You're about to make a significant investment in your Tacoma's functionality, and choosing the right camper shell can transform your truck from a basic hauler into a versatile adventure machine. Whether you're planning weekend camping trips or need secure storage for work gear, the shell you select will impact everything from fuel efficiency to cargo protection. There's more to this decision than just matching your truck's color – you'll need to weigh the pros and cons of different materials, consider numerous height options, and evaluate security features that protect your valuables. Let's investigate how to make this important choice that'll affect your Tacoma's utility for years to come.

I dream of having a dedicated off-roader, an overlapping vehicle that I can take anywhere and not have to worry about dents or scratches messing up my everyday car. This is an aspiration for a lot of guys and while it would be easy to say "just go buy a Landcruiser", most of us don't have that kind of money to plunk down on a weekend getaway vehicle. So, if you're looking for the perfect used SUV for your overlanding adventures it can be a real headache. Trust me, I know the struggle of searching for something that fits the budget, can be upgraded easily, has the right specs and won't leave you stranded. In my quest, I've looked at vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner and even an old Jeep Grand Cherokee since they're built to handle rough terrain and you can find used ones for not that much money compared to buying new. However, with something like this it's not about buying a car it's more about purchasing a platform that can be easily modified and upgraded to serve your specific needs as a camping and overlanding vehicle.

Over the past couple of decades, certain cities and parts of the country have emerged as particularly desirable. This often happens. A city or neighborhood becomes wildly popular, and a certain element settles there.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to go rafting in Vermont and I had a blast. Whitewater rafting is a perfect opportunity for male bonding as it requires strength, balance, wits, intelligence, and courage. Most of all, it requires teamwork and leadership or else your whole group is going to tip over or worse. The idea of becoming a rafting guide is certainly appealing when you consider they get to do something awesome every day and meet some cool people, but what does it take to become one? Are you ready to become a whitewater rafting guide?

Camping trips are a brilliant way to spend time outdoors and connect with the guys. There's a sense of freedom and positive masculinity when you are out there in the elements. Not only are you close to nature but there is also a protective barrier of distance from your group and civilization in general that provides comfort and comradery. Aside from this though, simply being in a different environment opens up plenty of new possibilities for adventure beyond what you can do in your own backyard. This is especially true for city-dwellers where nature is limited to rodents and cockroaches and lights obscure the sun and the moon. These are just some of the reasons why I love getting out of the city and going camping. Let's take a look at some of the other awesome stuff you can do on a camping trip with the guys beyond just sitting around the fire telling stories and drinking cans of beer. 

imagine starting on a father-and-son adventure in the comfort of a camper van without needing to plan your route to the next hotel or worrying about rushing to catch flights. When you travel together like nomads you can explore at your own pace, discovering new places, and creating invaluable memories. The freedom of the open road, the joy of spontaneous detours, and the bonding that comes from shared experiences isn't worth considering? But what makes these trips so special, and how do you plan one? Let's explore this further, shall we?

We loved what Chevrolet did to the Colorado ZR2 with the Bison package and it looks like GMC is headed down that same path with this one. While they seem to be positioning this OVRLANDX truck as purely a concept to stoke the imagination, we would love to see something like this available for purchase at GMC dealers. Even if it was simply a set of dealer-installed options this would be exactly what Canyon needs to fully differentiate itself.

As winter approaches, there’s few things more essential than a sturdy pair of trail crampons for hiking, running, or simply walking across packed snow and ice. I mean what’s more literal about freedom than how you move on two feet?

We all know that proper tire pressure is essential to keeping your daily driver safe and efficient on the road, but it's just as important when off road driving too. However, the difference in this case is that what's correct for the pavement - may not be right for the terrain you're setting out to explore. Since most of my off road adventures have been with a fleet vehicle with tires that quite honestly aren't always ideal for true off roading, I'd never really considered "airing down" or what the proper pressure even should be. My main concern was simply leaving it at the manufacturer's recommended specs. While that's a great theory, it has resulted in multiple situations where I got stuck in sand, lost traction where I might not have with the proper pressure, and of course the dreaded flat tires.

There are a lot of trails in Southern California, but here's three of my favorites because they are scenic and have a variety of terrain but aren't too technically arduous. While the Colorado ZR2 is a phenomenal vehicle that can conquer pretty much anything that you throw at it, sometimes it's nice to know that and never test the limits. This is especially true for novice off-roaders since those limits are often YOURS, not the vehicle itself. These trails a great for exploring and having fun while getting away from civilization for a few hours.

As the off-roading season began on the Rubicon Trail over Memorial Day weekend, local law enforcement was able to patrol the trail with more capability thanks to a donation from BFGoodrich Tires.

You've finally found a weekend when you and all of your buddies can get away to the lake for some R & R, away from the endless honey-do lists and invitations to brunch. The cooler’s stocked, there’s gas in the truck, and the boat’s ready to go. It should be an amazing week, with nothing to do but land that large mouth that you just know is lurking somewhere out in the lake. Except that the trip is a disaster and you come home more stressed than when you left — and bummed that it didn’t even come close to meeting your expectations.

Camping essentials like a sleeping bag, tent, and a cooler with drinks and food, are usually on top of a camping checklist and aren't easy to forget. However, there are other camping essentials that are easy to forget but could make your camping more enjoyable.

When most people think of Catalina Island, the bustling village of Avalon first comes to mind. That’s the Mediterranean-style “city” (by Catalina standards) with shops, restaurants, boutique hotels and funky bars such as Luau Larry’s with its Wiki Wacker cocktail, all of which make it a very popular tourist spot for people throughout Southern California. Well, gentlemen, there is another part of this island 26 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles that is ideal for a men’s getaway for a weekend or mid-week escape. It’s Two Harbors.

Venturing into the great outdoors provides an escape from daily routines, offering a chance to reconnect with nature and challenge one's limits. Whether you're scaling rocky peaks or traversing forested trails, the right nutrition is crucial to maintaining energy and endurance. Protein bars have become a popular choice for backpackers seeking convenient, high-energy food options that are both nutritious and lightweight. Keep reading to learn all there is to know about protein bars for backpacking, ensuring your next outdoor expedition is powered by the right fuel.

One of the things I love about living in San Diego isn't just the pretty awesome weather all year round but rather the hot dusty playground located just on the other side of the mountains from where I live downtown. This is area, the Anza Borrego Desert, is an incredibly playground with a mixture of terrain ranging from insanely tough to perfect for novice riders. You guys know how much I love the Colorado ZR2 and so when we got the chance to take it's big brother then Silverado ZR2 for a spin... well... you know I jumped at the opportunity!

It might be obvious – big knobby tires are better at gripping rugged surfaces than smooth ones. After all, you wouldn't put a pair of racing slicks on your truck and take it out on the trail, would you? The reality though is that for most of us, the right choice of tires is more about balance than absolutes. That's why I really like this set of Grabber A/T X that General Tire sent me to check out.

I'm privileged to live out west where there's tons of wide open public land, but for the rest of you guys - off road adventures are limited to private parks. For those in South West Florida, Florida Tracks and Trails is the place to go. With miles of trails ranging from compete mud holes to well packed sand, a beach area complete with tiki bar, paintball, and off road racing tracks this place pretty much has it all.

Expanding on the Bronco family’s Built Wild^™ innovative design and capability pillars, these five adventure-inspired concepts further highlight the brand’s readiness for customization at launch. Beyond the standard options, there are more than 200 available factory-backed accessories for Bronco two- and four-door models, and more than 100 accessories for Bronco Sport models.

There's nothing more exciting than taking your 4x4 vehicle off-roading and seeing what it can really do. Picture this - You're hitting the trails and climbing over rocks, wading through mud, and navigating tight, wooded paths. Sounds like a ton of fun, right? But for people who have never gone off-roading before, it can be rather stressful taking their shiny new (and expensive) ride off the beaten path.