I've had my Jeep for about 6 months now and am looking forward to attending a Jeep Jamboree next year, the Maine Mountains one in October to be specific, and have a few questions:

Are they organized and well run?

Does anyone have any regrets for attending or criticisms about them?

What aspect do you love most about Jamboree's, other than you're doing what you love to do?

I'm 66, my 2012 Jeep Unlimited w/S Package is stock. I have no plans of ever getting into heavy duty off-roading so, I will not be adding lifts rails, winch, etc. I do have 3.73's, LSD, 6 speed manual and the tow package. But I do want to experience whatever my stock Jeep is capable of.

As a first timer, does anyone have any suggestions for maximizing this experience?

I've been told by Glenda/Jeep Jamboree that most any 3 to 5 rated trail should be a good experience for me as the guides are quite helpful. True?

Thanks!

 

My father in law went on many Jamborees while he worked for Chrysler. Both his daughters loved them and learned a lot. Many of the Jeeps I see are stock height and the guys that organize them are pretty well versed in the trails they are watching over.

I've been on a couple and it was a great experience. I'm sure you'd enjoy it greatly and learn even more about the capabilities of your Jeep.

 

You will have a blast. You will get so see just what your Jeep and even a stock Jeep is capable of doing. Talk to people when you get there to see about the trails and the guides. I have been the past two years to the Maine Mountains Jamboree. If it has been raining or is raining, the trail numbering system will be way off. (harder) They have a good number of trials for all levels and you will have a great time. They have a facebook page dedicated to each Jamboree. A bunch of people talk about the trails on that. You can see a lot of videos on youtube if you plug it in. Oh yeah, pray for sun. It seems to rain almost every year.

 

I went to my first one last year. My jeep like yours is stock and has the same setup you have. I did put rock sliders on and I am very glad I did. I get some damage to my wheels and would have had alot of damage to the lower door and sills if I had not put on slider. I stuck to the easy rated trails. I am going back this year with 33" tires and heavy skid plates underneath. Do I need them? After going and hearing the rocks hitting the frame and underside I now don't feel good about going without better protection for the oil pan and transmission. All of that being said..... It was a blast and it was extremely well run and a true family event. I heard not one curse word or saw any offensive behavior. This really made it enjoyable for me and my 6 yr old son. We are already planning our next outing and can't wait to see all the guides again. We attended the one in Bradford PA. I can't say enough about how well run it was and how professional the guides were. They spoke honestly to us and guided us through areas I never imaagined I would drive a stock jeep.

 

Oh yeah....broke both my steps the first year. I now have rock sliders!

 

I'm signed up for the Maine one which is my home state and the Bradford PA one as it is the next closest one I can do as Vermont and the NY Catskills one require lockers

This will be my first jamboree and I can't wait, my stock jk sport has 33's and will have a 3" lift and ACE fab rock rails

Matthew

 

I have the ace sliders and the rubicons installed together looks great and works even better! The ace rails are awesome!

 

Like others have said, you'll want to at least remove your side steps. Putting on some rails (takeoff rubi rails are fairly cheap) would be good insurance, but isn't mandatory for easy trails. The only other thing I'd suggest would be better tires, as the OEM tires are very much street-oriented.

Next, you're going to need a few items:

• CB radio. Get one. Even if it's just a hand-held job, trust me, you are going to want it.
• Snatch strap/recovery strap WITHOUT METAL HOOKS. While someone is likely to have one, it's better to have your own if you need it. And you want the type with the sewn loop, not the metal hooks. Those hooks have a nasty habit of breaking and becoming a projectile.
• pin for your receiver hitch. You've got tow hooks in the front. In the rear, if you don't have the factory tow hooks you can use your receiver hitch. Just slip the loop in the receiver and slide the pin in.
• Air pump. You'll probably prefer to use a pump at a gas station or borrow a big air pump, but it's worth it to have your own even if it takes forever to air up.
• Zip ties. Just grab a hand full of large ones. Just in case.

Not all Jamborees are equal, but that's more due to what terrain is available for them to work with. They're generally very VERY organized and well run.

The trail guides are for the most part great. They'll generally let you try something on your own first and only offer help if either asked or if it's obvious you need it. Don't hesitate to ask.

As for the trail ratings, you might be pushing things on a 5 if you have the OEM tires and leave the side steps on. Still, if it's dry you should be able to get through without too much effort. And if it's wet, well, that's what the snatch straps and tow hooks are for.

One last thing. You've said that you're not planning into getting in to heavy duty off-roading. But you're going on a Jamboree. And you're going to find out just how capable your Jeep is, and just how addictive off-roading is. And unless you've got a will of iron, you might find yourself getting sucked in to it a lot farther than you ever thought you would! Enjoy!

 

Ralph.

Background: I am 73 and have been on 15+ JJs over the past 12 years. My first Jeep was a highly modified 1998 TJ, which could go anywhere. My second Jeep was a 2008 JKU "Xicon" that was stock and was only limited by lack of a lift. My current Jeep is a 2012 JKU Sahara which is just about stock. The only thing that I have added is a set of MOPAR rock rails, which I suggest that you add to your JKU. The plastic side steps will break off on most trails if rocks are present. Here are answers to your questions in the order they were asked.
- JJs are well run by highly professionsl staffs. It's a class operation
- I have no regrets or criticisms. The fact I have completed 15 should attest to that fact.
- What did I like most? The wheeling, at all levels, and the other participants who come from all over the country and every walk of life. The common denominator is that they love their Jeeps and wheeling. You see folks from infants to seniors in their 80s and 90s.
- Get rid of the plastic side steps and replace with MOPAR rock rails.
- Your 3.73 R&Ps and LSD should handle any 3-5 rated trail. If the trails are dry and there is no mud, your stock tires should be okay. You might want to consider a set of A/T tires. I recommend Goodyear Silent Armor tires. The best A/Ts I have ever owned. They are also top rated for rain, snow and ice on the highway.
- To maximize your experience, I recommend you install a CB radio, buy a 20' X 20,000 lb tow strap with no metal hooks or parts. You will also need a trailer hitch with a hook so you can tow fellow Jeeps out if they get stuck. I also suggest that you invest in a substantial first aid kit. About $100 or so should do it.
- JJs are not like an "E Ticket" at Disney Land. There are risks and you can damage your JK or get hurt if you don't follow directions or do something stupid. The trail crews and spotters are excellent and will get you through the trails if you listen to them and follow their directions.
- Costs: For two people and their JK, you can plan on a total cost of about $1,000 to cover the event, motel room, gas, non-event related food, etc. for a near by event. If you have to drive two days to get to the event location that cost can double.
- I plan on participating in two JJs in 2013, Parker, AZ (18-20 April) and Roof of the Rockies (1-3 August)
- If you have any questions, please let me know.
Fred (aka) Desert Fox

 

I'm definitely adding rock rails over the winter, if I can't find rubicon take off rails are the mopar rails the same as rubicons in that you can run rubi rails and bolt on rails like the ACE fabrication ones?

Matthew