Today, we will discuss “How to get your Jeep trail-ready?” Most things that involve lots of adrenaline require lots of preparation, too. Hitting the trails with your Jeep is no different. Whether it’s your first time taking your Jeep for a rocky, challenging ride or not, you should take the time to prepare for it. After all, all trails are different. They require different levels of preparation and different gear. If you need a refresher about the difficulty and the features of the most challenging trails in the country, check this out.
Check your Jeep’s health
In the same way, you check everything before a long drive, you must do it before your big trail adventure.
- Make sure to check the engine and transmission. They must be properly conditioned and oiled.
- All fluids must be at their proper level (radiator, coolant, brake, windshield wiper fluid, etc.). Check fan belts and hoses, too.
- Check the tire air pressure. Highway driving requires different tire air pressure from trail driving. Be ready to adjust accordingly.
- Make sure the tires are in great condition.
- Inspect brakes. Have it professionally done, if needed.
- Make sure fittings are well-lubricated.
Study the trails
After making sure that the basic offroad maintenance list is all checked, it’s time to study what you will be facing. The unique features and the level of difficulty of the trail will dictate what additional gears and modifications you must do to prepare your Jeep. The Rubicon trail is rocky while the Lake Como trail will get you muddy.
Muddy trails
Muddy trails present you with a high chance of sliding. There are two things you can do to get out of the mud. Use mud tires. And two, use the right driving technique. Go slowly, press the gas pedal according to your feel of the traction, and move the steering wheel back and forth quickly as you go over the mud.
Sandy trails
You need a wider surface of the tire to make contact with the sandy ground for better traction. You can release up to 12 pounds of air from your tires to do this.
Rocky trails
After studying the trails, proceed with installing mods that will make the course easier for you to
The right tire pressure is also important for slow rock crawls to prevent a flat tire. Put the Jeep in a low 4WD setting as you crawl over rocks and go slowly.
After studying the trails, proceed with installing mods that will make the course easier for you to navigate. Skid plates, rocker guards, and traction devices are some common add-ons you must invest in for your next dose of adrenaline.
Prepare emergency kits
Finally, prepare a personal emergency kit. It’s not impossible to get scratches and wounds here and there.
Preparing for trails does not only assure you that your adventure will go smoothly. It is also to prevent damages to your Jeep and to minimize risks of injury and accidents. Make sure that other than your Jeep, you are well-conditioned to hit the rough terrains, too! It takes a lot of mental preparation to take on dangerous trails.
