Trail Rated: The Ultimate Test of Capability | Jeep Canada

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TRAIL RATED: THE ULTIMATE TEST OF CAPABILITY

2021-03-24
If you are interested in Jeep products, you may have noticed that some models are marked with a Trail Rated badge. Have you ever wondered what that means, other than announcing that the vehicle is capable of venturing off-road?
Here’s a look at what Trail Rated actually signifies, and how a vehicle can become Trail Rated.
A close up of the red Trail Rated 4x4 badge

The First Appearance of the Trail Rated Jeep

The Trail Rated designation first appeared on a Jeep vehicle in 2004. The latter indicates that the product that receives it has been designed to operate under a variety of difficult off-road conditions, conditions identified under five categories; traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording (crossing a body of water).
Trail Rated is an advanced methodology established by the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) and Jeep Engineering to objectively measure and consistently predict off-road performance of all Jeep vehicles, both those marketed today and those to come. Through a combination of natural and controlled field testing, as well as computer simulated environments, Jeep Trail Rated provides a repeatable measure of off-road performance.
As for the NATC, it was created in 1957 and provided manufacturers with secure facilities allowing them to test their vehicles. The test areas are representative of regions found around the world, from China to Indonesia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
A close up of the Trail Rated 4x4 badge on a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

Traction

Jeep Trail Rated models are equipped with a variety of four-wheel drive systems designed to adapt to all kinds of challenges and off-road driving conditions. A Trail Rated Jeep is able to maintain controlled forward movement in snow, ice, sand or mud.

Water Fording

Trail Rated Jeep models are equipped with additional seals for the electrical components and the body, as well as a higher air intake to ensure safe passage through overflowing creeks, streams and deceivingly deep rainstorm puddles.

Maneuverability

Jeep Trail Rated models are capable of crossing tight spaces, performing emergency maneuvers and avoiding damage with precise steering and an optimized wheelbase. The smaller the turning radius, the easier it is to get through narrow passages.

Articulation

By keeping your tires in contact with the ground, you can keep moving. When one or more wheels are raised, a good articulation allows the others to stay in contact with the ground longer, allowing maximum traction at all times.

Ground Clearance

Jeep's Trail Rated models are tested for their ability to clear obstacles, and criteria include ground clearance and departure, approach, and breakover angles, all to ensure you can clear logs and rocks as well as cross uneven terrain.
With a Trail Rated Jeep, you can tackle the toughest trails with confidence.
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