A trip along Utah’s Moab Rim turned into a costly problem when a supercharged Jeep developed severe engine trouble. With the engine knocking and misfiring, the driver needed help getting the vehicle off the rocky trail.
The crew from Trailmater Offroad Recovery answered the call, sending Rory and Mike up the steep route to bring the Jeep down. Although the vehicle could still roll, driving it out under its own power was no longer a good option.
Getting the Jeep back to the bottom meant towing it over rough rock and down a long slope. The recovery soon put extra strain on the tow vehicle, forcing the team to stop before they could finish.
Footage published on October 31 shows the crew dealing with the broken Jeep, troublesome brakes, and the challenges of moving a disabled vehicle down one of Moab’s demanding trails.
A Bad Knock
The crew found the Jeep high on Moab Rim, a trail known for its steep climbs and exposed rock. Earlier in the video, Rory describes the first section as a long uphill drive that can take an experienced driver around 20 minutes.
When they reached the stranded vehicle, its driver explained that the engine had started knocking and then died. The Jeep had a supercharger, which caught Rory’s attention as he took a look.
The owner also described a misfire, raising concerns about how much damage the engine had suffered. Rather than risk running it again, the crew prepared to tow the Jeep to a place where they could load it onto a trailer.
Rory joked that anything inside the engine that had not already broken through the block might be close to doing so. No teardown or repair results were shown, so the exact failure remained unclear.
Brakes Get Hot
With the tow equipment connected, the crew began moving the Jeep down the trail. Their first challenge was controlling both vehicles through tight turns and uneven rock without letting the disabled Jeep get away.
As the descent continued, Mike reported unusual brake behavior. The pedal felt different, and an ABS warning appeared, although the vehicle was still stopping.
Soon, another problem became apparent. Mike noticed a burning smell from the brakes and saw a small amount of smoke, prompting the crew to stop and let everything cool.
Rory explained why towing downhill was harder than driving down under normal conditions. A working vehicle can use low gearing and engine braking to help control its speed, but a vehicle pulling a disabled Jeep must rely much more heavily on its brakes.
That extra load was producing heat during the slow descent. Instead of pushing through, the crew decided to travel in short sections, stopping as needed to keep the brakes from overheating.
Back On Solid Ground
Once the brakes cooled, Rory and Mike resumed the recovery. They worked their way around rocks and through narrow sections, communicating constantly to keep the Jeep moving in the right direction.
The footage shows several careful adjustments as the crew guides the vehicle through difficult spots. Neither speed nor a straight tow was an option on this part of the trail.
Eventually, they reached a larger area where the Jeep’s owner could arrange for a trailer. The crew left the vehicle there so it could be transported home for repairs.
The recovery ended without a confirmed diagnosis for the damaged engine. After dropping off the Jeep, Rory and Mike received another call involving a Toyota Tundra stuck near a flooded area. By the time they arrived, other off-road drivers had already helped free it.