Episode 746 – Rubicon Trail Closure Update

This Week In Jeep

Rubicon Trail Closure Update

Back in Episode 742, we broke a news story here on the show that broke a lot of your hearts. The Jeep world is reeling as 2023 starts off with one of the most controversial examples of what is now being considered bureaucratic abuse of power. If you’re not up to speed about what’s going on with the Rubicon trail right now, I highly encourage you to go back and listen to the discussion we had about this on Episode 742. The gist of it all is this. The trail is closed. First, it was rumored it was due to some people getting stuck up there, which did happen. There was a group stuck out near the Wentworth Springs area for a few days, but another group helped get to them and got them out.  That was about a month ago. Many of us could see enough to reason that logically it would be acceptable for periodic, seasonal closures due to it being potentially more unsafe to travel and/or to rescue potential parties that were unprepared for the weather and terrain. They do that up here in Oregon all the time. Now, some of it is that you just can’t GET to the trail even if you wanted to. Other times, it’s for the sake of erosion control and safety. No problem right? There are other places to go play. Well, now we find out that the closure of the Rubicon Is because of stupid eco-nuts in positions of power overreaching their authority. I want to give credit where credit is due and thank Brad Mockensturm from scoop-it.com for helping us out on this update. The first thing that you need to know is that this closure is NOT going unchallenged, and there is evidence to suggest the move may have even been illegal. The Rubicon Trail Foundation is a federally recognized, non-profit organization dedicated to the future health of the Rubicon Trail. RTF acts as the support network for Rubicon Trail work projects and also acts as the liaison with local government organizations. And trust me when I say that they are fighting this tooth and nail. RTF says the county closed the trail in violation of written agreements on when the trail could be closed for weather/water issues.

Playing the devil’s advocate here for a second, the county board is claiming there is ecological damage due to the silt runoff from the trail which pollutes the local water,  granting them authority to dictate the closure. Right now this complaint of silt and erosion doesn’t mean much since (at the time of this recording) much of the trail is covered in snow. But if the county is allowed to get away with this action, then this government body and others will be emboldened to close this trail and others almost at will, and for almost any reason. Once the precedence is set, there’s nothing stopping this from happening in your own backyard as well. Luckily the Rubicon Trail Foundation is fighting for all of our access and will not give up. Some of you might be saying right now, “what can one little off-road non-profit do against the power of the bureaucratic machine?” Here is where we find the proverbial ace up the sleeve. The Rubicon Trail Foundation owns a ton of land adjacent to the trail. So if anyone has the right to any complaints about silt or run-off …it’s going to be them. And I think we both know that’s not going to happen. But it gets better. RTF was also involved with the original resolution dictating when the trail could be closed, and why. This gives them a much stronger standing to oppose things like this closure than the average Jeeper. 

So… “Obi-Wan-Kenobi, you’re our only hope.”  

I don’t know about you, but I have a feeling that the outcome of this will have a lot of people thinking about what powers and freedoms we as Jeepers and off-road enthusiasts alike, are willing to give up to the powers that be. How about you, does this rile you up enough to take action? If so, we’ll have a link to the RTF Facebook page where you can start to get involved. https://www.facebook.com/RubiconTrailFoundation/

Is This The End Of The Cherokee? 

Jeep has greatly reduced the Cherokee lineup for 2023, making many of us in the automotive industry think that this could be the Jeep Cherokee’s final model year. 

The 2023 Cherokee is now only available in Altitude Lux and Trailhawk trim levels. That’s a reduction of more than half of what trim levels were previously available. 

The only engine choices for any buyers are now the naturally aspirated 180-hp 2.4-liter inline-four and a 270-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. The previously available 3.2-liter V-6 engine has been dropped altogether, but both come standard with four-wheel drive. Pricing starts at just over $39K for the Altitude Lux and just under $43K for the Trailhawk. That’s a big jump from the 2022 model’s base price, which started at around $31K for the front-wheel-drive Altitude; even the 2022 Altitude 4×4, though, was $6200 less than this year’s Altitude Lux model, which does get extra equipment including leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start, but still. 

The Trailhawk, which previously had the 3.2-liter V-6 engine, gets a $3750 price bump over last year but now with a smaller engine. We previously reported that the Belvedere, Illinois, plant that builds the compact SUV would be idled after February 2023, a decision that at first stunk off a cover-up. Jeep told us then that the Cherokees being built now are 2023 models. Don’t forget about the subsequent reports that Cherokee production could move to Mexico after the Illinois plant is idled. That was a slap in the face to all those UAW workers. Both the union as well as state and local governments are stepping in to do what they can to place displaced workers in other positions as fast as possible. The current KL generation of the Cherokee has been on sale since the 2014 model year, and with Jeep’s history of 10-year runs for models, I think we can all see the writing on the wall for the future of the Cherokee.

Jeep The Mac Is Back Baby!

For those like me, Jeepers stuck far away from states like Michigan, where we may not be aware of just how much the Upper Peninsula is a great destination for off-roaders. But Jeep enthusiasts from all across the Midwest and beyond will make the trek to the U.P. once again when the 8th annual “Jeep the Mac” event takes place in St. Ignace and on Drummond Island May 12-14. The event annually includes trail riding, mud bogging, and a crossing over the infamous Mackinac Bridge. A lighted parade first added in 2022 is also returning this year. Registration numbers are steadily increasing, and the event’s organizers are hoping for another record-breaking year. Registration is open until May 1 and is just $45 per person.

The weekend begins with a group crossing of Michigan’s landmark bridge at 3 p.m. on Friday. Participants will take a ferry ride to Drummond Island in Lake Huron on Saturday and have access to the 400-acre Turtle Ridge Offroad Park. Highlights on Drummond Island also include a Mud Bog, a poker run with cash prizes, and a Jeeps and Java event just to name a few. The light parade through downtown St. Ignace will begin at 9:30 p.m. and is a sight to behold. If you want to see what is likely soon to be dubbed the largest light-up Jeep parade on the planet, or to learn everything else this amazing yearly event has to offer, we’ll have the link in the show notes for this episode at JeepTalkShow.com.

https://stignace.com/event/jeep-the-mac/

 

Newbie Nuggets with Wendy

What to carry in your Jeep

It’s a new year and that means NEW Jeepers. Did you get a new Jeep or, new to you, this past year? You are going to need some items in your jeep when you start going out and wheeling. If you are experienced then this is a good time to check & make sure all of this is still on board and didn’t get used, destroyed, or misplaced last year.

There are literally hundreds of things you can carry in your jeep that at the time may seem important but honestly, if you carried everything you saw, heard about, or read about, you literally would need a trailer towed behind to store it all. This is a BASIC list of items to “get you started:”

1)   Tow Strap – So you can pull your buddy out. Use an actually rated tow strap with loops at each end (not hooks). Do not use a rope (ropes can and will stretch break). Straps usually have a 20,000 lb. rating or higher.     

2)   Recovery attachments – Sometimes known as D-rings or shackles, you need something to connect your tow strap to your Jeep. A soft Shackle is what I recommend.  A few weeks back on episode (738) I shared that MY favorite tool is the soft shackle. Plan on getting 3. Trust me on this one, it’s worth the investment. Easy to use and the good ones are American-made and rated, spend the extra $$ on quality. 

3)   Basic tool kit – a good set of tools. This would be at a minimum a couple of screwdrivers, a small set of wrenches, an adjustable wrench, pliers, channel lock pliers, a set of Vise-Grip pliers, and some work gloves. Put in some duct tape and tie wire, regular electrical wire, zip ties, a few ratchet tie-down straps, and black electrical or silicone tape – we have used these items on others that have broken down.   Sometimes it’s a simple  “mend” that is just enough to get off the trail.

4)   First Aid Kit – You would be surprised how many bumps and bruises you get climbing in and around obstacles. It’s very common to “slip” on rocks, ice, or loose gravel. Or get scratched by the branches of trees. Having a first aid kit with bandages, band-aids and disinfectant can help on the trail. Check this regularly 

to make sure your items haven’t expired.        

5)  Fire Extinguisher – Class ABC stored securely & easily accessible. This is a common item overlooked. Spend the extra $$ and get a bigger one. Most fires may require more retardant and the cute little ones won’t really do the trick with a big engine fire. Side note: Most organized Jeep runs require basic items to have on board and this is one of them. You can mount it somewhere in the jeep, usually on the pillars or roll bars inside, just make it easy to get to in a hurry. Having it mounted way in the back of the jeep behind all your other gear is not a good idea. And double check yearly that the extinguisher is still pressurized.

6)   Ham Radio or GMRS – GMRS has become the popular choice for wheelers these days. And it’s easy to purchase on Amazon and only requires a one-time license fee whereas the HAM requires passing a test to get the license to operate. Ham is great, but GMRS are cost-effective & very easy to use. Having reliable communication is crucial should you need it. Cell phones generally don’t work in the backwoods or mountains and trails etc.

 7)   Trash bag – This is essential to any Jeeping experience. Pack out what you brought in. Don’t litter, and take ALL of your trash out with you. In fact, pick up any other trash you see along the trail. There are pouches that fit on the spare tire on the outside back of your jeep, so the trash stays out of the jeep. There are lots of companies that provide a “trash bag” at events. Pick them up and use them when you Jeep.

8)   Toiletries – YES you will have to go when you are out in nature. How and what you do is just as important. In episode 742 I discussed this very topic. Keep small Ziploc baggies filled with toilet paper, and sundry items, and then use the Ziploc to store your used waste paper – Yes if you are a female listener then you need to collect all your paper waste and take it out with you. Having the baggie keeps it sealed and you can put it in the trash bag outside the jeep. Having extra baggies you can offer guests or other “jeepers” is a good thing too.

Keep in mind that these items should be dedicated to the jeep and always be there if needed. If you are just starting out, start with just a few of the essentials, and get the tools, and recovery gear later.  

 

Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update

If you can’t use your show to get answers for your own stuff, well why not?!?!?

In 2021 Texas had a major freeze and a multiple-hour power outage.  I believe it got down to 13 or 14 degrees here in S.E. Texas.

Even though we made sure all the Jeep’s antifreeze levels were correct, tested with those anti-freeze liquid testers.  My daughter’s 2005 heater core failed within a week, or two of the freeze.

Recently my wife’s 2003 went through 16 temps, and within a few days, her heater core failed.

Why would this happen if the antifreeze was at proper levels?  Am I assuming this is the cause, and it’s not?

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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