You'll love the Trailhawk, I have a 2014 Overland, 3.6L, Max. Steel, QTII, QL, Nitto Terra Grappler G2 - 275/55/20, Treds model 1100, RRO - Super Rock Rails, WK2 Skid Plate Package, Chief Products - WK2 Lower Front Guard, Transmission and Sump Protection PlateRokrover wrote: ↑August 10th, 2018, 6:44 pm Great eye for detail there, Scott. Backing up that doubly-articulated road train would indeed be a challenge on a narrow trail.
I now digress a little to introduce my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk as fine example of capable off roader. It has fully independent air suspension with ride height adjustment, hi-lo range and torque bias management through an active transfer case, limited-slip rear differential and selective braking. It’s far more comfortable than my old Jeep Rubicon. There’s even enough room to sleep in the back with seats folded but that’s a little too spartan after being spoiled by a Chinook.
Any downside? Well, the GC Trailhawk’s systems are under computer management so it’s a smart drive-by-wire vehicle that takes most decision making away from the driver and is very expensive to diagnose and fix. I’ve had two recalls already for the software level of the ECM/PCM to be re-flashed with an upgrade. There’s even talk of automatic updates via satellite while you drive!
Me, I’m thankful for an old-school Chinook where you can do basic mods like springs, shocks and wheels yourself without an advanced computer engineering degree and not risk being hacked out on the road by some malicious computer whiz.
Mopar Front Axle Guard and Transfer Case Guard.
These rigs are super capable but I am glad I got the lifetime warranty because between recalls and warranty work my WK2 has been in shop at least 12 times in 140,000 miles. I did a one-on-one three day 4x4 class with Overland outfit that trains military and we pushed the Jeep hard, instructor knew these Jeeps were uber capable but he was even surprised we got through a couple obstacles. In one the computer would not let me run RPMs up to 1500+ to jump out of hole, so we had to manipulate controls to get same effect, had the computer been less controlling we would have made it out quicker.
However, even though I love my Jeep Grand Cherokees I recently bought a Chinook Concourse. The Jeep is great but I wanted the creature comforts of home in small package and get out of a tent. The Chinook will never go where a Jeep can but I don't need it to, I just need it to get me to fishing holes and spend the night in comfort.