TREADの July/August 2022 の目次

I still vividly remember my first camping experience. In the fifth grade, I was invited by my best friend, Kristina, and her family to go on a road trip up the coast from Los Angeles to Napa and touch into Oregon. We stopped along the way and camped for a couple nights at a campsite near a creek. I couldn’t tell you the name of the campsite, but I remember sending my flip-flops floating down the creek, eating beef stroganoff Hamburger Helper, sleeping in a tent for the very first time, figuring out how to use the bathroom in the middle of the night in the dark, and the thrill of being in nature. I was also promised a hot air balloon ride in Napa on that trip, which didn’t…

Get the most of your truck or SUV by swapping out those stock wheels with an aftermarket set of rollers that can provide your ride with enhanced performance and durability as well as a fresh new look. Whether your 4x4 is brand new off the showroom floor or has been crawling the trails for the better part of a decade, a new set of wheels can really amp up its look. To get started, we gathered some of the latest releases for you to check out. Which set will you choose? TITAN 7 / T-AK2 Titan 7 infuses motorsport features into the T-AK2 such as a knurled tire beadseat for maximum traction, and durable lightness to help prevent vehicle slow down due to the added weight of larger tires. Rim…

When it comes to camping, some people like to rough it with only the bare essentials, while others try their best to recreate all the niceties and creature comforts that they are accustomed to back at home. We’d say that we fall somewhere in between those two mindsets. While we're all for being comfortable while camping, we don’t need a full-on glamping situation either. Dometic, a brand that is well-known to the overland community for its portable fridge/ freezers and other mobile-living equipment, has released just the thing for those who seek some level of civilization while they enjoy the great outdoors. Great for vehicle-based campers and glampers alike, the Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet is a self-powered mobile water faucet that allows you to easily dispense water with just…

We got to spend two days in Phoenix, Arizona, with the GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 truck at the media drive event. Not only did we get to play with it off-road in the desert for a few hours, but we also experienced it on two groomed off-road courses, a small drag strip, and a variety of roads, from city streets to an interstate highway. In that time, we played with all the buttons, sat in all the seats, crawled in and under it, and spoke with its designers and engineers about all the details of what GMC calls the first “supertruck.” We learned a lot about its off-road and overland worthiness through this experience. Let’s dive in. Important Numbers First off, you can’t put a camper on this truck,…

Adventurous spirits like to push boundaries. We were the kids jumping off the arm rest of the sofa at 2 ½ years old or sliding down the stairs in our sleeping bags mimicking the thrill of a roller coaster at age 10. We are the ones who started camping at a young age with Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts and, as we got older, still like to push boundaries—this time getting out further to explore the world around us. East Meets West Exploring the East Coast brought us the opportunity to meet Jason Specht. He traveled to Overland Challenge in Uwharrie, North Carolina, with his son in their 2020 Toyota Tacoma with one of the first stateside Alu-Cab Canopy Campers. We spent some time enjoying Specht’s delicious grilled pineapple while…

As I’ve had the pleasures of getting involved in the overland and off-road community, it’s hard to keep my mouth shut about all the amazing people I meet. From trip organizers to influencers, everyday campers to those in the industry, most people are helpful, kind, and level-headed. I started this section to talk more deeply about impressive products, events or people in the community that deserve extra recognition. These could be products I’ve personally used, local events worth attending, or people and companies in the community doing great things. Jim Hart, owner of Ground Pounder Coffee, is an individual who oozes the goodness of the overlanding community. His friendly demeanor is complemented by his beast of a Jeep, HQ1, previously featured in Tread November/December2021.While we see many coffee companies pop…

O1. ARMORDILLO USA / CR-B CHASE RACK Armordillo’s The CR-B Chase Rack was designed be one of the brand’s most affordable chase racks yet. This simple design and aggressive look will make your rig stand out from all others. Armordillo uses only the highest quality, heavy duty steel construction and black powdercoating for superior durability and a lasting finish. On the streets or off, the CR-B will complete the look of your rig and bring out the beast in it. MSRP: $800 armordillousa.com O2. WARN / ROCK SLIDERS FOR FORD BRONCO Designed to protect against boulders, stumps, or other trail hazards, WARN Rock Sliders for the Ford Bronco add much-needed armor for the toughest trails. These Rock Sliders are made from thick steel and wear a durable powdercoated…

When you ask seasoned adventurers what type of blades they prefer to carry, odds are they’ll choose a fixed-blade knife. While folding knives are preferred by many for the convenience it offers, there’s a good reason why professionals in most fields tend to carry fixed-bladed knives. A quality fixed-blade knife offers unparalleled strength and dependability and is ready for just about any use that you task it with. In this edition of "Made The Cut," we take a look at a selection of the latest fixed-blade knives that can help you out on your next adventure. 01. TOPS KNIVES/ HORNERO OVERALL LENGTH: 7.13” BLADE LENGTH: 3.0” BLADE MATERIAL: 1095 RC 56-58 HANDLE MATERIAL: Micarta WEIGHT: 5.3 oz. MSRP: $180 topsknives.com 02. KERSHAW/ INTERVAL OVERALL LENGTH: 7.4”…

If we flash back to the inaugural Viewfinder, we took the position that the best camera for any shot is the one in your hand. And that, my friends, is usually our smartphone, and we refer to them as “smart” for good reason. In addition to operating as a mobile computer, running countless apps, and guiding us with exacting precision through city streets or remote deserts, the functionality of their built-in cameras is mindboggling. We’ve come a long way since the Sharp J-Phone (the first phone-based camera, circa 2000), which could snap an amazingly grainy 0.11-megapixle photo and transfer it electronically. But even with today’s killer capture, there is always room for a better mousetrap. In this Viewfinder we’ll dive into ways to take your existing smart photography to the…

On a warm evening in 1802, upstairs from a laboratory at 2 Plough Court in London, 30-year-old Luke Howard, a chemist and amateur meteorologist, rose before the Askesian Society—a jovial group of scientists whose irreverence was only matched by their affinity to inhale laughing gas for amusement. He presented his essay called “On the Modification of Clouds,” where the Latin terms “stratus,” “cirrus,” and “cumulus” were first used. Howard became known as the father of clouds, and although the connection between clouds and the weather had been known for thousands of years, finally, there was a universal naming system and, most importantly, it was in Latin. Today, the plaque on Howard’s house reads: The Namer of Clouds lived and died here. For modern human beings, checking tomorrow’s weather is as…

Lightning occurs in all thunderstorms, and it is also a significant threat to life, as it kills nearly 24,000 around the world each year. THE FOLLOWING LIGHTNING SAFETY RULES ARE IMPORTANT: • Lightning tends to strike the tallest object in an area...make sure it is not you. Remain in your rig or an indoor location whenever possible. • If you are stuck outside and in a vulnerable position (top of a hill), crouch down to make yourself a poor lightning target. Cover your head with your hands and perch on your toes. Do not lie flat on the ground since you will be more likely to be severely shocked if lightning strikes close to you.…

As the vast American wilderness was beginning to be explored, settled, and exploited in the late 19th Century, little thought was given to the environment and even less to the idea that some wild spaces should be preserved for future generations. In time, however, the writings of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson inspired a new generation of artists like John Muir and George Catlin to spur the United States government to establish the National Parks system and support the concept of environmental conservation. Over 150 years later, there are many groups and organizations devoting time and resources into preserving America’s backcountry and public lands for future generations, while instilling a responsibility of stewardship for today’s off-road and overlanding enthusiasts. Tread Lightly! to the Rescue Starting as a campaign…

Rogue One leads the pack, making sure all of the roads are passable. Slave One calls into the radio that everything is clear, serving as the last tail gunner who makes sure no one is left behind. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Ghost speeding by, looking for the best area to set up for pictures. You are 1 of 30 vehicles split into 3 groups, following Red Leader, Blue Leader, or Gold Leader. You are traversing 200-plus miles of backcountry roads, stopping at unique points of interest, hanging out with old and new friends, enjoy a potluck, win in a raffle, and socialize next to epic bonfires every night. This is what you’ll experience on the Rogue Overland Expedition. What is Rogue Overland? Founded in 2016,…

Nothing beats time spent outdoors with the family. It’s the perfect time for bonding, connecting with nature, and disconnecting from everything else. Whether it’s sharing stories around the warmth of a campfire, hiking in nature, or teaching the kids new skills, the time spent in the great outdoors can provide life-long memories. If you’re car camping or simply enjoying quality time with the family, having the right gear will help during both the car ride and the time spent in the outdoors. Overlanders are accustomed to being prepared for the trails ahead, often customizing their rigs with a plethora of aftermarket parts. Just like preparing the vehicle itself, getting your family ready for the adventure ahead is also key to a successful trip. For those that travel with young ones…

01. PRIMUS /CAMPFIRE TABLE Table space is always a nice thing to have, especially at the campsite. Create a clean and sanitary workspace wherever you may roam with this easy-to-transport camp table. The Primus Campfire Table is foldable and features a lightweight frame made of strong 7075 aluminum. It folds up flat to take up little space in your rig and can be quickly unfolded and set up to ensure a useful, clean, and elevated surface area. MSRP: $130 primus.us 02. GARMONT /T 4 GROOVE G-DRY This high-cut tactical shoe is designed for the trails and everyday wear. Designed to deliver the best mountain experiences, Garmont understands the anatomy of the foot, analyzes movement, and determines what is going to deliver the best performance. The Groove G-Dry combines…

WHEELBASE 90.5 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 12.4 in. CARGO CAPACITY 300 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY 9.0 gal. TIRES: 29 in. Maxxis Carnage O1 PERFORMANCE ENGINE. The YXZ1000R SS XT-R’s high-revving inline triple engine offers exceptional power, a thrilling 10,500 rpm redline and high-strength internals that are ready to handle high-output demands. TRANSMISSION. XT-R runs Yamaha’s Sport Shift, a sequential five-speed manual transmission that features Yamaha Chip Controlled Shift (YCC-S) technology. This system combines the power, durability and efficiency of a traditional manual transmission with an advanced automatic clutch system controlled with sporty paddle shifters mounted to the steering column. Its optimized gearing is good for wide-open desert trails to first-gear crawling. O2 SUSPENSION & CHASSIS FOX SUSPENSION. While the high-end Fox suspension on the YXZ1000R SS XT-R is primarily focused…

Finding zen while living the vanlife is harder than you might imagine. Bryan and Jen Danger, along with their sweetheart yellow lab Karma (RIP), lived the overland life for nearly seven years in four different vans. They both ditched impressive corporate careers for a nomadic life of adventure without deadlines. Bryan is an architectural designer and continued to iterate what he thought would be the perfect four-season overland campervan for the couple’s life on the road. What that turned into is a modular DIY kit that not only looks awesome and unique, but is also extremely durable and functional. “WHAT THAT TURNED INTO IS A MODULAR DIY THAT NOT ONLY LOOKS AWESOME AND UNIQUE, ALSO EXTREMELY DURABLE AND FUNCTIONAL.” Zenvanz After years of turning down offers to buy their vans…

The Siskiyou Mountains sit perched at the feet of the Klamath Mountains that straddle the California-Oregon border, a cold and wet range of coastline. Interstate 5 cuts through these hills at Siskiyou Summit, with Oregon and the Pacific Northwest on the distant horizon, a stretch of freeway considered the most treacherous in the Interstate highway system. That’s where of Samuel Dean’s childhood memories of his dad’s truck developed. “Growing up in the Bay Area, I was fortunate enough to be able to go on annual camping trips into the Sierras and throughout the Pacific Northwest. My dad had an old Chevy K5 Blazer that faithfully got us and our boat up over the Siskiyou Mountains into southern Oregon year after year.” “FROM THESE CAMPING ADVENTURES AS A KID CAME THE…

Life always has its own ebbs and flows. Each season brings something different. Each passing year, an older leaf falls, and a new one springs up. The days of being a spring chicken that zips around town in their slammed-to-the-ground sports compact have disappeared into the mists of time. Scraping speed bumps are no longer couture. But scraping rocks? Yup. It’s hotter than how the 1990s have made a flaming hot comeback. “THE DAYS OF BEING A SPRING CHICKEN THAT ZIPS AROUND TOWN IN THEIR SLAMMED-TO-THE-GROUND SPORTS COMPACT HAVE DISAPPEARED INTO THE MISTS OF TIME.” The story is the same for a plethora of over-landers. As young adults, we all approached life hard and fast. And as the years started to tick by, life, also, came at us hard and…

There are several ways to make your 4x4 more capable, but incorporating a few basic upgrades can set you up for off-roading success. These upgrades can help you gain traction, protect your vehicle from trail damage, and help you recover yourself, or others, when someone gets stuck. Off-Road Tires The only thing connecting off-road enthusiasts to the trail are the tires on their vehicle. Tires are an essential part to keep drivers on the straight and narrow when it comes to off-pavement adventuring, but they are often skimped on. Buying reputable rubber may cost you more, but it’ll help prevent potential issues down the line. Tire prices can depend on several factors, including tire type, size, performance factors, brand name, and warranty. Don’t forget to buy a full-size spare set…