All In A Days Work

If you own a Jeep – or are thinking of buying one – it’s hard to resist the urge to take your Jeep off-roading The nice thing about Jeeps is you can go places that paved roads can’t take you – there’s tons of challenging obstacles, and they can be a ton of fun if done right – and you stay safe.

Learning your way to safely and effectively get through the mud and the muck is the most important step in becoming an off-roader.  You want to stay safe, and keep your Jeep from getting any damages. Here are the rules of the no-road so to speak.

Crossing water and driving through streams can be a lot of fun. Though the first thought is to hit the gas and go – that’s not always the smartest things to do. Especially if you’ve never been through it before. Before you go ‘running’ through the water, check your owner’s manual to determine your vehicle’s capabilities – like the maximum water fording depth. Most Jeeps vary between 15 and 30 inches, and they all recommend going under 5 mph. If you don’t have a manual the general rule is water up to the bumper is acceptable; but I wouldn’t risk anything past that. Water too deep can ruin or cause damage to your engine, transmission, and electrical outlets. Put your vehicle in low, drive slow, and turn around if you think the water is going to get too deep. Watch for rocks or holes – and always keep moving. Be sure that you or someone around is there to help with recovery equipment (this seems to be needed more than not in my experience!)

Where there is water, there is mud. Mud can be fun – but it can also be dangerous. Sometimes its hard to judge how deep the mud is, or what other debris it might be hiding. Again, make sure you or someone has recovery equipment readily available. Try to not spin your tires too much (literally you are just digging yourself into a deeper hole) , and beware of deep ruts. IF you start to get bogged down turn your steering wheel from side to side to gain traction. When you are done playing in the mud make sure to get the hose out (or head to the car wash) and get all that mud rinsed off before it dries – it can really bog down your Jeep, and even cause corrosion.

Just like any other type of driving there is always the risk of damage – make sure that your insurance company covers off-roading excursions, and check to see if all the upgrades you make to your Jeep for your off-roading pleasure are covered as well. Some insurance companies have capped limits, and you may need to purchase additional coverages to make sure your assets are covered.

This post is sponsored in part by Three Rivers Chrysler Jeep Dodge LLC

In just a few short weeks the kids and I will be packing up and starting our road trip South – an eighteen-hour drive to our destination. Road trips can be almost as fun as your final destination; if you are prepared. Preparation is key in almost all things enjoyable, and it’s super important for a road trip. Making sure your vehicle is road-ready, and you have all the essentials packed and ready to go and make the trip memorable!

Start with storage – if you have a van or a big SUV, you probably have plenty of room. If you don’t, or you are traveling with more than 2 or 3 people, investing in a cargo box with roof straps is a good idea.

Driving. GPS, sunglasses, road atlas (for when you are in the areas that the GPS doesn’t work) radar detector. I also bring along headphones; I keep one ear in and one out for when I’m driving at night and everyone else is sleeping.

Riding. Travel pillow, blanket (I like to keep it COLD when I am driving, and the kids like to cover up when they are asleep). Comfy ‘traveling’ clothes (hello yoga pants), passenger window shades. Power inverter, USB car charger, bluetooth, tablets, gaming consoles (my son plays a lot on his DSi), books, book light, travel DVD system and DVD’s.

Snacks. I always pack a small cooler; they have the mesh coolers that can fit just about anywhere. Take your water bottles, travel mugs (for when you stop and fill up for coffee!) quick and easy snacks like nuts, pretzels, popcorn, etc. (this will save you a TON of money. Instead of buying something at every rest stop or gas station – trust me on this one).

Hygiene. OK I am totally weird about making sure I am always fresh and clean; like people think I’m strange. But feeling ‘human’ is important to me when I travel. So bring wet wipes, make sure your toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, body sprays, and an extra set of clothes are handy (and not up in your cargo box! Always have an ‘emergency bag’ of everything you might need). If you wear contacts, bring re-wetting drops, an extra case along with saline solutions and your glasses. I have a bag ready for me to take a shower if I want to at a rest stop – it’s unbelievable how much better you will feel after riding or driving in a car all night!

Road Trip Stops. You never know what you might come across -bring a camera (or have your phone ready), binoculars, sunscreen, cash, comfortable shoes (I travel in flip flops – even in the winter. Easy to get off and on), raincoats or ponchos, etc. Always be ready for a spontaneous adventure (sometimes those are the best!)

Just in Case. Be sure you have stuff readily available in case of an emergency; first aid kit, any medications anyone might need (be sure to pack motrin and tylenol as well – and allergy meds if you have any allergy problems), jumper cables, portable jump start (my best purchase ever), flares, duct tape, tire gauge, spare change, water jug, emergency cash or credit card.

Pre-Trip Check-Up. Make sure your vehicle is road-ready! Get an oil change, have your tires checked and rotated, top off all the fluids, check your heat/AC to make sure it’s working properly.

This post is sponsored in part by Junction Auto Sales.