covers, sway bars, they all need to be checked. I also recommend marking a line on your critical bolts so you can inspect very quickly if any of the bolts are loose.
I hope you found this post helpful and looking forward to seeing you on our next Adventure!!! Questions, Comments? Post them below.
* Disclaimer, I am not affiliated with any of the above brands nor do I collect any profit from products mentioned in this post.