Jeep owners put rubber ducks on dashboards as a friendly tradition called Jeep ducking, where owners leave a duck on another Jeep to spread kindness.
What it is
Jeep ducking is a tradition where one Jeep owner leaves a rubber duck on another Jeep.
Origin
It began in 2020 in Ontario, Canada, when a woman, Allison Parliament, left a duck on a Jeep. It spread widely on social media.
Rules
Leave a duck with a note, say “Quack” and enjoy.
Community
Many Jeep owners have large duck collections.
Duck number
Some ducks are numbered.
History of the duck trend
Jeep ducking began in 2020 in Ontario, Canada, when a woman reportedly left a rubber duck on a stranger’s Jeep Wrangler as a gesture of kindness. It spread through Facebook groups, and by the early 2020s there were Jeep duck groups worldwide. It is also called “duck, duck, Jeep,” and the community has been supported by the Jeep Duck Duck Jeep Facebook groups.
- Ducks are often left with a note, such as a number marking how many ducks the Jeep owner has received.
- Some owners add themed ducks for holidays, military service and charities.
- Many Jeep owners display the collection on the dashboard, mirror or hood.
- Some gatherings involve thousands of ducks, such as charity events and Jeep meetups.
Etiquette
The common etiquette is to place a duck only on a Jeep in a public parking space and not to touch anything else on the vehicle. Many people ask permission or leave a note when possible. Ducks left on vehicles are non-damaging if made of soft rubber, but small parts should be kept away from pets and children. The practice is a community tradition, not an official Jeep brand program.
Where the trend came from
The Jeep ducking craze began in 2020 in Ontario, Canada, when a Jeep driver, Allison Parliament, left a rubber duck on another Jeep to cheer up its owner. It spread across North America. Jeep drivers leave ducks on others’ vehicles with a note, and many display a duck collection on their dashboards.
Etiquette
The game is meant to be friendly. Do not leave ducks on a vehicle you cannot confirm is a Jeep, and do not place anything that blocks the driver’s view. Ducks can fly off or slide on a dash while braking, so secure them. Events and groups like Jeep Ducking sell and exchange ducks, and the trend is promoted by a Facebook community.
Numbers and community
Jeep ducking spread through social media, and Facebook groups have attracted hundreds of thousands of members. Ducks are cheap, around 1 USD each in bulk. Events like Jeep Invasion and Duck Duck Jeep Weekend encourage ducking, and people trade ducks. Jeep Wranglers have been among the best selling off road vehicles in the US, with over 200,000 sold a year.
Dashboard ducks and safety
Many owners keep a duck on the dash as a mascot. Loose objects can become projectiles in a crash or block airbags if placed on the dash above the airbag cover. Use adhesive dash mounts and keep the view clear. Do not place anything on someone else’s vehicle that could damage paint.
Based on data from Jeep community groups and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
