Choices !

[Luke VC]

So pretty new here ... Very excited that there seems to actually be interest in my area. I have been a jeeper for years mostly mud and deep water from when I lived near the Jersey Pine Barrens. I was a founding member of jersey devil jeep club back in the day and wheeled Warton almost every weekend. My jeep was purpose built for that 2000 wrangler 4 inch lift 35s locked in both ends all the off road goodies ... great in the woods on the road not so much .. as things change now I have moved to upstate ny been here 10 years and the wheeling scene is very limited ... My thoughts have now turned to overlanding. My self and my family (4 of us ) are excited about getting involved in new activities . So the choice is My old jeep or my new 2017 ram 1500 as my build platform .. The ram has a good set of mud tires (33's ) but other than that stock. Looks like most events will be a good trip to get to... so on road is important as well as space or 4 and all the camping gear . Thoughts on best rig choice for what overlanding in the NY state area will entail . Thanks

 

[KD7WCD]

Welcome to the community.

I am sure your post will open up some passionate discussion. But as the founding fathers of this community says. "It's not what you drive...".

Sounds like the Jeep may not be suited to long haul in it's current configuration. Are thinking of making changes to it's current set up? Might be a shame if you have it dialed in for it's "purpose"

If finance is not a limitation, I would look to the RAM for the long haul trips and keep the Jeep for playing around when those opportunities present them self.

You can also do plenty to the Jeep to make it more comfortable for long trips.

I may self can only afford one vehicle that is my Daily Driver/Day Trip Trail Rig/Overland rig. With that I spend time loading and unloading gear as necessary.

The important thing is to get out there and have fun.

Sent from my "Smart Phone"

 

[jordan04gx]

Welcome Luke VC,

CNY here ((just east of Syracuse).

I've been spending the last few weeks reading state law, rules, regs, and such trying to come up with my own picture of what "overlanding" in NY looks like. I'm lucky that hardcore off-roading is not something that has ever been very important to me (my rig certainly isn't built for it, and as a DD, probably won't be). But I love exploring, scouting new areas, camping, fishing, etc. So I'm starting to think that my "overlanding" experience in NY will be more about researching and exploring various places and trying to find those few places that are off the beaten path. Then sharing that information and activity with others that are interested.

Due to the dispersed nature of the public lands here, there will definitely be highway miles involved on most journeys. And the Ram will fit almost anywhere that is legal to drive in the state. Personally, I'd make that my rig. If I was in a state with more true off-road opportunities I might want something smaller...but that just isn't the case. Either that or down-build the Wrangler to be a little more multi-purpose. I personally think that a Wrangler with a small camping trailer makes a great package.

I'm not originally from NY, so it has taken some time to get used to it and learn what is available.

 

[KD7WCD]

Gosh guys. Reading all that really makes me appreciate the open lands out West. Hope they can stay that way.

Sent from my "Smart Phone"

 

[Lead K9]

Your TJ isn't going to cut it for road trips, especially as the kids grow. There will be no cargo room unless you buy a trailer. And even the addition of a trailer isn't going to add to the comfort and handling of the TJ. I vote for the Ram for your dedicated overland vehicle.

That being said, I love Jeeps and wouldn't get rid of the TJ. I would just use them for their different purposes. You know you'll miss the TJ and want to take it off-roading if you get rid of it. Heck, if you outfit the Ram properly, you can tow the TJ and enjoy both vehicles on the same trips!

Best of luck on your decision!

 

[jordan04gx]

Gosh guys. Reading all that really makes me appreciate the open lands out West. Hope they can stay that way.

Sent from my "Smart Phone"

Absolutely. I grew up camping in Idaho, then Montana. Little did I know that not every state is that way. Idaho actually has the largest amount of publicly owned and accessible land (by percentage of total land mass of the state) of all the states (perhaps lower 48) . I was a kid really, so I took that for granted.

I was away from the outdoors for a while, and then got back into it once I settled in New York state. Man I have had a rude awakening. Not only is there a lot less land and accessibility here, but everything is managed to within an inch of its life. It takes a lot of research and scouting to build up your portfolio of cool places to go, and to make sure you are doing anything illegal there. Add to that the fact that less people camp and fish these days, so it makes it downright impossible to get tips or help from coworkers and such. They can tell you where the crowded state parks are, that they go to ONCE a year in their 40ft trailers, crammed in side by side. I don't have a bad attitude though, it has just made the journey a lot harder. But in some ways more rewarding once you find something special.

 

[Luke VC]

thanks so much for the feed back ... I really appreciate it ... Ram Build begin ... lol .. as far as the tj could never get rid of that ... My son drives in 2 years and has claimed it . I agree that NY makes it difficult to get off the road but I have found some really nice state forest areas in my area and plan to keep searching for more .

 

[Vman1313 Adventures]

I too made a mind change of wheeling to overlanding. I love my 2014 Wrangler JKU but am in SUPER love with my 2011 Grand Cherokee WK2 (Overland & Hemi). The ride on the road is supreme, the ride off road is very very good, its capabilities are pretty impressive, the towing, space, etc....the WK2 wins hands down as an overlanding vehicle so now to sell the Wrangler. Good luck in your build and hope to see pictures of your rig soon!

 

[jordan04gx]

thanks so much for the feed back ... I really appreciate it ... Ram Build begin ... lol .. as far as the tj could never get rid of that ... My son drives in 2 years and has claimed it . I agree that NY makes it difficult to get off the road but I have found some really nice state forest areas in my area and plan to keep searching for more .

I've basically come to understand that the key to exploring NY is research. There is quite a bit available, but its broken up into a 1000 individually managed areas each with their own possibilities and limitations. So This is my summer to build up my portfolio of places that I've been in person (its one thing to research, but another to actually go). Same was true with fishing, when I first started here I felt like I couldn't fish anywhere...I was quite frustrated...but after 2 years I have finally built up a decent list of places I can go that don't suck. They were right around me! But still took a long time to become aware of each little one.

My other piece of advice for anyone exploring NY is to get a kayak or canoe and learn to love it. Things open up a lot when you go that route.

 

[Luke VC]

I feel the same way ... still looking for good spots to fish and take the jon boat and kayaks ... like you said got to get out there and experiment .