Inhaltsverzeichnis für November/December 2023 in TREAD

EDITOR'S LETTER Often asked by those first learning about the hobby, I still hear the question asked today: So, what exactly is overlanding? By definition from Oxford Languages, overlanding simply means “to travel a long distance over land.” Most resources online will add in that overlanding is self-reliant adventure travel through remote areas where the journey is more important than the destination. It’s pretty safe to say there are many ways to interpret that definition, with the most important takeaway that the journey is the emphasis. I’d also toss into the definition hat, that it could include remote camping, where one needs 4WD to get to a camp spot. As many of us in the U.S. are weekend warriors, we may not have the time to get out for longer…

Jonathan White bought this 2001 Nissan Xterra in 2011 with thoughts of it being a reliable family car. Of course, life changed courses a few times, and instead, it became his most trusted travel companion and home-on-wheels. This Xterra has become an important part of White’s life, as it has seen him through a wide range of tough times, including an engagement and subsequent break-up in the vehicle. He says it has become his “heart and soul.” From day one, the Xterra spoke to White. Even Nissan’s original marketing slogan, “everything you need, nothing you don’t,” can describe how White lives his life. He even named the vehicle after his late grandmother Margaret, who he says was, “a big part of my life growing up and made me into who…

“THE 2022 TUNDRA PICKS UP WHERE THE LAST GENERATION LEFT OFF, WITH PLENTY OF POWER AND PAYLOAD CAPACITY NOW COMBINED WITH A MORE MODERN SUSPENSION AND INTERIOR.” The 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra is one of the most popular vehicles for overland travel. It checks all the boxes with a reliable drivetrain, comfortable size, long production run, and plenty of aftermarket support. When Toyota announced that the Tundra would be redesigned for 2022, we wondered if it would live up to the Tundra name. Spoiler- it does. Intro The Second Generation Toyota Tundra had a production run of 15 years from 2007 to 2021, nearly unheard of in this day and age. The truck addressed US customers’ complaints that the First Generation Tundra was too small and underpowered with a big size…

In the ever-evolving world of pickup trucks, the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X emerges as a beacon of innovation, melding cutting-edge technology, rugged design, and impressive performance. As the latest addition to GMC's acclaimed lineup, the AT4X aims to redefine the driving experience for off-road enthusiasts and professionals alike. GMC invited us out to Asheville, North Carolina, to fully experience the capabilities of the 2023 GMC Canyon ATX4, and boy were we impressed. With the opportunity to drive other models first, we were taken aback on how they could still improve an already comfortable and feature-filled truck. Let's take a deep dive into the features, driving impressions, and what it's truly like to commandeer this powerhouse on wheels. Features that Set the Stage The exterior of the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X…

HAVE YOU CRUISED THROUGH THE HOTTEST ONLINE HUB FOR EVERYTHING AUTOMOTIVE? Motortopia.com, produced by the content creators at Street Trucks, Tread, and Diesel World magazines, is the place where all the cool guys and gals are hanging out and sharing, talking, and swapping all things custom cars and trucks. Launched by Engaged Media LLC as an all-audience automotive meeting place to exchange top-quality videos and podcasts, exclusive stories and show coverage, and technical how-to articles, Motortopia.com delivers the best, most reliable content anywhere. Under one umbrella, Motortopia.com brings together the most trusted automotive brands: Street Trucks; Tread; Diesel World; Drive; the F-100, C10, and OBS Builders’ Guides; and the newest magazine, EV Builder’s Guide. Industry experts lead each title, ensuring readers can discover the most relevant and cutting-edge information available.…

01. TUFF STUFF OVERLAND/ PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR Stay prepared on the road with the all-new Tuff Air Portable Air Compressor. Rugged and compact, the Tuff Air is the perfect accessory to take for every adventure. With a 5.65CFM air intake and heavy duty 12V motor, this little machine has a duty cycle of 40 min at 40 psi. An anti-vibration base keeps everything rattle-free, while a 10-foot insulated power cord with heavy duty alligator clips ensures its durability. Includes a 26-foot coiled hose, 150 psi pressure gauge, storage bag, and nozzle adapters for different inflatables. MSRP: $159.99 tuffstuffoverland.com 02. REDARC/ ALPHA 150 LITHIUM BATTERY This 150Ah lithium battery is used to power your off-grid electronic needs, whether that’s your fridge, lights, cameras, or other electronic devices. The Alpha150 offers unrivaled…

“IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, SUDDEN STOP, OR OTHER TRAVEL MISHAP, THE SAFEST PLACE FOR YOUR DOG IS IN A CRATE THAT HAS BEEN SECURED DOWN WITH A SEATBELT OR OTHER STRAP.” We all love our dogs – and keeping them safe when they come along with us on our adventures is top priority. Knowledgeable dog owners who love to travel probably know that while it’s all good fun for your furry copilot to hang out in the passenger seat, that’s actually not the safest place for them. In case of an accident, sudden stop, or other travel mishap, the safest place for your dog is in a crate that has been secured down with a seatbelt or other strap. Don’t believe us? Just ask the Humane Society of the…

Isn’t this one good-looking rig? Thanks to the hard work of owner J-Matt Garcia of Las Vegas, Nevada, this once-stock 2021 Lexus GX460 has spent the last year traveling around the West Coast, picking up more accessories and modifications as it goes. Working alongside some incredible brands has made lots of unique adventures possible for J-Matt and his GX, and you can bet there are more to come. Getting Rolling Though he’s been working on the GX a mere year and a half, J-Matt’s been customizing cars since he could walk, essentially. As a kid, he’d head out on family adventures with his dad, a car aficionado with a hobby of “customizing anything on wheels.” That quickly turned into a lifetime spent in the garage, working on builds of…

Some things just go better together: sunsets and cold beers, hiking and dogs, marshmallows and graham crackers… and Natalie Muilenberg and her Subaru Outback Wilderness, nicknamed Blue. Blue isn’t just Muilenberg’s overlanding rig and camping home base, she’s also a daily driver who’s just as capable on the pavement as she is off-road. “I’ve always had vehicles that could be good daily drivers and give me options off the pavement,” Muilenberg explains, “I really like how Subaru offers great technical features in a not-too-rugged design. They also have a great mind for sustainability and giving back to the community.” “BLUE ISN’T JUST MUILENBERG’S OVERLANDING RIG AND CAMPING HOME BASE, SHE’S ALSO A DAILY DRIVER WHO’S JUST AS CAPABLE ON THE PAVEMENT AS SHE IS OFF-ROAD.” She’d previously been driving another…

In the previous Backcountry Skills, we delved into tire CPR 101, reviewing techniques and equipment for repairing basic punctures, broken valve stems, and how to dismount a tire from its wheel. But what do you do if a commie rock, branch, or whale bone slashes a gash in your sidewall? This issue recently landed front and center during a run guide for Sierra Trek on the Fordyce Creek Trail, a route that surpasses the Rubicon in technical challenges. Most participants were running 38- to 40-inch tires, didn’t carry a spare, and one of them had a run-in with the aforementioned foe. This month we are diving deep into our bag of tricks and exploring ways to bring an ostensibly dead tire back to life, albeit temporarily, and get you off…

“WE SECRETLY WONDER IF THE TRAILER IN OUR GROUP AND THE LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVERS WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE WIPE OUT HILL, A NON-AVOIDABLE OBSTACLE AS INTIMIDATING AS THE FIRST DINNER WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER’S PARENTS.” DAY 1: Mother Nature Is Pissed Fifty-eight people surround me as the cold wind exfoliates my face with grains of blowing sand. I have the Rogue Overland crew at my side: Red Leader, Green Leader, Blue Leader, Gold Leader, and Slave 1. Yes, we are Star Wars nerds. The driver’s meeting for the 7th annual Rogue Overland Expedition presented by Bubba Gear is in full swing. Topics include Tread Lightly! principles, trail etiquette, medical emergency protocol, and Race 2 Erase 22, a non-profit that works to shine a light on veteran suicide. We also…

The crew at Go Rhino has been working on some new and exciting things that are coming our way. The shining star — literally? Their all-new Xplor Series lighting lineup. “At Go Rhino, we believe that exploring the unseen is more than just a pastime: it’s a passion that brings people together, tests their limits, and teaches the true meaning of adventure,” they explain. We agree completely, and we know that there are some essentials you need to explore in the dark, quality lighting being one of them. Go Rhino released something unique with their Blackout Series and Blackout Combo Series lighting options. For those who like the blacked out look, these lights are for you. If that is not your thing, then the Bright Series is your genre. Both…

This year it seemed as though we were at an event every month. From King of the Hammers to Overland Expo Mountain West, Tread was there covering the action for our YouTube channel and for Motortopia. Our event schedule for 2023 kicked off with off-road racing at King of the Hammers. One of our favorite events of the year, KOH provides over two weeks worth of racing action, with the most happening in an action packed 10 days. This year we got to root on some friends who were racing for Rusty Nail Racing in the Every Man’s Challenge on Friday before we caught the big race on Saturday. If you’re looking to gain overland travel knowledge, the Overland Expo series is a great place to spend a long weekend.…