Jacki Maybin

About Jacki:

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: "Pink and Yellow."

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: "Sushi and Pizza (not at the same time though)."

Q: Do you have kids? 
A: " I am blessed to be a single mom of amazing and special sons. Noah is almost 15 yrs old in high school.  He happens to be on the autism spectrum. I've learned to never underestimate what Noah can accomplish. I used to be concerned to try new things with him (he likes predictability) but since stretching his comfort zone he has grown and become more flexible and outgoing especially if he can be in Bumble Bee. He is joyful and it's a treat to see things the way he does. Noah is very smart and remembers every experience we have. Seeing his reactions after trying new adventures brings lifetime memories. Noah is a talented video gamer and creates short movies and original short stories.

Luke is 13 ½ yrs old and a few short months away from also being in high school.  Luke is the most gentle, giving, selfless young man I know.  He always puts his wants aside to help his older brother cope with any situation.  I remind him that his desires are just as important and we all work together so we all compromise and in the end we all benefit and grow more.  Luke is the one that always wants the adventures to explore like I do. He will often do a video blog and plan (navigate) where our adventures need to go next.  He says we need passports to go overseas so he can get regional Pokemon.  Luke is the glue that makes his big brother comfortable to try new things. If Luke says we should do it, Noah believes him.  His wisdom and love for others is a treasure.  Everyday with Luke is an adventure. He is gifted with computers. His dad has already taught him coding. He has YouTube channel, is creating his own video games and writes his own original chapter books.."

Q: Do you have any pets?
A: "Not at this point, but someday hope to get a Jeep dog."

Q: Do you take your pets off-roading?
A: "When I get one."

 Jacki's Off-Road Facts:

Q: How old were you when you first started wheeling?
A: "I got to be a passenger with others in Jeeps since my early 20s but nothing more than a dirt road. I originally thought off-roading was anything not on pavement with all the trails I heard of being for extreme professionals and not someone like me. It wasn’t until I got my forever Jeep that I honestly started wheeling. So I have a lot of years to make up for. My Jeep is just over 2 years old. I have done more wheeling in the last 2 years than I had ever dreamed. Now my dreams are HUGE."

Q: Is your whole family into off-roading?
A: "My small family lives out of state, so it’s just my boys and I. They want mom happy so they are willing to try more trails with me. I’m the one that keeps encouraging them to try."

Q: Are you usually the driver or the co-driver?
A: "I am always the driver of Bumble Bee, as she is my daily driver. If the boys are with me Luke is always the co-driver taking pictures and spotting out cool things. I will gladly be a passenger in someone else's ride (or even drive if they want).."

Q: Do you have any traditions or rituals before going off-roading?
A: "I always have my Satellite Country or Christian music playing as I am almost always alone in my Jeep or have the boys with me and we like music. We always pray in my Jeep before hitting the trails for safety and an amazing adventure.  If we are wheeling on a Sunday and miss church, we always do Jeep church (that’s a fun adventure in itself)."

Q: How often do you get to go off-roading?
A:  "Usually once to twice a month"

Q: How did you get started in the off-road world?
A: "I had my new Jeep, no one else had Jeeps or liked off-roading in general that I knew of.  I got brave enough to register for the closest Jeep Jamboree (Big Bear) and went by myself.  I spoke with the trail guide in advance and made the modification he suggested (rock sliders) and I got hooked from then on."

Q: Where is your favorite place to wheel?
A: "I’m still searching but so far going to Big Bear (my local mountain range) is a blast.  Each season changes the trails. Moab was incredible. My bucket list has many dream favorites that I have only seen in pictures.  I have a feeling Sedona (upcoming adventure) will become a favorite right along with Moab."

Q: How are you active in the off-road world?
A: "I have a couple of Jeep Clubs I participate with on runs and have made friends that we just go and hit the trails.  One of my Jeep clubs Lost Jeeps SoCal has a couple of Adopt A Trails that I participate in keeping the trails clean and maintained."

Q: What is on your off-roading bucket-list?
A: "Moab (more trails), Rubicon (my ultimate dream bucket list), Doing as many Jeep Badge of Honor trails that I can get to, and Sedona."

Jacki's Off-Road Stories:

Q: What is your most memorable off-road moment?
A: "To date it is Gold Mountain trail in Big Bear. I did it first as a stock Jeep with very little experience when I was terrified (but had an amazing trail guide Randy Stockberger). I got high-centered on a turn and learned that wasn’t so scary. I had to get pulled off and learned a bunch. Then I went again just 18 months later a more seasoned driver on the trails again with Randy and others. This time with an amazing Teraflex lift kit and my two special sons.  It was their first ever black diamond trail and they did great. We even got to use my new WARN Winch to recover another rig stuck on the gatekeeper. My confidence in my abilities grew and I was so proud of my sons being willing to trust me and try by far their toughest trail to date."

Q: What was your first wheeling trip?
A: "Don Alexander and Brian Cole's Family Fun Run Jeep 4x4 School out of Big Bear. Don and Brian taught me more about my Jeep in 4 hrs then I learned in 20 yrs of owning all the other Jeeps. I suggest every new Jeeper take their school."

Q: What was your longest wheeling trip?
A: "So far I have only done day trips. I would say my 2000 mile road trip with my boys in 2016 with Moab (Fin N Things) as the far point was the farthest. The longest day was a trip out to Berdoo Canyon on an Empire Jeep Girl run (with all women drivers). It was a long day to get there ending after dark but so incredible seeing so many like minded ladies all in the same place at the same time doing what we love to do."

Q: What was your favorite wheeling trip?
A: "So far the day I got my boys on Gold Mountain. That day they let someone else cook for them. This was a first EVER in their life. They got out of the Jeep and ate lunch with the whole group. This was a huge accomplishment. I credit the entire Double Back Jeep Club and everyone there making my boys feel safe and welcome and especially Randy for asking in advance what my boys would eat that he could make. I have never had someone go to special effort to realize special kids sometimes have different taste buds. He made them feel wanted knowing the chef asked in advance for their menu choice. That day was a favorite all smiles and so many successes including the boys doing their 1st Black Diamond Trail and it being a Badge of Honor Trail for our memories."

All About the Ladies:

Q: Who do you look up to in the industry? Why?
A: "I’ve thought about all of the people I have encountered over the last 2 years. One person stands out for me. Randy Stockberger is not a vendor or an employee of any vendor.  He’s just a man that has off roading running through his blood.  I first say his wife Roxann is incredible sharing her hubby with the entire off road world. Randy took me under his wing for my 1st Jamboree and taught me so much.  Then invited me on a club run (my 1st ever) and navigated me through Gold Mountain. I only found out afterwards he very slyly let me get high centered because I was so nervous and he taught me recovery equipment is essential and being with others on the trail always. He wanted me to get over my fear. What really stands out is he gets the family aspect of wheeling. He has taken so much time asking me about my boys. He knows it isn’t always an easy road for me and I get nervous. He goes the extra mile to include them whenever possible. He also is truthful in saying when I may not want to take them on certain adventures YET. I as an off-roader as well as the driver for my little family have made so many memories as a direct result of Randy’s mentoring. I am thankful he is our Big Bear Jamboree coordinator.

As far as vendors that I look up to, I have to say the ones that have directly impacted me have been not 1 or even 2 people but every person I have encountered at Teraflex Suspensions.  It started with Joe Thompson on my 1st Jeep Jamboree talking to me when I had my little stock Jeep and was clueless then taking me under his wing on the actual trail to make sure I got through it when an unexpected situation happened on the trail. The following Jamboree Jeremy Poole picked up where Joe left off fine tuning suggestions for part items that would suit my daily driver needs and not go crazy on the budget. The entire team in every department has helped me navigate parts, builds, challenges with other parts not designed by them and always go above and beyond. How they handle people and treat them as though they are family is why Bumble Bee now has their lift kit and shocks. I know they stand behind everything they do and I trust my family and daily driver with them as a result. They continually encourage me to grow in my off-roading experiences."

Q: How do you feel as a woman in the off-road industry?
A: " I feel grateful to have opportunities I have to learn and grow as an off-roader. I have been blessed to have incredible men and women rally around me to teach me basics as well as the not so basic like line picking, tire placement, trail etiquette, navigating boulder crawling, steep hills with off camber trails and even helping me get my ham radio license. It was empowering to learn to air down and air up my own tires, disconnect my sway bars, drive black diamond trails and learn so much. I have a long way to go and I am thankful for the people willing to pass on their knowledge. 2 years ago I was terrified and thought I would be embarrassed even attending events with no true experience. Wow was I amazed. I have been welcomed in all venues and appreciate the patience so many have offered while I seek to gain wisdom for an industry we all love."

Q: Give us a story, any story, about educating, guiding, empowering ladies in the off-road, past or future:
A: "My story of empowerment isn’t specific to any one story so far. As a single woman without a husband, boyfriend or even any guy friend to do things for me I have been told more times than I can count that my Bumble Bee with her being mine that I actually know how to drive off road inspires others to get out of their comfort zone and not be limited by once was a mostly guy dominated hobby and lifestyle. That is pretty cool. My passion for getting my special sons “outdoors more” has given many families with kids on the spectrum hope. We talk about the small steps it takes and that success is any small movement in the desired direction. Our journey may be slower but it is an amazing journey that I never take for granted and because of the slower pace, I don’t miss much that others may zooming through an adventure. I am excited that my personal journey in giving my family a safe place to get out and try things has given other families in a similar life stage ideas outside the traditional autism box."

Q: What changes have you noticed in the off-road industry?
A: "When I started 2 years ago I rarely saw any other women driving their own rigs (maybe were passengers while their guy drove). Now, I am seeing women everywhere from mountain trails to grocery stores in their own rigs. It’s fun to see our smiles so huge sharing the love of off-roading and that they are from all over the world."

Q: What advice do you have for ladies who want to get started off-roading?
A:  "Getting out and getting started whether anyone else I personally knew was doing the same thing I wanted to do was the by far best decision I ever made.  You don’t have to have a really modified rig (at least in a Jeep) to get out an do a lot of challenging trails.  The best advice I have is find at least 1 or a couple of experienced trail guides that drive the same style vehicle you have and reach out.  Ask for help and LISTEN to what they share.  Follow what they say.  On the flip side, if you don’t feel comfortable with a line, a spot, a build suggestion STOP.  Re-evaluate.  This is your journey.  Others don’t have to fix your rig if you break it.  All of us have our own journey with our own end goal.  That is a huge benefit of the off road community.  There is room for every style and every build. Take the time to figure out what YOUR personal style is."

Jacki's Vehicle:

About Jacki's vehicle:
"2015 Jeep Wrangler Sport JKU Baja Yellow"

Vehicle Name: Bumble Bee

Q: Is your vehicle a Daily Driver?
A: "Yep!"

Q: Do you work on your own vehicle?
A: "Not currently. I live in an apartment that won’t allow it. I do minor things like fluids and changing the air filter but everything else gets done at trusted vendors."

Q: What is the best modification you have done to your vehicle?
A: " I love all the modifications. The biggest one that drastically changed my trail runs has been my Teraflex Alpine 3” CT3 suspension lift with Falcon 3.1 piggyback shocks. Wow what a difference it made.."

Vehicle Information:

Vehicle Type: Jeep Wrangler Sport JKU
Year: 2015 bought new
Builder: Chrysler/FCA
Tire Make/Size: BFGoodrich KO2 A/T 285/70R/17
Wheel Make/Size:Jeep OEM 17”
Front Suspension: Teraflex 3” Alpine CT3 suspension system with fully adjustable flexarms
Front Sway Bar: OEM
Front Shocks: Falcon 3.1 Piggyback Shocks
Front Bump Stops: Teraflex Speed bump Bump Stops
Rear Suspension:  Teraflex 3” Alpine CT3 suspension system
Rear Shocks: Falcon 3.1 Piggyback Shocks
Rear Bump Stops: Teraflex Speed bump Bump Stops
Front Axle Housing: Stock OEM with Teraflex Dana 30 HD cover
Body/Interior: Innovative JK Products rear seat reclining kit; Rugged Ridge Hardtop Black Insulation kit
Body/Body Panels: Rock Slide Engineering JK 4 door Rock Sliders
Body Modifications:WARN Stubby Bumper with grille guard tube
Skid plate/Material: EVO Pro-tek JKU Oil Pan skid, Transmission skid; ACE Engineering Evap Skid; Rubicon Express Lower Control Arm skids
Painter Name: OEM Baja Yellow
Hood/Grille: Poison Spyder Hood Louver on stock hood
Lights Interior/Exterior: Rugged Ridge LED Lights
Winches - Front/Rear Brand & Capacity: WARN Zion 10-S Synthetic rope

Author:  Jacki Maybin

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