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Review
I purchased this vehicle because I am a bird hunter and in our part of the country that means late summer through winter. I wanted a capable vehicle to get in and out of snow covered hunting fields and to deal with mud, frozen mud, slick wet grass, the occasional flooded woodland road and unimproved two tracks, BUT I was also hoping to be able to do more regular off-roading too. Don't get me wrong, the Trail Hawk is a very capable vehicle BUT after owning mine for 20,000 plus miles it is apparent that what I purchased was marketing. Item 1. You can easily find FCA videos on the web showing the vehicles being used in serious off road environments showing you how the Select Terrain system functions and how capable the vehicles are, but if you look closely all of them have the lower front valance removed and the optional Rock Rails or sliders as some people call them installed. They protect the vulnerable rocker panels. Well just try to get them. After the frustration of trying to locate them, my service provider told me that they are on "Celestial Back Order" and no one can get them, plus if you can find them even though the company website states that install time is a reasonable hour and half, technicians that have installed them say it take more like 11 hours, at Dealer shop rates. Item 2. The units all come with the TPMS system. One of the first things you learn in off roading is the technique of airing down for more traction and to put more flex in the tires to avoid fatal side wall punctures. With the TPMS system not only will the dash board be going crazy while you are aired down, but you run the risk of crushing the TMPS unit as the softer tire rolls over obstacles. Item 3. speaking of tires, the truck comes with an 18 inch wheel and tire set up. this limits your choice of all terrain or mud terrain tires to less that 3 choices. None of the more popular/aggressive tires come in that size so if you want to run them you have to buy a new set of rims for your brand new truck, Plus new tires. Item 4. for some reason even though the Trail Hawk package is marketed as a capable off road "Trail Rated" vehicle the package eliminates the rear tow point and installs a Class VI hitch. its a minor thing but then you have to purchase a aftermarket receiver link and shackle to allow for recovery from the rear if you get hung up. Item 5. with the smooth plastic covered bumpers there is no solid mount point for a standard off road High lift jack. it comes with a standard automotive scissors jack that might not work in a off the pavement situation. Item 6. If you don't order or pick a lot unit with the LED lighting set up the head lights are terrible and there is no mounting point for additional auxiliary lighting. Admittedly these seem like small things, but when I spoke to one of the Jeep Brand folks associated with setting up their company sponsored Jeep Jamborees about participating in one, the first thing he suggested was to have the Rock Rails installed and mount upgraded tires. It's a let down to know that Jeep knows the lower front valance needs to be removed and the rock rails need to be installed before they take the vehicles out and run them off road AND at least one of the folks who organize the Jamborees knows the you need better tires and the rails to participate in their events. I suggest that if you plan to do any serious off roading or Overlanding opt for the Wrangler. The Grand Cherokee is like a divers watch rated to 10,000 feet. it can go there if it had too but it is mostly going to be worn to the mall.