Safety Issues - Jeep Unlimited Hard Top?

[yalie98]

I have read that many of you dont think that open jeep is the best choice but we were thinking of renting the hard top jeep - as we will be traveling in some off the beaten path roads/locations such as Calakmul from Tulum and was wondering if there are any issues with the hard top jeeps? Secure enough? Horrible ride?

[beachreader]

By hard-top Jeep, do you mean the Liberty? Or the Patriot? Or are they offering a hard-top Wrangler? I personally wouldn't get the Wrangler at all, but I own a Liberty and it drives just fine. Not great gas mileage, if it matters, but it locks up and would be fine, I'm sure. A friend of mine owns a Patriot and hates it, but again, I'm sure it would work fine for your needs.

If you do get one of these, ask if they will be sure to include the "screen" thing that covers your stuff in the back. It's just visual security, but better than having your stuff on display to anyone looking in.

For truly valuable stuff, irreplaceables (passports, expensive cameras, etc.), I'd still get a Pac-Safe bag and either carry it with me outside of the car, or maybe even lock it to something inside the car. More security than you'd really need, but that whole "better safe than sorry" thing is feeling more right to me of late.

[yalie98]

Thanks - the hard top wrangler...

[beachreader]

Oh, OK, sorry I don't really know anything about the Wrangler hard-top, but I personally think the Wrangler rides pretty rough for a long trip. That's just me, though.

I think most of the roads you'll be traveling will be fine for a regular car, so if comfort is important, maybe just a mid-sized car?

[aj8830]

I too am renting a hard-top Wrangler the last half of my trip --- mainly for the drive to XD. Is this over the top? Could I get by with car or Patriot (what I had last trip, but that was also in May -- not rainy season).

[beachreader]

I too am renting a hard-top Wrangler the last half of my trip --- mainly for the drive to XD. Is this over the top? Could I get by with car or Patriot (what I had last trip, but that was also in May -- not rainy season).


For the drive to XD, no need for a Jeep. You can do it in a little old rental car. Sometimes there are big potholes, but you can still make it.

Maybe send Dan/Josh an e-mail right before you have to make the final car decision and ask them what the road is like that week? Since the grading, I think it's been pretty good, but the last time I was south of the bridge, the grading was still happening, and I had to navigate a few hundred yards of freshly-dug-up road, and I made it in a little Chevy.

[minniemex]

We drove all the way down to Punta Allen in a mini economy car. No problems. Sometimes it just takes awhile to get there depending on the condition of the road.

[stlgail]

We've done Punta Allen and XD a couple of times. We had (not sure what it was) a little clown car with 2 kids and luggage. We made it just fine. No need for more car unless you plan on doing a lot of driving.

[ilovewyoming]

We rented a Patriot a year ago this last oct to go to XD. It was great, and gave us a certain level of "security". The holes in the road on the way in were many and some deep. It was an adventure! We were amazed at the little cars that seemed to be speeding along and doing ok. My main worry was the crazy jeep tours that were BLAZING down the road at a ridiculous rate of speed, just because: Well, They were Jeeps..We had a couple of close calls with them as they sped around blind corners. Drive On The Defensive...and have a great time..pull off when you can and take it all in...beautiful