What We Share And Don’t Share Off-Road
Lifestyle January 11, 2023
One December about five years ago, I took a group to Saline Valley to celebrate New Year’s Eve. While at the campsite I realized I didn’t have a tent. Completely forgot to pack it that day. As a seasoned four-wheeler, this basic blunder was especially difficult to swallow. On... Read more
Useful Gadgets For The Four-Wheeler!
Lifestyle December 16, 2022
Tis the season for gift giving…whether for yourself or another four-wheeling aficionado. With that in mind, Santa Tom offers up these fine gifts and ideas sure to please any four-wheeler or other outdoors enthusiast. Continuous ratchet strap: Most ratchet straps have a hook on each end. A continuous ratchet... Read more
It’s a Lug Nut – What Could Go Wrong?
Tech Tips November 15, 2022
Tires. Axles. Control arms. Body and frame. You name it. Just about anything that could get damaged while off-road will at some point. More than once, for those who drive frequently. And some of those issues can be serious. But a lug nut? Who would think that a humble... Read more
Every four-wheeling excursion involves some preparation. Even individual components of the trip can require careful planning to ensure a smooth drive. This is especially true when negotiating hills. Whether climbing or descending, knowing how to handle certain situations can mean the difference between continuing on and getting stuck. Before... Read more
Four-Wheeling Requires Commitment and Sound Judgement Decision Making
Lifestyle September 16, 2022
Four-wheeling entails constant alertness and decision-making. Even easier courses require the driver to be focused at all times. Any sort of obstacle increases the decision-making process exponentially. Certain situations require knowing when to throttle up and when to back off to try again. Every instance is unique and requires... Read more
Dutch ovens are great for cooking in the outdoors over charcoal and wood. Most hot dishes prepared at home can be enjoyed in the field as well. Four-wheelers often cook stews, casseroles, and similar dishes in a Dutch oven. What if you’re in the mood for baked goods? My... Read more
Old-Timers – A Good Resource for Trip Details
Lifestyle July 18, 2022
I was scouting a new trail in the Parashant National Monument, located in the Grand Canyon. At one point I wanted to take a shortcut, but didn’t know if the road ahead was open. A recent storm had me concerned about a washout. If the road were passable and... Read more
Hazards are an accepted part of four-wheeling. Driving off-road, in remote parts of the country (or the world), oftentimes on uneven or (treacherous terrain) is naturally risky. But it’s not just mechanical issues we face. Toxins occasionally present themselves, so it’s important to be aware of the situations that... Read more
Four-wheelers understand that the hobby relies heavily on various technical skills (driving, spotting, recovery and so forth). Often forgotten or overlooked is that all those activities – and more – rely on good communication to be successful. The best laid plans are useless if not shared with and understood... Read more
Spring is in the air, and everyone’s anxious to get out. (Though we in the West have been out for a while.) But four-wheelers everywhere are eager to get the 2022 season underway. Besides making sure your vehicle is ready for off-road use, it’s important to review some of... Read more