Category: From the Trail

What are the benefits of joining a Jeep group?

A: Local clubs are a great resource for any Jeep owner. Most people belong to several Jeep groups, so they can share a wide range of experiences. One group might go on great trail rides whereas another one might have great socials and another might focus on helping charities. For me, it’s a way to share knowledge, friendship and good times. Plus, not everyone knows everything, so a group of people gives you a better chance to resolve issues. There’s lots of different types of people in the groups and it opens you up to diversity.

Some clubs might be right for you, while another one might not be. It’s just one of those things that you need to feel comfortable in. And if you are really going to use your Jeep for what it was meant to be used for, it is good to go with people who know what they are doing. I started Tri-County Jeepers back in 2011 because I felt there was a need for a club south of Tampa. At the time, I was in Legion of Jeepers and a few others, and Tampa Jeep Krewe wasn’t around yet.

Ultimately, it’s a broad question, but it has a simple answer: The benefits of joining a Jeep group include a diversity of expertise and adventures, but in the end, the biggest advantage is the spirit of friendship and camaraderie that makes Jeepin’ fun.

When and why should I air down my tires? Will the tire come off the rim if I release too much air?

A: Airing down can help you gain traction, but airing down isn’t necessary for most off-roaders. Your recommended highway inflation pressures will perform nicely, both on the pavement and during off-road excursions, all without having to fiddle with tire pressure.

On the upside, what you can expect from airing down is a smoother off-road ride and better traction, mostly on rocks, sand and snow.

On the downside, you have to go through the trouble of airing down and then airing up again. You will need to buy some sort of portable air compressor or storage tank. When your tires are aired down, you will lose ground clearance, and you also run the risk of damaging your tires and rims.

If your rig has conventional wheels, you will have to do some experimentation to see what works best on different terrains. A good rule of thumb is to never air down below 15 pounds per square inch (psi) without beadlocks.

I like to go way off-road, including trails with deep water. Do I need a snorkel?

Snorkels serve a unique purpose for Jeeps and other off-road vehicles. They essentially raise the air intake point of an engine. Jeepers do this for two reasons: First, a snorkeled vehicle’s engine is less prone to ingesting water. Second, the engine can breathe cooler, drier air with a slight ram air effect.

Before you add a snorkel to your Jeep, determine its water wading height. Most manufacturers will provide this information in the owner’s manual or online. For example, Jeep’s website says a 2017 Wrangler JK is capable of fording 30 inches of water in stock trim. But you would want to attack the water at a slow, consistent speed to avoid large waves or splashes.

There are many snorkel options for Jeeps. You will have your choice of styles, mounting locations and, most importantly, quality. When it comes to something that may be the difference in whether your engine survives and gets you home, this is not a place to cheap out.

American Expedition Vehicles sells a high-quality kit that mounts up great to a current JK, and has many accessories available for it. Injen sells a nice kit as well, but you must run their air intake as well, whereas AEV’s snorkel mounts to the stock air box.

Be prepared to cut some holes in your body at some point for all the kits on the market. There is no going back to stock without a trip to a body shop, so make sure you really want it before you install it.

Remember, snorkels are not magic. Adding one will not turn your Jeep into a submarine! You still have to be concerned about water entering your gearbox and differentials, damaging electrical components, or letting water enter the cabin. Be sure to silicone all your snorkel connections and use dielectric grease on all your connecters. If you frequently ford deep water, routinely change your gearbox and differential fluids.

A high-quality, correctly installed snorkel can help prevent costly damage, but you must take every precaution to keep your Jeep high and dry.

Q: I am new to Jeepin’ but a longtime four-wheeler. When I took my F-150 out, it was all about the mud. The first time out with my Jeep, I saw that, in addition to the mud, most Jeepers also enjoy rock and hill climbing. I quickly learned you need a high level of expertise to climb rocks and hills safely and effectively — and that I do not currently have it. What advice do you have for someone making the transition from trucks to Jeeps?

A: In my opinion, it’s best to go trail riding in your Jeep with some seasoned Jeepers and get familiar with the way your vehicle operates on trails that have motels, ruts and some “off-camber” areas along the way. Follow the tracks of the Jeep in front of you in line. If that driver makes it through safe and easily, most likely you will as well.

Once you feel confident enough to try obstacles and rocks, it is very important that you do so with others who do this type of wheeling frequently. Most of all, you need a competent and experienced “spotter.” They can help you get over those rocks without doing damage to your Jeep or injuring yourself. Keep your eye on them and do exactly what they say.

As a Jeeper, you are a member of a community. Find us on the trails and on Facebook. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

As your skills progress, you will want to try more difficult challenges. To climb hills, rocks and other obstacles, you will need to modify your Jeep. At the very least, expect to invest in a lift kit, 35-inch tires a front locker.

Jeeping experience comes from on the trail experience that you cannot learn in a book. Some trial and error is necessary and more practically, knowledge from more experienced Jeepers. Remember that we share a bond and we are always willing to help others when needed!

I have a small group of Jeepers looking for places to go Jeepin’ legally in Central Florida. I live approximately 35 minutes south of Orlando.

A: The first spot I would recommend is a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) called Green Swamp in Webster, Fla., about an hour southwest of Orlando. You’ll be running fire roads, which make WMAs ideal for beginners. When you are running WMA trails, you need to stay on the ones that are numbered or named. For larger groups, you will need to obtain a permit. Visit myfwc.com to get trail maps.

If there has been a heavy rain recently, there will be lots of mud holes and deep water. Be prepared for the trails to get more technical. If you want a totally different experience, you can do them at night.

While in a WMA, make note of the hunting seasons and zones. You are likely to get a big fine if you go off-trail. They may have trail cameras set up to spot license plates and unmarked vehicles that will pull you over. Don’t post any off-trail pictures or locations on social media. Better yet, just follow the rules and everyone will have a good time.

More experienced drivers can head two hours northwest of Orlando to Hardrock Cycle Park in Ocala, Fla., a motocross park with an off-road area on the back side. They charge $25 a vehicle per day, plus $5 for any passenger, and you will have to sign a waiver. It’s an old lime mine where nature has its way, forming challenging lines and natural features.

You’ll be running the lime rock trails with large obstacles, steep hills and drop-offs. If you are looking for something hardcore, there are plenty of places here to get off-camber. It will definitely test your capability, and newer drivers can find a way around obstacles to meet the group on the other side.

This last one I haven’t yet been able to visit, but is definitely on my Jeepin’ bucket list. It’s a manmade park in Lehigh Acres, Fla., three hours southwest of Orlando, called Lazy Springs Recreation Park. This is a challenging park with massive mudholes, rock hills, and an obstacle course with concrete features and culverts. Most larger manmade obstacles have bypasses for beginners. There is a whole range of situations, from easy to hard. Be sure to check out the “Know Before You Go” page on their website. You will have to sign a waiver and they only take cash.

Wherever you decide to go off-road, it is very important to have an experienced trail leader who understands their responsibilities. If you are the leader of your group, you should know the capabilities of each driver and vehicle before heading out. I always tell newer drivers we won’t push them to do anything they are not comfortable with. Every Jeep that rolls in under its own power will, hopefully, roll out under its own power, and remember: “No Jeep left behind.”