You’ve Bought a Jeep Wrangler, Now What? How to Prep for the Trail

Many cars are nothing more than basic transportation to get you to and from work, run errands, and otherwise go about your daily life. That cannot be said about the Jeep Wrangler. Once you get behind the wheel of this off-road icon, you’ll have the urge to head off into the wild, blazing new trails and pitting yourself against the rugged Colorado countryside. However, if you are new to the world of off-roading, there are a few steps you should take between looking for a used Jeep Wrangler for sale near Fountain, CO, and crossing the Rockies like Francisco Vázquez de Coronado.

Here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep, we are proud Jeep owners ourselves and are always happy to welcome new drivers to the Jeep Wave family. If you are looking to get the most out of a used Jeep Wrangler, we can get you started. In fact, we even have an on-site Jeep Test Track that will let you try out the off-road capabilities of any used Wrangler on our lot before you buy, and we encourage you to join us on our Rock Solid Trail Rides to pick up off-road tips and tricks from other Jeep owners. However, if you can’t wait for adventure and are looking to head out on your own, here are some important steps to consider when preparing your Jeep for the trail.

Know the Enemy and Know Yourself

As Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War, “if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” This piece of ancient Chinese wisdom applies to off-roading, and the first step in prepping for the trail is to get to know your Jeep. If you haven’t yet, be sure to read through your owner’s manual and understand what features your Wrangler comes with, how they work, and what their limitations are. If you have an older used Wrangler, then this won’t take long, but newer models, especially off-road variants like the Wrangler Rubicon, will come with a lot of features to understand.

Some particularly important points to remember include what to do in an emergency. Make sure to learn where your tow hooks are, understand the proper jack points, and note down other important pieces of information about how to recover your Jeep if you get stuck or have a flat. Seasoned off-roaders usually equip their Wranglers with winches, hi-lift jacks, and traction boards to aid in recoveries, so plan on adding these to your Jeep before you head into the wild. If you do add recovery equipment, make sure to familiarize yourself with how it works and test it out someplace safe. The last thing you want is to find yourself reading the instruction manual to your winch by flashlight on the side of the trail as night falls and temperatures drop.

The second part of Sun Tzu’s wisdom is to know your enemy––for off-roading, that means researching the trail before you begin. If you’re new to off-roading, make sure to start small and work your way up. There are plenty of beginner trails around Fountain, like Old Stage Road and Lower Gold Camp Road, that you can use to practice before challenging the tougher areas. Look up reviews of any trail you intend to try, prep for any unique challenges it offers, and plan a schedule that will let you finish before it gets dark. Here in Colorado, it is also important to plan for the weather. You don’t want to take the top off your Wrangler and dress lightly if rain or snow is in the forecast.

Be Prepared

Unlike hiking or backpacking, where you have to carry everything you want, you can take a lot of stuff with you in your Jeep when you head off-road. Use this to your advantage and stock your Wrangler with anything you think you might need. Your equipment should cover three main categories: personal supplies, vehicle supplies, and emergency supplies.

• Personal supplies include anything you need to enjoy your time on the trail. It’s always a good idea to bring a change of clothes for if you get wet or an extra jacket for if you get cold. Some snacks can liven up your time in nature.
• Vehicle supplies are the stuff your Jeep might need to get home. It’s always a good idea to bring a basic toolkit and some common spare parts. If you are planning a longer trip, you might want to consider some extra gas, a second spare tire, and other important items.
• Emergency supplies cover what you need if everything goes wrong. Off-roading can be dangerous, and you need a plan for what to do if you flip your Jeep or otherwise find yourself stranded. If you are heading to a sparsely populated region, we recommend tossing a personal locator beacon in your Wrangler to call for help if worse comes to worst.

Exactly what you should stock your Jeep with will depend a lot on what adventures you are planning. Part of the reason you should begin your off-road career with local beginner trails is that they give you a chance to slowly figure out what you need and what you don’t in a low-risk environment. Build up your off-road gear as you go, and you will find yourself prepared for anything in no time.

There Is Strength in Numbers

While we fully understand the allure of heading off to experience some alone time in nature, off-roading is an activity best enjoyed with friends. Here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep, we like to organize large group rides because we have found that the more, the merrier––especially if you are new to off-roading. It is always best to have at least two vehicles so that you have a way to get back home if something goes wrong, but even just bringing a passenger with you will make handling any difficulties a lot easier. For instance, if you reach a tight spot in the trail, your passenger can get out and guide you through.

If you join a group of experienced off-roaders, you will likely need to add some method of off-grid communication to your Jeep. When you are out in the wilds of Colorado, cell phone coverage gets spotty and cannot be relied on. Many older off-roaders like CB radio, although the off-road community has increasingly been moving to GMRS (General Mobile Radio Services) or FRS (Family Radio Service). No matter which option you choose, there are plenty of ways to install trail communications in your Wrangler, and we will be happy to help you with the project. Just make sure that everyone in your group has compatible equipment and knows how to use it before you head out.

Your Wrangler Is Ready for Adventure––Are You?

Every Jeep Wrangler is Trail Rated, with impressive 4×4 capabilities, plenty of ground clearance, and a rugged design. If you opt for models like the Willys and Rubicon, you will find even more trail-ready features intended to carry you over any obstacles in your path. However, off-roading is not a simple matter of buying the best vehicle. You also need to prepare for the trail and expand your skills as a driver and adventurer. If you are new to the world of off-roading, there is no better place to start than picking up a used Jeep Wrangler here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep and letting us help you get ready to explore the trails around the Fountain area!