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What To Look For If You Want To Buy A Used SUV For Overlanding and Camping Trips
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.
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Bronco Sport Badlands Is My Favorite Compact Off Road SUV
While most people are eagerly awaiting the launch of availability of the full-sized Bronco, the Bronco Sport is earning a special place in my heart. Initially I joined the chorus calling it the "baby Bronco" because it appeared to be a vehicle simply riding on it's big brother's legendary branding. After putting it through it's paces though and talking with Bronco Sport owners, I'm convinced that this may be the perfect off roader for all but the most die-hard and technically skilled adventurers.
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Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe: The Perfect Off-Road Companion for Your Next Adventure
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe is a vehicle of compromise offering iconic off-road prowess, interior comfort, and the torque of a V8 with the efficiency of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The 2.0-liter four-cylinder PHEV drivetrain provides a combined 375 horsepower and an impressive 470 lb.-ft of torque, with a max towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. In addition to offering 21 miles of all-electric range and 370 miles of total range. Moreover, while running on hybrid gas-electric power, Jeep states the Wrangler 4xe MPG can achieve an impressive 49 miles per gallon/kilowatt.
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Dunes And Dudes At Camp RZR 2022
When the folks at Polaris invited me to Camp RZR as their guest, I was beyond excited for the opportunity to ride the iconic sand dunes of Glamis (a bucket list item for me) and have some fun. But once I got there, went through the safety briefing, and made my way onto the dunes, I was beginning to wonder if I had gotten in over my head, as riding in sand was very different than the dirt and mud trails I was used to.
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Ford Ranger Tremor Most Off-Road-Capable Factory-Built Ranger for US Customers
We are all clearly waiting eagerly for the as of yet unannounced "Ranger Raptor" to arrive but those of us in the United States will just have to keep waiting. In the meantime though, Ford continues to offer factory-built off-road options that bring us closer to that ultimate eventuality. With their latest update for the 2021 Ranger they are introducing the Tremor Off-Road Package complete with off-road tuned FOX shocks, Grabber all-terrain tires, a wider stance, and connections designed to make adding off-road accessories even easier. Only yeah and plenty of decals and cosmetic updates to make sure everyone knows that you are driving a Ranger Tremor!
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Ideas For Your Next Guys Weekend Camping Trip
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.
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Father And Son Camper Van Trips Where You Can Explore At Your Own Pace
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?
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Exploring Mountain Bike Trails in Virginia City Nevada
Conventionally you might think about hiking or using Jeep trails to go explore the history of the wild west mining boomtowns. However, Virginia City, Nevada has a bunch of bike trails that you can take to explore the history of what was once a vibrant mining town and today is one of the top places anywhere in the world to go explore an authentic wild west town that somehow manages to be family-friendly despite it's rough and tumble appearance.
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What Does It Take To Be a Whitewater Rafting Guide?
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?
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Proper Tire Pressure Is Critical For Off Road Vehicles
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.
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Three Awesome Desert Trails To Explore With The Colorado ZR2
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.
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12 Ways Guys Sabotage Their Mancations
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.
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Camping Essentials That Are Easy to Forget
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.
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Camping At Two Harbors On Catalina Island
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.
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Ways To Make Sure Your Camping Trip Is A Sustainable Adventure
Camping is a wonderful way to spend your vacation and connect with nature. On the surface, simply the act of heading outdoors seems like it would be good for the environment. However, all too often I see people simply treat camping as an outdoor party and it is anything but an ecologically sound alternative to heading to a fancy resort. When done properly though, this family-friendly style of vacation can easily be a great way to spend time exploring a new area and connecting with nature as well as your companions in meaningful ways.
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Hillsound Crampons Are My Secret Weapon Against Icy Terrain
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?
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Ford Unveils New Bronco Adventure-Inspired Concepts
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.
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Colorado ZR2 Midnight Edition Shines Bright on Mortero Wash
It's no secret that the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is my absolute favorite off road truck right now. This truck is the Goldilocks of trucks designed for off road adventurers looking for a an OEM experience that can deliver style and performance as well as still performing well on-road as well as off. Our previous adventure with the ZR2 though ended up getting preempted by a freak snowstorm as we were traveling through the mojave desert. This time though would be different. Instead of freezing temperatures in the mountains, we were braving 120+ temperatures at near sea level near Ocotillo, California. In retrospect, a jet black truck in the bright sun with those temperatures might not have been the best idea. Luckily this was more than just an ordinary truck and it stayed nice and cool with the AC blasting!
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Exploring The San Bernadino Mountains In a Bison
Chevrolet continues to crank out iterations of my favorite truck, the Colorado ZR2 and this time they've taken it to the next level. The Colorado ZR2 Bison is everything that the normal ZR2 is - but more rugged. For those of you who might not have thought it was tough enough, don't worry - it's now got steel bumpers, boron-steel skid plates, winch provisions on the front bumper and integrated fog lights. This was a partnership with AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) and while the normal ZR2 is a jack of all trades this is clearly for the overlander market. And those who just simply want a badass looking truck right off the dealer lot with a manufacturers warranty!
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Chevy Unveils 2022 SIlverado ZR2 For Men Who Want Comfort And Capability Offroad
Two of our favorite trucks are the Chevrolet Silverado and the Colorado ZR2... well now they've come together to create a truck we can't wait to get our hands on next spring. The 2022 Silverado ZR2 takes the existing Silverado to the next level, bringing it closer... and in many ways superior to the current generation Tundra TRD Pro and F-150 Raptor.