I have found through the years that a freezer/fridge is an essential comfort accessory for vehicle dependent expedition travel.  While traveling in Mexico it can be difficult to find ice, and food is often spoiled, or damage from the water that has collected in the cooler.  For a minor weight penalty (over a traditional cooler with sufficient ice), a 120/12v…

Why Coil-Overs on an Expedition Vehicle?

Abstract Review

Deaver Spring Manufacturing, Custom 10 Leaf Pack   Sierra Madre of Mexico       Full military wrap and tapered ends   Just the thickness of the springs adds an inch over stock height     Statistics Deaver Springs: Total Number of Leaves: 10Total Arch to Top of Leaf Packs: 10.5″Pack Thickness: 2.5″Eye Bolt Center to Center: 53″Center Bolt to…

Toyota Tacoma Demello Rock Sliders       Fully welded .120 wall 1.75″ tubing   .25″ plates and gussets     Rock Slider Benefits Rocker Protection is one of the most critical modifications to be added to a vehicle intended for challenging terrain. Properly designed rocker panel protection provides several benefits in addition to guarding the body panels from rocks….

The Extreme Outback Tire Repair Kit   Tire puncture, 2006 Outback Challenge.  Photo: Nathan Hindman   Tire Repair in the Field Without exception, the most common vehicle failure concerns the tires.  They are constantly (or nearly so) in contact with the road or a trail surface, which includes rocks, sticks, and numerous other sharp objects that can compromise the carcass…

Reasons to Include a Hand Winch with Your Recovery Kit The hand winch provides several key benefits as either the primary extraction tool, or as a compliment to a vehicle mounted electronic winch.  In my experience using the device, it is the unit’s flexibility that proves most compelling.  With the hand winch, the operator has the option of using the…

The Black Rat Recovery Kit         Recovery Equipment Traveling unsupported off-highway requires equipment and experience to extricate ypur vehicle from a myriad of immobilizing situations, including sand, mud, crossed axle terrain, high centering, etc. The Black Rat Recovery kit allows efficient access to your recovery gear, containing mpst required equipment in a high visibility, well-organized unit.  …

Overview of Trailer Use for Vehicle Dependent Expedition Travel

We take a look at one of the best trailers on the market, the Adventure Trailers Chaser

Winter 2007, N69 26.70 W133 01.60

Winter 2007, N69 26.70 W133 01.60

Winter 2007, N69 26.70 W133 01.60

The journey from Arizona to the sands of the Sahara.

We had all of the adventure we wanted …

One of the vehicles went into a 100 yard slide before even getting to the trail.

…The water continued to rise in the narrow canyon as we pushed towards its exit. The confluence of every inlet and waterfall filling its width…

Date: 5/1-3/2004 Trail Time: 5-6 hours Location: Coronado National Forest, SE of Wilcox Arizona. The trail starts at the intersection of Route 181 and the Pinery Canyon Road Mapping / GPS / Waypoint File: .gif Map Image (Main) (Area) / Topo 100k (Note: I have detailed GPS and track data available for this trip, but would like to limit its…

Jeep always brings an interesting bunch of trucks for us to test each year at Easter Jeep Safari.

I have long since been fascinated with traveling in Latin America.  Many will attribute it to the year I spent living in Argentina at the age of 18…

The Arizona Land Rover Owners club provided another exceptional event in 2011, hosting over 70 vehicles and hundreds of Land Rover enthusiasts in Gold Canyon. This is one of my favorite events every year because of the level of organization and the fact that I have known many of these characters since 2001! They really are a wonderful and eclectic group and…

Our plan this time was to drive from Alaska to Argentina, and be on the road for 18-24 months.