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Doorless with kids

35K views 73 replies 43 participants last post by  Kev M 
#1 ·
What are your thoughts about going doorless with kids? My son wanted the doors off for his birthday so I started pulling them off. I only ended up with the front ones off because I did not feel comfortable with my kids not having doors in the back. I am not afraid of them falling out or anything like that it just did not feel right when it came down to doing it. I have a 2 and 5 year old as of today.
 
#3 ·
I have a JK but if I'm going to pick up my son I'll lug the doors up from the basement and put them on. I don't know why... But I just feel weird not having the doors on if he's in the Jeep(he's 9). Next week we're going down the shore for the week. I will have the doors off down there... But he'll be sitting in the back... And I know I'll feel weird.
 
#5 ·
As a paramedic for the last 10 years I can tell you I've seen my fair share of accidents with Wranglers with both the doors on and off. It's always going to be safer with the doors on because of the obvious added protection the doors provide is what I've seen. No more dangerous than having a child on the back of a motorcycle, but, I won't take the doors off the back with my kids in there. JMO
 
#7 ·
No, I was just giving some perspective to it by saying that. It is more of a risk when the doors are off. Less of a risk than a motorcycle, but I see kids on the back of motorcycles all the time as well. So, it's just going to be up to the parent if the risk is worth it that's all I really meant.

Just went to an accident tonight where the doors were off, driver lost it on an off ramp and put the Jeep on it's side. Passenger ended up with head smacking the pavement and his arm pinned under the Jeep. He'll live, but is messed up more than he would've been with the doors on. Probably anyway, can't really say 100% he would've been less injured.
Ok, I've thought about this topic too much, I'm gonna go take the doors off my Jeep and go drive on the beach when I get off shift! : )
 
#8 ·
At 2 and 5 I would keep the back doors on also.

My youngest is 9 and I take the doors off but make her ride in the middle. If I am going to have any of her friends with me I throw the back doors back on.

As perspective since it was brought up I don't ride either of my kids 9 and 12 on my motorcycle.


Just got to do what feels right to you.
 
#9 ·
Once my son was born, the only things my wife and I put on our motorcycles were for sale signs.

As far as the doors go, I myself haven't decided on running doorless yet, but it's more about wind and sun exposure for me.
Run your Jeep how you want, if somebody doesn't like it then they don't have to ride in it. :)
 
#11 ·
Well, I too have a 2 and 5 tear old, and we go doorless in the JKU. The 2 yo is strapped in to a 5 point harness car seat that is strapped securely to the seat. My 5 yo is in a booster in the center.

We only drive slow (under 30) around town. While I don't advocate that everyone should do it (as the parent you have the responsibility to protect your children), it's not more dangerous than towing a child in a bicycle carrier IMO. The wind and sun would be a bigger concern for long trips, and obviously speed is more dangerous.
 
#14 ·
I hav run doorless in my JKU with my 5yo and 12yo daughters. I bought a new booster for my 5yo that has the latch system so the seat is secure to the vehicle and does not move around. Then buckle her in. I keep largely to the secondary roads and keep it under 40 with her back there and no doors. I was very nervous at first, putting my 5yo in the middle, ETC, but am better now and she loves it. It's more of a special treat, and not a regular thing. As stated above, I will be adding tube doors as budget and time permit, although thats mostly for my piece of mind, and not safety. I think that in an accident the tube doors would be all but useless.

Just as an added thought, I often think of safety in terms compared to my childhood. I recall the occasional ride around in the open bed of a pickup when I was a kid! Compared to a JK with the doors off, well there is really no comparison. Are they safer with doors, sure. I'm not saying safety isn't important. Nor am I saying I'd ride my kids in the truck bed (what were our parents thinking????). But if one observes society today, there is this intense focus on safety, yet are we really that much better for it today than we were 30 or 40 years ago? Somehow most of us adults managed to survive our childhoods. Maybe the occasional careful ride while securely buckled in isn't such a bad thing.

At the end of the day do what you're comfortable with.

--Jeff
 
#15 ·
Just as an added thought, I often think of safety in terms compared to my childhood. I recall the occasional ride around in the open bed of a pickup when I was a kid! Compared to a JK with the doors off, well there is really no comparison. Are they safer with doors, sure. I'm not saying safety isn't important. Nor am I saying I'd ride my kids in the truck bed (what were our parents thinking????). But if one observes society today, there is this intense focus on safety, yet are we really that much better for it today than we were 30 or 40 years ago? Somehow most of us adults managed to survive our childhoods. Maybe the occasional careful ride while securely buckled in isn't such a bad thing.

At the end of the day do what you're comfortable with.

--Jeff
again I agree. people freak out too much these days.

a lot of stuff went on in the 80's (for me) and I'm still here.

relax :)
 
#16 ·
I am pretty sure doorless on public roads with a child in the car will get you pulled over and in some serious trouble around here. Even if it doesn't, its a pretty dumb and unnecessary risk for the kids. The doors provide shrapnel protection in the event of an accident, they also provide a barrier to keep the kid in the Jeep if he gets out of his carseat(my 3 year old can do that himself already).
 
#17 ·
I take all 4 of my kids with the doors off. They are 2-6-11-and 14. They all love the jeep. The little one likes it the best I think. I do stay off crowded roads and go slower, but I feel safe enough with my driving that I am ok with them in the Jeep.
 
#18 ·
I have only had 2drs so definitely different. I have always run doorless/topless. If I had a 4 door I still would. If it did make me nervous I would buy some tube doors.
 
#20 ·
We used to do things as kids that would wow most people nowadays. I understand that there is more traffic, faster cars, and more dangers nowadays. However, I don't see a problem taking your doors off around town to let the kids enjoy the Jeep. I don't think it's stupid at all. I think it's stupid to keep your kids in a cocoon. I think it's more dangerous to put them in one of those really small compact cars and get rear ended....seen it and it wasn't good. To each his own.
 
#21 ·
Life is dangerous. Trust your gut. Totally depends on your kids, where you plan of driving, etc, etc., etc. Well behaved kids, a short drive down to get ice cream on city streets or a ride down dirt road, sure. Rambunctious kids on the freeway or on trails with dangerous obstacles, probably not.

I'm not going to tell you how to raise you kids or what risks you should take. Not my business. As long as you're not putting them in immediate danger, it's your call.
 
#24 ·
My daughter has been in the jeep with no doors since she turned forward facing at 18 months. She sits in the middle. I'm a fire fighter and see all the crazy crap that goes on. Seen the 5mph accident that kills someone and the 100mph ejection that walks away, shit happens regardless of what vehicle your in.
 
#28 ·
I would not be concerned about the kids falling out, it would be in event of an accident, the doors will keep you in the vehicle and stop your body in a side impact.
As for those that say they only drive around town or on quiet streets, is the theory that accidents do not happen in town or on quiet streets?
 
#30 ·
As for those that say they only drive around town or on quiet streets, is the theory that accidents do not happen in town or on quiet streets?
Of course accidents can occur anywhere, but if you are driving slower and more cautiously (as can be done in town on quiet streets) then an accident can be more easily avoidable, the injury from impact is less, and the risk of flying debris is lower. What one is doing by driving with the doors off is increasing risk to injury. By driving slower, more cautious, and in less traffic, one is effectively mitigating the risk.

The level of risk one is willing to incur on their children is totally up to the parents. For example, small children play in the street in my neighborhood. My wife only allows our children to play out doors in the back yard unless under watchful supervision. I'm sure they would be fine, but it's not a risk my wife is comfortable with. Securely fastened in a Jeep with no doors is a risk that's acceptable since she perceives a higher degree of control over the situation.
 
#34 ·
My boys are 8,11,and 13 and love riding in the JKU without the doors. Just don't drive like an idiot. People are such pansies thee days. If you're the type of person that goes through life playing the "what if?" game, then keep the doors on. If you want to take them off, take them off. To each their own.
 
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