Cool statement on www.jeep.com/trail-rated.html#water_fording regarding Jeeps with the Trail Rated badge like the one here up for auction. “Trail Rated® goes beyond a badge. Trail Rated represents the confidence to take on most any challenge. It’s our commitment to creating endless opportunities for you to discover your limits and push right past them. When you drive a Trail Rated® vehicle, adventure is whoever you want it to be.” As listed on the link above… WHAT IS TRAIL RATED® A Trail Rated® badge is not given. It’s earned. Every Trail Rated 4×4 Jeep® Brand vehicle has succeeded against a series of grueling tests in five categories: Traction, Water Fording, Maneuverability, Articulation and Ground Clearance. TRACTION Jeep® Brand Trail Rated® 4×4 vehicles have the traction to handle some of the harshest, most unpredictable driving conditions. Whether you’re looking to take on some of the toughest terrain on earth or make it home through a freak snowstorm, your Jeep Brand Trail Rated vehicle can conquer. WATER FORDING With Trail Rated® capability on your side, you can traverse bodies of water that other vehicles wouldn’t dare attempt. Electrical connections and body openings are sealed and the air intake is positioned higher to protect your vehicle when driving through overflowing creeks, streams and deceivingly deep rainstorm puddles. MANEUVERABILITY Swiftly dodge obstacles on the trail, veer around narrow gaps or safely navigate around an accident. Thanks to precision steering and optimized wheelbases, your Jeep® Brand Trail Rated® 4×4 vehicle can handle tight trail switchbacks and emergency situations. ARTICULATION The best adventures usually take place on the roughest terrain, but good articulation doesn’t just come in handy when off-roading. Areas with heavy construction or deep potholes require maximum suspension flexibility. Higher levels of articulation ensure your wheels remain stable and engaged when one or more tires are off the ground. GROUND CLEARANCE Trail Rated® ground clearance gives you plenty of room between the underside of your vehicle and the terrain, allowing you to drive over rocks and logs without underbody damage. approach angle, breakover angle and departure angle are all maximized, giving you more options to go over when going around isn’t possible. DRIVEN TO DOMINATE Trail Rated® testing begins in the state-of-the-art facilities at FCA US headquarters before heading out to some of the most challenging terrain on earth. Jeep® Brand Trail Rated 4×4 vehicles don’t just endure the hostile cold of Northern Michigan and the unforgivable boulders of the Rubicon. They conquer. Treacherous trails and weather conditions only serve to reinforce their remarkable Trail Rated capability. WHY WE TEST Pushing our vehicles as far as they can go is part of the Jeep® Brand DNA. As long as we strive for groundbreaking capability and you pursue exhilarating adventure, Jeep Brand Trail Rated® vehicles will continue to be tested to battle everything you may encounter.
