Hardcore wheeling post kids

[ChestonScout]

As for the dedicated seats for them....

I didnt have any luck finding anything that was infant friendly. Using the normal car seat strapped down in the harnesses worked best for me. With my boy being 4 now I got a Corbeau bench for the back and with just a booster he can fit safely in the harness.

They do make a kids booster suspension seat that is made to fit in a normal suspension seat. That will help you in a couple years but for now I would suggest the normal car seats

 

[mbryson]

I've hauled our boys along since they were about 18 months old. They do great until it's time for them to start driving My daughter is a little "spirited" (odd, neither of her parents are) and didn't mind well enough to have the boys show her the ropes. We waited until she was about 5 to take her. I LOVE taking my kids out. It's built all kinds of cool memories and the stupid silver Jeep means way more to them than it does me.

I'm happy I've involved my kids. We don't do super hard trails (I think Nasty Half when I bombed my tcase was the last gnarly trail I was on) any more, but it's nice having the built rig along so you don't have to worry about breaking anything. I've had a great time wheeling with my kids. I think you guys should get the girls out early and they'll just think everything is "normal". How hard would it be to put a backseat back into the TJ/buggy? You've got a GREAT platform to build from with all your hardcore parts and you'll never get the $ out of your current investment. Evolve it and enjoy it with your kids . I'd just figure out a way to put a stock rear seat (or maybe something wider?) in place and wheel on.

 

[chicken77]

I love to take the kids, and there is always room even in a former regular cab Toyota. I tried to sell mine but after all the low ball offers and B.S. I decided to keep it and make it work.

 

[mesha]

You can always just take them out of the rig for a tough obstacle above your or your wires comfort level.

 

[Maverick]

Great posts!

Congrats on the twins!

Keep the rig and figure out a way to get seats in it for them.

My kids didn't do much wheelin' until they were each around 2, then non-stop. Oldest is now 23, youngest is 11. We've made a lot of great family memories out on the trail. These days, my 7 passenger scrambler only gets full when we go get ice cream. The kids drive their own rigs or dirt bikes when we're out on the trail.

Take the girls out when you can, and go solo a few times a year as well. Your rig is built to be a multi-year investment.

Brett

 

[Kirk]

We pretty much brought our kids on every trip from 6 months old, on. Sometimes my wife sat in the back seat holding their heads from flopping around. It is a little bit of a hassle changing diapers, and such on the trail, but we always got by. We have usually had to get up earlier than the people we go with, cause we had to get bottles/food/kids ready... but its doable. I would say it gets easier and easier - our kids love being in the jeep - even now. Thats the one place they wouldn't cry . I echo whats been said above - family situations change quickly, so I would try to figure out a way to use what you have. I had a good run of 6 years with my previous seat configuration before we grew out of it.

 

[Bart]

My daughter and son-in-law have a well built YJ that is farly hard core. They have 2 boys, one 5 and one 3. They started taking them out early with them and the boys love it. They begged to go in my buggy to do the hard stuff. Add a back seat to the TJ and let the girls see what they like.

 

[wheelewagon]

I took my daughter down to Moab after she was 2 months old. Did great. It was A bit slower we'd have to stop to feed and change her A couple times. I have A JKU also. Skippy takes his daughter also. What he does is have his wife drive the JKU with the daughter and whoever else and him and another person drive his buggy. I've done Prichette twice hitting every obstacle except rock pile, Hells revenge every obstacle except the hot tub, Rusty nail A couple times, Gold bar rim a couple times, Cliff hanger, Behind the rocks, Double sammy in Saint George, The maze, and probably some other stuff I can't think of. I feel it's best to start them early. There's no reason to just be like this is my trip. It should be about friends and family. If your kid is old enough to hold their own head up, their old enough to be on the trail. Plus the bouncing rocks them to sleep, and they sleep most the trail. Also They are going to be much safer strapped into their car seat then trying to take them out and walk up slippery sandy rocks with them in your arms. JMOA Get out and have fun with them. Bring both rigs. All the trails we've ran where great buggy or jk trails. Most obstacles you can bypass any way.

 

[1adam12]

It definitely slows you down. Getting them in and out for the hard obstacles and ever time you stop to watch your friend on an obstacle. But other then that its fine. I find it easier if you wheel with other kids. They play while they are out and the parents and other wheelers understand why you are always behind. When I'm the only one with kids i feel guilty for slowing the group down.

 

[ChestonScout]

a lot of truth in that.