95Cherokee

Still has the paper plates and he thinks he's Lewis and Clark.

Ianf406

I don't think they look that bad and the idea grows on me every time a stiff winds hits mine in the side going 80 down the interstate. Once I finish college and go back in the Army Ill probably get one (keep my XJ of course). Let the kinks get worked out first.

JRT1393

Before I can accept one, Trailhawk or not, I'll have to wheel with it to see if it's actually worthy of the Cherokee name, no matter how ugly it is. If it can hold its own with me and my lead foot off the pavement, I may just have to force myself to not quite gag every time I see one.

xj wheeler

Sweet hill! Like the water fording capability too!

emptypockets

Listen, I've never been a fan of the KL and have zero interest in them. However, there are a whole bunch of new Jeepers out there and some of them will be going off road.

It worries me that people will do dumb and illegal stuff in them. It worries me that they would unknowingly give fuel to those who want to snuff out our access. I can push back any dislike I have for them for the betterment of our sport.

We can be *******s or we can be stewards of our sport. I'd prefer to share my knowledge and encourage new KL owners to ask questions. I don't know squat about the KL, but if you want help deciding on what mods to do or how to wheel, I'm here to help.

Ianf406

I don't find them all that ugly. Then again I am also a fan of the Juke. I don't think anyone should logically expect them to be amazing off road at launch. At least give them time for people rip into them. My first XJ was built by my dad (it actually said wagoner on the side- not cherokee) who at that time only had 3 lift companies available and had to make most of his own parts or scavenge from some other vehicle.

XJ Eric

I'm not sure we had to single out KL owners and warn them about being "good" wheelers (we all need to be reminded of this) but I'm with the give-em-time crowd. I don't care what you wheel. Just wheel it! And do it smart. Don't do stupid, irresponsible things IN it (drive through broken fences) or TOO it. ( Snorkel out of rain gutter down spouts and duct tape) I can't wait to see these with the wheel wells trimmed and some custom bumpers and 4 inches of lift.

idahoboarder

After seeing some pics of them off road, I think I could tolerate the trail hawk. Looks are starting to grow on me.

Rogue4x4

This is very well said, sir. I also worry about these people out on the trails. I understand we all start somewhere, but I think we'll see a lot of these people going out completely unprepared and with little knowledge of wheeling, simply because "well, I have a Jeep now", and the uneducated do pose a threat to all of our access to trails. While I do not like them in the least, I, like yourself, prefer to be a steward of our sport. Like 'em or not, they're here. Let's help them as much as we can.

XJ Eric

You guys seem to think that KL owners are automatically going to be stupid off road. Im more worried about all the teens picking up cheap XJs than I am of people wheeling new vehicles with warranties to worry about.

cruiser54

I'm thinking of test driving one at the dealership I used to work at.

Only interested in the Trailhawk though.

Rogue4x4

Not all of them will be stupid, but I'm willing to bet they will be less prepared than the average wheeler, and let's be frank, new wheelers have a lot to learn. If some of these new people/vehicles are stuck/broken on the trail, what are the chances they have recovery equipment and tools? I would rather deal with an ignorant teen with a broken XJ I know I can help with recovery and repairs rather than Mommy and Daddy with 2.5 kids and a dog who got stuck on their picnic.

XJ Eric

I dont know, I guess I see thwm the same. Moms and dads are more likely to be just sruck. Kids in cheap xjs are likely to be broken, stuck while on private land after tearing donuts through it

Rogue4x4

QFT..

emptypockets

Yes, that's true. However, most teens have picked up a copy of Petersons, JP, Crawl, etc. where they also preach responsible wheeling. If you hang around the forums enough, you'll hear it there as well. It's not like they don't know, they just choose not to be responsible. And honestly, these are the kind of actions that hurt our sport.

I've been lurking around the KL specific forums though and I've yet to see anyone talk about illegal wheeling. That is why I made this thread. I understand some KL buyers have owned other Jeeps before and are aware of what is right/wrong. Yet there are people who are stepping into their first Jeep and have no clue what they're doing.