Tabla de contenidos para March/April 2023 en TREAD

Admittedly, taking over as editor of TREAD in 2019 was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. I knew enough for some general water cooler chat, but not enough to give expert advice to the general public. Add to that the fact that I am an Asian-American woman in a predominantly male industry, and I knew I was in for a challenge. However, I quickly learned that I am my toughest critic, and I was entering a more welcoming community than I had ever imagined. My first months as editor entailed taking over social media and getting a feel for the online audience. I would comment on posts and “bro out” because I was scared someone wouldn’t take me seriously as a female. In fact, when I got the opportunity to meet a…

One of the quickest ways to improve your rig’s performance and customize its looks is by upgrading its wheels and tires. Aftermarket wheels allow you to use upsize tires that can increase your truck or SUV’s off-roading performance, and at the same time provide improved looks. Whether you’re looking to refresh an older ride or make your new rig stand out from the rest, a set of new wheels is a good place to start. We have gathered a selection of the latest new wheel releases here for you to start your search with. KMC / KM727 Wrath The KMC Wrath wheel features a Split 6 Spoke design with off-road inspired lip with KMC Cast into face of the wheel. Available in Matte Bronze, Matte Anthracite, and Satin Black finishes…

It’s funny to think that of all the things we do while we’re on the trail or out camping, including driving, navigating, communicating, and even setting up camp, one of the most gear intensive parts to our adventure is the camp kitchen. A camp kitchen isn’t only about the fridge or cooler and stove, but let’s also include the cooking and eating utensils, plates, cups, condiments, and cleaning gear too. It’s very easy to forget or lose items if they are not packed away properly. Losing a spatula or salt shaker during a trip can be a culinary set back that you won’t live down with your campmates. Step 22 knows all too well the importance of keeping one’s camp kitchen organized. The company is well known for its multitude…

As owner/operator of Barlow Adventures and Sedona Jeep Rentals, Nena Barlow offers Jeep rentals, four-wheel-drive training sessions, and guided trips throughout the western United States. Additionally, she’s a certified Master Trainer by the International 4WD Trainer Association and a seasoned rally competitor and 4x4 champion. Barlow found her purpose in life. She’s pushing boundaries and shattering stereotypes, proving women are just as capable as men when it comes to off-roading expertise, education, vehicle recovery, and more. We sat down with this accomplished 50-year-old woman to learn more. TREAD: Tell me about your childhood and where you grew up. Any relation to off-roading or the love of the outdoors? Nena Barlow: I grew up on a ranch outside of Palm Springs, California. Off-roading was just a part of daily life, and…

“BUT IN WHAT WE’VE COME TO SEE AS CLASSIC JILLIAN STYLE, SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS AND DOESN’T HESITATE TO GO AFTER IT.” Though you’d never guess it now, Jillian Rebekah admits she had “no idea this ‘overland world’ existed” before she bought her 2016 Tacoma. “I bought it simply as a vehicle to get me further into the backcountry,” she tells us, “Something to help with my curiosity and exploration.” For her, like many of us, the overland community came as an added bonus—a surprise. But once you’re in… you’re in. And Jillian certainly is. Over the past seven years, she’s become an expert overlander, with a collection of incredible rigs, some cool stories to tell, and the Citizen J Podcast, home to (funny, sometimes deep, and always real)…

“ONCE AN EXTREME SPORTSWOMAN, ALWAYS AN EXTREME SPORTSWOMAN – ISN’T THAT HOW THE SAYING GOES?” The best word to describe Jennie Symons? Epic. The Utah native, only 21 years old, has already built an impressive resume, flexing all kinds of uniquely dangerous and incredibly fun extreme sports. She’s not just an off roader; she’s a skier (and former pro ski racer) whose new passion is off-road racing and rock crawling. Following the adrenaline and doing what she loves, Symons started a business, built a social following, and designed some really, really awesome vehicles. Her 1993 Toyota Pickup is the perfect storm of off-road power and race mechanics. It stands proud on 33-inch tires at a whopping 88 inches wide with bright VooDoo blue paint – you seriously can’t miss it…

O1. RUGGED RIDGE / CARGO SEAT COVERS Protect your seats and increase interior storage with Rugged Ridge Cargo Seat covers. Constructed of heavy-duty 600 denier polyester fabric with a special PVC liner, these Jeep seat covers provide great protection from water, dirt, and spills. The back of the cover incorporates 7 multi-use, removable pouches. Front covers are universal fit and fit most Jeep applications from ‘76-‘19. They can be used with side airbags on ‘07-‘19 Wrangler and Gladiator models. MSRP: starts at $128 ruggedridge.com O2. TACKLE TUFF / PREMIUM RECOVERY KIT Tackle Tuff’s premium off-road winch recovery and tow assistance kit provides effective on-trail vehicle rescue and provides you the right recovery gear to get the job done. This kit includes 60,000 lbs. (30 ton) breaking strength capacity forged carbon…

Several decades ago, my doctor informed me I would have six weeks off work before going under the knife for knee surgery. During the drive home I thought about the long list of house projects I could tackle, but my mind kept gravitating to the world map that hung in my office. Australia was on my bucket list, but how would I get there, how would I get around, how much would it cost? I spent the evening surfing this new thing called the Internet, finding sites such as Travelocity, various airlines, and doing general searches on the Land Down Under. Within 48 hours I had purchased a ticket to Sidney and hired (rented) a four-wheel drive Toyota Hilux camper. It was game-on! In this edition of Backcountry Skills, we…

Back in 2016 when Ram introduced the Rebel 1500, industry scuttlebutt swirled that Rebel would be the brand’s answer to the Raptor—they dismissed said claims and snickered as they quietly developed the 702-horspower TRX. As it was, the HEMI-powered Rebel 16 was so much fun we borrowed one for a 4,000-mile blast through Canada and up the Ice Road to the Arctic Ocean. Our wish list, however, was the option for a solid axle up front. We’ve also spent time in the Power Wagon 2500, utilizing its locking differentials in the backcountry and dragging toy haulers across Utah. We loved it but pined for a diesel option. Well, it seems that Ram was listening…enter the Rebel HD 2500. “FEAR NOT OUR RAM NATION FRIENDS, THE HD ISN’T REPLACING THE REBEL…

Getting off the grid and in nature is perhaps one of the best ways to relax, reconnect with yourself, and reset yourself mentally. There’s something about nature that is awe inspiring. Maybe you are watching an incredible sunset while snow quietly falls around you, or perhaps you are canyoneering in Moab with the red rocks as your backdrop. Experiences like these are amazing and some of the most beautiful sites seen have been on solo expeditions. However, traveling solo requires adequate planning and preparation. To reap the peaceful reward, you must put in the effort before you hit the road. Most of us are familiar with the term “preparedness,” meaning having what you need for what you’ll be doing. Some of us have heard the phrase “2 is 1 and…

01. SEA TO SUMMIT/IKOS TR2 & TR3 The new Ikos Tent delivers a spacious, more sustainably designed tent with chemical-free flame-resistant fabric, a PFC-free water repellent finish, and first-to-market DAC MX poles made with a greener anodization process for lessened environmental impact. The lightweight tents will be a great value and deliver class-leading interior living space for car campers, thanks to Sea to Summit's award-winning Tension Ride Architecture. MSRP: TR2 $399 / TR3 $499 seatosummit.com 02. SHOWER POUCH/5-PACK SHOWER POUCH The quickest way to get clean when you’re off the grid, pure and simple. Think of Shower Pouch as a giant baby wipe that acts as a camping shower. It’s an effective way to remove odor and sweat while on the go. Simple, natural, clean, and best of all, 91%…

WHEELBASE 90.5 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 12.4 in. WET WEIGHT 1,625 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY 9.0 gal. TIRES: 29 in. Maxxis Carnage O1PERFORMANCE 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. O2SUSPENSION &CHASSIS FOX SUSPENSION: While the high-end Fox suspension on the YX-Z1000R SS XT-R is primarily focused at maximizing adjustment range for…

“THIS IMPRESSIVE VEHICLE STARTED LIFE AS A 2022 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED 4XE RUBICON… THE CAB WAS THEN CHOPPED, JUST BEHIND THE FRONT DOORS, AND THE REAR HALF REMOVED.” If you’re a diehard Jeep person you’ve probably dreamt about a single-cab, Wrangler-based pickup truck with a useable size bed. The Gladiator is cool, but only comes in a 4-door, short-bed configuration. Push that dreaming a bit more and the Jeep truck would be rolling on 37s, have full armor, custom paint, and a custom interior. And, if you dreamt really big, it would also have impressive fuel economy and nearly silent off-road capability. Well, Quadratec and custom Jeep fabricator Greg Henderson at Unofficial Use Only dreamt really big! Taking it up a notch even further on the cool scale is Quadratec’s…

Picking the right tires for your ride is something that’s always on the minds of auto and truck aficionados and gearheads alike. With many using their trail rigs as everyday drivers, tire choice becomes more and more important. Fortunately, tire companies have been listening. Many of them have responded with more all-terrain tire options, as well as higher-performance all-terrain and mud-terrain tires. If you need to get traction in the dirt, gravel, snow and rain, you’ll want to choose an all-season tire that’ll handle all sorts of environments and weather. If you're fortunate enough to have nicer weather year-round, you can choose from myriad other features that’ll make your ride smooth and comfortable. Whatever your preference, you can find an option to fit your need. If you’re ready to change…

After riding her BMW F 800 GS, alongside partner (now husband) Dave Sears, through 40 countries over 55,000 miles for 708 days, round the world (RTW) motorcyclist Heather Lea is now an accomplished adventure motorcycle traveler. She parlayed her experience into a career as a journalist in the motorcycle and travel industries and continues to educate and inspire others to accomplish big things. Heather learned to ride over six weekends just before her 40th birthday in late summer 2013. While she had always wanted to adventure by motorcycle, human-powered outdoor recreational activities had taken priority. Turning 40, however, was a milestone that Heather wanted to make count. In April of 2014 she met Dave, and within a month of dating, they decided to travel around the world together on motorcycles.…