Peters Mill Run: 1st "overlanding" trip experience in 2-door Badlands

[Bronc_Bronc]

Here are my impressions after my first bit of light off-roading and "overlanding" (aka car camping).

First my Bronco stats:
Bone stock, 2D, Badlands, manual, non-sasquatch.

The trail is very easy, but is part of the Jeep Badge of Honor trail system.

It was so easy that I passed a stock Jeep Renegade going the other direction. It might be more difficult after some heavy rain.

As is, I didn't air down or anything like that, and really didn't need to be out of 2H for any of it, but I wanted to cycle through everything so I did use a little of everything.

It was still a fun and a good trail to break-in a new vehicle. The campground on the other end was adequate and about 12 miles from a little town, but really about 2 miles from people's back yards.

After 1k miles I'm getting 21.3 MPG using 87 at the pump. I'm learning what I don't like about the Bronco.

I hate the vinyl seats. I knew I would, but after realizing that I can get aftermarket leather in any color I want for cheaper than factory black leather, I decided to give the vinyl a shot. I guess people like them, but not for me. My first and possibly only mod will be aftermarket leather probably with cooling.

I found the GOAT modes to be more annoying than anything. I really don't like scrolling and that it isn't a continuous scroll loop at that. I also really didn't like that I couldn't leave it in a mode and just change certain things. Like you can't switch to 4H while in Rock Crawl mode.

I found that I preferred to just leave it in normal mode and select traction and lockers independently.

I've found that the phone charging tub is not charging more than it is, which maybe is preventing my phone from getting hot, so I'm not too concerned about it right now but it's something I'm watching.

I also just noticed a lot of build quality issues. Body panels not lining up perfectly, rough cuts of plastic etc. Things that are not bad enough to take to the dealer, but things that are there none the less.

Over all I'm a totally happy Bronco owner so save the "If you hate it so much why don't you sell it" comments.

My "overlanding" set up is far from professional but for stuff I already owned its a good start.

Enjoy some visual aides.

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[knownhuman]

Peter’s Mill was the first place I took mine to, too - ironically with a buddy driving a slightly built-up Jeep Renegade.

For a Bronco the trail is pretty easy and for the most part and, like you, only tweaked my GOAT modes to play with them. One thing I did learn on that trail that I wasn't aware of is, that if you use one of the GOAT modes (like Mud/Ruts), you can use your front-facing camera at faster than 7 MPH. I tried just shifting to 4H and running the front cam, but it kept shutting off.

 

[BroncoRevital]

Did you take out your back seats? Looks like you have quite a bit of stuff in there.

 

[Snappy22]

I know it’s a trick of the light, but really digging the “floating roof” look in that photo across the water. Silver roof and black pillars.

 

[KyleQ]

I felt the same about the GOAT modes. Winter wheeling I just left it in 4lo normal so I could turn the front locker on and off at will.

 

[frinesi2]

Peters Mill is definitely a fun little trail for a casual run if you're in the area.

 

[Something Wild]

looks like the exact setup I would want. What don’t you like about the MGV seats though?

 

[LAN02]

Peters Mill was my first trip with my Bronco as well. I enjoy this trail. I have been going a few times a month (during warmer months) for years, the trail definitely changes a bit after a rain.

 

[Bronc_Bronc]

Did you take out your back seats? Looks like you have quite a bit of stuff in there.

No my seats are just folded down. The cooler is on the orange box because that is more or less level with the seat back folded forward.

I don't mind that there is a hump/step up, but it would be really nice if the seat folded level....

I love the Rovr cooler, but its massive for the 2D... worth the compromise for me though as I can stack all that gear on it to get it in and out of my apt in one trip.

 

[Bronc_Bronc]

looks like the exact setup I would want. What don’t you like about the MGV seats though?

They really are just vinyl seats, and black to boot.

They don't breath at all so even in moderate to cool temps my back and butt sweat to the point of making my clothes damp. (I'm not a sweaty person either.)

For water proofness, they don't really have any advantage over leather either, probably even less. If you're treating these like water proof seats there plenty of places for water to get past the vinyl into the foam, to then get trapped in there for longer than it would in non vinyl seats.

Good floor mats and waterproof seat covers for days you know you're going to get extra dirty > vinyl seats and floors.

 

[JonDW29]

I need to take the drive out to this place and check it out. I shouldn't have any issues with a SAS Wildtrak right? Haven't done a ton of off-roading since my younger, less conservative days, but still understand the basics.

 

[Bronc_Bronc]

I need to take the drive out to this place and check it out. I shouldn't have any issues with a SAS Wildtrak right? Haven't done a ton of off-roading since my younger, less conservative days, but still understand the basics.

You won't have any problems at all.

You could probably put it in 4H and leave it there for the whole trail. A few branches might tickle your paint, but nothing came close to touching my undercarriage.

 

[JonDW29]

You won't have any problems at all.

You could probably put it in 4H and leave it there for the whole trail. A few branches might tickle your paint, but nothing came close to touching my undercarriage.

Nice. Looking for something to ease the wife into it. I need to get some things bought/installed/stowed still for any serious offroading but looking for somewhere easy-ish (that's legal). Seems like a good spot for that.

 

[ChompSticks]

It’s a nice trail! Our minivan made it without any fuss! As well as flag pole.

 

[pazabo]

Great photos, thanks for sharing!

I'm hopefully picking up my 2dr Badlands today as well, so I've been wondering if you have any regrets on the non-sasquatch?

Your boxes seem to neatly fit in the cargo area, did you specifically pick them for that? Any recommendations?

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