by Terry Pritchard
Torque Staff Writer
Easter Jeep Safari week is quickly approaching.
The annual Easter Jeep Safari is typically held in the spring during the week before Easter in Moab, Utah, and attracts thousands of off-road addicts from around the world. The event features guided trail rides, vehicle exhibitions, vendor displays and plenty of other activities for Jeep and off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
In recent years, EJS has also become an exciting venue for Jeep itself to showcase one-off concept vehicles and even reveal new production ones. The brand’s booth sits right in the middle of town and always attracts a crowd eager to see what’s new from Wranglers to Gladiators to Grand Cherokees.
The all-electric Wrangler dubbed ‘Magneto’ and other EV rides have also been introduced in Moab in recent years. Test drives of production models are usually available as well and this year looks to be no different.
While planning for this year’s exciting adventure, we reached out to some of our friends in the off-road industry to compare just how they prep for EJS week. And it is comforting to know everyone really goes through the same ‘pre-game’ process.
Rock Krawler Suspension owner Jeremy Purick, Kail Withers from Armorlite and Powertank’s Tyler Sasaki were all kind enough to share some ways they are preparing, as well as some of their plans.
Even before we planned out our journey this year, we rolled our GMC Duramax diesel truck to the dealer for some necessary maintenance. We had a few codes come up during our last trip to Las Vegas and Moab and needed to resolve those, before loading our trailer and heading out to EJS in a few weeks.
Also, we used an external brake controller on the last half of that trip. So we solved that issue and now have a backup system to take with us — just in case.
Speaking of trailers, we need to make sure ours is in good, road-worthy condition since we’ll be hauling Jeeps back and forth to EJS. We’ll inspect tires, brakes, lights and many other components to ensure they are all functioning properly.
Our 38-foot gooseneck trailer we purchased last year is ideal to handle our vehicle transportation for events just like this, and we definitely broke it in last year for sure.
As far as what Rock Krawler is doing for its EJS prep:
“Rock Krawler Suspension will be using our hauler to get our rigs and display products out to Easter Jeep Safari,” Purick said. “This year we will have a Ford Bronco in the box, as well, since the hauler will be staying out there for Bronco Safari.”
Like Rock Krawler, we’ve planned our travel route and considered many factors such as timing, traffic, road conditions and weather.
Luckily, from our West Chester, Pennsylvania headquarters to Moab, the drive is simple and really just includes a ton of highway miles
We’ll start heading west on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and veer off at Interstate 70. From there, we don’t leave the highway until just after entering Utah — when we veer south on US 191 to go straight into Moab.
Of course, we will be driving on I-70 for more than 24 hours. Our team is all headed out together and are sharing the driving responsibilities. This will make for great stories, as well as plenty of live and posted content here on Torque and our social channels.
The GMC is equipped with a large-screen Alpine Infotainment system with CarPlay that helps keep us on track with Waze or other mapping apps to help avoid road hazards. However, the journey’s most difficult part is locating places to park, take a break and then navigate with the long trailer attached.
Powertank has a slightly different approach to EJS planning. Their group is heading from Lodi, California to Moab.
“Since our tow rig pulls our enclosed trailer with our booth, the JLU is driven the whole way from CA,” Sasaki said. “It’s amazing how well the JLU handles on the road with tons and 40s because of the Teraflex suspension.”
One of the week’s biggest challenges happens right when pulling into Moab. And that is, just where do you park a long trailer for the entire week, since you won’t be using it at all?
There is a limited amount of space where these trailers, some enclosed and some flatbed, can safely park. So you need to gain permission from property owners.
“We typically park the hauler in front of the Chevron on Main Street, making our presence known and that we are at Easter Jeep Safari to support our customers, potential customers, and the entire Jeep community,” Purick said.
For many years, Quadratec, Tread Lightly! and others industry professionals have taken one day during EJS week and focused on giving back to the environment and the greater Moab area.
Last year’s partnership was also the kick-off to our 50 for 50 Trail Cleanup Initiative program, and we worked on cutting a walkway and building buck and rail fencing to protect an important petroglyph site on Kane Creek Trail.
This year will be no different and we’ll be headed out on Wednesday, April 5, with Tread Lightly! and other partners. More details on that trail cleanup day will come closer to EJS.
"Tread Lightly! completed nearly 120 trail restoration projects in 2022," said Tread Lightly! Executive Director Matt Caldwell. "Nearly 2,200 volunteers made that possible and we encourage everyone at Easter Jeep Safari, or no matter wherever you are wheeling, to 'Do Your Part' to 'Protect the Adventure' by being responsible on the trails and giving back to public lands.”
As far as trail planning, well, we do have a close relationship with Outlaw Adventure Tours and the team of guides led by owner Jeremy Rowan (also a Quadratec Trail Boss) know Moab and the region’s trails probably better than anyone. We use their headquarters as our base of operations so all our pre-ride maintenance, airdowns and prep are handled there. And if you are not bringing your vehicle to Moab, make sure to call Outlaw to reserve a Jeep for your time in the area.
When talking to Rowan about EJS prep, he says the week is nearly unrivaled against the rest of the year.
“The day EJS ends, we begin preparing for the next year. It’s kind of like our Super Bowl,” he said. “It’s great to prep your Jeep, but make sure to check your equipment while you’re here, too. During your stay, make sure to go over your rig at the end of the day. A loose bolt can lead to catastrophe out on the trail.”
Heading to Moab for Easter Jeep Safari is like heading to the beach in Florida for spring break. It will be more crowded than almost any other time of the year. So planning where to stay begins early for us because EJS week is one of the highest rental rates of the year. Accommodations range from hotels to condos to vacation homes with more and more properties being built every year to meet demand.
We try to find a place to accommodate our group’s size, space and comfort needs, while not breaking the budget. Also, a day on the trails can sometimes turn into a full night, so having a nice place to relax after a long day of wheeling is definitely important. We are a tight-knit group that really enjoys the comradery of eating and socializing together, so a condo or house meets these needs perfectly.
Meal planning is just as important to consider during the week. Our first night always includes a stop at Village Market just south of Moab’s center. We normally stock up on breakfast items, add sandwich goodies for out on the trail and include traditional items for meals we prepare in the kitchen like tacos or fajitas. My personal favorite is Terry’s Team Breakfast.
We are definitely looking forward to seeing our friends, hitting the trails and talking about everything from parts to trail etiquette.
But before we roll out, there are still more checklists to make and complete. Vehicles to prep. Swag to design and order. Event invitations to send out. You are never really done preparing for Moab EJS week — even when you are in Moab.
Sure, it is a lot of work that goes into preparing for one of our year’s favorite events. However, all of us know it is totally worthwhile when we see the La Sal mountain range come into view and we finally pull into town.
“I love EJS because we don’t get to vend at many events surrounded by so many trail runs,” Withers said. “This brings a pretty serious Jeeper out who is less interested in flair, and more interested in making a purpose-built, rock-conquering machine.”
See you in Moab
