Table of contents for September - October 2020 in TREAD

Welcome to Viewfinder, Tread’s new department focused entirely on the visual documentation of our travels. In coming issues we’ll be diving into a plethora of subjects ranging from the creation of compelling compositions and working with ambient light to techy stuff such as depth-of-field and capturing freeze-frame action. But for this first installment, we are going to discuss the basics. Which camera is best for you right now? If you are looking to up the ante of your game, grab a cuppa joe and hang on. We’re going to take you for a photographic journey around our amazing blue planet … through the viewfinder. Whether sharing with friends and family or uploading to the world via social media, a photograph should conjure emotion, bring the viewer into the scene and…

Wanderlust has taken a stronghold; its grip strengthens as each day passes. From wintertime doldrums to COVID-19 and beyond, we’re ready to get out. We’re excited to explore new territory, especially remote areas that boast a variety of terrain and off-roading challenges. Sand, dirt, rock, and more; if you’re craving out-of-the-way areas showcasing a plethora of stunning landscapes you’re in luck. US Highway 395, particularly in California, has a lot to offer. From Death Valley’s vast remoteness to Alabama Hills and its rugged rocks and rounded boulders, a multitude of off-roading trails and overnight adventures are waiting to be had. Hidden gems and bizarre oddities await visitors. Hundreds of miles of off-pavement tracks, crevices stuffed with old women’s shoes, and even an old-time ghost town—California’s 395 is where it’s at.…

Before you head out on your next adventure with precious camera gear you may want to consider how you store and carry it. A broken camera can ruin just about any trip, whether it’s an expensive DSLR or mirrorless option, or even a less-expensive GoPro. There are a few key things to consider when choosing the right storage and carry solution for your camera on the next trip. Protection If you’ve invested thousands of dollars into delicate camera equipment this is a priority for peace of mind. You’ll want to take into consideration the type of travel that you’ll be doing and the elements that you may be facing. A camera backpack offers protection from elements such as dirt, light rain, and from less-aggressive bumps or drops, while a hard…

On my third lap of a 10-mile-long, closed-loop, off-road course in Midlothian, Texas, I realized two things: I was having heap big fun motoring the refreshed ’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X at speeds far faster than 90 percent of its buyers would ever think of driving it and the truck’s handling and performance was far greater than I expected. Testing the Updated Titan I was on a daylong testdrive of the updated ’20 Nissan Titan with two of its five trim levels to evaluate: the Titan Pro-4X and Titan XD. The ’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X is set up with a collection of Nissan’s 4WD hardware to give it prowess for locations where the pavement ends; this 1/2-ton is designed for customers who use their pickup on rugged and rough terrain—both on…

One major way to update the look and feel of your ride, whether it’s brand new, off the showroom floor, or if it has seen its fair share of trails, is to swap out its wheels for ones that are more capable and better looking than your stock rollers. Aftermarket wheels can really set the tone for not only the look of your rig, but how it handles on and off road, as well. Which of the new wheels shown here capture your interest? CALI OFF-ROAD/PARADOX 9113 The latest wheel from Cali Off-Road features an extraordinary multi-window design and ultra-deep lip technology. It is made for direct bolt applications for precision vehicle fitments. The Paradox is available in gloss black with milled spokes, polished with milled spokes, and brushed with…

The transformation of a stock vehicle to a heavily modified rig is unique for every owner. Whether it is brand new or used, at some point a decision is made to add a couple of parts here and there, and before you know it, the vehicle barely resembles its former self. For some, the build concludes with a few modifications, but for a handful of owners the customization continues, and they find themselves with their masterpiece displayed at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, the world’s largest aftermarket trade show. For Chris Luansing, his truck’s journey began as he started a new chapter of his life. Like many truck owners, Luansing had purchased his truck brand new with no intention of modifying it. His then fiancée had always wanted…

“BORN TO RUN IN THE DESERT, THE MOJAVE WAS RIGHT AT HOME IN A SEA OF SAND.” The Jeep Wrangler has set the bar in the off-road world for decades, and its reputation as a capable trail rig is undisputed. But when the Gladiator JT debuted in 2019—the brand’s first pickup in nearly 30 years—it rattled the industry, receiving praise and persecution. The cynics sited its length, wheelbase, and reduced breakover angle simply didn’t fit the bill for serious four-wheeling. But for truck guys like me, a Jeep pickup was long overdue. Comfortable seating for four adults, live axles, a nimble suspension, vetted drivetrain, and room for heaps of gear … what’s not to love? While the Rubicon model is crafted for the rock-crawling crowd and the Overland is ideal…

There’s a big problem with camping these days. With a vast ocean of different products out on the market, those who want to get into adventuring are intimidated to start by its perceived price of entry and vehicle choice. It doesn’t help seeing people on social media post their well-curated camping setups. It’s a stigma that only education will be able to wipe away. People see social media influencers with their $4,000 rooftop tent, $800 puffy down jackets, and brand-new-off-the-lot, most-couture-edition-ever 4x4 adventure rigs dressed up to the nines and immediately recoil back thinking, maybe, just maybe, outdoor adventuring simply isn’t for them. The two big stopping points for most of these would-be aspiring adventurers is a place to sleep and the vehicle to travel in. The term “softroader” is…

Throughout my time on the African continent, I’ve seen thousands of AK-47 rifles. I have become very accustomed to them being a part of everyday life, though after only 20 minutes in Ethiopia I see things are very different. In stark contrast to what I’ve become used to, the men carrying the infamous rifles are not uniformed military men but just ordinary civilians using the rifles to guard their livestock. One group of men seems particularly friendly, so I stop for a closer look. All three greet me warmly, and, though we don’t share a language, I feel perfectly safe while crouching in the shade with the colorfully dressed tribesmen. It doesn’t take long before they notice my interest in the rifle, and before I know it the most notorious…

Sitting down to a hot meal after a full day on the trail is always something to look forward to. The process of getting said meal made, however, can go either way. As with everything else in life, the right tool can make tasks such as campsite cooking much easier than it otherwise would be without it. “THIS APTLY NAMED HOME & CAMP BURNER IS A CROSSOVER STOVE THAT CAN PULL ITS OWN WEIGHT IN EITHER ARENA.” Important factors to look into when shopping for a camp stove are ease of use, portability, and fuel type. We found that the Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner is a compact stove that fills the duty of camp stove as well as an alternate home stove very well. In its compact form,…

01. ARMORLITE/FULL VEHICLE KIT—JK FOUR-DOOR Armorlite provides an entirely new level of durability, style, and performance in a complete replacement flooring system for the Jeep Wrangler. It is easy to install, easy to clean, enables draining of the floor area, provides sure footing, and substantially reduces cabin heat and noise. The product line includes front and rear flooring, cargo mat, and drain plugs, and is available separately or as a full kit. Available now for JK, additional models will arrive later this year. MSRP: $729 goarmorlite.com 02. GO RHINO/SRM400 The SRM400 is Go Rhino’s latest convertible rack innovation featuring basket styling with removable front and rear plates for long loads, mounting lights, and more. With a full 50-inch width, choose from 48-, 58-, and 68-inch lengths with crossbar…

Adventurers can’t help but heed to the call of the wild, whether on four wheels, two wheels, or even on their own two feet. As long as there’s someplace to wander, the consummate explorer will push forward. For those looking for the ultimate expression of freedom, the adventure motorcycle ’20 Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT beckons. The Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT is the latest generation adventure moto that incorporates elements of both Suzuki’s legendary DR-Z Dakar racer and their larger DualSport DR-Big. The V-Strom is designed to take riders from civilized roads to wild back trails for uninterrupted performance no matter where they end up. One look at it and you’ll see that Suzuki’s characteristic beak design is carried over while being updated to feature a more aggressive and bolder design for this…

Car people are always car people. One may find their interest begin in one genre and as he or she matures, those interests change. However, it’s worth good money to bet those very people still turn their heads at the sound of a throaty engine or at the sight of a clean, modified vehicle of any sort. An appreciation for the craftsmanship of a finely built machine lives within us; it’s what we’re made of. Where It All Began Jon Sackett is no different than other auto enthusiasts. The love for Jeeps seeped through his veins and eventually steered him back from sports cars. Having grown up in the Chicago area, he always loved Jeeps and drove them around his hometown. However, inclement weather and road conditions always had him…

Pete Stajduhar is a Connecticut native and electrical contractor by trade. He specializes in power systems for places like hospitals, marinas, and remote islands. This is to say that Stajduhar thrives on engineering challenges and appreciates integrated systems that work together flawlessly. In order to find out how he came to build and explore in this custom AEV Prospector XL Tray Bed with Woolrich Edition Hawk Flatbed Four Wheel Camper (FWC) we need to step back in time about seven years. Family (Off) Road Trip At that time Stajduhar was looking for a vehicle that he could road trip in cross country with his then 11-year-old son. He settled on a Jeep JKU and Mobi trailer combo, but didn’t settle for just any Jeep Wrangler. He instead talked his local…

Newer 4x4s are equipped with batteries that meet their electrical needs, and those needs are much greater than those of their predecessors. Fifteen years ago, some manufacturers would have told you that most vehicles on the road in 2020 would be running 48V systems—due to the increased electrical demands of newer cars for hybrid systems, safety features, and increased electrical needs in-cab. But the great majority of newer vehicles are still using 12V- (closer to 14V-) based DC electrical systems with more powerful alternators and improved lead-acid batteries that have higher cranking amperages and longer reserve capacities. And these systems do not leave a lot of room for additional electrical draw, thanks to the increased electrical needs. Luckily for you, the aftermarket will find anywhere there is room for improvement!…