We are thankfully in a renaissance of  smaller trucks and the 2019 Ford Ranger is among the most highly anticipated. It is also one of the best equipped, with awesome numbers and robust capability. With a truck like this though, it's about more than just raw numbers... it's about what you can do and where it can take you. The FX4 trim level that we were provided is not the Raptor or even a competitor to the Toyota's TRD Pro or Chevy's ZR2 off-road trucks but it delivers a solid and comfortable experience both on and off road. This makes it an excellent road tripping vehicle. To test it out, we decided to explore historic Nate Harrison Road and climb to the top of Mount Palomar in San Diego, California.

RAM surprised a lot of people when it launched the all-new 2019 RAM 1500 last year. Having traditionally been the third of the top three in terms of pretty much everything including sales numbers it aggressively asserted itself as a top choice. With specs and styling on its side, the new RAM has now unseated Silverado for the number two spot in terms of US sales. It is way more than just focusing on volume sales, there's a lot of really cool stuff that RAM added to this generation to make is more than your daddy's truck.

Driving the new 2019 GMC Sierra Denali can be summed up as feeling like a boss... Fundamentally it's very similar to the Silverado but now you've gotten a promotion. Better interior, smoother ride, snazzier exterior design and features like the Heads up Display, MultiPro Tailgate, and CarbonPro bed that thrust it into another level. Not just compared to the Silverado but frankly this is my favorite full-size truck since it does more than look and feel better, it drives better too.

Last month we had an opportunity to visit the famous GM Assembly Plant in Flint, Michigan. This is where the first Corvettes were made and now it's where Chevy and GMC will be making all of their all-new 2020 Silverado HD and Sierra HD trucks. The plant's come a long way since those early days and so has the Silverado HD. With a towing capacity up to 35,500 pounds, 22 different cab, bed, chassis, and driveline configurations, and a Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 pumping out 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque with the all-new Allison 10-speed automatic transmission this is going to be an absolute beast of a truck. Pricing and exact availability details will be available soon in preparation for a "late Summer 2019" release.

In most cases, it would be a challenge to make an accurate assessment of an experience lasting just a few moments. However, this experience was unequivocally AWESOME. Not only is the 2019 Silverado a great truck but to be driven by racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr around one of the world's most famous tracks is simply an experience that will live with me forever. In the words of Dale Jr, "relax, this is gonna happen fast... it'll be over before you know it".

This year, the 2019 Chicago Auto Show was a look at an industry in transition. The switch from cars to crossover/trucks is apparent as only one all-new sedan made its debut at the show. This year’s show has plenty trim packages and "anniversary edition" announcements. Here’s a look at some of the new vehicles that will appear on dealer lots in the coming months and into next year.

Almost anyone who has felt the thrill of racing through the open desert has dreamed of one day becoming a professional dirt racer. There's a unique thrill that you can only understand if you've ever sat in an open windshield truck, buggie, or UTV and felt the wind and grit fly by your face. This is a different sort of experience than exploring typical "jeep trails" and the objective here is to go as fast as possible as safely as possible so you can do it all again as soon as possible. BFGoodrich is the undisputed king of tires in this space and if you watch any of the leading races including MINT 400, Baja 1000, or even King of Hammers you'll notice that the pros all are riding on their latest tires. Often this is the KR3 - known for its grip as well as rugged sidewalls able to resist damage at relatively low air pressure. Now though, there's a version for the rest of us to use on UTVs and off-road trucks such as custom Jeeps, Raptors and Colorado ZR2s.

There's a lot of options in the market for off road-trucks right now but most focus on ulta-ruggedness, while others are honestly more of an appearance package than anything else. With the launch of the GMC Sierra AT4 though, there's a new option for those that want to spend time trail riding in comfort and style, but still have great capability including a 2" lift, off-road tuned Rancho shocks, locking rear differential, skid plates, and more. To test test it out, GMC invited us to join them on a trail ride in San Diego and we had a blast.

Bigger, stronger and smarter - that's how GMC is describing their newest trucks - the 2020 Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 due out late summer 2019. Building on one of our favorite trucks because of how easy it is to maneuver around tight spaces and the existing reputation for focusing not just on the raw numbers game but actually making towing easier and safer. This includes a variety of technologies that we're looking forward to spending more time exploring when it comes out. Here's a summary of the key updates that you can look forward to when it hits dealer lots in just a few short months.

While modern off-road trucks have some incredible technology, almost nothing compares to the classic Landrover Defender. So when the folks at E.C.D. Automotive Design sent us this "All-American" take on the classic British icon we just had to share it with you.

The Ford Ranger is probably the most anticipated new truck to launch this year. Ford made waves in 2018 by telling us they were shifting away from cars and doubling down on trucks and SUVs so there's a lot riding on the success of this entry to the mid-sized truck segment. We're doing a full driving review of the Ford Ranger in March but here's our initial thoughts based on the chance to spend a couple hours riding around San Diego as a passenger.

The LA Auto Show (now called Automobility) is usually a showcase of green cars and talk of transportation alternatives. This year, though, the last auto show of 2018 was a lot more focused on trucks and sport utilities. A clear marker of where the automotive market is going in North America.

Chevrolet upped it's game this year with the launch of the all-new 2019 Silverado. While we haven't had a chance to give it the love it deserves, we did get a chance to play with it for a few hours earlier this fall. Our route was an odd one for a vehicle designed for dirty and dusty back roads though. Instead of going off road, we got the opportunity to experience how it handles on pavement, winding our way through LA traffic from Santa Monica up into the mountains and canyon roads of Malibu. All of this, while hauling a trailer loaded with a RZR.

Keeping your car clean - inside and out isn't just a good visually - it can quite literally save your life and certainly save money. All too often, we dismiss this as simply keeping your wife happy or ignore things until you need to clean out the back seat for company. Let's change those patterns and start saving money as well as protecting your health and safety!

So many people visit Las Vegas and never venture outside of the strip... they don't even know what they are missing. On the other hand, I visit the city several times each year and have wondered what adventures the mountains might have in store. On this trip, I hooked up with my friends at Trail Trek Tour who had some Toyota TRD Pro trucks ready for some adventure. Unlike most of my off road trips that take place at very low altitudes and cruising through sandy, scorching hot, sun-bleached desert, this time we were headed up to a very windy 7,700 feet on a mountain trail with trees and rocks.

For generations, people have escaped to the mountains of North Carolina to avoid the stresses of everyday life. While some settled here in the mountains permanently and become the subject of legend and myth, others come here with the intention of resetting, recharging, and reconnecting with what it means to be man in a society that is ever-changing. These mountains possess untold beauty all year round but are especially enjoyable in the summer and fall. Whether you are looking for fishing, hunting, craft beer, artisanal food, or just fresh air - it's all hear and ready for you to take your share.

There aren't many more iconic vehicles out there than the iconic Jeep Wrangler... and while that is absolutely my favorite for off-road driving, the Jeep brand has done an impressive job of expanding on that. Jeep invited us up to Malibu to experience pretty much their entire stable, from the fast and shockingly nimble Trackhawk to the rock crawling beast known as the Rubicon and everything in between. 

Pickup trucks are useful things to have around. Especially heavy-duty trucks like the Ram 2500. This big, burly, towing machine has a maximum tow rating of 17,980 pounds (about 9 tons). So when Ram Truck asked us if we wanted to test drive their 2018 Ram 2500, we immediately started looking around to find something to tow. Anything larger than a jet ski or a teardrop camper would do. We ended up with a huge pontoon boat and a fun day on the water with the Wyoming Air National Guard!

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!

My ticket to visit one of the four corners of the globe came courtesy of GMC, who recently invited me to drive its newest and most important creation: the 2019 Sierra. Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada and a massive hub for pickup trucks of all makes and models—in fact, it seemed like everywhere I looked there was a GMC or Ford pickup. From the varying terrain to the extreme weather and the fishing/outdoorsy way of life, everything about the picturesque Canadian province oozes pickup truck and fishing.