Offroad Tips for newbie

[mmaddired18]

Find some fire/forest service roads and drive around on them. Also put it in 4H and 4L and see what they do, and how it feels. If you can air down and back up, try that too and again see how it feels and drives when you do. If you can find a skills course nearby check it out. A lot will eventually come down to experience and finding yourself in different situations.

Do you (or anyone else) have any resources for finding fire/forest service roads near you? Google just won't cut it here, I've tried to search some already to no avail.

Sponsored

 

[Elff]

Enter in your Vacation time and start driving east to join us for a Free Gladiator Academy
Sign up is in this link

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ek-march-26th-meetup.54583/page-6#post-906261

Semi Joking but if you are willing to make the trip, you are definitely more than welcome to join us.

 

[PsyRN]

Do you (or anyone else) have any resources for finding fire/forest service roads near you? Google just won't cut it here, I've tried to search some already to no avail.

Any National Forest or BLM land is open for use by anyone. You can even disperse camp just about anywhere on that land for free, I mean you've already paid for it in taxes. I use Gaia GPS to find trails and roads, but I live just an hour away from millions of acres of National Forests, so I've never had to think of where to find them except going up the road a ways.

 

[kw_rc]

Find some fire/forest service roads and drive around on them. Also put it in 4H and 4L and see what they do, and how it feels. If you can air down and back up, try that too and again see how it feels and drives when you do. If you can find a skills course nearby check it out. A lot will eventually come down to experience and finding yourself in different situations.

Great recommendation, thx!

 

[kw_rc]

I agree with what the others have said; do an off-road class, find a friend/local 4x4 club, etc. I started wheeling in the early 80's when I bought my '81 CJ7 and really just went out and figured it out. The easier terrains are a good place to go "play" and learn what the vehicle will do...

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. This helps tremendously!

 

[kw_rc]

Want a fast course, then head to Moab (MECA for real Jeepers) do not go during Easter Jeep week. Only because its 7000 or more Jeepers crowded on to the trails and no room at the Inn for newbies trying to learn the ropes. That said you can go any time in the year and find Jeepers there. Moab has trails from box stock to EXTREME modified rigs. Start at the bottom and work your way up. NOTE Moab is ROCKS! If that is not your calling do not go.

I am very interested in Moab. Not because I seek rock crawling but it just seems like an experience I have to put on my bucket list. Are the trails rated 1-3 heavy rock crawling as well?

When to use 4wd? If its a dry dirt trail 2 WD works. When you get off the driven trail and on to the obstacles then its time for 4 WD. But find in the 3++ trails then it's 4 WD Lo. Better to go sooner rather than later and be stuck needing a cable or a strap to get out. NOTE: Your Jeep will tell you when it is time to take it out of 4 WD. 4 WD is NOT happy on dry high traction. Your front axle will speak to you as the tires scrub hard and fight each other. You will know! PAY attention to the Jeep FEEDBACK, you will come to understand and know your Jeep because it will tell you went 2WD, 4WD, 4wd Lo. Listen and my your Jeep and extension of you!

This couldn't be more true. I am slightly ashamed to admit this but, in my ignorance, i put the jeep in 4H in a parking lot. While I didn't travel far I did notice the Jeep steering not being very happy - the feedback you are referring to. I quickly put it back in 2H and lesson learned.


Thanks for all the tips and info!!!

 

[kw_rc]

Enter in your Vacation time and start driving east to join us for a Free Gladiator Academy
Sign up is in this link

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ek-march-26th-meetup.54583/page-6#post-906261

Semi Joking but if you are willing to make the trip, you are definitely more than welcome to join us.

Realy appreciate the invite but its a bit out of reach for me.

 

[Gvsukids]

Do you (or anyone else) have any resources for finding fire/forest service roads near you? Google just won't cut it here, I've tried to search some already to no avail.

Dnr have maps for your state broken down by county. Otherwise I use Google maps to find curvy roads.

Also Gaia has overlays for Forest roads.

 

[AjMac]

Flame suit is on so I'm ready for the keyboard bullies...I'm new to offroading and the Jeep platform. So I'm coming in a severe disadvantage. I want to be able to enjoy my JTM offroad but I really don't know what to do when it comes to using 4 wheel drive. I know how to engage it but just not the circumstances on when to use it. I read the manual and it seems conflicting to what I actually see in a lot of Youtube videos. For example, the manual states to use 4 wheel drive when is slippery such as mud and snow. However, the vast majority of offroading that I've watched happen on dry terrain.

Are there any tips that you can provide me on when is the proper time to use 4H vs 4L? How about the rear locker? Do you wait until 2WD isn't working and then go 4WD? Can/Would you engage the rear locker without 4WD??? Are there tips/tricks/best practices on using 4H/L?

For context, I'm not going to do any hard-core wheeling. At least, not on purpose . My intention is to do overland-style traveling and enjoying trails that are on the easier scale (1 - 3).

If there are other resources on the interweb that you can point me to, I'm happy to do that too.

Sorry for these questions but I'm Jonesing to use my Jeep offroad but just don't know what to do.

Pretty new myself...

Put that thing in 4-lo when you start crawling. I Had mine in 4-hi thinking I could control the gas/break well enough to reduce bounce...nope. 4-lo will help you take it nice and slow over the big stuff.

 

[Proximo]

Do you (or anyone else) have any resources for finding fire/forest service roads near you? Google just won't cut it here, I've tried to search some already to no avail.

National forest areas are good. I see you are Michigan. Try East Tawas/Oscoda forests

 

[HooliganActual]

I am very interested in Moab. Not because I seek rock crawling but it just seems like an experience I have to put on my bucket list. Are the trails rated 1-3 heavy rock crawling as well?

Since you’ve called out overlanding over rock crawling, there is a ton of overlanding style trails to be had in the Moab region. Pull out the map/Gaia/etc. and look for Onion Creek or the Moki Dugway/Valley of the Gods. Beautiful, camp-able and “off the beaten path”.

 

[Mash5]

My advice is to play. Don't take it or anyone else opinions too seriously. Learn from everyone but remember that people have different experiences and biases so keep an open mind too. There really is not one answer to most questions. You are not doing it wrong if it is working for you. You are unlikely to hurt the jeep unless you are being crazy and flop it or sink it. Try all three modes 2H, 4H, 4L on different terrains. Try traction control on and off. Spoiler alert... sometimes off is much better. Play with crawl control. See how they all feel and work. There are people that think everything is going explode if they drive 10 ft on the pavement in 4L but don't think anything about driving a 20-mile trail on slickrock in low. The JT has its limits but half the fun is in finding them.

Learn about tread lightly. Stay where you belong. Pick up litter. Try not the drive on sensitive trails when they are wet. Respect gates and signs. Be friendly to other trail users no matter what they're driving or riding. Don't be the guy that gets areas closed. Whether you realize it or not, you are an ambassador for every other off-roader. When traveling in the backcountry, always be prepared to spend the night... some food, and a blanket goes a long way. Carry a good first aid kit and a trustworthy fire extinguisher.

It will likely surprise you what your jeep can do offroad and then surprise you again with what it won't do and you will find yourself stuck. The long wheelbase is a blessing and a curse. The more built your truck is, the more stuck you can get. It's hard to get a geo too stuck but if you bury an abrams to the belly pan you are REALLY stuck. The best tool for recovery is between your ears but I know I forget to employ it in the heat of the moment sometimes. When stuck happens, just think slow and work through it. Don't spin your wheels unless it is producing forward movement. Keep safety in mind. Think about where the energy is and where it will go if something breaks or fails. Getting unstuck is part of the fun too, so don't forget to smile and think of the fun story you are making.

A shovel and an air gauge to set your tires down will get you out of a lot of stucks, so I consider those minimum kit. Dropping from street to 25 PSI makes a big improvement to traction but if that does not do the trick, you can go down as far as 10 or without much worry of losing a bead. It's nice to be able to air back up when you get to the pavement so an air compressor is really nice, but if you have to dive to town on low tires it can be done. Take it slow and you will be fine. A kinetic strap/rope and a buddy will get you out of almost anything so I like to bring those as well when I can, but if you can't find a buddy, a passer-by is bound to come along sooner or later.

Don't be worried about finding a little adventure. If you were not looking for some you could have saved a lot of coin and just bought a corolla.

 

[Gvsukids]

Play with crawl control.

I think Toyota's have that.

 

[Ole Cowboy]

I am very interested in Moab. Not because I seek rock crawling but it just seems like an experience I have to put on my bucket list. Are the trails rated 1-3 heavy rock crawling as well?



This couldn't be more true. I am slightly ashamed to admit this but, in my ignorance, i put the jeep in 4H in a parking lot. While I didn't travel far I did notice the Jeep steering not being very happy - the feedback you are referring to. I quickly put it back in 2H and lesson learned.


Thanks for all the tips and info!!!

Moab is NOT just Jeeps, its bicycles, motorbikes, trucks, Hummers, VW, you name it. It used to be only Jeeps but that changed a lot it was beautiful, and an off-roader's paradise no matter what you drive or pedal there is a trail for you. BUT do not go during Easter Jeep Safari, its 7000 jeeps crammed into a town of 5366 as of 2020.

Trail ratings are now on a 1-10, with 10 being the most difficult. https://www.rr4w.com/trails.cfm

Moab no matter is worth the visit, at least a week...enjoy

 

[BAT]

Man those thing fill up so fast. I wish they would have like 3 or more a year here in Texas (LOL)

Sponsored