Jeep Off-Roading 101: A Guide for Tackling the Road Less Traveled

This one’s a given, and your Jeep likely already has one bolted straight to the tailgate, but having a spare tire on the trail is a must; you never know when a rogue branch or sharp rock will eviscerate your tire. If you already have a spare, verify it's 6 years old or newer. If it’s been covered for the life of the tire and shows no obvious signs of dry rotting, you may be able to get away with a 10-year service life, though we wouldn’t recommend it! If your tire’s production date has passed 10 years, a replacement is in order.

To change your tire on the trail, you’ll need an appropriate jack, often referred to as “farm jacks” or “trail jacks.” These rugged alloy jacks, like the Hi-Lift All-Cast 48" Jack, allow you to raise your Jeep on the trail, featuring only a single ground contact point. In addition, we’d recommend installing a high-quality jack mount, keeping your jack securely mounted to the chassis.  

Every Jeeper should have a solid toolkit, including rudimentary tools and supplies; having a toolkit can mean the difference between a simple trailside repair and having to call a buddy to tow you out! Every tool kit varies, but we’d recommend having, at a minimum:

• A ½-inch drive ratchet

• SAE and Metric socket sets

• SAE and Metric box-end wrenches

• A crescent wrench

• Needle nose pliers

• Multi-purpose pliers

• Side cutters

• A dead-blow hammer

• Philips and flat-head screwdrivers

• A razor knife

• Electrical tape

• Duct Tape

• Nylon cable ties

• A flashlight

• Work gloves

• Jumper cables/jump pack

And be sure to keep your tools organized! We’d recommend a soft, portable tool bag, like the Rugged Ridge Heavy-Duty Recovery Gear Bag.

Don’t be the guy that’s too cool for safety equipment; that’s the same individual that’ll lose their Jeep from a simple electrical fire on the trail! Whenever you’re wheeling, especially with aftermarket electrical accessories like radios and lights, bringing a fire extinguisher is vital. This simple mod can save your rig in a pinch, or even your life or the life of a fellow wheeler!  

Additionally, always have a proper first aid kit on hand, like the My Medic MyFAK First Aid Kit; we’ve seen some nasty injuries from winch failure, slipped jacks, and other accidents.

Some of the most vital components of any Jeep are its fluids; think of them as the lifeblood of your Jeep, keeping the engine and drivetrain operating efficiently. Before taking your Jeep on the trail, inspect all of your fluids for condition and level, including: 

• Engine Oil

• Transmission Fluid

• Differential Oil

• Brake Fluid

• Power Steering Fluid

• Coolant

Before heading out on your journey, inspect the condition and pressure of your tires. Glance over every tire, including both sidewalls and tread, to inspect for any punctures, bulges, or cracks. Then, verify that all tire pressures are within a normal range; if any one tire shows a drastically lower pressure than the others, that’s a good indicator of a puncture, leaky valve stem, or other issue.

If you’ve recently installed suspension components, wheels, or tires, it’s always a safe practice to verify the torque of the nuts and bolts using a torque wrench set to manufacturer-specified values. At a minimum, verify the torque of steering components, suspension brackets, and lug nuts. For added security, consider marking the position of the fastener with a paint pen; if the marks are misaligned, that indicates a loose fastener!

Before you hit the trail, we also recommend inspecting your Jeep’s serpentine belt for cracks or separation, looking over hoses for any fluid leaks, and verifying all lights function properly.

If everything checks out, you’re safe to head out!

Off-roading, like any other motorsport, requires basic knowledge of etiquette, in this case, trail etiquette. Before you tackle your first trail, it’s your responsibility to inform yourself of some universal rules, as well as those outlined by the particular trail, state park, or OHV park you’re visiting.

Before you even get to the trail, you should already have some basic knowledge of the land. For instance, is it private property? Is there an entrance fee? If so, how expensive is a day pass? Is there an OHV area? Taking the time to educate yourself before arrival is excellent insurance to prevent issues once you've arrived.

Before you even get to the trail, you should already have some basic knowledge of the land. For instance, is it private property? Is there an entrance fee? If so, how expensive is a day pass? Is there an OHV area? Taking the time to educate yourself before arrival is excellent insurance to prevent issues once you've arrived.

Not only can leaving the marked trail cause damage to wildlife, local vegetation, and your Jeep, but get you into serious trouble with the law! Trails exist for a reason; forgoing them always leads to more trouble than it’s worth.

There’s nothing worse than happening upon a trail that’s littered with trash, empty beer cans, and spent shell casings. If you’re partaking in any drinking, shooting, or garbage-producing activity, pick it up, pack it in, and dispose of it accordingly. And if you happen to find excess trash someone else left, spend a few minutes doing some cleanup; a little kindness goes a long way!

Just like on the street, there’s an order of operations when you’re on the trail. Certain vehicles are conventionally given the right of way, like pedestrians, mountain bikers, motorcycles, and ATVs. Don’t be a bully, pull it over. 

Additionally, when navigating a steep hill, there's an unspoken rule stating that the ascender has the right of way. Typically, the ascender requires more momentum than the descender to crest the top of the hill, whereas it’s easier for the descender to pull off the trail of stop, seeing that they’ll regain momentum the second their foot leaves the brake. 

It’s not uncommon for wheelers, even motorsports veterans, to experience pressure from other drivers to attempt obstacles outside their skill range. In these instances, don’t succumb to a potentially dangerous recommendation. Instead, know your limits, and stick to them! Do you know what’ll hurt your ego more than passing up an obstacle? Wrecking your Jeep.

Jeepers are a family; whether you like it or not, you signed up the second you handed over the cash for your Jeep! When you’re out on the trail, it's important to treat others with respect and provide assistance whenever possible. That one tool they’re missing may be in your gear bag!

And remember, all of these tips are for your own good, ensuring you have the best possible time on the trail and keep coming back!