Don’t forget if you have a fire extinguisher in your rig, to ensure that it’s within service date and still good.

Haha! You always make me feel so unprepared! Typically I just hop in and hit the start button! Nice thorough video Brad! As always! -Ben

Don't forget to check the ribs on the serpentine belt. If there are any cracks, replace it. Also, it is good practice to have the correct belt in a spare parts bin. Along with a tensioner and idler . Enough dirt and/water get's in either of those bearings...could be a bad day, without the spares!

Great note to use the paint marker on torqued bolts, used to do that to my car in my racing days. I also use Nylon Insert Lock Nuts whenever possible, make sure you are using the proper grade, don't replace with a lower grade nut. Also, we used to use acronym POWER for basic review of car necessities: Petro (Fuel), Oil, Water, Electrical, Resistance (Brakes). Maybe we need to come up with an acronym for your listing! (Read More Below) Edit: Okay, I came up with a fairly good one, however it might be hard to remember 😊. LOL POWER TRAILRECON or TRAILRECON POWER - Power was previously discussed TRAILRECON breakdown (T = Tires, R = Rain-X (I liked that suggestion and it fits!), A = Air Filter, I = Inflation (Air compressor check/Air Tank/Valve Stems/Plugs), L = Leaks (Oil/Water/etc), R = Recovery (Winch, Line and Elec. wire check), E = Extinguisher (Suggested via comments, Check service date/pressure if applicable), C = Communications (Radio Check & Antenna Mounts), O = Optional Exterior Equipment (Extras Lights/Wiring, Rack), N = Nuts & Bolts (Check Paint marks for movement/Torque Bolts/Lugs etc).

Check your engine mounts.. from experience it's not fun to replace broken engine mount bolts on the trail. And carry extra electrical fuses.

Doing a good inspection sure can save a lot of trouble. I like to make sure the radiator isn't full of dust or mud. I had some overheating issues once because of this.

Great video. I would also recommend checking your on-board air device(s) and air down devices. If it's a CO2 tank system, make sure you have the tank filled enough to air back up as needed and also check all fittings. If it's an on-board compressor, make sure it's working properly and check the connections and all fittings. If it's a portable compressor, test it to make sure it's working as well as check those fittings.

Great advice Brad, have a safe & fun trip!

I always check Safety equipment, ie tree strap, shackles, GLOVES, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and seat belts. Love your attention to detail !!

I watched your videos and now I want start my off road vehicle . I love your adventures thanks for sharing.

Awesome preflight B-man. The only other thing I'd check is to make sure your fire extinguisher is date-current and charged up.

Great to see you again... Look forward to next adventure!!!! Be safe.

Great call on the fluids! I changed my transmission fluid last week (manual). It was easier than changing the oil and shifting honestly felt significantly better afterwards!

Always love your videos, they are a lot of the reason I bought a JL. I wish you’d do more technical vids like this and if you’d get back to the first aid stuff you used to talk about that’d be great as well. Love the content as a whole though. Keep up the good work sir.

Awesome video Brad. Haven't hit any trails yet, but my with hates and loves me watching all of your adventures. Keep WHELLIN

Heading to Moab in a couple of weeks, need to get this inspection completed ASAP. Thanks for the reminder!!

Just what I need to watch before hitting the trail this weekend...thanks Brad!

That was super informative. Always learn new stuff here.

Awesome advice! Proper care of the rig can avoid so many on trail issues

I always check out the battery cables, gauges and I tend to replace all the fuses.... it was too wet, wait a while if it was a dry trip. Safe driving. Be safe. Stay healthy. God bless

I'm a newbie at this and I'm 53 years old and I'm picking up my Rubicon on July 6th And I just want to say that your videos are awesome👍

Great vid Brad, very educational, many people don’t know this stuff.

Another great video as always

Great video Brad.

Great advice! thanks!

Excellent video Brad! Also, it is a perfect time to tie down all the bolts to your roof. The constant vibration of the road will lose those bolts and you will start hearing weird noises inside cabin every time you hit a bump in your next trail 💯👍🏼

I carry extra light bulbs. I also like to check my spare tire to make sure it’s in good working condition. We live in south west Tx so we have to check our windshield wipers pretty often as well, the sun eats them up and you don’t know there bad tell it’s to late. Great video Brad!

Super informative ! Thanks Brad. Bon Voyage.

I check. Fluids, tire psi usually preset to 30 out of 45. Then lug nut torque 80 ftlb, check suspension torque. Then. Lights & turn signals, then accessories- Warn Winch, hi lift, recovery gear, tool bag, jump starter, extra 5 gal of gas jerry can, Unlock Hubs, let engine warm up. Hit the road

Soak whipper blades for in rain x for 1/2 hour. Take off, form aluminum foil bowl. Squirt on.Pour excess back in bottle. Install

We got "bit" by two things on our last trip to Moab during Easter Jeep Safari. We had a shock mount break off completely, so while under the vehicle, look for cracks or metal fatigue on all those brackets (suspension links, tie rods, shock mounts, etc). The second thing is while looking at the battery connections, don't forget to check your alternator bolt is secure. Takes two seconds and it could make the difference of pulling a jeep off a trail or driving it off the trail. So, number three...make sure your portable jump starting battery pack is fulling charged and functioning correctly.

Hi Brad great video, i would add safety gear and recovery gear checks.

Thanks Brad, another good video. I still think having a nice 5 second branded outro video at the end would be a nice touch. 😁

Another tip when it is time to replace tires is to start shopping for sales as they get close to needing replacement. Replacing them before it becomes critical gives you some time to find a good deal on new tires.

Additional category for pre-trip inspection: spares inventory. Make sure spare oil, ATF/steering fluid, coolant haven't been pirated or used on previous trip. Make sure spare air filter and other consumables are present. Make sure spare belts, wire, high temp hoses haven't migrated elsewhere.

It’s good you mention doing in inspection in advance of a trip, but it’s good to note that doing it the night before is still better than not doing an inspection at all!

Good tips, thank you!

The only thing I would add is touch everything. Manipulate it to see if it moves, clamps and hoses may look like they are properly seated, but squeezing hoses to see if they are cracking, trying to rotate clamps to make sure they are tight and pulling in belts will save you a lot of trail maintenance.

What if leaks are the normal!?!? 🤣 Great video!

Great timing for the video, just returned from a 3,000 mile road trip with the Jeep. Other than a new windshield and an oil change seem to be good to go.

G'day mate Very great information and advice Having big tyres & Upgrade suspension there is always something you need to work on the car Cheers Asha

Good stuff to remember.

Hi Brad. I would also check the air pressure of your spare and also check for the location of your lug key. (lock) ( I now carry three)

Just a friendly advisement, torque the wheel spacers every time the wheel comes off, and do a star pattern then circle pattern when torquing both the spacer and wheel to verify that everything is torqued properly. Thanks for the video brad, good info.

Love the jeep crate @8:25. Those aren't too common. I've actually been making tables out of them with an angle iron frame. Prefect for the man cave or jeep shop, lol

Love the videos!!

Good recommendations.

What I have learnt over the years is that chassis type vehicles ie non monocoque are very difficult to hear faulty wheel bearings and of coarse mud terrain tires sound like faulty wheel bearings so it a good idea to jack the wheels up ( also on trailers ) and just give them a good spin. A bad wheel bearing will have a rumble noise.

And don’t blow off air filters with compressed air unless it a temporary essential measure the compressed air damages the air filter material, another great video thanks Brad.

Make sure wipers are good and wash filled. Keep an extra set of clothes as part of the vehicle whether local or otr. Fill with good fuel and additive for trips. Your content it always top gun. Thanks battle. #1stCavVet

Great tips!!! How about check lighting? Light bulbs/taillights low beams and high beams etc..

Great video, Brad!

We always check steering components. They seem to give many off-roaders trouble. Most of the time, it ends up being loose nuts. Pre-inspection - good advice Brad.

For off road trips I always check my u-joints by crawling under and giving them a little twist and shake. They're designed to be the fuse in your drivetrain, and its always better to check that fuse before it pops. I also pull my tires and check wheel bearings every few trips and after every trip with water crossings. If you don't have vent lines on your axles, you also need to check diff fluids after water crossings Edit: 8 was listening to this while doing my wife's brakes, so you may have covered some of that and I missed it

PMCS Doc I love it

Great job! it would be nice if you make a video on must have items for overnight camping trip.

This is great content!!! 👍📈

I check all my lights, blinkers, brakes, reverse.. because usually there's a road trip to get to the offroad location. And if I have to back up on a trail I want the folks behind me to know.

Great video, as a relative off road newb-I’ve been looking for some guidance on what a pre and post trip inspection should include.

Each time I air down or air up out on the trail, I take that opportunity to do a visual check on the tire and suspension. After all, I am already staring at the tire.

How do you tell that you have binge watched too many TrailRecon videos? When you say to your wife on her way out to the grocery store to "have a great adventure!" LOL Love the channel!!

Us in the Army have summarized this video as “PMCS”

A simple tip, clean the glass especially windshield. I always regret over looking it on the trail, especially driving into sunrise or sunset.

Good information, Brad.

when i had beadlocks... ring bolt torque. took forever lol!

Have a friend or family member rock the steering slightly side to side you can visually inspect all your steering linkage ends. Also, shake the vehicle side to side and inspect your trackbar brackets and bushings, front and rear.

Thanks for the video great lola always. Some good advice learn how to use the proper tools for the job and how to use the tool properly.

going to be a great time

Great video appreciate you pointing out all the little things that a beginner like myself doesn’t think of! I was wondering if you knew of any website that I could go to to buy used rooftop tents I’m looking for a more affordable tent. I’m looking at the roof nest of course an expensive tent that I can’t afford ha ha

Check battery cable terminal bolts for tightness and fluid level in battery cells!

Still waiting on my 392 to arrive. 1st thing I'm doing is heading to the tire store for some Fuel wheels and BF Goodrich T/A KO2 35x12.50R17 tires.

I think I drove passed you guys on highway 89 north of Flagstaff, AZ. I was heading back to Phoenix from Lake Powell.

Great information.

Always walk around and check tail lights and turn signals also brake and backup lights

Thanks Brad! I've been kind of waiting for this. Guess I need to go out and get a creeper!!

When I grow up I want to be just like like Brad! But since I am 70 now I may never grow up. Another great video Brad. I have a 2021 Stock Rubicon and wondering what mods I should do. You mentioned your Jeep is lifted? Do you have a video of your Jeep mods?

Eu não entendo bem o idioma mas eu gostei das coisas apontadas no veiculo e isso é muito importante para se ter uma boa expedição e não ter surpresas desagradáveis! Obrigado pelo vídeo e por sua atenção.

AWESOME!!!

Don't forget to check recovery gear, tools, and air-up equipment. Have you abused anything? Used items that need to be replaced. Batteries for various devices, usually the meters, gauges, etc.

Would love to see more about the lights on your Rhino Rack on the diesel and wiring.

Good info on inspecting before heading on a trip. I’ll be doing that this weekend, heading to Utah from LA county next week 🤙🏼

Hey Brad, love all your videos esp the how to videos. On your winch installs, do you have some type of power disconnect between the battery and the winch? If you do, I would like to know your reasoning for your selection. Thanks

Master Chief performing a zone inspection? I'm in!

BTW. Small world, a guy I work with that lives in your neighborhood mentioned you as the Jeep guy. Mentioned something about “Trail Recon”. Told him all about your KZfaq etc. Also have run by your son in his TJ and your JK in Fallbrook and Camp Pendleton. Waves exchanged. Hope he is safe where ever he is at.

I prefer the “post-trip” inspection because most of the “issues” come from the last trip. You wouldn’t know anything about shearing a control arm Mount from an axle tube, would ya Brad?!? 😂

You talked about the spare tire mount, but if you also have a jack mount, check it as well. Voice of experience. 😂

Great video

Great video

Great video!! My sway bar link broke in the exact same way. I wonder if there's an issue with them.

I did a pretrip as I was headed to the Rockies. Noticed the coolant level had decreased just a bit. Turned to be a leaking head gasket🤬

Well you got Jillian one. Now she needs the Lo pro C4 fab bumper

Fuel is important as well. Make sure it's full haha.

Check your cup holders. These are the most utilized areas of the Jeep and should not be overlooked Make sure they are full and secure Make sure they hold your liquid containment device securely and if you do any kind of night wheeling that the cup holder area is visible and detectable at night.

Nice one brad

Good evening. 😊

You mentioned aftermarket lights but I think you forgot factory lighting. Checking the high/low headlights, fog lights, taillights, and all running and signals. Also consider carrying spare bulbs.

That’s those military habits hard to break, I do it to my daily driver, it’s a good piece of mind

Hi Brad, I hope you are great, thank you for your helping videos… I can see you have a Warn winch on this Jeep and I saw another video where you were installing a Smittybilt (I think it was on your wife’s yellow Jeep), I just wanted to ask you, upon your experience which winch would you recommend better ? , I would appreciate if you could give me additional information regarding the brand, model, differences if you have the time 🙂, also what about the Apex Badland from Harbor Freight ?, thank you in advance Brad, looking forward to hearing from you soon… 👍🏼

I also top off consumables that I keep in the Jeep like first aid consumables and spare fluids if I used any.

Check all of your recovery gear and make sure of serviceability. Also check for any interior leakage.