Doors off with kids

[PavementWarrior]

So I’m trying to decide th safety of kids in the Jeep with doors off. Do tube doors provide any protection? How safe are we with doors off? Do I need to just suck it up and leave the doors on when my boys are with me? Thanks for the advice in advance

look at the side impact videos, no rear side airbags in the JK, still no rear side air bags in JL so should be about the same:

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/jeep/wrangler-4-door-suv

Wrangler not the best choice for families, little johnny above just had his brains crushed out.

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[jman]

One of the reasons I ended up with a 2door jk from a 4 door jk. Kids in the back have some protection and I get all the doors off. I couldn’t do it with a 4 door. They are too exposed.

I ordered a two door JL and was thinking the same thing. If I take the top off with them and they fall out of they seat or something it wouldn't be as bad as the 4 door model.

I'm not over protective either, my kids don't have to wear helmets on their bikes, I built them a giant rock climbing wall in the backyard and we do tons of aggressive physical stuff but putting them in a doorless Jeep seems crazy.

 

[Taxman]

My girls have been riding doorless since they were about 5. Started with my ‘08 JK, but they also love the ‘85 CJ7. They are now 10 and 11 years old and love being dropped off at school without doors. I think it’s about your comfort level and trusting your kids’ behavior. I used to go around in my dad’s pickup bed all over town when I was 8 or 9 years old and ride on the back of his motorcycle when I was the same age. Some of the best memories of my childhood.

 

[Bubba33]

Not to be a downer, but I just lost my 23 year old daughter in a horrible car accident. Nothing probably would of saved her, but keep thinking if we would of gave her our durango we traded in. That maybe she would of survived. My kids didn't wear helmets when riding bikes either, so I'm not the over protective one. If something would happen and your doors were off, the guilt will kill you.

 

[DanW]

look at the side impact videos, no rear side airbags in the JK, still no rear side air bags in JL so should be about the same:

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/jeep/wrangler-4-door-suv

Wrangler not the best choice for families, little johnny above just had his brains crushed out.

Really? Insurance injury claim data says the JK is one of the safest vehicles on the road, over an entire decade.

 

[jman]

Not to be a downer, but I just lost my 23 year old daughter in a horrible car accident. Nothing probably would of saved her, but keep thinking if we would of gave her our durango we traded in. That maybe she would of survived. My kids didn't wear helmets when riding bikes either, so I'm not the over protective one. If something would happen and your doors were off, the guilt will kill you.

Sorry man.

 

[Bubba33]

Sorry man.

I do appreciate that. But i just posted that so hopefully no one will have to go through losing a child. I'm in no way a bubble wrap your kids type of guy. Just different perspective on the no doors with kids. Thanks again.

 

[jman]

I do appreciate that. But i just posted that so hopefully no one will have to go through losing a child. I'm in no way a bubble wrap your kids type of guy. Just different perspective on the no doors with kids. Thanks again.

That's like my nightmare.. I lost two sisters when I was young. That was bad enough. I cannot imagine my own child.

 

[DanW]

Not to be a downer, but I just lost my 23 year old daughter in a horrible car accident. Nothing probably would of saved her, but keep thinking if we would of gave her our durango we traded in. That maybe she would of survived. My kids didn't wear helmets when riding bikes either, so I'm not the over protective one. If something would happen and your doors were off, the guilt will kill you.

So sorry to hear that, buddy. That sobers up the discussion, for sure. As a father of 6 girls, I can't even begin to comprehend what you're going through.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

My son is a high functioning autistic and cannot always control his impulses. So, for me personally, that would be a no. I might reconsider if rear tube doors have kid locks on them. If I did use them, I’d keep my boy in the center seat and put all his stuff in the cargo area so he doesn’t throw them out.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Really? Insurance injury claim data says the JK is one of the safest vehicles on the road, over an entire decade.

Not to call you out on this, but can you provide a link to this when you get a chance? I’m curious if the Wranglers “perceived” risks have made owners drive safer or is it genuinely safer in a crash. For instance, I’ve happily driven my Jag over 120mph but I wouldn’t dare take a JL much over 90mph. The steering drift issues also demands more attention IMO.

 

[DanW]

Not to call you out on this, but can you provide a link to this when you get a chance? I’m curious if the Wranglers “perceived” risks have made owners drive safer or is it genuinely safer in a crash. For instance, I’ve happily driven my Jag over 120mph but I wouldn’t dare take a JL much over 90mph. The steering drift issues also demands more attention IMO.

Nope. You look for it. It is Saturday and I just worked a 60 hour week. If I stumble across it, I'll post it. I've seen it multiple places.

However it happens is immaterial. It has happened over a decade, which is more data than most vehicles can produce. Also, crash test ratings are bogus. You can't simulate the real world in a lab. They tell me my old F150 gets like a 3 star safety rating, but a Honda Civic gets the highest score. Let's take turns T-boning each other, you in the Honda, me in the F150, and let's see who comes out of it in better shape.

Politics require adjusting the data to make small cars look good. Thank the global religion for that one. You think they would tell you to go buy bigger, more thirsty vehicles? Not on your life, which they don't give 2 cents for, btw.

 

[DanW]

It took about 10 seconds to Google it, so I went ahead and did it. Here ya go...

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/insurance-loss-information

Look specifically at injury payment and medical payment. I really don't give a shit about property damage, as long as I walk away.

 

[DanW]

It looks even better for the 2008-10, 4 door, 4we, which is what my JK is.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/insurance-loss-information

 

[PavementWarrior]

It looks even better for the 2008-10, 4 door, 4we, which is what my JK is.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/insurance-loss-information

It does not do well in side impact crashes, I like the video of the drivers head going through the window.

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