Defeat Devices, Criminal Charges & The New EPA Reality

All right, we're back with April on the Jeep Talk Show! Tony kicks things off with a funny brain fog moment from last time (Amber? April? 😂), but he's feeling sharp now. We dive deep into real Jeep owner concerns: towing safely vs. illegally, why unsafe setups can wreck your Jeep (or worse), and the latest EPA/DOJ news that has diesel Jeep owners buzzing. In this episode: - **Towing tips & traps** — Exceeding GCWR/towing capacity, trailer brakes (required in most states like Texas!), improper hitch geometry after lifts, missing lights/chains, overloaded tires, passengers in trailers (illegal in 34+ states!), and why those trailer tire blowouts happen way too often. - **Real stories** — Flat-towing an XJ behind a Gladiator? Overheating issues, brake controllers, disconnecting driveshafts, and the insane costs ($1,500–$3,000+ for braking systems). Plus, crossed safety chains explained (prevents tongue pole-vaulting!). - **EPA bombshell (Dec 2025/Jan 2026 update)** — DOJ announces no more *criminal* prosecutions for OBD2 tampering & defeat devices (DPF/EGR/DEF deletes) under the Clean Air Act. Still illegal (civil fines possible, state laws vary—watch out CA/TX!), but huge relief for EcoDiesel Wrangler/Gladiator owners. We break down past FCA/Stellantis $800M+ settlements and why this shift matters. - **Weather chat & life stuff** — Surviving (or missing) Snowmageddon/ice storms, why Tony loves The Weather Channel, shoutout to trusted independent forecaster Chris Jackson, prepper vibes, and why sensationalized forecasts drive him nuts. - **Deeper talks** — Standing up for what you believe (no selling out!), doing what you love even if others already do it, AI B-roll fun on the show, and why the Jeep community keeps us going after 16+ years. Timestamps: If you're towing with your Wrangler, Gladiator, or any Jeep—don't miss this one. Stay legal, stay safe, and enjoy the ride! April's links: Instagram/TikTok: @jeepdaisy Podcast: Women Off-Road Warriors (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.) Facebook: April Russell Support the show & join the crew: Patreon → https://jeeptalkshow.com/patreon (exclusive perks!) Contact/Newsletter/Discord/Round Table → https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact Subscribe for more Jeep talk, off-road tips, and laughs! Like, comment (tell us your towing horror story or thoughts on the EPA change!), share, and hit that bell 🔔 #JeepTalkShow #JeepTowing #IllegalTowing #JeepMods #DefeatDevices #EcoDiesel #Wrangler #Gladiator #OffRoad #JeepLife #EPAupdate #TowingTips #JeepPodcast Thanks for watching—let's hit the trails! 🚙💨 April nailed the sign-off again. 😎 Visit our website: https://jeeptalkshow.com/ Watch/Listen on Spotify https://jeeptalkshow.com/spotify Join our Discord Server: https://jeeptalkshow.com/discord Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jeeptakshow.com/newsletter Help Support the show via Patreon: https://jeeptalkshow.com/patreon