Water Fording

[daroutergod]

I have crossed streams on several trails, but for those that don't know how deep of water your JL can "Ford" or have never looked at the labels on the tailgate, your JL shows how deep of water it can "Ford" thru when it was stock. Obviously in the second picture that person never read the label. Yes, that was from the flooding we had in Omaha this week. Not sure what people are thinking when the drive into water like that.

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[whitechocolate]

LOL

 

[John VonJeep]

They don’t realize how deep it’s about to get when they start driving into it. The problem isn’t that they see 3’ deep water and drive into it. The problem is they see 8” deep water and drive into it, not realizing it gets deeper the further they go.

 

[AcesandEights]

The other problem is they go, "oh sh*t" and let off the accelerator. Smooth pedal, low speed, and once you're in, don't panic. The Jeep may drown, but I think most people drown it through their own action, letting off the accelerator. That Jeep had a couple of car lengths before it came out of the deepest section.

 

[Reinen]

A good rule of thumb, whether stock or lifted, is to lean your head out the window. As soon as your lower door hinge goes underwater your #1 priority is to seek shallower water.

 

[BobW]

Maybe my SoCal "what's a stream?" mindset, but--unless I just saw someone cross--I get out and walk the crossing first, checking depth with a stick.

 

[Bobby Hank]

Yeah, when I expect water crossings of unknown depth I carry a 4' measuring stick.

 

[JimThomas]

The longer the water, the deeper it probably is in the middle. And if it's blue, it's deep... I barely made it through something like that a lot of years ago in a Honda. Bad idea. Floating along, once in awhile a front wheel would touch and move me a little further, could have ended up in the river. But my old '68 Baja Bug could cross open water, very slowly.

 

[jimcoffey62]

Houston here - street flooding is normal.
If you can't see the stripes, don't drive in.
If you haven't seen someone drive it just before you - don't drive in.
Walk it first.
Turn around, don't drown.

People forget that we have potholes. What you thought was 1 foot of water becomes 2 feet deep when you drop a wheel in a hole.

One of the reasons I got my jeep was to be able to rescue folks after a hurricane.
Google Cajun Navy to read some cool stories.
I also carry kayaks on top - for when the water is too deep to drive.
And I carry a pair of life jackets. I started doing this decades ago before I got my jeep. With life jackets you can get out of the car and float to shallow water. You and your kids won't drown.
And prior to entering a water crossing, go ahead and put your tow strap on your d ring and toss it up into the rear seat area. That way if you stall, you can get out of the jeep, grab the strap, and walk to some dude with a truck to get a pull.

 

[wibornz]

I must not have seen that tag. I have had water over the hood several times.



when in doubt, I walk the water crossing where I suspect my tires will be. If it is not more than balls deep and has a solid bottom, I figure that I am good to go.

 

[Terrymo]

… If it is not more than balls deep and has a solid bottom, I figure that I am good to go…

There’s a joke there somewhere I think

 

[WreckEm711]

There’s a joke there somewhere I think

Sounds like a great weekend!

 

[BetOnBlack]

Jeep= Just Empty Every Pocket
Boat= Bust Out Another Thousand
Pretty much means the same thing.

 

[tomk62]

That water fording line is essentially at the top edge of the front and rear stock bumpers.

If my Jeep is lifted and on larger tires, is that line still the high water mark? i.e. can I now go that much deeper, 30" plus my added lift height plus added tire height?

 

[C.Sco]

I have crossed streams on several trails, but for those that don't know how deep of water your JL can "Ford" or have never looked at the labels on the tailgate, your JL shows how deep of water it can "Ford" thru when it was stock. Obviously in the second picture that person never read the label. Yes, that was from the flooding we had in Omaha this week. Not sure what people are thinking when the drive into water like that.

Assuming the picture is drawn to scale, it looks like pretty much the top of the front and rear bumper is the safe limit according to Jeep. I'd be curious to measure mine tonight and see what height they're at these days. According to my napkin math, I should be able to ford 37" of water (31.5" stock is what my 4xe Rubicon manual says + 3.5" lift + 2" additional tire height).

In reality the deepest I've ever forded was probably 24" and I don't know if I'm brave enough to really try anything deeper than that. Guessing the water depth wrong could be the most expensive mistake I ever make.

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