Episode 22 - 2025 Preview: Wrapping Up 2024 Loose Ends & Our Upcoming Plans!

[@TeamMalakowskyAdventures]

Sweet video guys! Love watching the podcast. Extra thanks for the plug at the end! Hope to wheel with you guys again soon!

[@RobbVaughan2011]

Hey guys, I enjoy your show. Funny that you mention to check out the TMA videos because that's where I first saw both of you was on one of their videos. It was the "topless in Montrose" video and it was my first TMA video also.. I immediatly subscribed to Mike and Kayla's channel. Good stuff. That Montrose video really opened my eyes to what a big fat JKU can do. I'm located in the Phoenix area and the Chile Challenge is on my radar thanks to the Team Malakowsky videos. Keep up the good work. Hope to run into you sometime.

[@crawlusa505]

Cool, thanks! Definitely hit us up if you're doing Chile Challenge. 🤙

[@chrishernandez2875]

What’s up guys! Just getting around to viewing your guys podcast! It was a blast wheeling with you down at Gordy’s! First and foremost I’d like to say southern New Mexico does have a lot of great wheeling but when you’re ready to hit some real challenging stuff up north let me know. I’ve got tons of areas in Santa Fe El Dorado, Los Alamos, Abiqui. 5:50 Also my shitbox XJ still does Pritchett on 35s! Driver confidence is key! 11:03 When it comes to the stock versus easy debate. A stock Rubicon should be able to do easy rock crawling trails, but you are missing one piece of that puzzle, driver, confidence, and willingness. I’ve taken guys out in full on rock buggies that are afraid to wheel their rigs. I’ve also taken out people in stock vehicles that are very capable. A lot of of it depends on the driver. 17:06 When it comes to events and people showing up, I am very explicit on minimum requirements. Usually people hit me up if they have any questions, but if I feel that the vehicle will end up, delaying us on the trailer, creating problems as an admin and president of my group. I use my decision-making skills to determine that. If they show up and they are not equipped, I turned them down. I also offer to let them ride along, so they can see why I declined their vehicle on the trail. But everything is on a case to case basis. Take my Jeep for instance, a linked Cherokee on 35. But I run with some of the hardest groups and rarely go below an eight on the trail scale. 18:39 I tend to have two different styles of runs. If I’m pre-running a trail to get a group on it usually three is my minimum just in case something bad happens. If I’m doing a group run, I’ll allow more vehicles. I also believe that we all have to start somewhere. I just didn’t start doing hard-core rock crawling out of nowhere. It took buildup in patience and learning from people in the industry. 26:37 when it comes to radios, I usually keep a walkie-talkie and a gmrs in the rig either way. 31:33 I feel like the tire and axle conversation is a grey area. I’ve done some of the hardest trails in the area as you guys know on stock axles granted they are built and chromoly and locked front and rear. But for me personally if I’m going to go to tons and 40s for the things that I’m already doing I’m jumping straight into a buggy. But like Jason said in the sport we are doing, it is inevitable. It’s not if you’re going to break but when.. love what you guys are doing would love to get in on this sometime! Let’s meet up again soon and go catch a trail

[@crawlusa505]

Awesome feedback, Chris! Thanks, and let get out and wheel again soon!

[@The85705]

Reflecting on my past experiences, I used to dream of having a wide variety of jeeps in my rear view mirror which made it into a long ass day. However, after tackling more challenging trails, I've found that four jeeps is all I really need now. It's essential for them to have the same build and skill level to ensure a balanced experience and great day. And Bofang can’t beat the price for a ham radio/ GMRS for the trail boss and tail gunner.

[@crawlusa505]

Great point - having similar build and skill levels in a small group makes things a lot smoother.

[@Kevins-offroading.]

Looking forward to Jeremy's Birthday run. I also am planning on 4 corners. Depends on driver experience for crowd size. If I don't have to spot everybody on every obstacles then awesome. I'd rather 15 rigs that know what they are doing vs 5 that don't. Follow the line the guy in front of you took.

[@Hickeyjones]

Jason has a birthday run? When is that?

[@Kevins-offroading.]

@@Hickeyjones 🤷

[@Hickeyjones]

@@Kevins-offroading.😂

[@crawlusa505]

Good point about driver experience. It can become more work than play without it.

[@Hickeyjones]

Everyone is invited to my birthday March 1-4 in Sand Hollow. I only require Rockcrawling and high-5’s.

[@Kevins-offroading.]

@@Hickeyjones You have a radio? I know I don't. I guess I am a bad guy.

[@Hickeyjones]

@ that’s why I like your ignernt type of wheelin. 😂

[@crawlusa505]

I'm bringing a pocket full of high fives.

[@Kevins-offroading.]

@@crawlusa505 I am going to bring 2 pockets then.