You’ve seen the badge on the back of Jeeps everywhere, but what does it mean for a Jeep to be Trail Rated? That silver emblem guarantees that a Jeep vehicle can conquer dangerous terrains. Here’s what makes a Jeep Trail Rated.
What Does It Mean for a Jeep to Be Trail Rated?
When Trail Rated Jeeps were first introduced in 2004, they changed the way consumers bought vehicles. Now drivers could own a vehicle that was built for both the road and off-road adventures. The Trail Rated badge has become a trusted indicator of a vehicle’s durability and adaptability to any circumstance.
In order for a Jeep to become Trail Rated, the Jeep must pass strict specifications regarding vehicle traction, maneuverability, ground clearance, water fording, and off-road articulation. Those specifications allow a Jeep to overcome bad weather, challenging terrain, and other obstacles without hindering the driving experience. The current Jeeps to have passed these tests are the Wrangler, Compass, Renegade, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.
What Earns a Jeep its Trail Rating?
In order to become a Trail Rated vehicle, a Jeep must meet certain standards in a variety of tests. Many of these tests take place in the icy, rocky terrain of Northern Michigan while others require the Jeep to traverse the boulders of the Rubicon trail.
While on these trails, a Jeep’s performance is tested on the following areas.
Water Fording
You wouldn’t dare take most vehicles through a body of water that would reach up past the chassis, but a Trail Rated Jeep is designed to take on such an environment. When a Jeep enters a high level of water, it seals off electrical connections and body openings. Air intakes are also positioned higher up on a Trail Rated Jeep to avoid being flooded.
Maneuverability
When driving off-road or in dangerous road conditions, every movement of the tires matters. Jeep takes this into account when their vehicles become Trail Rated. Your Jeep must be able to respond quickly enough to avoid obstacles without losing traction. That means these Jeeps have precise steering and wheelbases optimized for handling narrow trails and dangerous situations without putting you in danger.
Articulation
Whether on the road or off, a Trail Rated Jeep must be able to remain stable. When a Jeep is articulate, that means the vehicle has a flexible suspension that can handle potholes and sharp dips in the road or trail. It also means that a Jeep can remain stable when one or more tires are hanging in the air.
Ground Clearance
While out on the trail, the last thing you need is for a log or rock to damage the under-body of your vehicle. Fortunately, a Trail Rated Jeep provides the ground clearance necessary to avoid such obstacles.
Following the tests that allow a Jeep to become Trail Rated, these vehicles are guaranteed to be fun, flexible, and fortified. They’re designed to keep you safe without sacrificing performance. To see for yourself what a Trail Rated Jeep can do, come visit us at Ourisman CDJR.
Image via Flickr by Larry Lamsa/under use by CC BY 2.0
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