Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Ram Mount Camera Test on Jeep Windshield

A Jeep Momma Review

Ram Mount attached to Jeep windshield


Last month I bought a new suction cup camera mount for the windshield of my Jeep Wrangler. I finally got to test it out wheeling on the trails at Rausch Creek. Some folks were skeptical it would even stay on the windshield. It held up just perfectly.

This Ram Mount is still going strong and my go to mount after seven years.  

Wheeling with My New Ram Mount 👉  Watch Here 

I even tested it out at highway speeds. Again no issues. 

Ram Mount Highway Test video 👉 Watch Here



Ram Mount Suction Cup Mount

Suction Cup Twist Lock Base ðŸ‘‰Buy Here

Ram Mount Ball Attachment

Ball Attachment  👉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.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

5 Reasons You Should Be a Jeep Mom

Reasons Every Mom Should Drive a Jeep Wrangler

Top 5 Reasons Every Mom Should Be a Jeep Mom

Being a Jeep Mom Changed My Life

Becoming part of the Jeep family Memorial Day 2013 ranks high on my list of great things in my life. It rejuvenated my energy to enjoy life, and to live my life to the fullest. Now I have more fun with the ordinary tasks of everyday life.

My Jeep has taken me on so many amazing adventures I wouldn't have been able to take with a mini-van. I have meet so many great friends on this fabulous journey. 


One of my first pictures with my Jeep.

2013 Jeep Momma and Jeep



Good for the Soul! 

My Jeep has been a breath of fresh air, something every mom needs in her life. In my opinion every mom at one time should have the experience of driving a Jeep Wrangler! The feeling of driving with the top down is so rejuvenating and amazing for the soul.

Selfie off-road with my Jeep.
Selfie with Jeep


Buh-Bye Carpools

 Are you tired of carpooling -- dragging other people's rugrats around in your car -- cleaning up their spilled juice or crumbled pretzels -- listening to them scream and yell in your car? Well, when you have a Jeep you can say good-bye to those annoying carpool kids! With a Jeep you are limited in your seating capacity. 


Snow Days - Schmo Days 

Are you tired of being stuck in the house with your kids every time it snows, and there is no school? Are you kids constantly nagging you that they are bored after an hour of being home? If you drove a Jeep that problem would be solved. Leave the kids at home with dad and you can head out for a little "Mommy 4x4 Time"! 


Jeep in the snow.

Jeep tires in the snow


Calgon Take Me Away Moments

You remember those Calgon bubble bath commercials. When life gets too stressful just hop in a tub full of Calgon bubbles, and life is great. I found something a whole lot better than a bubble bath. A drive in a Jeep with the top down. It will sooth your soul, and take away your stress.

Jeep Momma driving her Jeep with the top down.
Topless driving in Jeep 

WARNING: Once you go "Topless" you are not going to want to go back to your plain old Soccer Mom car again! Take it from me, a Jeep owner, buying a Jeep was the best vehicle purchase I have ever made. I am feeling younger, and enjoying the simple things in life. 


Off-Roading

A year after I bought my Jeep  I took a lesson to learn to drive my Jeep on the trails, and at the time little did I know, I found my new favorite activity. Taking my Jeep out on the trails and tackling those rocks is exhilarating and challenging.

As a stay at home mom, the need to find challenges is a constant for me, from advocating for my children; to taking on volunteer roles to make a difference; to new find new challenges in the great outdoors.  Off-Roading gives you a sense of power you can do anything.



Do-it-Yourself Modifications

With so many Wrangler's out on the highways and bi-ways, I had a particular desire to make my Jeep look unique to me. With limited funds, it became a challenge. So -- I decided to make the changes to my Jeep in my own garage. It is extremely rewarding knowing I made these changes on my own with some help from the great online Jeep community.



Jeep Momma installing her own sliders.
I installed my own sliders. 

A Boost to My Self-esteem

It is a huge sense of accomplishment, which I needed. As a stay-at-home mom for 15 years then trying to break back into the work force, I felt very discouraged and dismayed. However, being able to accomplish these types of modifications on my own was a great accomplishment, and gave me a renewed confidence I needed. Off-roading gave me so much confidence. 



Thursday, April 6, 2017

Off-Road Adventure with NORA

A Day of Fun and Learning

Northeast Off-Road Adventures (NORA) operates a low-speed, off-road driving school in the picturesque Catskill Mountains near Ellenville, NY. This 4x4 school helps you master the art of driving your Jeep or other street-legal 4x4 vehicles. With certified I4WETA 4WD trainers, NORA offers an incredible learning experience that’s both fun and informative.


Jeep Trail Ride break

A Day at NORA: Classroom and Trails

I was lucky to be able to attend this event to have more training. These folks came to the local off-road park I wheeled at, and even though I'm not an off-road beginner, I firmly believe there's always something new to learn.

The day kicked off with a two-hour "classroom" style session focusing on technique, vehicle preservation, and safety. This foundational knowledge is crucial, especially for those new to off-roading. After soaking up all that valuable information, it was time to hit the trails.

Classroom Style Off-road Training

Hitting the Trails: Green Trails for Beginners

For most of the ladies, this was their first time off-road in their vehicles. We stuck to the green trails, which allowed them to get acquainted with their vehicles, understand their capabilities, and build confidence in their driving skills.


Hood shot of Green 4x4 Trail

Advanced Techniques: Learning Never Stops

For me, it was an opportunity to hone my "See a rock, put a wheel on it" skills. Even though I have wheeled several times before, I still learned new things. The certified trainers at NORA 4x4 shared so many great driving techniques that I couldn't help but be impressed.

Selfie with Jeeps on the trail

Valuable Off-Road Tips and Tricks

Here are some fantastic tips and tricks I picked up during the day:

  • Leave Your Keys in the Ignition: When you get out to check out other Jeepers climbing over obstacles, always leave your keys in the ignition. Also, keep an extra set of keys in your center console. You never know when you might lose your keys in the woods or rocks.
  • Stay Leaned with Your Jeep: When you're off-camber, keep your back in the seat and lean with the Jeep. This helps you get used to being off-camber and avoids giving you a false sense of stability.
  • Wheel Locks Caution: If you use wheel locks, ensure you have the key. Consider removing them and using the OEM lug nuts before hitting the trails to avoid losing the key in the rocks.
  • 360 Inspection: Always perform a 360-degree inspection before and after your trip. Look for brake line leaks and branches in places they shouldn't be.
  • Handling Sticky Situations: When your wheel just spins and spins, don’t let those tires keep spinning. Before using lockers, try turning the tires in a different direction or backing up and changing your approach. On the trails with NORA 4x4 👉Watch Here  

It was an amazing day on the mountain with great people, having fun in my Jeep. And you know what? Even though I'm not a beginner, I still learned new things.

My Jeep


Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Top 10 Reasons Wranglers Are Cool

Top 10 reasons you should get a Jeep Wrangler 

#10 -- Heating Unit


I've never had a vehicle with such a powerful heating unit. This comes in handy in the winters we've had lately. Especially with me, a person who is willing to brave the elements and put the top down in the midst of an unseasonably cold, bitter below zero temperature winter.

Jeep Momma with her top down in January.
Topless in January


#9 - Customize your Trunk


A Jeep Wrangler Unlimited allows you to customize your trunk to fit your needs. We all have different needs when it comes to our vehicles. We all use them in different ways. The Jeep can limit your hauling needs if you need a lot of space. When your top is down you are also limited when it comes to keeping your personal items safe. However, the under-the-seat space gives you room to store many items such as blankets for those cold days when your top is down. Or your first aid kit, recovery kit or jumper cables. There are also many items on the market that allow for a trunk compartments that lock.  Or if you are handy at building  you could create your own unique trunk compartment to fit your own needs. 

For Jeep truck storage ideas check out My Top 5 Storage Ideas blog post. 


#8 - No more Carpooling

One of the reasons I chose the Wrangler Unlimited is it only has five seatbelts. Which means there is only room for three kids in the back and that eliminated being part of carpooling to events and activities. Now, that means I don't need to deal with other people's whining, bragging, exaggerating kids.



#7 - Resale value

Kelly Blue Book ranks the Jeep Wrangler 3rd on it's 2014 Best Resale Value list. They say, "The Jeep Wrangler is not only the world's most famous off-roader, but it's a perennial resale value standout."  
Several Jeeps on a car lot.
Jeep Wranglers hold their value. 


#6 - Made in America


#5 - Unique Modifications


There is no other vehicle out there, like the Jeep, that you can customize to make it uniquely your own. The possibilities are endless. A Jeep can be customized to fit the needs of your Jeep lifestyle. The Jeep lifestyle possibilities are endless as well -- weekend off road warrior in the mud, on the beach, on the back wood trails, or rock crawling in the mountains. Maybe you just want to enjoy the fresh air by riding topless in the sun. The list goes on.

There is no right way or wrong way to modify your Jeep, you customize it to your liking to fit your personality and your own unique Jeep lifestyle. 

For ideas to modify your Jeep check out my Jeep Momma's Modifications post. 

#4 -- Simple & Easy 


My stock Jeep in the driveway.
My Jeep Stock


Some of my friends have bought new cars recently. They all are excited to show me the cool "extras" their cars have. Well, it all sounds good, but in my mind it's just more stuff I would have to get fixed if it breaks.

The Jeep is a simple, no "frills" vehicle. The Jeep doesn't need all those extras. If those cars were as cool as a Jeep they wouldn't need them either.

Frills = unnecessary extra feature or embellishment.

Everything I've read about the Jeep says the repairs are simple to make. You can turn yourself into a do-it-yourself mechanic. Plus, once you are in the Jeep family you will find there are Jeep repair and lift parties in every community -- you just need to bring a six pack.  So, all that money you are saving in repairs you can use to buy all those modifications you want to make. 

As for taking the top down -- I've heard folks complain because you can't just push a button to automatically take it down. Well, what if that button breaks. Just one more thing to fix. And truthfully getting my soft top down is simple and easy. I can do it myself in under five minutes.

#3 - Go Anywhere, Do Anything

These next three reasons were hard to decide which ranked higher. They are virtually a tie in my mind. Although, when I first went Jeep shopping and finally decided to buy my Jeep, off-roading was the furthest thing from my mind. Now experiencing the thrill and adrenaline of off-roading I regret not getting a Jeep earlier in my life.

Most people view driving as getting from one place to the next. Well, when you drive a Jeep it's more than a means to an end. It's a joy every time you take it out for many different reasons and for those adventure seekers a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is probably the best vehicle out there. The Jeep will take you to places you've never gone before. 

Hood shot of my Jeep on the trail.
On the Trails


Like the Jeep Motto states "Go Anywhere, Do anything!" 

It's 4 X 4 capabilities are top notch! It's short wheelbase, powerful drivetrain, body size and tight turning ratio are all great for off-roading trips. It's great for all terrains. The pavement, mud, sand, snow, and water. And for those serious off-roaders there is always rock crawlin'.



I never would have thought off-roading -- wheelin' -- would have been a hobby I would want to try. But I've tried it and love it. I am now one of the addicted. Being behind the wheel of my Jeep on those rugged rocky, muddy trails has been pure joy. There have moments of being a little terrified, but when your Jeep pulls through you are nothing but high fives. It still amazes me what my Jeep can do without even having made any modifications to it. I look forward to my next trip off the beaten paved path!

#2 -- Jeep Family 



The Jeep Wrangler gives you the ability to express your own unique personality. It allows you the freedom to drive anywhere you want to go. But buying a Jeep also admits you into one of the most active public fraternities out there. Whether you are young or old, drive a CJ or JK,  you are part of the Jeep family.

You will make friends for a lifetime -- a new fraternity of like minded friends. There are so many places you can find these friends -- those you meet around town who also own Wranglers, at Jeep events across the US, Jeep message boards, chat rooms and forums.

Being part of the Jeep community gives you a special sense of belonging and friendship no other vehicle will give you -- It's a Jeep Thing!


#1 -- Topless

Topless & Naked Jeep

The ability to take the top down on my Jeep is the number one reason why I bought my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Although I hadn't realized all the other benefits that came with being a Jeep owner. The fact that I would be able to take the top down and turn my vehicle into a convertible was the selling point for me. 

I never in a million years would have guessed it would become my getaway -- my zen moment -- my "Calgon Take Me Away" Moment. 

Nothing is more relaxing than driving my Jeep with the top down -- to hit the open road with the radio on full blast feeling the wind in your hair and sun on your face is the ultimate stress reliever. 

And just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't be topless. With the Jeeps powerful heating system and proper winter gear the temperatures can be tolerable for a get-away cruise away from the everyday stresses of life. 


Recovery Gear

Your Lifeline in Off-Road Adventures When venturing off the beaten path, having the right recovery gear can mean the difference between a mi...