Prior to my 2012 Overland Hemi, I had a BMW 325Ci for 10 years, which was fantastic, but not really suited for Colorado, where I've lived for the past 2. This is my first vehicle that is even remotely off-road capable.
I have been enjoying taking the Jeep down all the dirt roads and trails that I had to sigh and pass by in the BMW, and having a blast in general.
However, one thing I did not expect was just how annoying washboarded roads are, and how ubiquitous. Whenever I come upon a section of even mild washboarding, it feels like the Jeep is going to shake apart - windows start rattling, etc. I find myself creeping along at 10 mph or something, which is a lot slower than most people drive on these roads.
Now, a lot of times you can avoid the washboarded sections by steering around them, but that's not always an option. I've tried varying my speed, and depending on the road driving either faster or slower helps, but it still feels like I'm beating the shit out of my brand-new $45k Jeep driving on these things. And it takes forever to get anywhere at 10 mph.
Maybe I'm just a little too sensitive to bumps and vibration still - my BMW was something of a delicate little flower, always wearing out suspension components of one kind of another. The Jeep is clearly more durable - but I still can't imagine that all the vibration won't increase wear on the car, rattle shit loose in the interior, etc.
Am I overly worried about damaging something driving over washboarded sections at speeds higher than a crawl? And in any case, what is the best way to minimize the discomfort in general? I have not yet tried lowering my tire pressure, partly because I don't have an electric compressor, but that seems like a real pain in the ass to do every time you get on a dirt road.
And I have the Off-Road package with 18" wheels - I can't imagine what the ride would be like with the 20's.
I have been enjoying taking the Jeep down all the dirt roads and trails that I had to sigh and pass by in the BMW, and having a blast in general.
However, one thing I did not expect was just how annoying washboarded roads are, and how ubiquitous. Whenever I come upon a section of even mild washboarding, it feels like the Jeep is going to shake apart - windows start rattling, etc. I find myself creeping along at 10 mph or something, which is a lot slower than most people drive on these roads.
Now, a lot of times you can avoid the washboarded sections by steering around them, but that's not always an option. I've tried varying my speed, and depending on the road driving either faster or slower helps, but it still feels like I'm beating the shit out of my brand-new $45k Jeep driving on these things. And it takes forever to get anywhere at 10 mph.
Maybe I'm just a little too sensitive to bumps and vibration still - my BMW was something of a delicate little flower, always wearing out suspension components of one kind of another. The Jeep is clearly more durable - but I still can't imagine that all the vibration won't increase wear on the car, rattle shit loose in the interior, etc.
Am I overly worried about damaging something driving over washboarded sections at speeds higher than a crawl? And in any case, what is the best way to minimize the discomfort in general? I have not yet tried lowering my tire pressure, partly because I don't have an electric compressor, but that seems like a real pain in the ass to do every time you get on a dirt road.
And I have the Off-Road package with 18" wheels - I can't imagine what the ride would be like with the 20's.