Hot Springs Off-Road Park Badge of Honor Run in a Jeep Gladiator!

Join us on our Hot Springs Off-road Park adventure in Hot Springs Arkansas! We ran all three Jeep Badge of Honor Trails (Snake, Fun Run, Rubicon Ridge).
We attempted all three in a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Diesel with 2" of lift and 37" tires. We had to pull cable twice and used lockers sparingly. Mostly just to keep from rubbing up on trees, haha!

[@JeepTrailsandBarbells]

We went in the beginning of May, rained And hailed on us a lot. Made everything slick as snot. Was a lot of fun but we were slipping all over the place.

[@TrailExpedition]

I could imagine! Hopefully you had a winch! It was so dang hot when we went 🥵

[@JeepTrailsandBarbells]

@TrailExpedition yeah we all did. At the end of Rubicon ride, where that slanted slab right at the end is, It has that drop off, and you have to turn left. It was so slick that we were all sliding towards that drop and had to pull winch line. It was too sketchy to try and drive it.

[@TrailExpedition]

I know exactly the spot you’re talking about. We initially started going down that way and it made Jeep extremely off camber to the point that we backed up and went to the left. Super sketchy spot.

[@JeepTrailsandBarbells]

@TrailExpedition it really is lol, one wrong bounce: you're going on your side and off that ledge, lol. Well, at least that's how it feels inside.

[@TrailExpedition]

I’m sure you’re not wrong. Hope you guys had fun!

[@01messer1]

Great footage! Looks like a great time was had. Love the overlanding, maybe more than the straight on offloading. Good news is there is always both options with your rigs! Good for you and thanks for the content!

[@TrailExpedition]

Thanks for the comment! We had originally planned to take the JKU and the Ram, however, with gas prices it made more sense to just take the one vehicle that could do it all. The JT is not as capable off-road but it gets the job done!

[@01messer1]

@@TrailExpedition completely understand that! Well played. I'm sure it is more than capable. Nice setup! Thanks again!

[@TrailExpedition]

Yessir!

[@BearOffRoad]

Great video man! I’ve been before but I bought my JTD last year and haven’t been with it yet. I’m planning to go soon!

[@TrailExpedition]

Nice! It’s a great park for sure. Be sure to subscribe as we’ll have a video about SMORR coming out soon!

[@BearOffRoad]

@@TrailExpedition subscribed! We are going to smorr Aug 6th!

[@TrailExpedition]

We’ll be heading that way tomorrow! Can’t wait!!

[@OverlandPriority]

Safe to say my gladiator with a wedge camper will be having trouble at rubicon ridge. Glad I watched your video ..thanks for sharing..happy trails

[@TrailExpedition]

Yeah hard pass on that my friend! Thanks for watching!

[@87millwright]

I ran rubicon ridge with a completely stock mojave. It Can be done!

[@TrailExpedition]

Oh for sure! I wouldn’t want to do it with a camper though.

[@mailtorkulkarni]

@@87millwrightcan a stock Mojave do the Utah trails as well or do you have to have the rubis.

[@lukerobbins2822]

Just did snake in a leveled gladiator with 33s. We felt like a 3 rated trail would probably exceed our capabilities. Really cool ohv park!

[@TrailExpedition]

Nice! It is an excellent park. Wish I lived closer to it!

[@dirtdauberadventures]

Nice! New subscriber from Arkansas.

[@TrailExpedition]

Thanks! Working on the video from SMORR right now. Hope you enjoy!

[@edr5367]

Great vid man

[@TrailExpedition]

Thanks bud!

[@transam15]

I have more of a question than a comment, but, what are you using to video the hood angle that stays square but shows the hood camber? Also, I just came from Hot Springs OR park (I’m from Michigan), but I only did Snake. I don’t have a locker, or spotter, so I stay away from the 3 diamond trails. I enjoyed your footage and commentary of these trails! Thanks!

[@TrailExpedition]

Thanks Richard, from one Michigander to another. They recently added another badge trail out there so I’ll eventually find my way back. I use a GoPro and a swivel mount attached to a bulletpoint mount in the front for all my hood and talking shots.

[@brutallyhonestmf5578]

I see some new mods on the JT. Looking forward for an update video on that 😊

[@TrailExpedition]

After this trip I have decided to upgrade a few more things 😈

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

I gotta check this spot out!

[@TrailExpedition]

Definitely a fun spot! Would have pushed the limits more in the JKU but the Gladiator did well 💪🏻

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

@@TrailExpedition looks like the Gladiator treated ya just right! I’m supposed to head to SW Missouri in July for a family thing… may have to sneak away for a day

[@TrailExpedition]

You definitely should! Watch out for the trees!

[@flavio_1252]

Hot Springs is a nice park! Got all the badges in my JLU a couple years ago. Planning on taking my Gladiator in March. Is yours factory height? Tires? I figured the length would be the biggest issue. I have a 2 1/2” Clayton lift on mine with 35s.

[@TrailExpedition]

Hey there, thanks for the comment. I’m running a 2” lift and 37s. The length can be an issue in some of the tight areas but take it slow and it can be done.

[@DRockDreamin]

Are those the Falken Wild Peak A/T? If so, how do you like them?

[@TrailExpedition]

Yessir! The OEM tires were the Falken Wildpeak AT in a 33”. They dominate in the snow and have no excess road noise. I sold the 33” ones and upgraded to 37x12.5x17. Very happy with them.

[@carlcvplow2432]

Did you stay at that KOA in the beginning of the video? If so how far from the park?

[@TrailExpedition]

Yes we did. It was around ten minutes from the park.

[@carlcvplow2432]

@TrailExpedition Thank you... planning a trip there in October, this helps alot.

[@TrailExpedition]

@@carlcvplow2432 nice! We stayed at one of the little cabins there. It was nice. Have fun and hopefully our video helped!

[@Drifter-be6oj]

Question. How many hours would it take under good, dry weather to do all three trails?

[@TrailExpedition]

I would say four hours or so. Depends on your wheeling style. It took us longer because of filming.

[@Drifter-be6oj]

@@TrailExpedition 7 hours there, 7 hours back, 5 - 6 hours for the trail, 4 hours to play with? 24 hours can be done. Thoughts?

[@TrailExpedition]

I would not want to do that all in one day. I would think 2 to 3 days would be more preferable.

[@Drifter-be6oj]

@@TrailExpedition Not the point. Can it be done? Bet has been placed. Just not sure about the trail time.

[@TrailExpedition]

If there is a will there is a way. It can be done.

[@GYMGUYFE]

What do you think of the diesel so far? Would you buy again?

[@TrailExpedition]

💯 % without a doubt. Downside is diesel is more expensive and you have to add DEF fluid every few thousand miles. Upside is it’s a much stronger engine that easily pushes the truck along. With running 2” lift 37” tires and the vehicle loaded up for a long trip, it purrs along down the highway 75MPH at 1700 rpm getting 24MPG.

[@GYMGUYFE]

Thank you! Love this channel and my Diesel JTR arrives this Tuesday! Subscribed. Not many diesel channels for the gladiator out there!

[@TrailExpedition]

Thank you for the support! You’ll love the diesel! I would suggest finding a fuel station close to you that sells DEF at the pump. It’s much cheaper and less of a hassle than dealing with the boxes. Luckily I have one three miles from my house.

[@SuperSilence23]

Ouch

[@TrailExpedition]

No major damage.

[@cwbarnette4387]

Hotty Toddy

[@TrailExpedition]

Okie Dokie 👌🏻