|
|
2007 Jeep Patriot Limited, Trail Rated Edition
|
Lightweight Solution to Overland Travel:
There are multiple approaches to the
same goal; the desire to explore remote and rugged terrain, looking for a
little adventure, a stunning photograph or a historic site. From a
14,000 LB EarthRoamer to a 250cc Motocycle, the expedition traveler has
many choices. One of the concepts I have been researching recently is
the use of an ultra-light and efficient cross-over vehicle for moderate
exploration and trail use. There are many times when a heavy and
expensive global expedition platform is not required, which allows for
the lowest cost of use. With today's fuel costs and the sticker price of
new vehicles, a well-built cross-over is something to consider.
The challenge
however, has been the lack of suitable options. The Freelander was the
first lightweight SUV option in the US with sufficient trail capability,
but the model was plagued with reliability issues and high cost. That,
combined with poor fuel economy eliminated it as a viable solution.
Other options soon arrived, including the Honda Element, Subaru Forester
and Toyota Highlander. These all had great build quality and good
economy and value, but featured limited trail performance and
protection.
|
Enter the Trail Rated Patriot:
I had the opportunity to work with the Trail Rated Patriot for
over a month, doing off-highway testing and was able to perform a
detailed analysis of its road and trail capabilities. Within its design
limits (and even a bit beyond), the Patriot is a real Jeep and tackles
terrain that would send all of the other compact, car-based SUV's to the
nearest bypass.
Why it works:
Engineering Purpose- The Patriot was designed from the start to
support the Trail Rated requirements, which were established by Jeep
Engineering and the Nevada Automotive Testing Center (NATC) to
objectively (with repeatability) predict trail capability. This means
that even though the Patriot is sold in the cross-over vehicle segment
it must meet minimum trail attributes. Even one of the head engineers
from the Power Wagon project was on the team to ensure the Patriot's
trail performance.
Maneuverability
Ground Clearance
Traction
Articulation
Water Fording
With the Trail Rated Package and Freedom Drive II, the Patriot includes these key features:
1. Hill Descent Control- Uses the vehicle brakes to maintain descent speeds of 4-6 MPH in low gear and 3 mph in reverse.
2. Off-Road Brake Traction Control- When required, the traction
control system will use the brakes to slow or stop a spinning wheel and
send power to the axle with greater traction.
3. 19:1 Crawl Ratio- Being a Continuously Variable Transmission,
the ratio is as low as 2.3:1 with a 8.1:1 final drive ratio
4. Off-Road mode engine and transmission calibration- In low, with
the 4wd Lock mode engaged, the system raises the CVT rpm to maximize
compression braking and provide maximum spark advance to the motor
(monitored by the active spark knock sensor).
5. 4WD Lock Mode- Commands maximum torque to the rear axle (electromagnetically controlled coupling)
6. Additional ground clearance- 1" Taller springs and improved dampening
7. P215/65 R17 All-Terrain Tires (28x8.5")
8. Front and Rear tow hooks
9. Engine and transmission skid plates
10. Fuel tank skid plates
11. Cabin air filtration
12. Fog Lamps
13. Seat height adjust
14. Three Mode Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
15. Heavy-duty Cooling (CVT cooler, Engine cooler and high-cap cooling fans)
16. HD Alternator
17. Improved body sealing and relocated driveline vents
18. Reinforced Rear Lateral Links (control arms).
Approach Angle: 29.6
Break-over Angle: 23.3
Departure Angle: 34.2
Running Ground Clearance: 9"
Turning Circle: 35.6'
Water Fording: 19" @ 5 mph
|
| On the Trail: |
|
Photo by DaimlerChrysler, Driver: Scott Brady, Expeditions West
|
| FR11- Four Peaks Media Route MAP , Trail Rating (1-5 Scale): 2.5, Rugged Track (Expeditions West Rating Scale) |
Technical Section:
FR11 gets interesting immediately after leaving the Four
Peaks road, with a formed berm and crossed-axle holes within yards of
the start. We engaged 4wd Lock by lifting the t-handle below the parking
brake and then selected low gear, which enables hill descent control
and maximum CVT compression braking. The trail is filled with embedded
rocks and heavy erosion. The hill descent does work at keeping the
vehicle speed below 6 mph, but is not a system I would use. The Patriot
brakes are strong and allow good modulation (4-wheel discs), so I
preferred to do the braking myself. The hill descent control can be
disengaged by holding down the "ESP Off" button for 5-6 seconds, and the
HDC light will turn off.
The trail continued to degrade as we descended further, with
2' deep washouts and deep holes caused by other vehicles attempting
the climb. This gave me the chance to test the platforms articulation
and stability in cambered and cross-axle terrain. While the articulation
is somewhat limited to provide great road and high-speed handling (more
on this in a bit), the vehicle is extremely stable, even at well over
30 degree camber or with several feet under a rear tire. The center of
gravity is low and it inspires confidence. The dampening of the
suspension is also very good, as the suspension dynamics engineers
included compression and extension jounce control, which eliminates
clunking or pogoing on hard extension (e.g.-dropping in a hole and
lifting the rear tire).
The last obstacle of the descent had a rock fin traveling
down the left side and a three-foot deep hole in the center. Here we
staged a series of photographs (including the one above), driving down
and up the obstacle. From there, the trail runs along Mesquite Wash
towards Rock Creek. Filled with whoops, the wash challenged the
suspension and clearances of the Patriot as we increased the pace. The
final technical obstacle is a 5' tall v-notch ledge that was near the
limits of the vehicles approach and break-over angles. Again, the strong
brakes and good damping saved any damage.
Rally Section:
The last half of the trail is in Rock Creek, with is the
typical dry wash found in Central Arizona. It started with a drive under
Hwy 87 and into a tight forest of Cottonwood trees, which showcased the
great turning radius and visibility of the Patriot. It also included an
8" log crossing and moderate crossed-axle obstacle. This made me a
believer in the Brake Traction Control, which responded quickly and
allowed the Patriot to climb out of the gully, even with two tires in
the air.
From the gully, we picked up the pace and ran the wash at
moderate to high speeds, which was an excellent test of the Patriots
rally capabilities. Keeping the CVT in low, the engine responds well and
allowed me to correct for minor slides and exit the corners hard by
pulling the front end around. The ESP goes into a secondary mode while
in 4wd lock, low and with ESP off. It comes back on at 35 mph and only
uses brake force correction to mitigate a skid. It works great and does
not cut the throttle in that mode like nearly all competitors do. This,
combined with the low COG, responsive motor and great dampening makes
the Patriot a blast to drive in the fast stuff.
Photo by DaimlerChrysler, Driver: Scott Brady, Expeditions West
|
|
|
|
|
| Table Mesa, Expeditions West test loop Trail Rating (1-5 Scale): 2.5, Rugged Track |
|
I spent the day with two Patriots, testing them on a loop I
have driven dozens of vehicles on for comparison. It includes steep
climbs, rocky ledges, fast roads and deep sand. Here are the highlights:
 |
Deep Sand: Get the RPM's
up to 2,000 and the Patriot plays in the sand like an ATV. I tried the
hills with 4wd lock on and off and it works well in both modes. I
preferred 4wd lock off and in low gear with ESP off, which allowed more
wheel spin. And this was all with street pressures in the tires.
Picture Two
|
 |
Hill Climb: We made a dozen climbs of
a 200 yard long hill, with variable surface conditions and several deep
holes. Keep the RPM's near the torque converter lock-up and the CVT in
low, with 4WD locked. The traction control worked great and we tried
every line up the hill, including stopping in the deepest hole and
completing the climb. Again, all at street pressure.
Picture Two
Picture Three
Picture Four |
 |
Rock Ledge: This was a 1.5' tall rock
ledge with a loose surface for traction. Even with two tires in the
air, the Patriot crawled right over it. This obstacle has stopped
several bigger SUV's, including a GMC Yukon during prior tests. |
 |
Stair Step Climb: There is a 1.5 mile
section of the trail with several stair steps and ledges. These are
steep and are a test for most vehicles. Fortunately, the Patriots
undercairage is smooth and well protected. We skid on the belly pan a
bit and with the right line, the Patriot was up and over. These tests
were pushing the limits of the vehicles gearing and torque, but we never
got stuck.
Picture Two |
 |
Extreme Climb and Descent: This is a
solid 2.5+ hill climb and we were not sure if the Patriot had the
gearing, traction or power to make it. This was the obstacle that made
me a believer (before the Crown King run). It did take a bit of
momentum, but the Patriot clawed for traction, lifting tires and
engaging the traction control as it pulled up the first ledge (with a
DEEP hole in it). Staying on the throttle, both Patriots made the climb
and turned around to come down for the second time.
Picture Two
Picture Three
Picture Four
Picture Five
Picture Six
Picture Seven |
This was a perfect trail area for the Patriot and certainly beyond the capabilities of light-duty cross-over vehicles.
|
| Crown King Back Road Trail Rating (1-5 Scale): 3, Rugged Track with 12" deep snow at the top and mud at the bottom |
|
| I want to start this trail report with a
disclaimer. First, the Crown King trail is a difficult trail, at near
the limits of the Patriots capabilities, and second, we completed the
trail with highly experienced drivers. This being said, the Patriot made
it all the way to Crown King, driving through slick mud at the bottom
and finally 12" deep snow at 7,000 feet. We had no drivetrain damage. We
did winch the Patriot once because of the snow (it would have made the
obstacle had it been dry). Then we drove it back to Phoenix under its
own power, at 75 mph on the highway. Consider this to be more for
entertainment then something you would take your brand new Patriot over,
but it does serve as a testament to just what the Patriot is capable
of. |
|
|
| The Patriot and a Rubicon and Power Wagon started out on a very muddy and wet trail, climbing up to the Bradshaws |
Slick, embedded rocks provided a challenge, but the Patriot
cleared every obstacle without damage or a strap. One long climb at the
start was severely crossed axled and slick. Even at the limits of
traction the little Patriot clawed its way to the top. The mighty
Rubicon Wrangler even needed a rear locker for the climb. |
|
|
| The snow started at 4,200 feet and never let up. The Patriot
makes a climb over a rock ledge with 12" + boulders. With the right
line, it walked over the challenge |
More snow and we were in a race against the worsening conditions. |
|
|
| More rock shelves to clear (the Rubicon just ahead of us).
The tight turning radius, good running ground clearance and compact
dimensions of the Patriot allowed for the best line selection, weaving
its way between the boulders, or even taking an extremely cambered line
to get through. |
Unrelenting, the snow continues to fall and obscure the
rocks and challenge available traction. We began to select a line for
where we would slide to, as opposed to where we were pointing. The
Patriot continued to soldier on without assistance. |
|
|
|
|
| The most difficult challenge is at the Oro Bell Mine, which
required a challenging new route after the flood of 2004. The pictures
make it difficult to see, but this ledge is steep and cambered to the
drivers side, sliding you into a large rock. |
Traction was impossible and the Patriot traversed the entire
ledge before coming to a stop just shy of the rock. We pulled cable and
winched the Patriot over the ledge with the Rubicon's M8000 Warn.
No question we could have made the climb under dry conditions. |
|
|
| The snow continued to accumulate and the different
challenges showed how each vehicle performs. This cambered turn put both
the Rubicon and the Power Wagon in a rocky ditch, but the Patriot was
light enough to stay on the ledge and make the turn. |
This is the most difficult challenge of the Crown King run
and requires finesse to limit damage. Large embedded boulders lift tires
and a rocky wall threatens to rip out sheet metal. The Patriot made it
though the obstacle without damage, but did require a pull over the last
rock. |
|
|
| We finally made the saddle and nearly 7,000 feet, where the
snow was over 12" deep in places. The smooth undercairage and a little
momentum allowed the Patriot to continue to plow through. |
A big hamburger and basket of onion rings awaited our
arrival in Crown King. The Patriot had made it and won my respect in the
process. After lunch we drove off the mountain without issue, having
fun with the great handling on the twisty road after Bumble Bee. |
|
Conclusion:
The Patriot is without question the best OHV performer in it's
class and also has great highway performance and 30mpg economy. I am not
suggesting that the Patriot is a replacement for a Rubicon Unlimited or
Toyota Tacoma on the trail, or a Toyota Land Cruiser for a Round The
World Expedition, but it will provide a great ride, value, economy and
rugged track performance for the buyer. I would not hesitate to take the
Patriot on the White Rim Road, or El Camino Del Diablo,
loaded full of gear. This segment is about providing value, and for the
first time, there is an option that also provides performance on the
trail. |
Specifications:
| Wheelbase |
103.7 |
| Track Width |
59.8 |
| Height |
64.4 |
| Overall Width |
69.1 |
| Payload |
925 |
| Towing |
2000 |
| Curb Weight |
3516 |
| GVWR |
4435 |
|
