For Me, No More Wheeling at Large Events

[WILDHOBO]

Ya I would of said how do I get out of here, bye, if you dont hear from my by X time - im stuck out here and please look for me come AM.....etc. - Basically pro of con of my time/rig and enjoying the enivorment if safe....etc. vrs being with punks

In most cases I’d have done exactly that. Tough trail though, and I had to make the call at the time, while seeing bright red. While I love wheeling alone, and consider myself to be geared up to do it safely, this wasn’t a trail I at the time wanted to finish solo. In hindsight, I should have told them to pound sand and leave. Even if I spent the night; I probably would have enjoyed it more.

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[jskurkis]

To all,

Thanks for sharing. As a newbie, I'm hesitate to go out with any size group. I road dirt bikes and crotch rockets my whole life but "Jeeping" is new to me. I retired from the U.S. Navy in 2023, after 34 years of both active and reserve service. I fought with the VA for two solid years on why they would approve a 90% rating but not 100%. The fights not over but I needed to take a break.

As a retirement gift, my wife and I decided on a 2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X. I've had it for about six months. It was way more than we were looking for but at the time the discounts brought the Mojave X down in the same price range as a Willys. The only thing I wish I could change is the color. Bright White is not my favorite but what we got in options makes up for it.

A week ago, I tapped into savings and splurged on a 3.5" Clayton Off-Road lift with Raceline 17" wheels and 37" Mickey Thompson ATs. I haven't been off-road yet but she drives great on roads and highways. Not much additional noise from the tires too.

I can't wait to get out and get dirty. I haven't met a lot of folks that go off-road. I'm in Connecticut and the closest trails are in Massachusetts. I signed up the Jeep Academy in the Catskills, May 22nd. I need to get a good baseline of what the Jeep is capable of and how to use a winch.

The first event that I signed up for where there will be 100+ vehicles is Wheeling for Warriors in New Hampshire, which is the following weekend. There's camping as well so the family will be making the trip up with me. I hoping since this is a fundraiser for Veterans that it will be more family friendly rather than "lets hit the beers".

I do plan on going out West the rest of the year. I converted an old M1101 military trailer into an overlanding rig. Initially I plan on going out 2-3 weeks at a time hitting the National Parks with open camping and earning a few Jeep Badges along the way. But later on in the year I plan to go out 4-6 weeks at a time.

Sorry of the long post, but I've learned a lot from this forum and as it's been said already, no one gets left behind. And if you break down or your vehicle is stuck and we can't figure out how to get it out, we'll hang out together until someone comes along with more knowledge and experience.

 

[WILDHOBO]

To all,

Thanks for sharing. As a newbie, I'm hesitate to go out with any size group. I road dirt bikes and crotch rockets my whole life but "Jeeping" is new to me. I retired from the U.S. Navy in 2023, after 34 years of both active and reserve service. I fought with the VA for two solid years on why they would approve a 90% rating but not 100%. The fights not over but I needed to take a break.

As a retirement gift, my wife and I decided on a 2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X. I've had it for about six months. It was way more than we were looking for but at the time the discounts brought the Mojave X down in the same price range as a Willys. The only thing I wish I could change is the color. Bright White is not my favorite but what we got in options makes up for it.

A week ago, I tapped into savings and splurged on a 3.5" Clayton Off-Road lift with Raceline 17" wheels and 37" Mickey Thompson ATs. I haven't been off-road yet but she drives great on roads and highways. Not much additional noise from the tires too.

I can't wait to get out and get dirty. I haven't met a lot of folks that go off-road. I'm in Connecticut and the closest trails are in Massachusetts. I signed up the Jeep Academy in the Catskills, May 22nd. I need to get a good baseline of what the Jeep is capable of and how to use a winch.

The first event that I signed up for where there will be 100+ vehicles is Wheeling for Warriors in New Hampshire, which is the following weekend. There's camping as well so the family will be making the trip up with me. I hoping since this is a fundraiser for Veterans that it will be more family friendly rather than "lets hit the beers".

I do plan on going out West the rest of the year. I converted an old M1101 military trailer into an overlanding rig. Initially I plan on going out 2-3 weeks at a time hitting the National Parks with open camping and earning a few Jeep Badges along the way. But later on in the year I plan to go out 4-6 weeks at a time.

Sorry of the long post, but I've learned a lot from this forum and as it's been said already, no one gets left behind. And if you break down or your vehicle is stuck and we can't figure out how to get it out, we'll hang out together until someone comes along with more knowledge and experience.

Sounds like we’d be on exactly the same page. From what I’ve been told by friends, the academy was a great experience. You’ll likely enjoy it very much. Congrats on that sweet ride. Is the NH event at Jericho? I’ve been there once and it’s a cool place. 3.5” lift and 37’s and you walk right over it. I did it with a similar setup with my kids in back, in the rain, and solo. Gorgeous day with no issues. Look me up when you head west. Happy to join if you want. I’ve done many of the badge trails in Colorado and Utah, I think with only one exception. Some of them several times. The arches/moab area is a playground with something for everyone. My favorite trails are those with choices. Where you can make it as easy or hard as you want. It makes them perfect for diverse vehicle setups.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Yea big groups are no fun! Causing too many ego issues with more ego than brains. I also don’t plan on off roading any more in a truck, even an especially a Gladiator! If I do I’ll build a nice old YJ, similar to the 95 I bought new back in the day that could go almost with some big side by sides. As for breaking a need? Have you ever used the starting fluid and match fling trick? I used on every tubeless tire from 2 wheeler to 18 wheeler. Thanks for sharing your experience. Good luck have fun!

 

[Freems]

I’m no better than anyone. I was seeing red. How I handled it was better than they deserved. Again, in my opinion. They were drinking and looking for a fight. Sc

So this took me a bit to bring myself to post. It was a bit raw for a while. Some of you have been so kind to let me talk it out and vent. Thanks very much to, in no particular order, @Stan H, @Shibbyjeep, @ChrisNLA, @RudeJeepin, @Mightytalldude, @JCappy, and a couple non forum peeps, for taking the time to talk me off the ledge, so to speak. Your support means a ton, and it won’t be forgotten.

So almost a month ago I rolled down to AZ on an invite to do some wheeling. The way I took the invite, it was a vendor customer appreciation run, but no vendor shows, no big deal. Just wheeling and shooting the breeze after. Maybe I missed something, but I had no idea I’d find an event with well over 100 vehicles. I probably wouldn’t have gone, but I was 12 hours from home in a hotel, so screw it. Let’s have some fun. I usually prefer much smaller, no pressure, lower testosterone groups. But oh well. I was still excited to do some rock crawling. I obviously love that stuff.

Friday was super chill. Moderate trail that was just fun. Don’t get me wrong, I’m fine with really tough trails.

Saturday started off great. Did a tough-ish trail that I thoroughly enjoyed. Lots of very impressive rigs. The trail went quickly, so some locals discussed and came up with another trail to run for the second half of the day. No one knew much about the trail, as it was very new. It was crazy difficult, but no regrets in regards to difficulty. I’d legitimately rate it an 11. But that didn’t change how fun it was. I want to stress that the day wasn’t rough because of a rough trail. It went poorly because there were a handful of people there that I could have done without.

I was the smallest rig in the group of roughly 10 vehicles, but wasn’t having trouble keeping up. All the obstacles were hard enough that even the largest rigs had to go slowly. Meaning no one was waiting on little ole me. At some point one jeep had serous front end breakage. Enough that required disassembly, parts, welding, and reassembly. All part of the fun in my opinion. But it obviously took time, and by the time it was moving under its own power, it was sunset.

After that the trail got harder. I’m definitely not documenting every event. It would be a lot. Still no regrets, for a minute…. I was last in the group, but not for any particular reason. Just how we started out. People were getting punchy. I certainly needed to winch and stack rocks a couple times by this point. Winching to me is perfectly fine. Fun even. But others found it less favorable. I heard one time, no more stacking rocks. Just hook up and drag it up! I was not a fan. I like using our brains to figure out the best way to tackle an obstacle. Soon after that, I was on an obstacle that ripped my rear driver fender off, and marred the crap out of my bed. I was repositioning to avoid losing the tail light as well, when I was yelled at by a stranger. The jist was that I should not reposition. I explained that I was trying to avoid further damage, and had some ideas to avoid it, specifically I was going to grab my rear winch to move my rear end out of harms way. I was told straight up, that if I did that, I’d be left out there, all night, alone. Yes. It was described in that detail. They wanted to get to the bar. They couldn’t have cared less about getting vehicles through as carefully as possible. It was extremely disappointing. At one point a little earlier than this, I was told that everyone was waiting on me. That’s complete bull. It was a long day, due to time consuming repairs earlier, none of which were on my Jeep. I was the scapegoat because of my tiny 37’s. Admittedly I lost two beads on this trail, and my co2, and another bottle later successfully rebeaded the tires. So sure, that took a minute. But on a tough trail, that’s just part of the game in my opinion. Things happen and you adjust. This was not that day. I asked one guy yelling at me what I had done to piss home off. I said I was under the impression that this was supposed to be a just a fun day of wheeling. His response was, “I’m not that guy”. So weird. Just not a cool person in my opinion. Too much of a hothead.

Fast forward to much later after the last major obstacle. The vehicles in front of me hit 4hi and were gone. No radio information about the way out. I attempted to find my way, and I certainly have ample offroad lighting. But it was a maze. Finally I tried the radio and found that most everyone was off the trail. After an hour or so was able to find the way out. I must give credit to the few jeeps that came back in for me, and two others separate from me. But if we’d have stayed together earlier, it would never have happened.

I feel like I’m rambling, but I’m doing my best to describe the day, without calling anyone specifically out. I don’t find that to be productive. But it’s hard not to, even weeks later. I maintain to this day that the trail sucked because of the attitudes of 4 or 5 people. But it was so severe that it’s left a mark.

The end result is a trashed driver bedside, trashed fender, and the worst is the passenger side. The rock slide steps with the armor weren’t up to the task. After 5 years of tough-ass trails, it was enough. A single impact crushed the step and pushed all three sections of the rocket panel in about 2 inches. Thankfully the doors still function. So it’s going to be a while before it’s trail worthy again. Lots of panels need to be cut out and replacements welded in. I don’t have that skill, so it’s off to a body shop. They’re estimating 2 months until it’s done. I must say, it’s impressive that the steps still operate. It took some replacement rivets to make sure the armor didn’t fall of on the interstate, but they still open and close. I had fender clips with me, so was able to drive home without highway rocks hitting the bed above and behind. But it’s broken in like three places. Lots of washers to get it reattached for the drive


I might have left it if it was just the bedside. But every time I see the damage I remember the people on that trail. I’m done wheeling with large groups. If I ever hit something like EJS, it’ll be for the vendor shows only. My style is slow and steady, with the goal of no damage, or as little as possible. I’m done with measuring egos in large groups of randoms.

Sorry for the long story. I needed to finally put it out there. Life is a learning experience. I learned plenty on that day.

The WILDHOBO will return. Bigger, faster, stronger. Ok. Not faster. That’s ridiculous.

Dan, sorry about this BS and I’m glad you and your ride made back home. This event, where you were surrounded by narcissistic alcoholic adrenaline junkies is the exact reason my excursions (99%) of are just me and my dogs. My days of putting up them are done. This Same group of asses have infected most of my hobbies over the years. Good Luck with the insurance on the rig. If your in ID come by and we’ll knock out that body work!

 

[WILDHOBO]

Yea big groups are no fun! Causing too many ego issues with more ego than brains. I also don’t plan on off roading any more in a truck, even an especially a Gladiator! If I do I’ll build a nice old YJ, similar to the 95 I bought new back in the day that could go almost with some big side by sides. As for breaking a need? Have you ever used the starting fluid and match fling trick? I used on every tubeless tire from 2 wheeler to 18 wheeler. Thanks for sharing your experience. Good luck have fun!

No one had starting fluid including me. It was the only the second, and third time I’d ever lost a bead. Thankfully the co2 did it. I’ll be setting up a mount for a second bottle after it’s all put back together. Thanks for your words. It’s nice to know I wasn’t in the minority necessarily. I was somewhat waiting for people to call me out for hitting a trail I shouldn’t have done. I was having fun regardless, until the people started up.

 

[UTRocky]

I didn’t mean this thread to be such a bummer, but I guess it wasn’t really avoidable, considering the subject. Just wanted to get it out there. It felt like a way to move past it. It might have temporarily backfired, but screw it. It’ll get fixed and it’ll be back on trails by fall hopefully.

This was a good thread and a reminder of us - we are the Jeep family - we have integrity and honor. Keep your chin up and we will see ya on the road sooner than you think I bet. =)

 

[Darth Rubicon]

Sounds like a similar crowd to what’s in my area. I went to one local “Jeep club” event and it turned out it was just a place for over 40 something’s to get wasted. Luckily it wasn’t a day they were running trails otherwise I could only imagine how dangerous that would have gotten. Decided I would stick to my solo adventures for now after that.

 

[WILDHOBO]

This was a good thread and a reminder of us - we are the Jeep family - we have integrity and honor. Keep your chin up and we will see ya on the road sooner than you think I bet. =)

I like that. Totally agree.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Sounds like a similar crowd to what’s in my area. I went to one local “Jeep club” event and it turned out it was just a place for over 40 something’s to get wasted. Luckily it wasn’t a day they were running trails otherwise I could only imagine how dangerous that would have gotten. Decided I would stick to my solo adventures for now after that.

Yeah. Too much ego. It doesn’t make it fun. I’ll stick to solo or SMALL groups. I might someday go to EJS, but I wouldn’t wheel. Just check out the vendors.

 

[DRHansen]

Admittedly, I only read the OP's first post and it gave me PRE PTSD. I'm new to the Jeep world, at least in the last 15 years. I was really hoping to meet some great people to go riding with, but it's stories like these that make me feel like I should just do my own thing and go on trails that I will never need help on. I'm introverted by nature so meeting new people is hard to begin with, but I've definitely met people as described in the SxS and Harley world's that I left recently.

OP - I can appreciate your experience and it makes me sad that there are always these people that don't give a damn about anyone but themselves, they blame the new guy for all the delays, regardless of who was to blame. I hope you can eventually write it all off as a learning experience even though you can't write off the cost of the repairs. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mbryson]

.....

I might have left it if it was just the bedside. But every time I see the damage I remember the people on that trail. I’m done wheeling with large groups. If I ever hit something like EJS, it’ll be for the vendor shows only. My style is slow and steady, with the goal of no damage, or as little as possible. I’m done with measuring egos in large groups of randoms.
.....

I'm an EJS gunner and trail leader. You'd have not been left behind

 

[Shibbyjeep]

Always willing to lend an ear or a hand or whatever you need. You are by far an awesome and genuine person and I hate the trip turned out the way it did for you. Need to plan a trip out to CO when the Wildhobo makes it back on the trails so that we can wheel together!

 

[KevinC]

Dan - I completely understand your position. It can be hard to convey your feeling in words on the internet. Kudos for keeping it civil.

I refuse to run large groups anymore. The local Jeep clubs, Jeep events, "Jeep Beach", are all filled with ego's that need to be put in check. I hate being confrontational, so I will let it go unchecked.

I was wheeling Tellico one time (TJ years, 1999) with a group of about 12 Jeeps. The guy behind me broke his rear axle (Dana 35). Being a C-clip shaft, there is no way to repair it on the trail. We strapped the wheel so it wouldn't roll out. Being that I was in front I strapped up to him and pulled him back to the trailhead. 1st gear/4Lo down a difficult trail. Took all of 3 hours to get off the trail. Of the other 10 Jeeps in the group, not one of them checked on me to make sure we made it back. The only time I saw them was later that night at the steak house. That event alone made me change my offroad community attitude.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Admittedly, I only read the OP's first post and it gave me PRE PTSD. I'm new to the Jeep world, at least in the last 15 years. I was really hoping to meet some great people to go riding with, but it's stories like these that make me feel like I should just do my own thing and go on trails that I will never need help on. I'm introverted by nature so meeting new people is hard to begin with, but I've definitely met people as described in the SxS and Harley world's that I left recently.

OP - I can appreciate your experience and it makes me sad that there are always these people that don't give a damn about anyone but themselves, they blame the new guy for all the delays, regardless of who was to blame. I hope you can eventually write it all off as a learning experience even though you can't write off the cost of the repairs. Thanks for sharing.

I truly hope this doesn’t scare you away from off-roading. It’s a very special thing to be able to do. I will definitely not stop for anything. I’m just officially avoiding large groups from now on. But that’s just me. It doesn’t need to be everyone’s choice. Some people love the excitement of the big events. I thought I did at some point. But realize I definitely don’t. But nothing could stop me from enjoying this hobby. Yours snd other responses have actually made me more optimistic than when I wrote this last night. It makes me realize that there are plenty of people that want the same kind of experience that I do. Thank you for reminding me.

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