The Muddy Buddy’s Jeep Wrangler Club was founded in 2002 by two Kroger Supermarket meat cutters, Rob Eldridge and Rob Forsha, who became friends and enjoyed wheelin’ and the outdoors. Forsha owned a TJ and at the time Eldridge had a Bronco II. On the surface, Jeep clubs are a sort of united front for off-roading, where members push their Jeeps to the limit on trails, rocks and everywhere between.
However, both Robs will tell you the Muddy Buddys club brings a lot more to the table for its members. When they first started, they knew that they wanted to create a club with a core focus of family friendliness, safety and fun. “We looked at other clubs and many of them were about limiting things,” says Forsha. “You had to have a Jeep this size, or be this customized. Many of the clubs mandated that you attend so many events. This is about having fun. It shouldn’t feel like a job.”
Eldridge adds that they look for all types of owners. “If you’ve got a stock Jeep, we still want you” says Eldridge, who has been president of the club since it began. “We all started there.”
The message certainly resonated with other Wrangler owners, as the club has grown from three to over 500 active members.
However, both Robs will tell you the Muddy Buddys club brings a lot more to the table for its members. When they first started, they knew that they wanted to create a club with a core focus of family friendliness, safety and fun. “We looked at other clubs and many of them were about limiting things,” says Forsha. “You had to have a Jeep this size, or be this customized. Many of the clubs mandated that you attend so many events. This is about having fun. It shouldn’t feel like a job.”
Eldridge adds that they look for all types of owners. “If you’ve got a stock Jeep, we still want you” says Eldridge, who has been president of the club since it began. “We all started there.”
The message certainly resonated with other Wrangler owners, as the club has grown from three to over 500 active members.