Getting started offroading

[Yock]

Hey yall,

Now that I have my Gladiator I'm planning a trip this summer/fall with the wife to hit two places: Stony Lonesome park in Alabama for Trail #404 badge, then Hot Springs, AR to hopefully hit all 3 badges there since they're all easy/moderate. I have no experience, no mods to my stock 2024 Mojave, and no resources to do any of this. I'm literally brand new. I'm watching youtube videos to learn about what all I need to get going here, but always looking for more educational resources. So what should I begin buying for our trip(s) later this year?

Thanks!

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[Jobofly]

Take it out and do some wheeling before you buy anything. These stock Jeeps are quite capable off the lot. That will help you understand what you need. For me, my 22 Mojave is stock except for 35 inch tires. I take it wheeling a couple of times each month and it does everything i want it to do. Once you find your limitations then you will know what you need.

 

[NVjeff]

I assume you mean Hot Springs, Arkansas (AR)?
AK is Alaska.

A shovel and a jack are eminently useful, maybe some short planks to put under the tires once you get them jacked up.
A tow strap would be good, if someone is there to pull you off an obstacle.
I would see how others are equipped for those trails.

I have a couple of suggestions to help build skills before you go.
Others may have different or better ideas.

I'd suggest you get a feel for where the tires are, find a pot hole that you can place the off side front tire in and see how it lines up on the hood, this will help you straddle holes or obstacles on the trail.
If something is too tall to straddle, put the front tire on it and go over it.

You can practice throttle control by running one or both front tires up a curb, just enough throttle to edge up the curb, and try to stop on the edge.

Are you ready to scratch your new truck? The first one is the hardest.

Have fun, I've always enjoyed finding a new challenge to attempt in my Jeep.

 

[Yock]

I assume you mean Hot Springs, Arkansas (AR)?
AK is Alaska.

A shovel and a jack are eminently useful, maybe some short planks to put under the tires once you get them jacked up.
A tow strap would be good, if someone is there to pull you off an obstacle.
I would see how others are equipped for those trails.

I have a couple of suggestions to help build skills before you go.
Others may have different or better ideas.

I'd suggest you get a feel for where the tires are, find a pot hole that you can place the off side front tire in and see how it lines up on the hood, this will help you straddle holes or obstacles on the trail.
If something is too tall to straddle, put the front tire on it and go over it.

You can practice throttle control by running one or both front tires up a curb, just enough throttle to edge up the curb, and try to stop on the edge.

Are you ready to scratch your new truck? The first one is the hardest.

Have fun, I've always enjoyed finding a new challenge to attempt in my Jeep.

Haha, indeed Arkansas, but I realize now I even typed out Alaska even saying Arkansas in my head, then short handed to Alaska. I blame the dyslexia.

it’s brand new, but I don’t fear scratches. As my mechanic brother says “paint is sacrificial.” Thanks for your other suggestions. I have a few acres I can play around on that has some big bumps and stuff. I’ll give it a go in some of the areas to practice wheel control and such.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Hey yall,

Now that I have my Gladiator I'm planning a trip this summer/fall with the wife to hit two places: Stony Lonesome park in Alabama for Trail #404 badge, then Hot Springs, AR to hopefully hit all 3 badges there since they're all easy/moderate. I have no experience, no mods to my stock 2024 Mojave, and no resources to do any of this. I'm literally brand new. I'm watching youtube videos to learn about what all I need to get going here, but always looking for more educational resources. So what should I begin buying for our trip(s) later this year?

Thanks!

basic recovery gear, inflate and deflate system of some sort, tire repair kit, basic automotive tool kit, and first aid. other than that have fun and your experiences that follow will show you what else you need.

 

[rr11]

Try the Jeep before you spend a lot of money on the Jeep. I have a 2020 Sport S, I have made limited changes to my TJ, tires, replaced front bumper after a incident. Unless you are going extreme, you are more capable than you think. Buy a recovery strap, some recovery gear (that I have never used) and enjoy the Jeep.

 

[Minty JL]

First and foremost, make sure you have gear to self recover AND gear/supplies to sustain you and your crew over night if need be.

Boy Scout Motto....... Be Prepared

 

[PuddleJumper]

First and foremost, make sure you have gear to self recover AND gear/supplies to sustain you and your crew over night if need be.

Boy Scout Motto....... Be Prepared

absolutely. a can of redbull, pack of malboro reds, and a 10oz of cheap jerky. 1 week of emergency rations for champions.

 

[Koolcarguy]

I assume you mean Hot Springs, Arkansas (AR)?
AK is Alaska.

A shovel and a jack are eminently useful, maybe some short planks to put under the tires once you get them jacked up.
A tow strap would be good, if someone is there to pull you off an obstacle.
I would see how others are equipped for those trails.

I have a couple of suggestions to help build skills before you go.
Others may have different or better ideas.

I'd suggest you get a feel for where the tires are, find a pot hole that you can place the off side front tire in and see how it lines up on the hood, this will help you straddle holes or obstacles on the trail.
If something is too tall to straddle, put the front tire on it and go over it.

You can practice throttle control by running one or both front tires up a curb, just enough throttle to edge up the curb, and try to stop on the edge.

Are you ready to scratch your new truck? The first one is the hardest.

Have fun, I've always enjoyed finding a new challenge to attempt in my Jeep.

Great advice

 

[BUZZHEAD]

JEEP ACADEMY - will give you good knowledge as a beginner.
Mud bogs and deep water are not your friends.
Just experiment ,I like to rock crawl and climb things .

 

[KevinC]

You bought a Mojave, you don't need anything else. No food, water, recovery gear or extra clothes. The Mojave will provide everything for you out on the trails or at the mall parking lot.

Seriously- @NVjeff posted good advice.

 

[Minty JL]

absolutely. a can of redbull, pack of malboro reds, and a 10oz of cheap jerky. 1 week of emergency rations for champions.

I'm glad you included the necessities of caffeine and nicotine. An emergency bottle of Buffalo Trace isn't a bad idea either; just make sure that's not what got you into said situation

 

[TRMFAM]

I think you are on the right track already...a lot of the vids have some great information.

First and foremost, take plenty of water as summer in those areas can be extremely hot!
1) Tire pressure gauge - you will want to air down some but don't go below 15 psi (airing down is great for traction and ride but the lower you go the lower your ground clearance also). Hot Springs provides air for airing back up. You can spend a lot or a little on a gauge, I would personally recommend something like the ARB unit that removes the valve core for you and makes the process much faster.
2) Radio - cell phones are a given but if I recall several places at Hot Springs we did not have service. Any handheld from Midland, Rigid, etc. should work and give you the opportunity to get ahold of someone if you are in trouble. Hot Springs the store will monitor a specific channel.
3) A friend in another vehicle if at all possible - without the ability to self-recover (winch, boards, etc.) having another vehicle will reduce risk greatly.

After that the skies the limit...I would recommend trying it first and seeing what you "need". Off-roaders are typically very friendly bunch and will help anyone on the trail in need.

My Rubicon JL is setup differently on 37" tires with Apex valves for airing down fast and I am equipped with a winch, onboard air, and radio. I carry a recovery kit with tree saver, tow strap, snatch strap, d-rings, snatch blocks, soft shackles, eye protection, gloves and I have a fairly significant tool bag.

Go SLOW...try every obstacle at low speed first. Nothing wrong with having to try again with a bit of momentum.
When in doubt scout it out - you can't see a lot from the drivers seat. Walk an obstacle and don't hesitate to have your passenger get out and spot you through an obstacle.
If you can't go around an obstacle, consider driving over it instead. I think a misnomer for off-roading we try to pass a lot of obstacles (think big rocks) under the middle of our vehicle and we get caught up when instead we should be putting our tires on these higher points.
Play with some different speed control techniques. I am a 2 foot driver and often will hold the throttle at a specific point say 1800 rpm and use my left foot on the brake pedal to modulate tire speed.

Good luck and post up when you are going...we are 5 hours ish from HS and would go back for sure...

 

[asrricklin]

Your vehicle is way more capable than you are at this point. Take it out as it is and enjoy it.
I plan to keep my Rubicon as stock as possible, mostly just adding things to protect it. I don't ever foresee going on trails that will require me to have a lift or bigger tires or whatnot.

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

For a stock Jeep, the OEM jack is fine. It’s still fine for a lifted one with a jack base. If your first purchase is a Hi-lift, you’re doing it wrong. They’re good for a very limited set of uses, heavy and dangerous. You should practice using one before carrying it. 3/4 of the people driving around with one on their lifted Jeeps haven’t ever tested to see that they can lift their tires off the ground once the axle droops. A 60” Hi-Lift would only lift my TJ’s 35” tires 1 inch off the ground at max extension. Most people carry 48 inch versions. If you insist on an aftermarket jack, again pointless on a stock Gladiator, jet a bottle jack.

Your first purchase should be basic first aid kit and survival gear, e.g., space blanket, whistle, fire starter, compass, sunscreen, etc. Bring provisions for water (even a 2.5 gallon water jug from the grocery store is fine). Bring quality hiking boots and jacket, etc. The idea is that you’re prepared to hike out if you get stuck. It gets dark sooner in the forest and it’s gets colder at night away from heat sinks like urban/suburban areas.

You can carry a quality name brand tow strap or better yet a rope. Even quality tow straps can shear, no name ones are a dangerous liability. Ropes are expensive, so if you’re just dipping your toes, get the strap. Obviously a strap is not a self-recovery item but if someone happens down the trail that could pull you out you can’t assume they have a strap.

Traction boards are a great self-recovery purchase for mud, sand and scree. They’re a first order piece of recover gear, meaning you can frequently use them and not have to deploy anything else. This is something else you can start off with on the cheap but eventually you’ll want to upgrade. So for now fashion some boards out of plywood.

A shovel is also a good item. You don’t have to buy a Krazy Beaver shovel although they’re nice. Just one from the hardware store. Entrenching tools will work in a pinch but the modern ultra compact ones suck. A surplus Vietnam era one is better.

I’m going to disagree with most people and my for former self and forego the axe. I’ve stopped carrying one and instead carry a small 12” bar Dewalt 20v chain saw. An axe takes forever and is hard to use on uneven terrain safely. An axe is useless for small 1-3” branches hanging over the trail which is the most like use case for needing a cutting implement on the trail. The branches will just bounce. For large fallen trees I really don’t want to Paul Bunyan my way down the trail. If you don’t carry a chainsaw, carry a bow saw.

Basic tools are good, but it’s kinda of a situation where it’s hard to know where you draw the line. If you have a small metric socket set, it’s better than nothing. I’d also carry a roll of gorilla tape, some ratchet straps and some zip ties. You can Jerry rig a lot of stuff with those two items, or secure broken stuff out of the way.

The first big purchase should be a winch, even prior to a lift.

Last, but not least, you should carry a spill kit or at least some kitty litter, although spill kits usually take up less space. Small spill kits are cheap and this is just good citizenship. Of course if you need use a spill kit, you’ve got a big issue, like a boiled over radiator, punctured oil pan or broken axle or cracked def tank. But no sense in making your problem everyone else’s.

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