Episode 503 – The Best Off Road App For Jeepers

This Week In Jeep

It’s a Pretty Cool App For Offroaders

Back in Episode 493, I talked about Jeep and one of the world’s premier offroad apps ONx Offroad coming together to offer a new elite experience just for Jeep owners. And all you have to do is own a 2021 Jeep. I know at this point I have successfully just alienated 90 percent of our listener base, because who the heck owns a 2021 Jeep? A lot of you apparently. But to be honest, you don’t have to own any Jeep at all to use ONx, but if you want to reap the benefits that the elite level of the app unlocks then you will need to pay, or own a new Jeep. So what’s the big deal with this app anyways? The onX Offroad App uses GPS mapping technology to provide next-level navigation assistance on 550,000 miles of trails. You can switch between a satellite map and a topographic map that gives a better idea of your elevation. In addition, if you’re going off-roading in an area without phone service, you can still look to offline maps to find your way around. Before hitting the road, the app’s trip-planning features give access to trail descriptions as well as the difficulty level, duration, width restrictions, and pictures of each trail. It will also show which trails are closed and which are open so you don’t waste time driving to an area you can’t access. The app can also direct you to 500,000 recreation points, including scenic overlooks, campsites, parking areas, and non-ethanol fuel stations. If you’re meeting friends at a spot or simply want to let a loved one know where you are, you can share customized Tracks and Waypoints with them. These also make it easier for you to retrace your path and get back to your campground. If you own a 2021 model-year Jeep and this sounds like something worth checking out, it’s very easy to get started. You will just have to create an Offroad account on your computer, phone, or tablet to begin your six-month trial of onX Offroad Elite. At the end of your trial, you can then pay $29.99 for Premium access or $99.99 for one full year of Elite access.

Why didn’t I Think Of That!!! 

A 2021 Telluride High School graduate has started a new business, Ajax Offroad Rentals. And it’s pure genius. It’s one of those, “geez, why didn’t I think of that” kind of enterprise. Last winter, when a local high school senior Julien Brooks was in Denver for a hockey weekend, he noticed a number of cool, tricked-out Jeeps parked near his uncle’s house where he was visiting. “I’d been looking into the Jeep rental business for a while, originally through an app called Turo, which is basically the Airbnb of cars,” explained Brooks. Turns out, the guy who owns all those Jeeps, Mark Fit, is his uncle’s neighbor and he and Brooks started talking. Fit, whose regular job is as an insurance broker, has been in the customized Jeep rental business for 12 years, operating small, seasonal rental locations in Glenwood Springs, and Gunnison. He was looking to expand into Telluride and voila — a partnership, Ajax Offroad Rentals — was born.

It’s through Fit that Brooks was able to secure a local fleet of two, four-door, customized Jeeps: A gray 2020 Wrangler and a pumpkin orange 2020 Gladiator. As a third-generation Telluride local, Brooks grew up Jeeping across the region, and while the business fits his financial modeling, he’s aware of the stiff competition he’s up against with local Jeep outfitters who’ve been in the business for 30 years. Vehicle selection was the key to this business. Every one of the other Jeep rental companies in the region all uses more or less, the same Jeep model, same size all-terrain tires, all outfitted more or less, the same way. It seems the only difference is the sticker they put on the side. Ajax Jeep rentals are the only ones to offer well-built, customized vehicles that have specialized off-road tires, 4-inch lift kits for extra clearance, soft tops, and titanium front and back bumpers. The kid is on the right track. Fresh outta high school and already an entrepreneur. Fit has mentored the young Brooks throughout the whole process, and for that gets a revenue share agreement. And he’s set up payment schedules so that a high school graduate doesn’t have to frontload all the capital, but still gets to enjoy the benefits of being a business owner. Now that’s what I call living the American dream. 

Ajax Offroad Rentals – https://www.ajaxoffroadrentals.com/

Tech Talk with Jeep Talk

Personal Preparedness For Off-Roading (1 of 2)

As hardcore off-roaders, we do everything we can to make our rigs bulletproof. But as any good soldier will tell you, the only problem with being bulletproof is there’s always a bigger bullet around the corner. And it will take you out. So despite all the careful vehicular preparation, when the crap hits the fan and we’re forced to spend the night in the wilderness or hoof it back to civilization to get help, it pays to have a few spares for the body as well as for the vehicle. Some guys will sit here and go over an immense list of things that you should and shouldn’t pack when it comes to something like a bug-out bag. If you’re a prepper and you have bug-out bags staged all over the place, then more power to ya. But for the average Jeeper, when we load up for a trip we focus more on what the Jeep could ever possibly need, and then forget to pack a pillow for ourselves. We may have a spare for everything, and the tools to swap it out while on the trail, but a band-aid or survival blanket? Probably not. This of course may not apply to many out there. Who doesn’t have access to public lands and can only wheel in off-road parks on private property?  While these park owners have made it their life’s mission to give wheelers world-class terrain to navigate, there generally are still boundaries, spectators, other patrons, and help nearby if worse comes to worst. But what about the rest of us, who wheel on public lands, out in the wilderness away from virtually any and everything. We need to be a little more prepared than the next guy since if the worst were to happen it’s going to mean at the very least a very, very long hike, or maybe even an impromptu sleepover with mother nature. Either of which you need to be prepared for. So over the next few episodes, I’m going to be going over the more critical kind of preparedness you may want to think about when tackling your next offroad adventure.

Don’t worry, I’m going to keep this pretty basic, and in the realm of realistic expectations. We’re not going to focus on what it’s going to take to keep you alive in the Alaskan wilderness for 3 months. This is not that kind of show. But if all we did was focus on the Jeep and not give at least some attention to the Jeeper operating said Jeep, we would be doing the Jeep world as a whole a great disservice. It all starts on Episode 504.

Jeep Life – With Jeep Momma

Getting Rid Of Smells (Campfire Smoke)

If you do any sort of off-roading or Overlanding I am sure you have at one time experienced a campfire.  In the last episode… Well, the last episode of Jeep Life with Jeep Momma… which was episode 501. Now that we have 2 episodes a week  Jeep Life is only in one of those 2. To remember which episode has Jeep Life… just remember the odd-numbered episodes. Hmmmm… Tony, did you plan it that way to have Jeep Momma on the odd-numbered one because I am an oddball. Haha Just kidding. I know my kids sure think I am a little odd. Okay… back to the last oddball episode 501 I share tips about staying away from that campfire smoke that follows you around. This week I am sharing how to get rid of that campfire smoke from your hair or gear.

From experience washing your hair doesn’t always work the first time. It may take two or three washings to fully get the campfire smoke smell out. Just plain shampoo doesn’t always cut it. You can try adding different things to your hair when washing.  You can also pre-treat your hair with different sprays. A citrus spray… fill a water bottle with the zest of a lemon or lime or orange with some water. Thoroughly soak your hair with the mixture. Leave on for about 30 minutes. The citric acid will deodorize your hair as it dries.  You could also try a hair cocktail. Equal parts water and vodka in a spray bottle. Again thoroughly coat your hair from all angles. It takes about 30 minutes to evaporate. The smoke smell should evaporate along with it. Shoot next time I might just make myself a screwdriver with a splash of lime, have a drink, and make an extra one for my hair. While the hair is drying and evaporating with the Vodka – OJ mixture I can sip my drink.  When washing your hair you can mix in some apple cider vinegar. It will have a strong vinegar smell but will rinse away. And! You can also use a baking soda paste. WHY NOT. It works in your fridge to remove those odors. Create a paste with 3 parts water and 1 part baking soda. Massage it into your hair and leave it on for 3 minutes. They rinse. The smoke smell should rinse out with the baking soda. If you don’t have access to any of these items or a shower. Try dry shampoo or rubbing your hair with a dryer sheet.  Sunlight and fresh air do wonders too! Those are post-smoke in your hair suggestions. You can also try to avoid the smoke smell with these ideas. Pull your hair up into a tight bun. Wear a hat or a hoodie.  When you get home from camping you will notice the smoke smell on your gear. You can pretty much do the same thing to your gear as you did with your hair. Citrus spray, Vodka cocktail, wipe down your gear with a dryer sheet, sprinkle baking soda on your gear, or I like to hang my items out in the fresh air and sunshine.  Now don’t try these ideas… they won’t work and may make the smell worse. Essential oils. Don’t shampoo over and over. Don’t spray your gear or hair with Febreze!!! Those chemicals can irritate your skin.  Actually don’t spray your hair with Lysol either! Or Don’t eat Tide-pods as well.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

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OnX – Off Road App

https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app