If you’ve been paying attention to social media or the news, it seems like 2016 has been the worst year ever. It’s true, the past 12 months have had more than their fair share of disappointments and tragedies, but there was also plenty of good news buried in those massive, steaming, piles of bad. For example, the populations of several endangered species including tigers and pandas began to rise, India planted a record breaking 50 million trees in one day, a peace deal was finally reached in Colombia helping to stabilize the region, new strides were made against cancer, and China banned its ivory trade helping to save the elephants. Yes even among all the crap there is still a bright side to 2016, and so in the spirit of looking at the positives, we’ve gone back to the archives and pulled out the ten articles you all liked most. While they don’t compare to any of the news above, we hope they’ll at least put a smile on your face and contribute to a positive start in 2017.
– Chris Cordes
For the sake of transparency, I’ll inform you that I have excluded the buyer’s guides from our top ten articles list. Despite their popularity I did not feel they fit the spirit of this collection. I have included the links here however for those who wish to revisit them.
1. Soft-Shell Roof-Top Tent Buyer’s Guide
2. Buyer’s Guide Portable Fridge / Freezers
3. Buyer’s Guide Front Bumpers
4. Buyer’s Guide 2016 Adventure Motorcycles
Now without further adieu, the list.
10. From Sun Soaked Sands to The Great White North
This story follows Basil Lynch on his journey from Southern California to Prudhoe Bay in the Arctic Circle. Along the way he takes in stunning views, deals with breakdowns, and encounters wildlife of all kinds. We love his writing, but it is the photography that will blow you away. Read the full story here.
9. Home On The Road: Life In The So-Cal Teardrop
In this article we take a look at what it is like to live with the So-Cal Teardrop day in and day out. We recount adventures across the U.S. in all sorts of weather and environments, and address the strengths and flaws of this great platform. Check it out here.
8. Featured Vehicles: Jon Burtt’s Toyota Tacoma
Life has a funny way of throwing you curve balls when you least expect it, but even the worst situations can have a silver lining. Take Jon Burtt for example, a new business owner building an Airstream food truck in Denver. After planning out every detail of his new Crepeful trailer, Jon purchased a 2015 Tacoma to function as the tow vehicle. Little did he know that rising weights would soon put it out of his truck’s towing capacity, leaving him with a hard choice of selling to buy something else, or biting the bullet to create his overland dream vehicle. Well you can probably guess how that turned out, as it wasn’t long before this stock Toyota turned into the built up camper you see above. Read the whole story here.
7. Conqueror Off Road Campers Now Available In North America
This year brought plenty of big news, but in the camper and trailer market Conqueror who stole the show. Starting in 2016 the famous trailer manufacturer began offering their proven products to North America. They sold out quickly, and we can’t wait to start seeing them on the trail. For the full story, check out the article here.
6. For Sale: Lexy the GX470
Over the past few years Adventure Driven has assembled one of the coolest Lexus GX’s we’ve ever seen. The total build cost was almost $100,000 USD, but you can currently steal the thing for just $53,000. Even if you aren’t in the market for a vehicle of this nature, the amazing photography and detailed photos in this article make it well worth the read. Check it out here.
5. World Nomad: The Turtle V
When it comes to world travelers, Gary and Monika Wescott are in a class of their own. This inspiring couple has been exploring our planet in various vehicles since the 1970’s, but their latest truck is the biggest and baddest yet. Meet the Turtle V, a luxury home on wheels. For the full story on how it was made and where it has been, check out the article here.
4. Featured Vehicle: AEV Ram Prospector
When it was first introduced to the world at the 2013 SEMA auto show in Las Vegas, the American Expedition Vehicles Ram 2500 project, now called the Prospector, was a star attraction. Its massive scale, imposing bumper, and broad shoulders gave it a presence on the floor that quickly gathered a crowd. A couple of years later, our Overland International team was able to snag the keys to a freshly built Prospector, one featuring all of the available trimmings. Read the full story here.
3. Exclusive Test: 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro Review
It’s not every day that you get the chance to drive into the Arctic, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the journey in a pre-production Toyota four-wheel drive. In this adventure story / road test combo, Scott Brady pushes both the team and the trucks to the ends of the earth for a true evaluation of their capabilities. Read the exciting story here.
2. AT Overland Announces New Tacoma Habitat
When you talk about product releases for 2016, we can’t forget one of the biggest, the AT Overland Tacoma Habitat. This new camper shell has blown us away, and based on their immediate popularity, we’d say it blew everyone else away as well. Packed with features and ready for any adventure, it’s easy to understand why this product drew such a crowd. Read all about it here.
1. Bruder EXP-6 Trailer
The Bruder EXP-6 is one of the coolest off-road trailers in existence. It combines luxury and style with four-wheel drive capability, making every trip into the outback a mini-vacation. While it certainly won’t be tackling the Rubicon, this trailer is a great solution for those looking to take their trailer onto forests roads and more remote locations. Thanks to exciting photos and an innovative product, Bruder snatched up our number one spot for 2016, Check out the full article here.
