Table of contents for May/June 2019 in TREAD

Spring is in the air, and it's a welcome relief from one of the coldest winters that we’ve seen in a long time. Now that temperatures are warming up, what activities do you have planned? Perhaps some wheeling and fishing? Maybe a family camping trip is the way to go? My plan is to drive and hike some previously unexplored trails and get my fill of some quality camping. When you look around, the roads and trails seem to be getting fuller with off-road outfitted trucks, SUVs and Jeeps, doesn’t it? It’s a sight we love to see. What was your impetus to build your off-road rig? For many, there is a single purpose to their build; for others, their vehicles are built to fit a variety of missions. Tread…

O1. YETI/CAMINO CARRYALL 35 Looking for a go-anywhere, do-anything carry solution? Step up to the YETI Camino Carryall. Designed to make any adventure a little easier, this heavy-duty tote bag is designed for all-purpose work. Built for rugged use, Camino is made from waterproof, ultra-durable, and easy-to-clean material. This tote will keep your wet boots and waders contained, keep dry gear inside protected from mud and puddles, and provide a tough barrier from sharp hooks and tools. Never again leave your gear (or your truck) to the mercy of a sloppy bag. MSRP: $150 yeti.com O2. TAKEYA/32 OZ ACTIVES INSULATED WATER BOTTLE This 32-ounce insulated stainless steel bottle keeps your favorite drink ice cold for up to 24 hours or steaming hot for up to 12. Crafted from…

It was early September and delivery day had finally rolled around at Main Line Overland’s West Chester, Pennsylvania, headquarters. The customer had already flown in a week prior to inspect the build, and their shipping agent was now picking up the vehicle for the trip to port. “THE CUSTOMER FOR THIS RAM BUILD CAME ALL THE WAY FROM THE UAE WANTING A VEHICLE THAT COULD HANDLE SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE OFF ROAD TERRAIN IN THE ARABIAN PENINSULA AND SAHARAN AFRICA, WHILE BEING SELF SUFFICIENT AND COMFORTABLE.” The black Single Cab RAM’s camper roof was lowered; its Scheel-mann seats secured to their bases and its proverbial hatches were battened-down. Main Line Overland’s (MLO’s) biggest adventure vehicle build to date would travel 9,000 nautical miles before reaching its new home in…

Family first is a motto that many people live by and for Ricky Dones, its one that he lives by. He had stopped all of his hobbies in order to focus on the birth of his daughter. This halt to his enthusiast activites also included selling his prized ‘09 Jeep JKU now that he had more important priorites. Yet, he always knew one day he would hit the trails again and get behind the wheel with a new project. “THE OUTDOOR LIFE WAS INITIALLY INTRODUCED TO DONES BY HIS ADVENTUROUS WIFE. HE HAD DECIDED TO PURCHASE A JEEP FOR HER AND STARTED WITH A FEW BASIC MODS INCLUDING A MODEST LIFT.” Growing up in a family that obsesses about anything automotive, it became inevitable that Dones would eventually follow in…

Cruising in your truck, exploring the trails and vastness ahead of you, is always a great feeling. Getting your vehicle stuck isn’t. If you’ve ever gotten stuck out in the middle of nowhere, you’ll know the importance of having proper recovery tools and equipment with you first hand. Because you never really know what sort of challenges you’ll find up ahead, it’s a good idea to go prepared. Before we move on, we’d be remiss if we didn’t first point out that it’s prudent you learn the best driving practices to tackle off-road obstacles so you can avoid getting stuck in the first place. Getting your wheel dug in deep is not the adventure you are likely looking to get into after all. The second is to learn how to…

Back in 2005, Morgan Shulda found himself stumbling out of a tiny local pub in Silverton, Colorado. The altitude had hit him hard, on top of dehydration from a long day of backcountry skiing in fresh, deep powder. Outside the bar in the snow was a first-gen Toyota Tacoma access cab fully outfitted for adventure. Shulda looked the truck up and down ogling its many features. The Tacoma was outfitted with a truck-cap, exoskeleton-rack, a propane tank and more expedition toys than he knew existed. It was also lifted, outfitted with aggressive AT tires, big bumpers and rock sliders. Many other upgrades were fitted, as well, most he just couldn’t comprehend at the time, as he came from the European tuner car world. Shulda was on a cross-country trip with…

Got a new ride or looking to refresh your current one? If you’re looking for a sure fire way to enhance the performance, as well as looks of your off-road vehicle, a good way to do it is by installing upgraded wheels and beefier tires. A set of strong and eye catching wheels can help you safely tackle challenging terrain while turning heads both on and off the trail. Let’s take a look at some of the latest wheels to hit the market. FUEL OFF-ROAD/ FUEL REBEL D681 MATTE BRONZE / BLACK The Fuel Rebel is an aggressive split spoke design available in 5-, 6- and 8-spoke designs. The Rebel features an updated lip design and a new 2-tone billet cap. The Rebel is available in 5-, 6- and 8-lug…

The ORCA LiddUp Cooler is a 35-quart hard-sided cooler that is illuminated inside using LiddUp technology. Using a built-in LED lighting system, the cooler’s interior is lit up, even when it’s fully loaded, to enhance the accessibility and visibility of the cooler’s contents. The LED lighting illuminates the cooler automatically when the lid is opened. The cooler is made in the U.S. and has a lifetime guarantee. Keep your stowed items fresh and cool for up to 200 hours with ORCA's integrated insulation for maximum ice/cold retention. Available in grey, tan, green, light blue, seafoam, pink and navy. MSRP $299 URL: orcacoolers.com…

If you have a host of the latest in LED lighting adorned all over your rig, you may think that you’re at the top of the lighting game. Yes, having all those lights all over your vehicle can give it a cool, purposeful look, but sorry to break it to you, your impressive light setup might already be obsolete. This is because LED technology is about to be eclipsed by something that promises to be much better. Baja Designs in conjunction with SLD Laser have dropped the latest in auxiliary automotive lighting technology for your vehicle, a tech called “laser light.” Not just a catchy marketing gimmick term, from what we’ve witnessed first-hand, laser light takes a dramatic leap forward in lighting technology and promises to change how we look…

It can be said that good food is just as important to one’s outdoor adventure as their method of conveyance or even the final destination. In fact, for most, the more tasty their meals are, the more satisfying the endeavor. Whether you live life in the outdoors a couple of days at a time, or months at a time, creating a well-equipped on-location kitchen is always a worthwhile effort. When we don’t have the choice of cooking appliances, we can make a brisk campfire work. But with only flames to work with, the subtleties of cooking more than a basic meal are rather limited. However, if you have a wood-, propane- or charcoal-powered camp stove at your disposal, your culinary results would be much better. Grilling directly over the heat,…

O1. FAB FOURS/MATRIX SERIES BUMPERS New for 2019 is the all-new Matrix Series front bumper from Fab Fours. Available for late model Ford Super Duty, Chevy HD, GMC HD, Dodge Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, the winch-ready, slim-fitting, Matrix Series front bumper comes equipped to hold a 30-inch light bar and 2 LED cubes on each side. It also accommodates up to a 12,000-lb. winch and has integrated D-Ring mounts. MSRP: starting at $2,000 fabfours.com O2. SMITTYBILT STRYKER MODULAR BUMPER WITH WINGS The Smittybilt Stryker Modular front bumper for Jeep Wrangler JK/JL models comes with integrated D-ring, overrider with 13-inch light bar provision, lift points and winch mount that will accommodate up to a 12,000-lb. winch. This bumper is built with 3mm deep formed…

They sure don’t make them like they used to. Long before someone coined the term SUV, the classic Ford Bronco ruled the streets and trails with its rugged build and brute force. The ‘79 Ford Bronco that we see here is actually a scaled-down radio-controlled version of its namesake. Hard to tell at first glance, isn’t it? This officially licensed radio-controlled Ford Bronco Ranger XLT was created by Traxxas to tackle steep inclines and the most technical of off-road trails. Based on their TRX-4 platform, this miniature Bronco features plenty of authentic off-road performance attributes and a highly detailed look, even down to its iconic Sunset paint job. Driven by a high torque motor and realistic four-wheel-drive drivetrain, the Bronco is ready to take on obstacles found at your campsite,…

In late November, I found myself standing along a muddy rocky path with my cameras at the ready. I was in a remote corner of Honduras, high in the mountains, surrounded by thick jungle. Rain fell with authority as mosquitos took advantage of fresh blood. Local villagers gazed upon the odd scene unfolding before them with machetes in one hand and hand-rolled cigarettes in the other, eager to help when they could. Along this remote path, fully built off-road vehicles were climbing massive boulders, crossing long sections of thigh-deep mud and sliding down slippery slopes. The day had started at the Caribbean Sea, but wouldn’t end until well after darkness had fallen on Honduras’s capital, San Pedro Sula. This was just the first full day of RAW 2018, and the…

While exploring Southern Africa over the last few months, I have repeatedly been told of Zimbabwe for a raft of very good reasons and a handful of not-so-good reasons. It’s one of the most beautiful countries on the continent, I have been told, and the locals are extremely friendly. Unfortunately, it’s also extremely corrupt, and recently, I have been glued to the radio to hear news of the military coup, which removed long-standing Dictator Robert Mugabe from power. I’m told, now, everything is more or less stable, though the country is poised on a knife edge, torn between the long-standing ZANU-PF party and the hopeful up-and-coming MDC, with all the possibilities of a bright and prosperous future ahead. Diving in Leaving Mozambique, we climb up and up into the mountains…

When deciding on which platform to base an off-road capable build on, one must take into account their wants, as well as their needs. The practical side sometimes can put a damper on the fun side of the equation, but as we see with the 4Runner featured in this article, a careful balance between the two can be reached. The folks over at Black Rhino Wheels set out to create a daily driven vehicle that is fully capable of taking on trails at a moment’s notice. After looking at a few different vehicles, they decided to go with a Toyota 4Runner. With its legendary reliability, good looks, off-road capability and enclosed cabin, the 4Runner checks all the boxes on the practicality check list and then some. We spoke to TSW’s…

The duffel (or duffle) has been a travel staple for decades due to its versatility and ease of use. Typically smaller than a suitcase and larger than a backpack, the duffel provides ample cargo space, not only for clothing, but also for camp gear, automotive supplies, and anything that you may need while on the go. The travel duffel has come a long way from a standard, simple and basic cylindrical design. Today’s travel duffels come in all shapes and sizes and can be constructed from heavy-duty, durable materials to withstand the elements and any damage baggage handlers can potentially cause it. Often travel duffels are designed to be carried in multiple ways, from a standard shoulder sling or by grab handles, some can even be worn as a backpack…