Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Disconnected Off Road Adventure

"You're Rubicon is capable of so much more" -- I hear this all the time and you know what... They are right. I spent this past weekend at Rausch Creek Off Road Park wheeling on the trails. Saturday I was off roading in the Clayton Off Road Jeep at Women's Wheelin Day.






I drove up Friday morning and was ready to hit the trails at 1pm. I met up with some great Jeep guys from Disconnected Off Road out of New Jersey. Never had met any of these guys in person, I was a little nervous. 




I had nothing to worry about though. This group was fantastic. They welcomed me into the fold even though my Jeep was the only a stock Jeep in the midst of all their lifted Jeeps.  But they knew how capable it was because it was a Jeep... They know Jeeps! 





So we headed out onto the trails. Right off the bat we hit a blue trail heading for the blacks and reds. I was nervous, but at the same time excited to be upping my game. One of the guys got out and spotted me through the trail.  






Guess what?!  No problem making my way through the trail. My Jeep is more than capable, I just need to gain some confidence. And with a good spotter it's simple and easy over the rocky trails. I had several good spotters on the trail throughout the day. 





However after wheeling with me I am thinking they might deserve an award... "I survived Wheeling with Jeep Momma". I tend to be a very slow and cautious wheeler always worrying about damaging my Jeep. They were patient and tolerant of my wheeling. They were also encouraging as they helped me through the more difficult parts.  


Check out my You Tube video to get a glimpse of what my spotters went through. 




This outing was a mix of all different experiences for me. It wasn't just sitting in my Jeep rolling down the trails. There were a couple of stops where the lifted Jeeps crawled up and down the rocky trails. I was able to get out of my Jeep and see it first hand in person and not on a You Tube video. It was intense and really cool to stand on the rocks above the Jeeps as they crawled through the obstacles. 


There was also a point on the trail where one of the Jeeps needed to break out a tree saver and winch to get over the rock.  Off Roading isn't just about you sitting in your Jeep rolling over the trails but experiencing it at all levels -- driving, spotting, and watching.   

I had the best time with Disconnected Off Road. They are a great group of wheelers who are welcoming of other Jeepers on the trails with them. I look forward to many more trail rides with this group. 

                   - Simple Living! -
                    - Enjoying Life! 
             - The Jeep Momma Way -

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Wheeling the Clatyon Off Road Jeep

I believe I am still on my Jeep high from this weekend's off roading adventure. I can't stop looking at the pictures and videos from my fabulous time wheelin' at Rausch Creek Off Road Park. I have lost all focus and I am unable to complete any of my chores I need to get done.


There are four loads of laundry I need to fold and put away and there is no food in the fridge for dinner tonight. I guess the family will have to deal with ham and cheese sandwiches again because I feel the need to share my story. 
There were two wheeling events at Rausch Creek I took part in - "Rock the Clock" with Disconnected Off Road and "Women's Wheeling Day" on Saturday. Both events were terrific with amazing people and a great times.


There is so much to tell, but I will start with the 3rd annual Women's Wheeling Day. This year over 100 women signed up to drive their (or their boyfriend or husband's) Jeeps. 


I was one of three women picked to drive the Clayton Off Road Jeep. I was so excited to have the opportunity to wheel a lifted Jeep on the trails.  This sweet red beast has a 4.5 inch lift... 37 inch tires... and so much more. The list is below.  

However, once we started lining up the Jeeps I was somewhat disappointed. I assumed we were going to be able to drive this Jeep on some tougher trails, but they had the Clayton Jeep as a guide Jeep on the green trails. 



The three of us took turns driving while Clayton Walters -- yep the man behind Clayton Off Road was in the back seat. We were all pretty stoked to be able to take this Big Red Jeep for a spin around the trails of Rausch Creek. I was the only lady driver whose Jeep is still in stock form. So this was a new experience for me. 




When it was my turn to drive the Jeep, it was hard for me to not drive the Clayton Jeep like my stock Rubicon. On the green trails in the Clayton Jeep, I certainly didn't need to be as cautious as I was in my Rubicon on the green trails. 


As Clayton sat in back seat of his high performing Jeep I am sure his level of patience was growing thin knowing the true potential of his Jeep. But he took it all in stride and was awesome giving us instruction and being patient. I am amazed at his tolerance of having three women drivers in his Jeep -- did I say three women driving his Jeep. 

WOW -- His patience was like a cactus waiting for water.  He also had to endure some goofy Jeep Momma moments. Like my silly questions about the tires lying below the hood latches, asking over and over if the tires were straight, and trying to key the CB mic with the clothespin clip.  We sure did have some great laughs on my account.  

Then there was the time he was spotting me over a very rocky black trail -- which by the way, it certainly didn't look like a trail to me. Instead it looked like a rocky ledge on a hillside. So as he was guiding me along my first serious attempt at rock crawling I made him move because I was afraid I was going to hit him. You can see the moment at 3 minutes and 33 seconds into my YouTube video 



            "Jeep Momma Drives the Clayton Off Road Jeep"



Clayton didn't give me any grief and kindly moved to the other side. Then I was able to relax and not worry about running him over. 



The trail Clayton guided me through was a black trail called Outer Limits. He also guided some of the other Jeepers through it. It was quite an intense ride for us. 


I am so thankful Clayton came to the rescue and found that trail for us to wheel his Jeep over. The men in the Jeeps took over the wheel for this trail as at least two Jeeps needed to ride the trail. I am so thankful they did so I could try out the trail. It was so amazing to be able to experience that. 


The bad part is... it just wasn't enough and I want more - big and better trails. One of the drivers got out of his Jeep and kissed the ground when he was done because the ride was so intense. 


Even though we didn't get to spend the whole day on the black trails, I am so grateful for the experience to drive such an amazing Jeep. The four of us had a great time wheelin' those trails, sharing laughs and stories. Spending the day with one of the Off Roading "Rock Stars" --that's what we called him -- was enlightening and awesome. 




It will be hard to go back to wheeling in my stock Rubicon. Now I have no doubt I want to lift my Jeep and get bigger tires. Although a 4.5 lift and 37's might just be a tad too much for me... but who knows.  





          Clayton Off Road Jeep Modifications












Bolt Pattern 5x5  Back Space   4.50"           














Stock rear Dana 44 axle w/ARB locker & 35 spline axle shafts 
Stock Rubicon 4 to 1 transfer case

Genright aluminum bumpers, tube fenders & steel rocker guards

                     - Simple Living! - Enjoying Life! The Jeep Momma Way -

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Getting Topless: Putting Down the Soft Top Properly

The Perfect Jeep "W"


The Perfect Jeep W

When you go topless in your Jeep it is important to know the proper way to fold back your top to the open position. This will help keep your soft top lasting longer.  There are two positions, the sunrider position where the top is folded back to just above the passenger seat. Then all the way down where the top rests along the tailgate. 


Putting Down that Jeep Soft Top - Are You Doing it Wrong?


I have noticed over the years that there are a lot of Jeep Wrangler owners who don't know anything about the Jeep W. In case you might be a little rusty on the mechanics of the Jeep W here is a little refresher course.  

The Jeep "W" 👉 Watch Here

The Wrong Way

During my travels across the US I have noticed many Jeepers with their tops folded incorrectly like in the picture above. The arms need to lie parallel along the body of the Jeep.




Another soft top mistake Jeep Wrangler owners make is the folding of the Jeep Wrangler "W". When folding back your soft top to lay above the passenger seat, which can be a one person job, you need to make sure the fabric of the soft top is pulled away from the bars.

Bestop Soft Top Protectant 👉 Buy Here

Jeep Soft Top Zipper Lubricant 👉 Buy Here 


Jeep Momma contains Amazon affiliate links. I receive commissions for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you. I recommend products and services because I think they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something.


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