Episode 823 – Jeep A.I. Wheeling?

Jeep looks to add autonomous fun for off-road enthusiasts

April Fools in June?

Jeep demonstrates AI and autonomous off-road technology it’s developing for its EVs

For its autonomous off-road demonstration, Jeep equipped two Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-ins with AI technology and took them through the rocky red terrain of Moab, Utah.

Jeep says its autonomous technology will eventually support drivers on normal paved roads as well. Per CEO Christian Meunier

Jeep Dealers Have Enough Renegades on Hand To Last 2 Years

Jeep Renegade has a Market Day Supply (MDS) of 753. That means that at current sales volumes, it’d take Jeep dealers more than two years to sell all the Renegades currently on their lots—never mind the new ones on the way from the factory. To put that in perspective, Laser Appraiser says dealers should expect an inventory-wide average MDS of 70, and to avoid cars with an MDS over 125. 

That means the Renegade is taking more than 10 times as long to sell as the average new car.

753: Jeep Renegade

443: Chevy Silverado 4500 chassis cab

423: Lincoln Corsair

403: Ram 2500

391: Jeep Cherokee

355: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

352: Jeep Compass

328: Ram 1500 Classic

283: Jeep Gladiator

Newbie Nuggets with Wendy

Safety while Winching

In last week’s episode 819, we discussed the pros and cons of having a winch on your Jeep. As promised I want to review some safety tips to consider before you winch

A winch (spelled with an I, not an E – that would be out of a Pirate movie) is used to help you when your Jeep gets stuck in the mud, sand, or high centered on a rock or just has inadequate traction to drive out. A winch helps when you need to “pull” yourself out. There are lots of discussions on winching and plenty of content about the type of winches, and how to winch someone out, but in this episode, I want to cover the safety while winching.

1)   If you are new to Jeeping and you have a winch, please read the owner’s manual and understand what your winch is capable of, its load capacity, and how it operates.

2)   Using a winch can be very dangerous and should not be taken lightly. In my winching certification class, I learned a number of safety tips that I want to share with you today.

Winching is essentially pulling you or someone else out of the stuck situation.

Some safety concerns to consider;

–  Winching is inherently dangerous. You can get hurt. You can hurt others. Please be aware and listen to directions (if you are helping).

–  If you are helping, or asked to help, have a pair of tight-fitting gloves on. Some winch lines are synthetic rope but others are steel rope and gloves help keep you from getting steel splinters and offer a better grip.

–  The winch spool can and will break/pinch off fingers so DO NOT put your hands around the spool while operating

–  Some winch controllers are wireless remote and most others are connected by a cable to the winch

–  The spool needs to be disengaged so the winch line can be slowly pulled out to the anchor point. You can help by walking the line toward the anchor point. It’s best to not allow the line to get dirty/wet, however, in lots of situations this can’t be avoided. Once attached to an anchor point, the spool needs to be re-engaged.

–  Once the anchor point is attached, the winching process can begin. Your jeep needs to be running because the winch motor takes a lot of battery power.

–  A cloth, towel, jacket, or some type of material needs to be draped over the line midway to mitigate the “whip” should the line break. Also, this lets bystanders know where the line is.

–  Stand away from the swing zone. This is the radius the line could swing should it break at either end. The person in charge should make sure all persons are cleared from this swing zone. If you are not clear- get clear. Synthetic winch rope is much safer than common steel winch rope. A steel rope can decapitate, dismember or severely hurt you or anyone within the swing zone. Be very careful

–  The person controlling the winch should be the one in control and will

direct you if you are the one being pulled out. It’s important to pay attention to the person in charge. They are controlling the process and can see how the Jeep is traveling.

–  After you are cleared and you no longer need the winch, the line needs to be re-spooled back on the winch. The line must be spooled correctly and this is where you can get hurt if your hands get too close to the winch while re-spooling.  This is where you will want to have your gloves on.

Being winched, or watching a jeep being winched, is all part of the fun and adventure. At some point in your jeeping, you will need to get winched. Hopefully, you get to see it done (and done correctly where no one gets hurt) before you need to be winched yourself. Just like everything there are good and bad ways to winch. Being around people using good judgment and following the safety rules of winching is a must. 

I hope this helps you stay safe and if you want more info, you can check out our YouTube channel Jeep 4-1-1, 

https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update

Security Camera Surveillance System?

Even before the 2021 Jeep Talk Show Gladiator was attacked sitting alone and defenseless in a parking lot I wanted a video security system.

Seeing the Tesla video security system told me it’s possible.

Does anyone out there know of an aftermarket video security system for vehicles?

Must-Have Stuff Pick-of-the-Week for your Jeep!

Retevis RB26 GMRS Handheld Radio $26.99

Cheap, but high quality

No display, voice announces channel number

30 Channels

High Power

Chirp – Turn off Tone Squelch

Disposable!