TOP TIRES - FOR OVERLAND AND TRAIL OVERLAND GEAR & TIRE From Canada’s premier off-road, sport truck and SUV magazine
50 TESTED REVIEWS • CAMP • LIGHTS • NAVIGATION • COMMUNICATION • RECOVERY • STORAGE • TIRES • AND MORE T I R E T E R W I N S T E D Y T E F U L L
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The same great on or o road traction, ride comfort and reliability SUVs and pick-up truck owners have become accustomed to now certi ed for winter service*!
A TRUE ALL WEATHER TIRE* DESIGNED FOR DRIVERS WHO NEED THE ADDED WINTER SAFETY DURING OCCASIONAL SNOW FALLS AND COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS BUT DON’T WANT TO INCUR THE EXPENSE OF BUYING, INSTALLING AND STORING WINTER TIRES.
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Toyo_2018_4WD-Dec.indd 1 11/7/2018 12:56:47 PM Publisher Perry Mack CONTENTS Editor-in-Chief Perry Mack Sales Manager Jason Tansem Overlanding Gear & Tire Edition Technical Editor Bryan Irons Art Director Cassandra Redding Advertising Consultants 6 INTRODUCTION Matt Adolfo Lisa Di Marco CAMP GEAR Kate Parfitt 8 Business Administration Cindy Mack Administration Assistant Callie Tansem 22 LIGHTING Social Media Megan Campagnolo Contributors Alain Gagnon, Mathieu Godin, 36 RECOVERY Pat Harrison, Bryan Irons, Jaon Livingston, Perry Mack, Tom Severin, Budd Stanley, STORAGE Jason Tansem 46 51 NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION Cover Photo 56 TIRES 4WDrive @4wdrivecanada 4WheelDriveCanada WE ARE VERY SOCIAL youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine
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Introducing the HARDLINE front and rear bumpers from Iron Cross Automotive. Our HARDLINE series is our newest design and blends an aggressive look with a low profile design and offers more lighting options giving you the ability to light up any trail or road! The HARDLINE is a perfect bumper whether you’re crushing trails or cruising to the store. It is sensor compatible and has bolt on removable plates to help customize the look of your vehicle. The HARDLINE rear even has a step up to help you access the bed. With specs like these what more could you ask for?
MULTIPLE LIGHTING REAR BUMPER OPTIONS! BED ACCESS STEP ACCENT PLATES COME IN FLAT BLACK
HARDLINE FRONT BUMPER ALSO AVAILABE WITH BULL BAR
FRO ENT BAUM PTER URE ARR B UEM PSER PART # 60-615-19 (BASE) 62-615-19 (BAR) PART # 61-615-19 (REAR) • SENSOR COMPATIBLE • BOLT ON PLATES • BOLT ON PLATES • SENSOR COMPATIBLE • NUMEROUS LIGHT OPTIONS • STEP IN BUMPER • MATTE BLACK FINISH • BACKUP LIGHT OPTION FIND OUT MORE AT: • LOW PROFILE LOOK • MATTE BLACK FINISH IRONCROSSAUTOMOTIVE.COM INTRO
With Only Fear and Good Judgment Holding Us Back From the song Santa Maria by Trooper
obert Baden-Powell published the you can enjoy the journey, and overcome time-tested pieces of equipment. Let us motto ‘Be Prepared’ for the Boy nature’s exciting obstacles so that they know what your favourite piece of gear is, RScouts in 1908 meaning “you are are a storied part of the adventure, not a especially if you don’t see it here. Perhaps always in a state of readiness in mind and stress-inducing disaster. we’ll add it to the next edition - you could body to do your duty.” The most important part of being able be famous J . I confess that I’m no Boy Scout (no to move forward, or in some situations one that knows me will argue this point), back up, has little to do with what you You can submit your stories and photos but I find B.P.’s words are still great advice. have under the hood, or what gear is for publication to editor@suncruiserme- Being ‘in a state of readiness’ to me piled on the roof (or jammed inside or dia.com, or share photos, videos, links and means having the right tools to enjoy the towed behind). As ‘no traction’ can mean comments on our social media; adventure, being ready to handle ‘what if?’ winching or towing, because you’re stuck, Facebook: 4WDrive The second installment of our Overland or worse because you’ve lost control and Twitter: @4wdrivecanada Special Editions is Gear and Tire. We’ve suffered irreparable trail or road side Instagram: 4WheelDriveCanada pulled real-life gear reviews from previous damage. That’s why tires are included in YouTube: youtube.com/ editions of 4WDrive to give you an our exploration of what you need to ‘be c/4WDMagazine overview of what to look for in essential prepared.’ Perry Mack overland equipment. With the right gear We’ve included many of our favourite, Editor, 4WDrive
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Take a Kitchen on the Trail Global Media Award You can bring a functioning along with additional accessories obvious uses, but we’ve also found kitchen to the trail with the Trail including a fold-out counter, a it was perfect on tailgate parties Kitchen from MORryde. This clip-on countertop, and a Molle and on a couple of fishing trips compact kitchen system takes Grid. Our 35L Dometic CFX35W where it was the perfect space and up minimal space to provide fridge freezer fit in with room height to filet our catch. maximum storage in the cargo to spare, which is no surprise as New for 2019, MORryde will area in the back of a Jeep the unit was designed to handle offer several incredible options Wrangler or any vehicle with fridge freezers larger than our including a sink with on-demand a flat floor. The Trail Kitchen Dometic like the ARB 50 quart, water, cutting board, secondary incorporates a sliding tray and and others. power system for your fridge/ collapsible table that provides Like other MORryde products freezer, and a multi-drawer over 5 1/2 square feet of counter we’ve tested, it is a well- cabinet. space along with a storage engineered piece of kit. It expands compartment that offers over 300 to provide a sturdy work surface, See the full review and cubic inches of space. yet packs up into a small space install at www.youtube.com/ We were able to test and install that doesn’t bang around on the c/4WDMagazine the new bolt-in system for Jeep, trail. Trail rides and overlanding are www.morryde.com
8 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive use of the space we have – enter the Bestop Roughrider Tailgate Shelf. It mount to the tailgate of Jeep JK & JKU’s years 2007-2017 in a couple minutes without any drilling. It folds down with one hand to create a shelf or storage bin. This Bestop Roughrider Tailgate organizes my trail necessities and Words and photos by Perry Mack makes them easy to access, with Every Sci-Fi fan appreciates one really makes wheelers envious, is the added benefit of keeping them of the most unique vehicles in that it is bigger on the inside than out of the way to reach the gear fictional history – the Tardus of on the outside. that's left in the Jeep. It’s strong, Doctor Who. For the uninitiated, Until 4WD’s develop this sturdy and virtually disappears the Tardus traveled through time technology, all we can do is make when not in use. and space, but the feature that the most efficient and accessible MSRP: $94 USD GCI Master Cook Station
Out on the trail you aren’t likely to mention the side tables with folds up to just 55 x 15 x 88.4 cm to find a picnic table. And while beverage holders, the trash bag (21.7 x 5.9 x 34.8 in) complete you can always sit on a log to hook, paper towel holder and with carry handle, weighing in at a eat, cooking and cleaning up is a extendable lantern pole. mere 10.3KG (22.7 lb). different matter. The Master Cook We found it easy to open, It’s an affordable kitchen Station from GCI unfolds to create durable, portable and made it solution for overlanding, trail rides an instant kitchen counter top easy to keep our prep items and let’s not forget tailgating. with an aluminum work surface, organized. Check out our video at https:// storage rack, shelves and even It opens to a size of 55.9 x 178 youtu.be/b9F7r7R13fc a drainage sink. Let’s not forget x 173.5 cm (22 x 70 x 68.3 in), but www.gcioutdoor.com
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 9 CAMP GEAR litres. I choose the CFX35W. The reasons for choosing the second smallest size were - I need it to fit in my Jeep JKU - along with a lot of other gear; I intend to pull it from the Jeep and into the boat – which has even less room; it’s relatively lightweight at 17.7kg (39lb), the 35 litre size will hold enough fresh food for one or two people for a week, and it doesn’t draw a lot of power to do it. The construction is rugged. Each corner has a reinforced cap, the handles are spring loaded to retract out of harms way (and detachable if you need the space), and the lid is strong enough for a 73 kg editor to stand on. The interior light is handy, as is the USB port if you’re running an older rig. The temperature can be adjusted from +10°C to -22°C, and without food inside it went from +22°C to +3°C in just 14 minutes. It’s also very quiet. While cooling you can hear an audible hum, which the manual says is 42 dB(A). I wanted to test this, but the ambient noise level in my house is 47 dB(A). There are a number of features that drew me to this series, aside from build quality, reputation and the ability to not only cool, but also freeze food. The first is the battery save mode. These units can be plugged into 120V AC but more importantly will also run on 12V or 24V DC by plugging into a cigarette lighter socket – not much of a feature you say. What is innovative is the adjustable shut down when it recognizes that your car battery is low. The cooler will never drain your battery so you can’t start your engine. And the cooler is Wi-Fi enabled, so you can control it via a mobile Dometic CFX Series app (providing you and the cooler Words and photos by Perry Mack are within range of each other). With another overlanding, which after starting with high No more leaky bags of ice. The boating, camping, and fishing hopes failed miserably. Never Dometic CFX is a great addition season upon us, I was itching one to give up, and as none of to our day-trip or weeklong for some new gear when I came the past models were Dometic, I adventures. If you play outside a across that Dometic’s new (2015) ordered one. lot, it’s a worthwhile investment. line of portable fridge/freezers. The CFX series comes in a MSRP - CFX 35: $681 USD I’ve had a couple in the past, variety of sizes from 28 to 100 www.dometic.com
10 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive 12 normal cans of beer, ...just saying. As far as power goes, I have camped in the heat of the Moab, Utah for four days and it did not drain that much power from my truck battery, although I do have a solar panel and I used it as precautionary measure when I was far from any civilization. There are two operating levels you can use, a low and high power so when you are stationary for a few days you can switch it on low and it will draw less power (5 amps on high, 2.5 amps on low). You can also set a voltage cut, so when your truck battery reaches either 10 or 11.5 volts, the fridge will stop automatically ensuring you have some power to start your vehicle. The SnoMaster is a great addition to our overland kit and provided some unique overland experiences, like being able to SnoMaster reach for a frozen Fudgsicle while camped in the Nevada desert. This fridge, however, is too high for us. Classic Series Its dimensions are (715w x 450d x 525h mm), and didn’t fit between my Decked drawer system and the Overland Fridge truck cap, so we put it on the back Words and Photos by Alain Gagnon seat for the trip. As a result, we will return this After having used the SnoMaster a normal electrical outlet of 120V one to Wild Coast Tents and fridge/freezer on this last trip, I AC. The fridge/freezer comes have arranged to purchase the don’t know how I ever went without with LED lights and lid alarm so SnoMaster low profile freezer/ a 12V fridge for all these years. It’s you won’t find your beers warm fridge, which will fit perfectly in heavy at 26kgs (57 lbs) empty, so the next day if the cover was not my cab at just 470mm high. They no one will want to carry this beast shut properly. It also has a remote are not cheap, however you get a on a canoe expedition along with so you can operate the digital high quality product with a five- a 12V battery. However, on a 4x4 thermostat from a distance to year warranty on the compressor. overland expedition when you plan set the temperature of the fridge. New top of the line traditional ice to stay off the grid for a few days, You can also use both sides as coolers can be very expensive as or just any vehicle camping trip, it’s freezers, both sides as fridges, or well, but the SnoMaster means no absolutely perfect. one of each and the temperature thawing ice or ice packs, no wet This SnoMaster is the Classic can be set between – 22°C to sandwiches, and you get ice cream Series (CL56D) stainless steel 10°C (-8°F to -50°F). With its for the kids no matter where you AC/DC fridge/freezer double 60mm insulation walls you can are, and yes, it keeps my beers door. At first glance you notice be sure that the temperature will nice and cold. that it’s solid and looks good always remain as you have set it, If any of you are looking for with the stainless steel outside and to make sure this happens, cheap ice coolers, I’m having a walls. Its total capacity is 56 SnoMaster provides an insulated great 2 for 1 deal at the moment….. litres split into 26 and 30 litre transit bag that fits tightly around compartments. It’s heavy when the fridge. This fridge comes with www.snomaster.ca empty so I recommend you have three baskets so you don’t have to www.wildcoasttents.ca two people to carry it to the rummage through your groceries MSRP: $1,445 vehicle, or fill it up when it’s in your to find the hot dogs at the bottom www.rawimage.ca truck. It works on 12/24V DC, or in of the pile. One basket can contain Instagram: @al_gagnon
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The Treeline Outdoors Tamarack’s were an excellent life boat in the frigid Arctic cold. Testing the Treeline Outdoors Tamarack roof-top tent to the extremes f there is one thing you can say about style canvas ground tents. However, with All of Treeline Outdoors roof-top tents Canada’s Arctic, it’s that it is a very the advent of the roof-top tent we could are built with 380g Poly/Cotton Rip-stop Iunforgiving place that makes survival set up camp in a fraction of the time and Canvas that provides maximum shelter the primary concern of anyone who provide better weather-proofing. from wind and rain, and aluminum chooses to venture into this forbidding There is no shortage of great tube frames. These Tamaracks feature a region. Nine months of winter per year companies to choose from when lightweight aluminum honeycomb base. and some of the world’s most extreme purchasing a roof-top tent, however, Each are compatible with Goal Zero conditions demand that anyone travelling we found that nearly all of them hale Solar products with D-rings for hanging here had better be both educated and from much hotter climates than we lights inside, and easy mounting of solar prepared for the worst Mother Nature can planned to visit. That was until we came panels and associated charging station. throw. across Treeline Outdoors, an Alberta- Not so useful in the darkness of an During the planning phase of the based company that builds heavy duty Arctic winter but will come in handy on Titan Arctic Challenge, this weighed roof-top tents specifically for Canadian summer expeditions with the amount of heavily on our minds as we tried to environments. A quick chat on the phone electronics we require to keep topped up. wrap our heads around how to shelter convinced us that Treeline Outdoors were This new “Gen3” tent has been beefed ourselves from the elements. Others that the answer to our shelter issue with their up from previous generations. Aluminum had come before us made use of military Tamarack two-man tent. tubing with 2mm wall thickness makes
12 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive equipped with a window panel in the roof Panoramic views with roll-up awnings for star viewing from your sleeping bag. give great visibility and cooling in The good folks over at Treeline warming conditions. Outdoors are proper outdoorsmen and women, and that shows with the attention to details they’ve put into these tents. Simple things like shoe/utility storage bags, an underside utility net for additional storage, heavy duty rubber latches for storing heavier gear like fishing rods or paddles and a Diamond Rip-stop rainfly all help make the Tamarack a more versatile unit. Large hinges conveniently allow storage of bedding inside the tent while collapsed. The high density 2.5” foam mattress is built-in and waterproof. While firm, they provide an excellent sleeping surface, even in the freezing conditions we encountered. Over the course of our two-week expedition the tents were subjected to several hundred kilometres of rough roads per day and constant deployment in conditions as low as -38°C. The frames provided an extremely strong structure that held up against high winds and snowfall, while the materials conquered the extreme conditions remarkably well. Rugged aluminum frames are strong and lightweight with condensation Our only failure on the entire expedition covers to keep the interior comfortable during cool nights. was some cracking in the outer annex windows in the coldest temperatures (-38°C) and some bent tent pegs due to the ground being frozen rock hard. Despite constant snowfall, high winds and frigidly low temperatures, the Treeline Outdoors Tamarack’s were an excellent life boat on the back of our Nissan Titan XD’s and provided comfortable shelter with the aid of suitable cold weather clothing and sleeping bags.
SPECIFICATIONS: Weight: 47 kg Sleeping Capacity: 2-3 with child Every Treeline Outdoors tent Dimension Open: comes solar-ready for charging 3,099x1,422x1,270mm systems like the Goal Zero. (122x56x50”) Dimension Closed: the tent both light weight and extra tents come standard with three oversized 1,245x1,422x381mm (49x56x15”) rugged. The frame poles are equipped awning windows that can be rolled up for Dimension Mattress: with condensation sleeves, extra helpful unrestricted views, and we recommend 2,413x1,397x64mm (95x55x2.5”) in the Arctic to prevent icing. All the the “Constellation” version that comes www.treelineoutdoors.com
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 13 CAMP GEAR The Duplex of Camping Stay connected with Napier Sportz SUV Tent Words and photos by Perry Mack
Napier says 15 minutes to set-up. I say that’s after some practice and under ideal conditions – i.e. not in the dark, not when it’s windy, not when you’re reading the instructions in French as a test to see how bilingual you are. Granted, the big tent will take up some cargo space and add some weight, but it’s roughly half the weight of a roof top tent and will leave your roof rack free to hold a lot of other gear.
Capacity: 5 - 6 Plus 2 In The despise small tents. Tent ratings are full taped-seam rain fly, clearly show that Cargo (remember my notes on like the recommended serving sizes the tent engineers at Napier have been into serving sizes) Ion frozen food – according to them, I the woods with this three-season tent. But Dimensions: 5.2m x 3m (1.8m At am a family of four, all by myself. Three- the pièce de résistance is the vehicle sleeve. Screen Room Entrance) Center Height: 2.2m man tents are like buying hotdogs and Reasons to access your vehicle from Weight: 24 kg buns, two sausages too many. inside the tent might not be immediately Colour: Blue & Grey Which is why I was attracted to apparent to some folks, but anyone who’s No. of Doors: 2 Napier’s SUV tent model 84000. It is heard those famous words in the middle No. of Windows: 3 spacious. It features a 3m x 3m (10’x10’) of a dark, rainy night, “Honey, where are Water Proofing: 1200 mm PU interior floor with 2.2m (7.25’) of the ____?” and you answer, “They’re in the Coating headroom in the main tent, a 1.8m x 2.1m truck”, will understand. If not gear, then Wall and Roof Material: Polyester (6’x7’) screen room, a sleeve that connects what about a place to put a couple small Taffeta Window Material: Polyester Mesh to the interior of your SUV and a 1.8m kids? Close enough to keep an eye on Floor Material: Polyethylene awning for when you want to be outdoors them, without getting poked in the eye. Rainfly Material: Polyester Taffeta but not in the sun. The tent seals up without your SUV, so with Taped Seams The design features including storm you can unclip the vehicle sleeve and drive Warranty: 1 Year flaps, cargo pockets, lantern hanger and a off to indulge in your adventures. List Price: $439.99
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WORDS BY PERRY MACK PHOTOS COURTESY SLUMBERJACK Slumberjack Preps You for Overland Trips and Trails
Slumberjack Roadhouse Tarp Get out of the rain or beat the heat on the trail with this slick truck tarp. It comes with two 2.4 m (8’) poles so you can use it with or without your vehicle, but the two-pole set-up using your vehicle gives you a great covered space. This 4 x 4.9 m (160x192”) ‘truck awning’ also comes with stakes and guidelines so you can pull it out of its included carry bag and be ready to set it up - you supply the patio lanterns. $120 USD slumberjack.com
Roughhouse 4-Person Tent Like most tent descriptions, sure you can get four guys in the tent, you can also get four sardines in a can, but I don’t want to be one of them. The tent floor is 226 x 254 cm (89 x 100in) - enough for three guy-sized sleeping bags, but you can’t walk but you’ll still need to buy a footprint to go pillow or zips into a hood like a mummy around. It is a comfortable size for a queen underneath. bag for those colder nights. We also like the mattress though. The tent walls are fairly It weighs in at just over 7 kg enlarged foot box so you can sleep on your vertical and the 153 cm (60.5 in) roof (almost 16 lbs). back and point your toes to the sky. It will height isn’t tall enough to stand in, but $200 USD slumberjack.com fit folks up to 193 cm (6’4”) tall. the lower height does make the tent more It’s a 190T poly taffeta shell and liner storm and wind resistant. Wheeler Lake 20 Sleeping Bag with a synthetic insulation. The offset quilt It does excel with a full coverage rain fly This is a super comfortable three season is a smart design as well - by overlapping and fully taped seams so you stay dry. It’s sleeping bag - assuming your winter is like the insulating panels there are no cold really quick to set up at about ten minutes. ours and dips well below freezing. It’s a spots. Carry bag, pegs and guy lines are included great design that creates a platform for your $90 USD slumberjack.com
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Orion Coolers
Some of you may have heard of Eric Jackson, the engineer and paddler behind Jackson Kayaks, some of the toughest rotomolded whitewater kayaks in the world, as well as paddleboards, and kayaks for other recreational uses including fishing. When the opportunity arose to design and build coolers to the same ‘build it like it’s your own’ standards, he and his company developed Orion coolers. We were so impressed with them at the iCast fishing show in Orlando, we walked away with the handy 25-litre size box, no wrapping. It is built the way you or the car, on a 35°C hot, humid afternoon (they are available up to 85 litres). This I would build a cooler for ourselves. for four hours – and the cooler stayed rugged, bear-resistant cooler was designed YakAttack tracks are built-in to the cold. for outdoor travel use with six tie-down sides so you can attach a variety of RAM All this engineering comes at a price. points, low profile camming latches, accessories like rod, cup or paddle holders The Orion 25 weighs in at 9.75 kilograms comfortable (and removable) carry to make it very versatile while strapped (heavier than most of its size), the thick handles, and bottle openers at all four onto your kayak or quad. The lid has a insulation means it’s small inside given its corners. layer of EVA foam, so it’s comfortable to outer dimensions, and it has an MSRP of The lid is secured with beefy hinges sit on, and secure and safe enough to jump $419 CDN ($369 USD). However, for the and incorporates a rubber seal for a on – naturally I had to check. true outdoors person looking for the most perfect tight fit when closed. The latches And finally, the ‘cool’ part. Two inches efficient, full-featured and rugged cooler are so secure, and the cooler so tough, we of insulation provide incredible insulation on the planet – this is it. brought it home as checked luggage – no against heat. We had food in the cooler, in www.orioncoolers.com
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Cabela’s West Wind™ Dome Tent
If you need a spacious, lightweight tent for overnight or overlanding adventures, check out Cabela’s WestWind Dome tent. This windproof, waterproof tent comes in 4-, 6-, and 8-man models, but we chose the 6-man version of this tent as it allows you to stand up inside the tent but still only weighs 9.7 kg. Being able to stand up in the tent is just one the key features we demand from a tent as well as loops, pockets and a gear loft to keep everything off the floor. Naturally it has to be waterproof so you and your gear stay dry, so the West Wind is designed with a 1500mm waterproof rating to do we’re tired and the light is waning by and a carry bag take care of that. just that. It has to have a vestibule where the time we do. 100% nylon taffeta All in all a well designed three-season you can dump your outerwear before construction, colour-coded clips, shock- tent for the Canadian outdoors. getting into the main tent where it is cord fibreglass poles, good guy lines, stakes MSRP: $350 CAD Cabelas.ca cozy and clean. Next is great window and door vents for ventilation with a fine mesh screen to keep the bugs out – anyone who has camped and fished in Manitoba or Northern Ontario knows how critical this is. And it has to be rugged and easy to set-up. Hard as we might try to set-up camp early, often
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Off Grid Trailers ome of the best trail rigs just Badgerow: Well, it all started out when I dealers have shown a lot of interest in my don’t have enough room for an wanted to go out and buy a turnkey trailer, units, I need the additional funding to make Soverland trip. Which is why there and discovered all the trailers that I wanted a few to put them on dealer lots. are quite a few companies that build were WAY outta my price range. I couldn’t rugged, lightweight trailers that you can afford them... so I got the great idea of just 4WD: What is your most popular unit tow into the wilds. These trailers provide designing one using Solidworks, and then and why? everything from a bit of extra storage to a weld it together. Soon enough someone full camp out RV experience. One of these wanted to buy it from me so I made another Badgerow: My most popular unit for the is Canadian company Off-grid Trailers, one. I made some improvements, learned time being is the Pando, with its queen size out of Blackfalds, Alberta. from my mistakes on my first trailer, and it mattress, sink, stove, hot water, and propane basically took off from there. furnace for those cold nights. But I am pretty 4WD spoke with Mark Badgerow about sure that my Overlander unit will be more how and why he got into the business and 4WD: What would you say has been your popular. It’s a foot taller and has tons more what sets Off-grid Trailers apart from the biggest challenge in getting Off-grid Trailers storage. I think the biggest design feature that pack. ‘off’ the ground? sets them apart from your typical RV is that they are short and have a really solid frame 4WD: With so many RV and off-road Badgerow: I would say my biggest that will last a lifetime. Other important trailer companies out there, what made you challenge even now is funding. It costs features include the 58 cm (23”) of ground get into the business? money to go out to shows, and while many clearance and independent suspension.
18 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive 4WD: Naturally, I have to ask why your trailers are better than the competition.
Badgerow: I really hate to say that my trailers are better than theirs, but if I had to pick out one thing, I would mention that my trailers are fully insulated where a lot of my competitors just use 3/4” plywood for the cabin walls. Off-grid Trailers are fully spray foamed and use an aluminum skeleton - you can walk on the roof of my units with out having to worry about going through. Also customization. Since I am a small company and do all the designing myself, I am easily able to incorporate a customer’s ideas.
4WD: What do you see for the future for off-road trailers?
Badgerow: I see a lot of growth in this Badgerow: You don’t need a lot to be some on dealer lots but for the time being I market. A lot of the larger RV companies compatible with my units; the average will have to just keep chugging along. are starting to make similar units but in weight is around 2000 lbs, so almost all “RV GRADE” ways.... if you have ever small SUV’s and trucks can pull them. I To get more info about these owned an RV trailer you will know what I was at Expo west this year, and I’ll be at Canadian built off-road trailers mean by that. a few other shows - that’s the easiest way visit www.offgridtrailers.ca, to see my units, or if you happen to come call 587-224-9768 or email 4WD: Any last thoughts to share? across someone with one. One day I will get [email protected].
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 19 CAMP GEAR
Camping features on the X1 include dual deep cycle batteries to power your electronics like lights and a marine stereo; Patriot Campers there is ample water storage and a gas water heater. The awning stretches out to I initially thought this was another US develop the stripped down X2. cover the kitchen area and the tent sets up brand of campers since Made in America Specs on the X1 look impressive with in minutes with a king size bed frame. companies have a ‘Patriot’ brand for every an aluminum monocoque body settled Let’s hope they make a successful entry product from Jeeps to toothpicks, but on a galvanized frame, supported by long into the North American market. For no. This Patriot brand comes from down travel air suspension and 35” mud terrain more info and specs on the X1 and its little under on the Gold Coast of Australia. tires. The suspension has full camber and brother the X2, or just ideas to help you According to Patriot Campers, their X1 toe adjustability to keep them aligned, build or design your own off-road camper, model has won Australian Camper of and it can be lowered to make setting up visit: the Year several times, which led them to camp easier. Patriotcampers.com.au ARB adds to their Touring Line Awnings are everywhere homes and RV’s are found, so why not enjoy one on your next 4WD adventure? ARB has a new 2.5 x 2.5 metre awning whose anodized aluminum case mounts to your roof rack or via ARB’s brackets. The fabric is waterproof, providing you with protection from sun and rain. Add their Mesh Multi Mat for ground cover, or step up to the deluxe awning, which has a floor mat, walls for privacy and mesh sides to let the air in but keep those insects out. www.arbusa.com
20 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive CAMP GEAR
The JavaWords and photosCan by Alain Gagnon
here are a few reasons I love this product; it makes a great espresso Tcoffee, it’s easy to use, and it keeps everything you need for your morning “fix” all in one place (minus water and milk). I could also say that it’s practical as it can be easily stashed (in my case “shoved”) in your camping gearbox and small enough to take along to your favourite fly-fishing spot. It looks so cool it makes a great gift for that overlander that loves camping gadgets, …and coffee. “The Java Can” kit includes a military spec ammo container to keep all together, a 4 cup Moka pot, a ceramic burr coffee grinder, an ultra light camp stove (not butane), a 12 oz milk frothing pitcher, 4 stainless steel double wall cups (for you to share the joy), a battery operated milk frother, and of course, instructions with grocery store but right now I’m enjoying one container that is easy to store and grab pictures. (overland bold coffee) a Mexican espresso out of your jeep or truck and it produces The kit is fairly easy to use, sturdy, blend that is quite tasty. what you really need for your morning and equipped with good quality items. A At the end of the day, do you really “fix” in order to get your day going and perfect cup of coffee starts with of a “good” need the Java Can to make the best coffee GET OUT THERE AND EXPLORE. coffee bean. I normally use any strong possible? More than likely not, however www.thejavacan.com bold “espresso” coffee beans from my local you have a unique quality Java kit all in MSRP: $150
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 21 LIGHTING
Story and photos by Budd Stanley Seeing the LIGHT Breaking down the difference between Halogen, LED, HID and LED Light Bars
Here in the dark days of winter (at least at the time of writing), if there is one thing more important than tires on your 4WD, it is quality lighting. With the sun setting at 3:30 pm and not rising again until 8:00 am, if you’re going to take a jaunt out into the wilderness, chances are you are going to have to strap some daylight to the front of your rig.
22 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive oming from a background in High beams from a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71. Whole lot of suck. rally racing, I know the value of a Cgood set of lights on the front of a vehicle. I’m a self-proclaimed aftermarket light junky if you will, but with the endless options of illumination types available on the market, which sources are best for your particular application. We chose three different light sources that were all available in the same model of lamp from KC HiLites, receiving three sets of their Pro-Sport 6-in round lamp equipped with Halogen, LED and HID bulbs. For the sake of comparison, we also strapped a set of Rigid Industries SR2 Combo LED light bars in place to judge the difference between a round LED and LED light bar. All lenses were spot beams to help judge the intensity and range of each particular Halogens are much improved over OEM high- light source. beams, but technology has moved on. For our test, we went up into the BC Mountains and found one of a very few forestry roads that were still plowed. With a dark overcast sky, no moonlight and even a bit of snow, we set up on a 350 m long straight (straights are hard to come by in BC) and directed our beams toward a reflective signpost 250 m away and a non- reflective signpost at the far end, 350m away. With our 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, we cycled through a base high-beams shot, followed by all our different light sources A traditional incandescent bulb. all mounted in the same position with the high-beams turned off to get a full scope of the capabilities of each light source. is a form of incandescent light that also Here is what we found. uses a tungsten filament. The main difference is the presence of the halogen Base - High-beams: Free gas, which when combined with the For our test, let’s start with the bare basics, filament produces a chemical reaction that high-beam headlights. What you see here redeposits evaporated tungsten back onto is the rather pitiful performance put on by the filament allowing it to burn hotter and a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 with all its brighter. lighting glory being smacked down by the The problem is that while Halogens darkness of a BC forestry road. While it used to be great lights, the intensity of The area where these lights shine best lights up the first 100 m decently enough, the modern HID and LED has simply (pun intended) is in cost of ownership. At even on a paved highway these things were out classed these older technology lamps. a starting price of $254, this allows you to sucking something fierce. While dim, these spots reached out to pump some extra lumens off the front of 350 m with a warm incandescent glow, an older rig without the huge investment Halogen Bulbs – 6-in KC HiLites but made features at that distance hard to or the stress of damaging higher-end Pro-Sport make out. The dark just seemed to soak lights. It is also simple to replace the bulbs Talking to KC HiLites, they informed up the light as soon as it left the reflector, or even upgrade to higher wattage, you us that Halogen technology was created and in all honesty, these were about on par just might get jealous when someone to overcome the inefficiencies of the with the high quality after market high- with HID’s or LED’s light up terrain from incandescent light bulb. A halogen bulb beams I had on my personal vehicle. behind.
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 23 LED (Light-Emitting Diode) – 6-in KC HiLites Pro-Sport Light is brilliant and clear, but just doesn’t quite reach out like an HID. Unlike incandescent bulbs, which use a filament that relies on gas, LEDs create light by exciting electrons. LED’s are considered solid-state lighting, which means they don't rely on incandescense but electroluminescence, which is a semiconductor based light source. LEDs are all the rage these days and for good reason as they have many advantages over traditional incandescent lights such as lower energy consumption, longer life and in other cases, smaller size. However, what is vitally important to wheelers is that they are incredibly durable as there are no filaments, glass or moving parts that can brake and they are powered and switched A Light Emitting digitally. However, is the latest technology Diode shines onto for the front of your rig worth the steep the reflector. price that is only starting to level out with be a “best of both worlds” solution that consumer demand? floods light at close distance and is also These LED’s lights produce cool, bright capable of long distance reach down light beams, as the diode producing the range, all while drawing as little energy light is aimed at a mirrored lens like a as possible. The SR2’s are rated as a 45W traditional lamp, magnifying the lights lamp, draw 4.1 amps and feature a very power and range. The light produces the compact and low-profile design that will same brilliant sharp and clear light as the aid in aerodynamics on the highway. HID’s, but it’s just not quite as powerful or However, they don’t come cheap. Foreign able to reach out as far. The LED creates made knockoffs can be had for nearly half blueish light that does exactly what Rigid instant light, in a lighter more durable the price, however in our testing we have say. They flood the short range very nicely package that sucks far less energy than found these to be of very poor quality and do reach out long range. The problem the HID. In terms of quality of light and and are usually just not worth cheaping- is, they are not as long range as the LED distance reached, these lights may not out for. 6-in spots. The hyperspots seem to fall perform quite as well as the HID’s at long The result, the SR2’s put out a nice clean flat around 250-300 m, which if you’re range, but they do out perform them up close and you will get up to four times the lifespan from them.
LED Bar – Rigid Industries SR2 10-in Combo While we were testing LED’s, we decided to put the KC 6-in round spot up against the popularity of the light bar revolution, represented here with Rigid Industries new SR2 combo. As we all know, light bars put out a terrific amount of light, but they just don’t reach very far down range, useless if you are at any kind of speed. The “Combo” refers to designate hyperspot lenses placed over the centre lights to maximize long distance illumination. Coupled with regular lenses The centre LED’s are covered with a hyperspot lens to increase range. on the outer diodes, this is supposed to
24 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive a slow mover, is all you’re ever going to The hyperspots work well, making this the jack of all trades. need anyways. With our little comparison inside a comparison, the excellent flood lighting coupled with decent spots make the SR2 a fantastic all-round light if you only want to throw a couple lights on your rig. If you want to specifically tailor your lighting to your needs, the more traditional round lamps like the KC’s will allow you to make use of different light sources as well as lenses to best distribute light the way you need it.
HID (High Intensity Discharge) – 6-in KC HiLites Pro-Sport Advancing beyond halogen in context of light output as well as size and heat A delicate tungsten electrode efficiency is high-intensity discharge produces brilliant light. bulbs. HID bulbs have no filament but instead use tungsten electrodes. brighter and brighter, reaching their These electrodes are sealed in a quartz maximum after around 5-minutes. tube which is filled with both gas In slow off-road conditions, these (usually Xenon) and also various metal are actually a little overkill and are only salts, which are ignited to produce an worth getting in flood or driving beams extremely intense amount of light. for anything under 100kmh. Leave the HID lights produce light beams spots for the rally cars. that illuminate long distances and are available in 35W, 50W and 70Ws. They Does Size Matter? produce Lux and Candela ratings that The simple answer is “Yes”. A larger could exceed 2-3 times the distance to reflector’s increased surface area is more capable of focusing and directing more similar wattage Halogens and LEDs. capable of re-directing light with more light coming from the same light source HIDs are the most balanced across intensity and efficiency than a smaller (LED diode, Halogen Bulb, HID Bulb) Output, Cost, Technology and Power. reflector. An 8-in reflector will be than its 6-in counterpart. Putting the HID’s to the test, you can see that they call these lights “high The HID’s shine right past the end of our range. Notice intensity” for a reason. A sharp crystal how particulate is illuminated in the beams. clear light with a blue tinge seems to cut through the darkness like a hot knife through butter. The beams are not as sharp as LED’s so there is bit of fade light bleeding around the edges of the beam, helping to illuminate more area. There are a couple drawbacks; the beams are so intense that they seem to light up any kind of particulate in the air, creating almost a fog in the beam close to the eye. To the eye, it is not as bad as the camera shows, but I wouldn’t want to mount these rooftop. They also take a while to warm up. As the gases start to heat up, the light only grows in quality. I had to take several shots of these lights since they just kept getting
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 25 LIGHTING J.W. Speaker fog lights. J.W. SPEAKER HEADLIGHTS
OEM fog lights.
ike many new JKU owners, you may be asking yourself what Lkind of upgrades can you make without affecting your warranty. And what upgrades if any should come first. The answer is yes, you should make modifications. Make them to personalize your Jeep by enhancing the systems you find lacking for your driving ambitions. I began with the lights. My previous 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 had terrible headlamps. I expected that Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) would have made some changes after 11 years of improvements in lighting technology. My first twilight drive proved they hadn’t done anything, as I couldn’t tell if my headlights were even on. Then as full night arrived, I peered into the night with nothing more than a hazy factory halogen bulbs with LED’s often running lights (DRL’s) required by law. yellow glow to guide me. requires installing a special anti-flicker With the stock headlights in your hand I had just read about J.W. Speakers harness. Not so with the 8700 Model J. Just you’ll instantly ‘feel’ why you can hardly new 8700 Evolution J, a plug and play 7” pull out the old headlights and pop in the see. The stock headlights are about 50 LED headlamp specifically designed for new. cents worth of plastic and filament. Hey Jeep. The ‘plug and play’ portion of the They are Transport Canada approved FCA, Kenner wants their Easybake Oven description refers to the fact that replacing and are equipped with the daytime lights back.
26 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive High beams with OEM Installation couldn’t be easier and headlights. doesn’t need further explanation here. What you should know is that you must aim the headlights after installation. Instructions for aiming are not in the box but you can find them on the JW Speaker web site here; http://www.jwspeaker.com/content/ uploads/6543980a-Model-8700-EVO-J- Instruction-sheet.pdf You can see from the before and after pictures how much brighter the Evolution J are and that the colours are true – grass is green asphalt is grey. In addition to ordering headlights I felt my Jeep deserved an upgrade to the fogs and taillights as well. Since FCA cheaped out on the critical headlights, I fully expected the fogs and taillights to be equally pathetic. JW Speaker’s Model 6145 fog lights are the brightest fogs they produce. Removal of the OEM fogs was an exercise in frustration and disbelief. You have two choices, disconnect the anti-sway bar and remove them whole for later use, or break the housing into pieces and chuck them. I went for number two, and it was very satisfying.
High beams with J.W. Speaker headlights.
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 27 The new fogs provide intense bright Low beams with OEM light out to the sides and just in front of headlights. the Jeep. Perfect for foggy conditions and getting more light for picking a line in the dark on a trail. Replacing the taillights was (for me) more a matter of style than function. There are a lot of Jeeps on the road these days, and turning your Jeep into ‘Your’ Jeep is an expression of the Jeep lifestyle. The colour of an LED is a function of the material used to make it so you don’t need a red plastic lens to make red. As a result, the JW Speaker Model 279 J taillights can produce and intense, bright red light with white lenses. The black housing also encloses some red reflectors to meet Transport Canada requirements creating a very unique look, and a Low beams with J.W. supremely effective taillight. Aside from Speaker headlights. the additional intensity to let drivers know you are in braking or turning, there is no red plastic lens to light up from reflected sunlight diminishing the warning to drivers behind. Installation was simple and the fit was perfect. After 8,000 kilometres crossing everything from the high desert in Nevada to the coast mountains of British Columbia, in dense fog, snowstorms, torrential rain, and rain slick city streets in the twilight hours, I’m ecstatic with the performance of the JW Speaker lights and would recommend these to be the first upgrades to your new Jeep Wrangler.
OEM tailight. J.W. Speaker tailight.
28 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Rigid Industries LIGHTING RADIANCE Words and photos by Bryan Irons
Rigid Industries enters Radiance for the discerning but budget conscious off-road adventurer.
andering through the aisles at accoutrements, but for a new line of components to them but also houses W SEMA we were left dazed and lighting aimed at keeping the budget in small LED’s that give the Radiance confused by the staggering number of check; enter Radiance. its name. Available in a multitude of lighting companies originating from Visually, the radiance line departs colours, the backlighting is very faint lands unknown (i.e. China). The first from the standard E-Line of LED light and provides a nice “glow”. breath of clarity came from Rigid bars by using a single row of large light “Behind the looking glass”, the Industries where instead of sales hacks emitting parabolic dishes engineered to Radiance light superstructure is all that couldn’t remember their lines, produce a dual-use beam of spot and business. No arcs, no goofy angles, we had engineers and hard working, floodlight. Typically, Rigid have relied no fake hardware, in fact, the same educated staff showing us around. on a dual row of lenses that offer one housing design and structure of the E The second jolt of ‘Claritin clear’ was beam pattern or the other. An exposed line of lights (made famous by YouTube the excitement they had, not for the circuit board shows the inner workings videos of them being tortured) is used most expensive and high-end lighting and precise attachment of the LED’s and on the Radiance. This also means that
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 29 mounting bracket, security hardware A simple 4-bolt install is all it takes to put the and lens covers designed for the E series light bar in place. The hammer and manual impact are the best way we have found to relieve can be used with the Radiance lights. the nasty torx bolts from their rusty hallows. With 10” to 50” models in blue, green, amber, red and white backlighting, there are plenty of options, and the price is easy to deal with. We wanted a 50” but we had to sit on our hands for a few months while the entire line was rolling into production. While the delivery truck was dragging ass with our new night light, we got antsy. Editor Stanley buggered off for a 6-month hiatus to warmer climates, during which time he trusted us with a 40” Rigid Industries E2 light bar. What a chump. We ordered a Rough Country light bar bracket from Lowriders in Delta, BC and foraged through the metric mess that Stanley had left in his These noise reducers come with the E2 series of lights and may, or may wake sniffing out the Rigid E2. not be required to keep the cooling fins of the light bar from resonating. Lowriders had the brackets to our We needed them to keep the aluminum from singing an off-key song at door over the weekend and we decided about 40 KPH, but every vehicle is different. A dab on silicone between it would be good to see the difference the fins to emulate the dampers will do the same, but looks a little between the well aged and industry “ghetto”. benchmark E2, and the Radiance… once we got it. The E2 with dual beam patterns shocked us with the quality of light that it emitted. The combination beam pattern of the E2 made it appear like daylight conditions in front of the rig with the “flood” section of lights, while the long range “hyper spot” beam was off burning the bark off trees 1000 metres out. For less than 20A of current draw, Rigid deserves every bit of praise they have ever received for the E2, but we were still jonesing for the Radiance to arrive. A box showed up at our door and before our Sir John A. McDonald had dried on the delivery paperwork, the new Radiance was getting a once over. With a list price of approximately 1/3 that of an E2, we were wondering what changes had been made. No wiring harness is included, and the mounting brackets are not the fancy stainless steel units we are used to seeing from Rigid. They also do not send the noise dampers in case your bar resonates in the wind. With the E2 above the Radiance you can see Minor things, and acceptable in order to the contrasting LED configuration. get affordable, good quality light.
30 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive We plan on upgrading our electrical system in an upcoming issue, but for now, we wired in a 30amp relay to the main lights of the Radiance. The back lighting of the radiance only requires a few amps to run, so there was no need for a relay for those. A Weather Pack connector was added to the bar to allow for easy electrical changes once the time comes. With all this complete on the bench we swapped in the Radiance in the place of the E2. The Rough Country brackets fit like a glove. We like this design because it also protects the outside edge of the windshield frame as well. While tree resistant, this didn’t make the light bar scumbag resistant. We used a set of Light Locks from Innovative Creations Inc. to bolt the bar in place. ICI’s light locks are inexpensive and a royal pain to The perfect glow for night trail rides in the pack get off if you lose the special key. Make sure to pick up the right thread pattern for your lights. All Rigid bars use ¼-20 SAE hardware. Come nighttime we stumbled into the woods to check out the beam pattern and intensity. The quality of the light coming from the bar was astounding. With a wide colour spectrum of light, seeing different coloured objects in the night was no problem. The pattern was less defined than the E2 but the majority of the light was in the areas we need most; up to about 200 metres in front of the truck and wide, spreading out almost 45 degrees from the rig. Although the numbers from our LUX meter showed that the Radiance did not have the same intensity of light as it’s older sibling, we feel that for our driving and low speed wandering, the beam pattern works very well. The radiance part of the Radiance, to be honest, seemed a little gimmicky to us at first. Illuminating “Rigid” signs on the ends had us scratching our heads. Once turned on however, we Rigid surprised us with their entry Rigid Industries - discovered the glow to be very handy. into the budget minded lighting market, http://rigidindustries.com Rather then blinding the rig in front of but their expertise has helped them Rough Country - us, the backlight gently illuminated the build great lights you won’t have to trade www.roughcountry.com area in front of the rig, highlighting low a kidney for. Offering the customer a Lowriders - www.lowriders.ca hanging trees or outcroppings coming at quality product at a competitive price is Innovative Creations Inc. - the windshield. another step in their success story. http://accessoryproshop.com
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 31 LIGHTING
Review and photos by Budd Stanley Let There Be Light PIAA make LED lightbars legal with RF-Series lights
he LED light has revolutionized the off-road industry real estate in front of a vehicle with a brilliant clear light, but they when it comes to lighting ones way through the darkness. really don’t reach any great distance down range. Their incredible TGreat racks of massive round lenses making use of brightness also means they are on the naughty list with the boys electricity sucking halogen incandescent bulbs have now been in blue, and more than a few angry policeman have started replaced with a couple thin rows of Light Emitting Diodes that issuing tickets for illegal lights being used on public streets. barely register any complaints from the alternator. PIAA know a little something about lighting and have a LEDs do come with a couple of drawbacks however. Forward couple answers for the down falls of LED light bars. facing LED bulbs are masterful at flooding a great expanse of Enter the RF-Series LED auxiliary lights. Yeah, these have
32 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Only two LED bulbs face rearwards into the reflector lens to create a predesigned light pattern.
Only four LED bulbs are required with the 10-in lightbar. been out for over a year now, but they are exposure of the painfully bright bulbs that of each LED bulb means you get more so different from other LED lights we’ve will annoy your friends on the trail and light output with fewer LEDs, resulting played with that we wanted to get a little blind on coming traffic on the road. in a lower power draw to your vehicle’s more in depth information on how they PIAA’s RF-Series lights use a rearward- charging system. This RF 3-in Cube light work, what type of light they throw and facing reflector (RF) that moves the only makes use of two 8W LED bulbs, how are they street legal? LED bulb up into the top of the housing while the 10-in RF Lightbar only requires The vast majority of LED lights on the and directs its light rearwards towards a four LED bulbs to equal the output of 18 market use what is termed as forward- reflector lens, then dispersing light out the LED’s on similar products. facing bulbs. This means that the LED front of the lamp. This does two things. The second advantage the RF bulb faces forward in the centre of a First, the reflector has the ability to technology offers is the ability to shape reflector dish that helps disperse and concentrate the light from the LEDs, the beam pattern through the design of intensify the light being emitted. The result allowing the lamp to harness the entire the reflector lens. PIAA have been able is a brilliant flood of light, but also full output of each bulb. Getting the most out to produce very disciplined light patterns
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 33 Silicone plugs ensure that weather stays out of the internals.
If you are looking to turn four 10-in bars or three 18-in bars into an extra wide lightbar, simply that have precise borders where the light plug in the supplied connection links. can be distinguished. Most importantly, the upper beam has a very sharp and flat border. This ability to control the beam is what makes these driving lights SAE compliant and prevents wasted stray light from blinding oncoming drivers. So, as long as the lamps are pointed low to match your headlights, they are deemed legal. Want to light up the trail, simply raise The unique mounting them up and stretch the beam out down system on the lightbars the trail for a higher performance vision allow for fine-tuned when on-coming traffic is not a factor. alignments and incredible While we like the technology behind mounting strength. PIAA’s RF-Series lights, what really impressed us was the build quality. These things are built to go through a war. Solid aluminum construction is used on all items and the lenses are polycarbonate. The overbuilt construction is a bit heavy, but as long as you’re not counting grams on a serious race rig, it shouldn’t be a problem. The wiring is held firmly in place with a silicone port although we’d like to see a slightly beefier plug. The 3-in cubes use a standard steel “U” shaped bar that can swivel to mount from the bottom or rear, but the mounting system on the RF 6-in, 10-in and 18-in Lightbars is likely the best in the business. Solid forged aluminum mounts are bolted
34 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Both the RF 3-in and 10-in threw a brilliant and very organized light beam.
to a mounting tunnel behind the light, offering a multitude of with foggy or dusty conditions on a regular basis, PIAA offer a adjustment angles. The mounts can sit below the lights for a version of the RF Lightbars with amber lenses. horizontal surface or swiveled back to mount to a vertical surface. Mounting options are further varied by the ability to link up The PIAA RF-Series was one of those products that lured us multiple lights, thanks to perfect-fit linkage pieces that hold as in with some very interesting designs and technology, and we are many lamps you want in a single row with amazing strength. happy to say once we got them mounted in the real world, the We’ve mounted a lot of auxiliary lights in our day, and by far the RF’s surpassed our expectations. That being said, the constraints most solidly mounted lights we’ve seen are the RF Lightbars. that make these road legal do inhibit the flooding light offered An idiot-proof wiring harness is included in the kit, with an by other LED’s. Our simple answer is throwing a set of RF 10-in illuminated rocker switch. Installation is a little more finicky than lightbars on the front of the Samurai for daily duty, while having most lights with the unique mounting system, but once you lock a set of forward-facing LED hidden behind covers laying in wait these bad boys down, they aren’t going anywhere. for the ever desirable night run. Regardless, the PIAA RF’s are a Both the RF 3-in Cube and 10-in Lightbar throw an incredible brilliant bit of kit to have on the front of our rig. amount of light down range considering the low number of bulbs Check in with us in a few issues time when we put the PIAA doing the work. The road is painted with light out to 300 m even up against two other high-tech LED lightbars to see just who in a low mounting angle, and stretch out even further when produces the best LED’s of them all. angled up. The RF’s don’t provide the crazy flooding capabilities of a forward-facing LED, but the beam pattern is incredibly Part Number: 7610 (RF 10-in Lightbar), 7603 (RF condensed and constrained to an orderly beam. The light is a 3-in Cube), Multiple other options typical white LED with a slight bluish tint. However, if you deal www.piaa.com
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 35 RECOVERY Factor It in Factor 55 Flatlink Multimount Recoveries can be exceptionally difficult in Canada from the tight, steep, tree-lined trails of British Columbia to the soggy forests of Ontario to the open bogs of Newfoundland. We’ve always been fans of the Factor 55 Flatlink, and the addition of multiple attachment points to ease difficult recoveries makes us love them even more. The oval hole opening is extremely versatile and will fit over either the pin or bow end of 3/4” pin shackles, the pin ends of 7/8” and 1” pin shackles, and over most OEM tow hooks. The Flatlink Multimount has a max load limit of 16,000 lbs and an breaking strength of 40,000 lbs. Rubber pads protect your fairlead and it is suitable for synthetic or wire line. The sum of all these features (and more) means everyone should own one. www.factor55.com
Factor 55 Prolink Expert (E) If you are still using a conventional winch hook, perhaps this Flatlink product will finally convince you to make the change to a closed loop system. The Prolink ‘Expert’ differs from the regular Prolink with a triangular shaped opening. This design allows you to pass either the pin or the shackle end of your D-ring through, and it’s large enough to slip over OEM tow hooks. The design also eliminates some rigging junction issues. Constructed of powder- coated 6000 series aluminum, with ultra smooth rounded corners to protect soft shackles, and designed for either synthetic or steel line, it has a max load limit of 16,000 lbs and a tested ultimate strength of 40,000 lbs. It is fairly tall piece at 11.6 cm, so vehicles with low winch mounts should consider another Prolink product to maintain a better approach angle. www.factor55.com
36 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Easy-to–use Recovery Shackles Rugged Ridge Soft Shackles While I haven’t thrown out my locking D-ring yet, its days are numbered. The new Rugged Ridge soft shackles are light, strong, and faster to get on and off than the old D-ring (which now reminds me of a Sony Beta player – how old am I?) The Rugged Ridge soft shackles have a 7/16” diameter, a 30,000lb breaking strength, and a 7,500 lb WLL (working load limit). They are light enough to float (think dropping during a water recovery), can be wrapped around anything if there are no tow hooks, don’t rust, and are stored easily (wrap them around your roll bar). Used them last weekend to get a tug out of the snow. www.ruggedridge.com
Get Un-Stuck with TRED Pro Product Showcase Words & photos by Peter Storck the Trac-Grabber Unlike the other recovery board offerings, including the TRED 1100’s, There’s nothing fun about getting the TRED Pro seems to have had far more thought put into it during stuck in the mud, crud, snow and the research and development stage. While engineering this advanced ice. However, for those who like recovery board, the TRED designers created a database of the best to frequently take the roads less selling off-road tires on the market and designed the tooth pattern to travelled it can potentially happen give the highest probability of grip, no matter what tire you run. time and time again. While there Many will notice that these Australian made boards are not simply are many tricks to get out of this covered in gripping teeth, but rather there is a fair amount of space dilemma, perhaps opt for the between them as this will allow them to sit deeper in the tread for Trac-Grabber, which is designed better grip. You’ll also notice that the teeth are a different colour than to easily free your vehicle out of the rest of the TRED Pro. This is because the TRED Pro features a a jam. The Trac-Grabber features patented EXOTRED dual composite construction in which the teeth what the company calls Extreme are moulded out of a harder wearing material first, then inserted into Traction blocks that strap around the mould for the board section. The more flexible board material the base of the drive wheels and then gets injected into the mould thereby fusing the two components can quickly free your vehicle together. This allows the teeth to hold up to the rigors of use, and under its own power. To use, even the occasional wheel spin, while the main body of the board simply strap the Trac-Grabber remains flexible, even in below zero temperatures. perpendicular to the tire rotation The TRED Pro also features SIPE-LOCKs, which are longer teeth and allow the wheels to spin until along the side of the recovery board that grab the water evacuation the blocks engage on the ground. channels on a tire. The TRED team didn’t stop there, the ramp side of The vehicle will then lift and move the TRED Pro has a concave shape to help centre the tire while debris it to more stable terrain. Extended and obstructions are cleared. On the opposite side of the ramp they straps are featured for larger tires have added a “shovel”, which as expected doesn’t take the place of an and the Trac-Grabber is available actual shovel but does a good job in the right conditions such as snow for cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, and sand. Finally, if these features aren’t already enough, consider that buses, and other commercial all TREDs, Pro, 1100, and the 800 series all carry the industries best vehicles. lifetime warranty. Unlike some other recovery board manufacturers For pricing and availability visit TREDs will cover their product even if it has damaged or worn lugs. www.tracgrabber.com
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 37 RECOVERY
Words and photos by Mathieu Godin
48" Hi-Lift X-TREME & Accessories
A Hi-Lift jack is a must have recovery item for any off-road Hi-Lift Lift-Mate enthusiast. It’s a bit heavy, and must be treated with respect, but it’s Unless you have off-road bumpers or sliders, you likely won’t a critical item to have in your recovery kit. Even using your winch, have any secure jacking points. This is when the Hi-Lift Lift-Mate in some instances it’s preferable to lift the vehicle a few inches so comes to the rescue. This item was designed so you can lift your you can fit recovery ramps or rocks under the tires, so you don’t vehicle directly from a wheel (depending on the wheel design). drag your rig out creating more damage. And, it can also be used It will also reduce the amount of travel required by the jack to lift to pull your rig back or sideways. your vehicle if for instance, you have very large tires and a lift kit. Lift-Mate features: The Hi-Lift X-TREME is Hi-Lift’s top of the line jack and can Lift Capacity: 5000 lbs. (2273 kg) be recognized by its charcoal metallic powder-coat finish. The Rubber-Coated hooks to protect the wheel hardware, handle and special top winch-clamp-spreader attachment Rubber pad for protecting the tire and wheel are covered with a gold zinc-coat for greater rust resistance. hi-lift.com One of the X-TREME’s most interesting features is its winch- clamp-spreader attachment that makes this jack even more The JakJaw Hi-Lift Adapter is engineered from heavy- versatile. It allows the jack to lift, winch, spread and clamp up to duty laser-cut steel and can fit on any jack model. It can be used 5000 pounds. It includes two shackle holes as well as a 3/8-inch to lift a vehicle by its bumpers, sliders or any round or square chain slot for winching. You can even turn this jack into a Jaws tubing. It fits perfectly underneath my sliders–providing me with of Life tool. However, there is a jack specially designed for first secure jacking points. responders. JakJaw features: I usually attach my X-TREME to my BajaRack with BajaRack’s Weight: 1 kg (2.3 lbs) special attachment, which fits perfectly on the side of my Colour options: Powdered coated safety red roof rack. There are a plethora of solutions from a number Fits all Hi-Lift brand farm jacks of manufacturer’s to mount your jack, just be aware it’s not 3/16” mild steel, hot rolled, P/O something you can keep tossed in your vehicle; it needs to be properly secured. The Hi-Lift Off-Road Base is made of heavy plastic and Hi-Lift X-TREME features: will provide better support as well as reduce the risk of your All-Cast Construction Hi-Lift jack sinking into soft ground. While there are more 7000lb (3175.14kg) Tested Capacity aggressive models out there that might provide better grip on Available in 48” & 60” Heights (122, & 152cm) rocks, this one is Hi-Lift’s original equipment so you know you hi-lift.com can count on it. I have found it to be quite stable.
38 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive The Hi-Lift Handle-Keeper is made of polyurethane and will eliminate the jack rattling during its transport by retaining the Hi-Lift handle to the upright steel bar. The only inconvenience is that you will need to remove the X-TREME’s winch-clamp- spreader attachment to install or remove it. However it easily slips on and off the other regular jack models.
The Hi-Lift Off-Road Kit allows the jack to be used as a winch. It’s going to be a slow process but it will get the job done if it is your only option. The kit comes with everything you need except 25ft of 3/8” chain with holding hooks. The extra chain with holding hooks is an Clockwise from opposite page: essential item. Without it, you won’t be Hi-Lift Off-Road Kit, Hi-lift Han- able to take full advantage of the kit and dle Keeper, Jakjaw Hi-lift adapter, will be limited to using a combination and Hi-lift off-road base of tow straps, winch extension straps, and tree savers for your recovery (you don’t want to use a kinetic strap/rope for winching). Off-Road Kit includes: 1 - Winch Jack Attachment Bracket 1 - Winch Tensioner Attachment Bracket 2 - 3/8” Grab Hook w/ Clevis Pin 1 - 3/8” G40 Chain (26-link) 1 - 3/8” G40 Chain (15-link) 1 - 1/2” Bolt and Nut 1 - Quick Release Pin (Replaces cotter pin that secures Hi-Lift Jack base plate) 1 - 5/8” D-Ring Shackle 1 - 2” Nylon Tree Strap (8’ length) 1 - 5/16” Bolt and Nut 2 - 3/8” Bolt and Nut 1 - Hi-Lift® Gloves 1 - Hi-Lift® Gear Bag
On a final note, don’t get a knock-off version of the Hi-Lift jack–it’s just not worth it. For your safety, get a real Hi- Lift jack–they have been around since 1905 for a reason. I won’t go on an off- road adventure without mine! jakjaw.com | hi-lift.com
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 39 RECOVERY the desire for highly engineered products that were made with pride. The recovery kit usually has no business being associated as such, until we came across the Warn Epic Recovery Kit last year at SEMA. Featuring the standard issue bits one needs to extract themselves from Mother Nature’s grasp, each of the forged steel components has been treated to a multi-layered E-coat (or electrocoating) that protects from both corrosion and abrasion. Effectively, it’s like powder coating, without the thick shiny paint. Each part has been specifically designed to handle the rigours of vehicle extraction, while also acting as a nice bit of wheeler jewelry. Personally, with no bling factor associated with the Epic series, just the sense of a high-quality tool, I got in touch with Warn to have a look at the kit and have one of the heavy-duty versions onboard the Nissan Titan XD during our Arctic Expedition.
OUR KIT INCLUDED: Two forged 3/4” Epic Shackles (for 18,000 lb. winches and under) WORDS AND PHOTOS BY BUDD STANLEY Epic Tree Trunk Protector, including forged end loops (4” x 8’; rated to 30,000 lbs.) Epic Snatch Block (for winch STYLE with capacities of up to 18,000 lbs.) Premium Recovery Strap (3” x 30’; rated to 21,600 lbs.) Winching Gloves with Kevlar reinforcement and synthetic Substance leather Backpack carrying case Warn Epic Recovery Kit gets the job done in style In the case of the hardware, this is here are many different types of off- stuck, they’re going to need to dig into the actually Warns second generation of the Troaders in this country. There are back for the all-important recovery kit. Epic series, as the first series had some those who take pride in having the most For both groups, the recovery kit is flaws in the coating. However, so far, we wrinkled and filthy rig on the trail. Then a pretty standard piece of gear. Usually can report that they got it right with this there are those who demand quality over a mangled old tool kit with all manner batch as the coating has stood up well to quantity, take pride in having high quality of shackles, snatch blocks and tow ropes some decent abuse. Another well-thought (and usually expensive) gear, and do their tossed in; it’s a worn and abused kit to do out idea is the construction of the tree best to keep all the shiny bits looking… a dirty job. The only difference being the saver. This has a premium nylon strap with well… shiny. cleanliness and organization between the encased red warning marker to indicate However, both these groups share a two stereotypes. damaged webbing. common issue, sooner or later they’re We don’t take sides on the class levels of While the hardware is attractive, it’s the going to get stuck, and when they get our lifestyle, usually, but we do understand bag itself that attracted me to the kit. Made
40 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive The kit includes everything you see here.
Some of the flashiest looking shackles on the Side straps market, they will with clips also stand up to allow the kit 18,000lb and are to double as E-coated for wear a winch rope and tear. damper.
The 18,000lb capacity Snatch Block accepts both wire and synthetic winch line.
For those who haven’t winched in some time, or never at all, some helpful instructions are placed inside the cover.
from ballistic material with modular interior, the bag acts much weight on a winch line. And for those who haven’t winched in like a camera bag, keeping each part segregated from the rest of some time, or never at all, some helpful instructions are printed the tools, making for a cleaner and much more organized kit. on the inner flap. No more digging around in the dark, everything has its place in Do you need the Warn Epic Recovery Kit over a regular kit? this bag. Shoulder straps make it much easier to haul the kit over No, but if you have the funds to warrant high quality equipment, rough terrain or long distances (especially with this heavy-duty this kit has proved to handle the nasty business of extraction, hardware) and side straps allow the bag to double as line damper. and looked good doing it. I’ve never been a fan of plastic side release belt clips, they always Part Number: 97565 (medium duty), seem cheap and give way under load, however the units Warn 97570 (heavy duty) used on this kit are solid and strong, easily holding the kits www.warn.com
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 41 RECOVERY
Review and photos by Budd Stanley EXHAUSTED Bushranger X-Jack lets your tailpipe do the work
he Hi-Lift jack is an off-roader's best I got to chat with ARB, the distributers from thick rubber with a triple layer Tfriend. This versatile jack can lift of the Bushranger X-Jack here in North reinforced lifting surface. The bottom is heavy loads and get them high in the air. America, about these questions. They told covered in plastic spikes to ensure the However, these great chunks of metal have me to find out for myself and before I jack holds firm to the ground. The hose a lot of drawbacks as well. They are bloody knew it, a big round bag showed up in the features a silicone cone for placing over heavy, they don’t pack easy, they can be mail. the exhaust tip and is rated to handle quite unstable and they sometimes like to As you can see the kit comes with a temperatures up to 140°C. A Schrader fight back. durable carry bag, the X-Jack itself, a valve is included that allows the jack to Enter the Bushranger X-Jack, an protective mat to place between the vehicle be inflated by an air compressor and also exhaust inflated airbag that will do the and the X-Jack for additional puncture allows for accurate changes in lift and the same job, only a little differently. Now I’ve resistance, the main air hose, an extension safe evacuation of air. had my doubts about exhaust jacks, due hose, a pair of work gloves, a patch kit Yes, you can lift a heavy 4WD with entirely to my ignorance. Are they rugged and laminated instructions (nice touch, merely your exhaust pressure thanks to enough for an off-roader, will the exhaust because it’s never pleasant out when you witchcraft… I mean physics, between five not melt the hose, does the exhaust need to jack your 4WD). and ten psi is all that is needed to achieve actually push air out with enough force to My first concern about durability was the X-Jack’s 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) rating. actually lift a heavy 4WD? answered instantly. The X-Jack is made Fully inflated, the X-Jack will rise 75 cm
42 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive The X-Jack comes with just about everything you need for a successful extraction; we would suggest a shovel as well.
Spikes help keep the X-Jack stable on the jacking surface.
(31-in) without load, which for my little Samurai on 32’s is more than enough. To put it into action, editor Irons and I went on a little excursion up into the local mountains after a decent snowfall. With a shift fork broken in my transfer case and the Sami left with one-tire-fire, getting stuck was the easy part. Planting the Zuk well into the deep stuff, we pulled out the X-Jack and tossed it under the passenger foot well. Ensuring the bag is laying flat on the surface, the exhaust hose connects with a quarter turn and we’re ready to inflate. As the Zuk is still a work in progress, A Schrader valve allows the use of a compressor I don’t exactly have a tailpipe at the if the engine doesn’t operate, and safe deflation. moment, more just an open down pipe
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 43 Ensure a flat surface for jacking; this will require shoveling in some cases.
leading from the turbo. Pulling rank, I had the Schrader valve, repositioned and A couple of characteristics worth Irons hold the X-Jacks hose to the exhaust reflated at a safer angle. Even with the noting, the first is that the X-Jack is as I monitored the X-Jacks progression. repositioning, the time from tossing the better suited as a two-man operation. It took a little while for the little 1.6L to jack under the truck to having wheels up It can be operated solo, but there will fill the bag, but once it started to rise, it was under two minutes. be a lot of back and forth travel from had both passenger side tires airborne Due to the X-Jack’s size, the footprint holding the hose to the exhaust tip to in seconds. During our first inflation, on the ground is quite large, meaning that visualize the height of the vehicle and the X-Jack was starting to roll over on it did not sink very far into the snow once insure a stable placement. The second, an angle; the spikes on its base proved we loaded it with weight, so no need to the X-Jack doesn’t always go up straight, more than suffice to keep it in place but carry extra plywood around. Likewise, the bulging out to one side on occasion. We better safe than sorry. Especially since surface area that is pushing on the bottom had to abandon a couple lifts to refit the we had Irons under the Zuk (don’t worry of the vehicle is spread over a wide area, jack to get a stable inflation. Finally, you Mrs. Irons, we shoveled out a good which protects against damage and will can literally throw the X-Jack anywhere safety trench for him), we deflated via mold to the shape of the underbody. under your 4WD, however you need to
44 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Editor Irons holding the hose to the Zuk’s exhaust to fill the X-Jack.
IS THAT A PYTHON IN YOUR SACK OR … A VOODOO OFF-ROAD RECOVERY ROPE? As awful as it sounds, I’ve been relying on friends to have a recovery rope in the event that they, or I, find ourselves in a sticky/stuck situation. And while someone always has one, being without one is demeaning, and flies in the face of what a self- reliant wheeler should be carrying. I redeemed myself by ordering a 3/4” 30’ Voodoo Off-road recovery rope. Why 30’? Because sometimes longer is better. I could have gone the 7/8” which has a 38,000 lb breaking strength, but it is designed for 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks; our wheeling and snow extraction here is primarily mid-size and half ton trucks and SUV’s – so the 24,500 lb limit is plenty. The rope checks off all the key construction features for a recovery rope; 12 strand single braid, with a UV, water, and abrasion resistant polyurethane coating. It is also a garish bright green which is perfect in dim light or when you be mindful that you don’t push up on the hot exhaust system drop it in murky water. or delicate parts such as fuel lines or a wiring harness. This You could argue that 30’ is too long and that I was a little trickier than I thought on the small Samurai; just should have ordered the 20’ instead. You could be remember to look up at what you are going to put the weight right. My reasoning for wanting longer (no jokes of the vehicle on. please, I’ve typed and deleted them all already) Regardless, I found the X-Jack to be a fantastic addition is that this style of recovery rope functions by to my recovery kit. In the Samurai, weight matters, and the storing kinetic energy for a smooth extraction – a longer rope means more stored kinetic energy. lightweight, easy to use nature of the X-Jack has rendered the In the event that 30’ is too long for the space Hi-Lift impotent. Best of all, the X-Jack works on anything, I the trail allows, I can double it up. If you are a even slipped it under my lowered Toyota MR2 (stop laughing minimalist, or tight on space, click to buy the 20’ Irons) to swap the winter tires. When the snow melts, we’ll length and wait for some to ask,… what’s in your have another go in the mud to see just how good the X-Jack sack? really is. www.voodoooffroadropes.com www.arbusa.com
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 45 STORAGE Review and photos by Pat Harrison
TOP
The Smittybilt offers lockable storage and Drawer D-rings on top to lash We pit Front Runner and down additional gear. Smittybilt sliding drawers against each other
t’s a natural progression when you do something that is equipment intensive like off-roading, overlanding or Irock crawling, you will gather a lot of stuff. Ask anyone that has done a fair bit of the above and you will hear that storing equipment so it can be accessed is as important as having it all tied down so that it doesn’t end up in your lap, or worse. Like any rig out there, the JKU can stand with a little help in the area of accessible gear storage. We got
46 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive The Smittybilt doesn’t lock in open position, but offers 110L of cargo space.
the 136 kg (300 lb) plus range, however they kg (350 lb) of your gear with a little thought achieve the same goal in different ways. Both and it will even be as quiet as curtain call at are constructed from 16 and 18-gauge sheet a redneck Saloon in Texas, that accidentally steel and are finished in black powder coat. booked “Cats.” The box is low enough to fit They each have heavy duty slide mechanisms under the closed rear window of a hardtop and lock in the closed position. They both so you still have room for an upper shelf feel smooth opening and closing with the unit if that’s on your radar. Four flush mount Smittybilt one having a solid grab handle to tie down loops are provided to make that get a grip. flat top useable too. The stock sub woofer Neither unit locked in the open position, remains in place but you do lose access to which is an oversight I plan to do something the in-floor cubby hole, so clear that space together with our good buddy Ron Howard about with a drill, a pin or two and some out and make sure your drain plug is in. (no not the film director and childhood star stainless cable. I will update this article when We took Ron’s OEM deck cover and of Happy Days) to do a little comparison on that minor mechanical miracle occurs. cleverly sawzalled the end off so that with the each of our own recent purchases to pass Other similarities are the overall sizes, which drawer in closed position, he could pull just along what we learned in hopes that it will is not surprising given the space they are that end piece off to access the jack storage help you with the go-time shuffle. tasked with maximizing. It is unclear to us area and the plug n play connections to a I’ve had more variations of off-road tool whether the late model JK’s with the sub back up camera. All in all, the unit is a bit kits, bags, boxes and vaults than I care to woofer in the floor are compatible with big but that didn’t stop Ron from installing admit but it wasn’t until I finally bit the bullet either of these products, so if that’s you, be it himself the first time around although and got a Front Runner Cargo Slide from sure to ask your retailer about clearance. we fear one of his bearing slides may have Peden 4x4 that I finally felt like I got it right. suffered a bit in the process, but not enough Ron however must have received a few more Here is where they differ. to affect its performance. cards in his deck than I because he pretty The first is cost, the Front Runner slide rings Our Jeep got the Front Runner version, much went straight to it and got a Smittybilt in at $618, while the Smittybilt is only $487, which is essentially a sliding deck of Security Storage Vault sliding drawer unit and you’re getting a lot more metal for that. similar dimensions that locks firmly in from Four Wheel Parts and had his gear The Smittybilt is basically a big ass toolbox place and provides plenty of tie-down organized while I was still doing the shuffle. on a slide. Pull it out, unlock the lid, and slots to fix your gear in place. It is load All said these two slides have a lot of open it up to gain access to 110L (3.8 cu ft) rated for 113 kg (250 lb) worth of gear on similarities. Both units are comparable in of storage space that keeps your gear packed a moving platform, just lash it down with build quality and ease of installation. Both and protected from the elements and the any number of the tie-down points and be have similar weight bearing capacities in pry bars of the uninvited. Arrange up to 160 good to go with confidence. I’m fortunate
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 47 The Front Runner slide does not come with a storage box, which can better offer custom options.
The Front Runner is good for 113 kg (250 lb) worth of cargo. Smittybilt Security Storage Vault drawer unit: Part# 2763 PROS: • Well built enclosed storage • Lockable • Retains factory sub woofer • Solid locking in closed position • Easy install
CONS: • Will be in the way at times enough to have a couple of massive Pelican cases that haul my off- • Do NOT lose that key dammit! road trinkets, and the smaller one fits under our soft top bar so we • Can’t access factory floor cubby don’t have to open the window to pull it out. • Doesn’t lock in extended position Front Runner makes an impressive array of black storage • Bit of a pain to remove containers that work well with this platform to consider as well. I strap the case down and it fits well and opens nicely when the slide is fully Front Runner Cargo Slide: Part# SSST003 extended. Now if I didn’t want that weight, or needed the room to PROS: haul a bunch of big-ticket items around in the back of the daily driver, • Will haul whatever you can fit I could remove the case. I tend to bed down in the back of the JKU on • Maintains access to floor cubby camping outings, so this option will be put to good use. • Nice positive locking when closed The unit has proven to be dead quiet when empty or loaded, • Easy peasy install so they’ve done a good job with the fit tolerances. Both units represent a huge improvement in getting at your gear when you CONS: need it without having to go through the pain of the go-time • No built in security so get creative shuffle. Let’s do a little late night pros and cons run down and leave • Not the easiest to reach around you with a choice that comes down to personal preference, as both • No lock in extended position offerings do their job well. • Add-ons can be pricey
48 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive STORAGE
Words and photos by Jason Livingston Military Grade FUEL CANS onsumer grade, plastic gas cans The 20L model, carried on my travels Cbloat up in the sun, they leak, and this year, fits in a standard jerry can they don’t pour well. When you need a holder and has triple handles, allowing reliable way to store extra fuel for long, for easy manipulation. The fuel nozzle off-road trips, they just don’t cut it. Enter fits very well into the filler on my Scepter Canada with a real contender. 4Runner, preventing spills, but does Scepter Canada, an Ontario based have to be stored separately, which is company, developed their Military inconvenient. Fuel flow is very fast and Fuel Canisters to meet Canadian smooth thanks to the air-vent tube in the 20L Military Fuel Can MSRP $79.99 and U.S. military requirements for a neck. These cans are extremely strong Dimensions: 36L x 17.5W x 46.5H lighter, stronger, more durable fuel can. and have seals that really work. They cm (14.3 x 6.9 x 18.3 in) More than one million fuel cans have have seen hot days, mounted on their Weight: 2.8 kg (6.2lbs) seen service in extreme climates and sides atop my 4Runner, with minimal 10L Military Fuel Can MSRP conditions, mounted on military trucks signs of expansion and never once $54.99 and light armoured vehicles. They have leaking. I’ve even tried running one over Dimensions: 34.5L x 16.8W x 30H been beat up, shot at, and according to with no leaks. cm (13.6 x 6.6 x 11.8 in) their sales rep, even driven over! The 20L They are expensive, and the fuel Weight: 1.6 kg (3.5lbs) and 10L gasoline versions (red indicator nozzle is sold and stored separately, but Gasoline Fuel Nozzle MSRP strap) as well as the required fuel nozzle in my opinion, this fuel can deserves its $39.99 can be purchased at Princess Auto. reputation and is well worth the money. www.sceptermilitary.com
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 49 STORAGE
It’s a HEAVY DUTY Collection ne of Yakima’s new heavy-duty truck beds with the heavy duty BedGrip™ The system is easy to take on and off Oproducts is for weekend adventures clamp design—including select tonneau the truck in minutes, with the Patent and hardworking weekdays. The new covers—make this an ultra-functional rack Pending QuickChange™ rack attachment, OverHaul HD adjustable truck rack brings that works and plays hard - let’s not forget so the truck is only racked up when best-in-class payload and unmatched the built-in bottle openers. needed. The OverHaul HD fits all of versatility. Leveraging Yakima’s new The crossbar height can easily be Yakima’s new HD crossbar sizes and HD Bars for a 500 lb. on-road carrying adjusted from 19-30 inches: way up for accepts SideBars for attaching off-road capacity and paired with 300 lb Off-Road long loads to go over the cab; down low and utility accessories. rating, the OverHaul HD is the ideal to get the rack and load down out of the foundation for heavy loads. Multiple tie- wind; and an infinite number of positions For more product info visit down points and the ability to fit most in between. www.yakima.com.
50 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION
When Disaster Calls, Amateur Radio Answers Stay connected with an amateur radio Words and photos by Tom Severin
recent act of vandalism serves as a reminder to have diverse Acommunications capability with you while wheeling. Vandals cut a major fiber optic cable in our area, disrupting communications. Cellphone, Internet and telephone services were affected, along with ATMs, banks, and other connected entities. While this was an isolated incident, it serves as a reminder of how vulnerable our communications infrastructure is. You’re more likely to lose communications to some natural disaster, but in these days, we have to be mindful of willful acts of destruction.
A primer on ham radio We often say ham radio communication A common 2 metre ham radio is an easy plug in for your rig. will be the last standing form of
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 51 If you don’t want to Having mess with your dash, a communications handheld radio is also in the field is an option. always a good thing.
communication in the event of a disaster. up to 75 watts in a mobile radio. As a ham falls at 420 – 450 MHz. This is because each ham owns their own operator, you can legally transmit even All 2 metre and 440 radios allow users transmitter/receiver and most of it works higher wattage but that is not practical in a to operate in either simplex or duplex off the grid – on batteries in a vehicle. mobile unit using a car battery. operation. Simplex, in simple terms, is Amateur or “ham” radio is a private Ham radio operators often access what you would use for vehicle-to-vehicle radio service available to you. It requires repeaters, as well. Repeaters are standalone chatting on the trail. FRS radios operate a license, for which you take one or more transceivers (usually on a summit) that this way. Duplex operation is used for written exams. There are three classes automatically retransmit, “repeat” the repeater operation. Your radio transmits on of license; each requires a written exam. signal. This boosts the effective range of a one frequency and listens for the repeater Once licensed, you have access to various radio considerably. It is not uncommon to on a different frequency. Having additional frequency bands and modes of operation. talk with someone several counties away. power and repeater capability can be very I hold a Technician class license — the Before going on the air, make sure you important while wheeling. Of course, that first level — and my call sign is KI6FHA. have your ham radio license. You can get depends on whether a repeater is within For more on ham radio, check out the by with the Technician class license. Exams range. Industry Canada website for more cover a host of topics, including rules Consider a dual-band radio. A dual information regarding amateur radio and regulations, radio theory, operating band radio can provide the capability to use certification at www.ic.gc.ca. procedures, and more. Once you’re both the 2 metre and 70 cm bands. These In addition to offering more frequency licensed, it’s time to buy your ham radio give you the ability to adapt to any repeater bands, ham radio equipment generally gear. Even though you’ll have access to the in places where you’ll be. (You can find puts out more power. This is especially true full ham radio spectrum, for the purposes repeater frequencies online.) Prices for a of the mobile radios. While a CB radio is of this article, we’ll focus on VHF and UHF good, used dual-band radio probably run limited to 4 watts output, mobile ham VHF/ operation. around $150 - $200. UHF radios (the kind I’m recommending The most popular band for mobile If you’re a bit strapped for cash, consider here) transmit with 40 to 50 watts or more. operation is known as 2 metres. This covers just a 2 metre radio. Being the more You can find single band 2 metre (more on 144 – 148 MHz. A very popular UHF band, popular band, you’re more likely to find 2 “2 metre” later) radios that will transmit often called either 70 cm or “the 440 band”, metre repeaters wherever your travels may
52 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive take you. No radio operates without an antenna. For newcomers, I recommend starting with a magnetic mount style. The magnetic mount will get you on the air quickly. After you become familiar with your ham radio gear, install a permanent antenna. You set the antenna on the trunk or rear bumper, and string the coax through a window. A down side to a magnetic mount antenna on the roof of your vehicle is it is easily knocked off if you drive through heavy brush. A good dual-band magnetic mount antenna can be had for less than $50, based on a quick peek online. You may have to tune (adjust) the antenna for maximum performance. Most ham radio operators would be happy to assist with that. Ham radio equipment Popular brands include Alinco, Kenwood, Icom and Yaesu. Ask some ham radio operators for their suggestions, and then try out a few models. Ditto for antennas. I highly recommend the Yaesu FT8800R. Keep track of It is a bit expensive but it is a dual band operators in the radio that has two radios side by side built area or your own into one small package. You could talk group with an onboard radio. vehicle-to-vehicle on one radio and listen to a repeater on the other radio. In addition, it gives you the ability power and dual band. Most single band 2 You may like other features; this is just to turn your vehicle into a repeater with metre radios have more output power. a start. something called “cross band” repeating. 3) Large memory capability – pre-plan I should mention that ham radio For example, you can tune one side to a 2 the repeaters for a long expedition and isn’t restricted to off-road use. Heck, metre repeater and the other side to a 70 have room to store them all. you’re welcome to operate wherever and centimetre simplex frequency. Then turn 4) Easy to read display - size, contrast, whenever. In fact, put your ham radio on the “cross banding” function, which back light, for driving safety and ease of skills and driving skills to use by helping means anything received by one radio is use. out a charity ride. You’ll have fun, polish retransmitted by the other side. If you are 5) Removable control head - increases your operating skills, and help a worthy hiking with a hand held ham radio, you mounting options in the vehicle. The bulk cause. set it to the 70 centimetre frequency. Now of the radio and can go under a seat or in Incorporating ham radio equipment the more powerful radio in the vehicle can the trunk. into your 4WD vehicle adds a new retransmit your message to the repeater. 6) Sealed radio - the cooling fan should dimension to your communication not pull air (and, therefore dust) through capabilities. It is very useful for routine Here are some things to look the radio. operating, and could make a big for in a mobile ham radio for 7) NOAA weather alert - important to difference during an emergency in a wheeling: keep an eye on the weather when off-road. remote area. 1) Dual band feature (2 m / 70 cm) 8) Cross band repeater function - see - access any repeaters as you travel above. Tom Severin, 4x4 Coach, teaches 4WD regardless if they are 2 metre or 70 9) Ease of use. This is a bit relative. owners how to confidently and safely centimetres. Today’s radios have so many functions, use their vehicles to the fullest extent 2) High output wattage - nice to have they can be challenging to program the in difficult terrain and adverse driving extra power to reach a remote repeater. first time. Another reason to get yourself a conditions. Visit www.4x4training.com to There seems to be a tradeoff between mentor (known as an Elmer). develop or improve your driving skill.
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 53 NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION
Words and photos by Budd Stanley Taking the ‘Search’ out of Search and Rescue f there is one thing we all have in own Spot Adventures). common, it is that we love being When getting into the functions, Ioutdoors and in the warm embrace you will read “predetermined” and of Mother Nature. Some of us aren’t truly “preprogrammed” quite often. With the happy until we are well off the grid, far Spot plugged into your computer, you from any social distraction, where Mother can choose which contacts will receive Nature’s embrace might not be so warm, messages from which service, what each but most importantly, well away from any message will say and whether you would built ruggedly with a rubber outer shell cell coverage. like to post to social media. It is a great and weather resistant construction. Testing This is where the Spot Gen3 comes into system as long as you know what you want each function, other than the S.O.S., play. As a communications device that to say, or what a possible problem could relayed texts, emails and my position to uses satellites to get messages from the be, because once you unplug, your Spot is all the applicable contacts within seconds backcountry back to civilization, the Spot set. of pushing the button. Downfalls include Gen3 is the perfect in-between device that There are only six buttons on the Spot having to keep the logo of the Spot facing allows you to leave all the networking and Gen3, each with a corresponding LED upwards, so it is best placed on a dash or social distractions of a smartphone back in light that will illuminate green when the on top of a backpack. This makes getting town, but still communicate your location, service has been activated, or red when to it difficult, but luckily there is an app status or call for an emergency rescue. canceled. Once you get to know the that will connect to the Spot allowing you Activation of the Spot Gen3 can be a device, it all becomes quite simple, there to operate it remotely. little difficult for those not tech savvy, and is a power button on the top left hand side It’s built well, simple to program there is a monthly plan that you will have to power up the device, an S.O.S. button, and use, and it gives you the ability to to subscribe to for service. Globalstar, the Help button, Check-in button, Track communicate with the world when you company that operates the system, offers button and a Message button. All the are off the grid. It did have a couple the service for $14.99 per month with basics you need in the backcountry and no performance issues when a clear view of service plan upgrades such as Enhanced other distractions. the sky was not possible, but the greatest Tracking for an added cost. Once users are In the box you get the Spot Gen3 characteristic of the Spot is the piece of connected, they can upload contacts email device, strap, carabiner, USB cable, four mind it gives you, the adventurer. and cell phone data, as well as connect to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and a Price: $169.99 social media (Facebook, Twitter and Spots quick reference guide. The Spot itself is www.findmespot.ca
54 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION
Canada National Parks Map Discover Canada’s National Bundles Parks with Avenza Maps Bruce Peninsula National Park, Elk Island Words and photos courtesy Avenza National Park, Jasper National Park, Kejimkujik National Park, Kluane National s the Canadian National Parks locate yourself using your device’s GPS. Park, Mingan Archipelago National Park, System celebrates the country’s Try out map tools such as Record GPS Pacific Rim National Park, Prince Albert A150th birthday with free Tracks to record your activity on your next National Park, Waterton National Park, admission to all parks in 2017, seasoned adventure. Wood Buffalo National Park outdoor adventurers, weekend warriors Trusted by organizations including and daytrippers alike are venturing into National Parks Canada and National Coming Soon Canada’s wilderness. Geographic, Avenza’s catalogue of maps Akami-Uapishku-KakKasuak-Mealy For those planning excursions, has Canadian explorers covered from Mountains National Park Reserve, Avenza Maps (free for iOS, Android and coast to coast with a multitude of maps Auyuittug National Park, Banff National Windows) is an essential app to download. and map bundles for the country’s national Park, Cape Breton Highlands National Gone are the days of fumbling with paper parks. Many are free or less expensive than Park, Forillion National Park, Gulf Islands maps that get lost or torn--Avenza Maps their printed counterparts. National Seashore, Mount Revelstoke enables users to access PDF maps on their National Park, Naats-ihch’oh National smartphones, utilizing their devices’ built- AVAILABLE MAPS INCLUDE: Park, Nahanni National Park Reserve, in GPS receivers to mark their positions, Canada National Parks Maps Point Pelee National Park, Pukaskwa routes, points of interest and more—all Beausoleil Island - Georgian Bay National Park, Riding Mountain National without data or Wi-Fi. Island National Park, Glacier National Park, Thousand Islands National Park, To use Avenza Maps, simply download Park, Gwaii Haanas National Marine Vuntut National Park, Wapusk National the free app from the App Store, Google Conservation Area, Ivvavik National Park, Park, Yoho National Park Play, or Windows Store, then browse for Kootenay National Park, Kouchibouguac maps in the Avenza Map Store in the app National Park, Lake Superior National Ready to start exploring? Download or on the web and download maps to your Marine Conservation Area, Torngat Avenza Maps and start planning your device. Use the app to open a map and National Park National Park adventure today!
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 55 TIRES Words and photos courtesy Amp Tires AMP TIRES Terrain Series
hen it comes to light truck for regular driving. The Amp Terrain Attack M/T is the tires, who hasn’t gotten Amp Tires Terrain Series consists most aggressive tread design offering Wlost in the myriad of tires of three unique models which include maximum traction in all driving available today? With so many options the Terrain Attack M/T, the Terrain conditions. The interlocking four flooding the market on a constant Attack A/T and the Terrain Pro A/T. ribbed tread design performs well basis, it can be a challenge to find the Each tire is unique in its design but the in snow, mud, dirt and debris while right tire that fits your driving style quality, technology and durability of keeping continuous contact for superior along with the terrain that you drive each tire are consistent throughout the off-road traction and fantastic on-road throughout the seasons. Amp Tires line. Amp Tires also boast that every control. The unique shoulder design simplifies the process of narrowing one of their tires is snow flake rated for features a staggered tread block that down to the perfect tire that will check extreme weather conditions and carries provides reliable grip in unreliable all of the boxes to find the perfect tire the 3 peaks snowflake mark on the terrain. The 3-ply sidewall construction that delivers optimum traction and sidewall of each tire. Let’s break down boasts an aggressive “A” logo lug design functionality while being comfortable each design. which provides dynamic biting edges to
56 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Amp’s Terrain Pro A/T is a more traditional well-mannered all-terrain tire designed for everyday use. With deep, multi-function tread grooves it provides ATP Terrain Pro enhanced traction in a wide variety of conditions while delivering a smooth and controlled ride. The five ribbed Amp Tires offers well thought out tread design uses a stepped tread block tires that are designed to perform in just and multi directional sipping to disburse about any terrain imaginable. Since each water, snow and debris which creates of their tires is appropriate to work in increased traction in all environments. multiple environments, you can still rip Rock ejectors were added to the tread to from the trail to the street in a tire that keep grooves free of rocks, mud and gravel is meant to work well in many places. while mitigating possible punctures. The They proudly back each of their tires with advanced tread compound delivers a a limited lifetime warranty to give you fantastic driving experience and carries a confidence in their products. See more 60,000-mile warranty. details at www.amp-tires.com
ATA Terrain Attack maintain grip in the harshest terrain. The Amp Terrain Attack A/T is considered aggressive for an A/T but not quite a mud terrain. This “tweener” tire uses a four-rib interlocking multi block design which improves traction in loose dirt, debris and sand. The sidewall design uses dual variation lug technology for greatly improved traction in all environments and weather conditions. Deep tread blocks channel dirt, mud, snow and slush away from the tire without losing contact with the road. The Attack A/T is MTA Mud Terrain Attack backed by a 40,000-mile tread life warranty.
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 57 TIRES
Words and photos by Perry Mack BRIDGESTONE Blizzak DM-V2 t was mid-October when the fading the new Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires they are being mounted. Six centimetres light of summer gave way to the first in my Jeep’s factory size of P255/70R18 to of fresh snow fell as I drove home, which Ireports of snow in the mountains. see how they performed compared to the then thawed through the afternoon and Winter was coming. Big surprise. The stock Bridgestone Duelers and my beloved froze as temperatures dropped that night Jeep was shod with a set of 35” Mickey Mickey Thompson A/T’s. and through the next day. Thompson A/T’s wrapped around a set The DM-V2 is a studless winter tire The Blizzaks cut through the fresh of 22” Tuff wheels, which I had abused designed for SUV’s, CUV’s, and light snow, tossing up chunks as the tires on the street and trail, and shown off trucks (it replaces the DM-V1), and as cleared themselves eager to bite into at the Specialty Equipment Marketing an authentic winter tire, it carries the the next mix of snow and pavement. Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas in required M+S rating. Cornering was refreshingly acute as the Nov 2016. I truly am blessed. It seems that as edges dug deep to pivot through any Returning home mid-November from soon as I acquire a set of tires to test, the change of direction. The last test is always sunny, warm Nevada, I ordered up a set of weather goes from average to dangerous as the most interesting – stopping traction.
58 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive How do you know if the tires are helping you stop? My test is to drive at 60 kph (laws permitting of course) and slam on the brakes to see how the ABS kicks in. If there’s no traction, you start sliding, lights start flashing on the dash and the vehicle vibrates and shudders like a night in Las Vegas. If you have traction, you miss the excitement and stop. The tires grip. Every Canadian has experienced that sickening feeling when you tromp on the brake pedal only to start sliding with no chance of steering or stopping. You just wait for the impact. With the Blizzaks, I could still steer while hammering on the brake on the freshly frozen road. Most importantly, I could stop faster than the vehicle in front of me. The tire remained flexible as the temperature dropped down to -14 Celsius, which I realize is considered balmy in parts of central Canada. On the opposite side of zero, wet traction was good for a winter tire. The performance on ice is attributed to their NanoPro Tech Multicell compound. According to Bridgestone, the compound is porous at a microscopic level, which draws the thin top layer of water into the tire improving traction. The tread design has also changed in that the “compound is molded into a directional tread design featuring 15% more block edges (than the Blizzak DM-V1 it replaces) where circumferential and lateral grooves help channel water, slush and snow away from the contact area for added traction while 3D zigzag sipes increase the number of snow biting edges.” Although 4WD was necessary to pull off the starting line in greasy snow on the street, and in 20 cm of snow off-road, the Bridgestone DM-V2 is a solid winter performer at the top of it’s category. Some testers reported that durability was an issue with this tire, and Bridgestone confesses that their Nanocell tech compound is only on the first 55% of the tread depth. If you leave your snow tires on in order to drive to the ski hill long after the snow has left the urban streets, expect to replace them more often than other winter tires. But if traction is more important than longevity – buy them. www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 59 Words by Perry Mack TIRES Swiss Army Knife of All- Terrain Tires
60 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Like a tool for every occasion, ready at a moment's notice, the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W were asked to be an instant performer through constantly changing weather and terrain.
stands for "wear, wet and 3W winter." It seems the Falken engineers were targeting the northern states and Canada with this tire. But can this really be the Swiss Army Knife of All- Terrain Tires, able to tackle dry and wet pavement, plus mud, dirt and snow? All-terrain tires are designed to be the daily driver for off-road trucks and SUV’s, perfect for the weekend warriors and the guys on job sites where traction in loose rock, sand, snow and mud is just as important as good road manners on dry and wet pavement. The M&S rating will get you through the winter on these tires, unfortunately four season driving also means you rack up a lot of miles. We need traction, and a tire that wears well to protect our pocket book. If you are into off-road driving, including events like King of the Hammers, you’ll recognize the Falken Wildpeak A/T name as it won the 2012 KOH Everyman mounted on a buggy. The Falken engineers were determined to provide everyman (you and me) with similar off-road prowess in a tire that we can drive every day and everywhere. The folks at Falken seem to think they have it nailed. Some of the tires’ features are going to sound familiar. These are A/T tire design features that are proven to work. An aggressive upper sidewall and staggered, offset shoulder blocks protect the sidewall from rocks and curb damage, and provide extra traction while aired down, clawing out of ruts. The silica tread compound reduces rolling resistance and improves traction on ice and wet surfaces, as does the angulated siping. The siping provides suction to the pavement and the angles provide stability to the tread block to reduce the wear that cutting sipes
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 61 creates. It’s important to note that the LT tires don’t have the same silica compound as the other tire sizes. The silica decreases the wet performance of the LT tires, but the lack of it improves durability. Speaking of tread blocks, the voids between the blocks are a mixed blessing. Movement of the blocks on pavement reduces handling but we need them for traction off-road to claw through dirt and mud, we also we need them to clear themselves of the debris every rotation so they continue to work. Steps like a Mayan pyramid are built into the sides of some of the A/T3W blocks, helping to stiffen the block, and still eject material to keep a large opening to grab ground on every rotation. Falken engineers also spent some time and money on the A/T3W sidewalls, specifically close to the bead. Internally, they built a secondary bead apex to reinforce the sidewall. This makes the tire tougher in this area and it acts as a heat shield. Falken engineers say this has a net effect of improved durability and handling. Additional cooling comes from their heat diffuser technology, located externally in the same section of the lower sidewall. Keeping the tire cooler provides more stability, especially when carrying a payload or towing heavy loads. LT tire sizes have the deepest tread in the segment at 10/16” so you get the most consistent performance throughout the life of the tire. They back the tire up with an 55,000 mi limited tread life warranty. Our test tires are LT285/75R17 E/10, weighing in at 29.5 kg (65 lb) a piece, and wrapped around a set of Deegan 38 Pro 2, 17x9 wheels on our 2015 Wrangler JK Unlimited Sahara with a Teraflex 3” lift. Early April in the Okanagan is usually a warm pleasant affair with flocks of tourists arriving for Easter vacation. This year, especially at higher elevations, it was a crap storm of fog, rain, sleet and snow, capping off an unusually high and deadly accident season on the upper highways.
With the tires mounted, we set out to test Falken’s claims. We had a couple weeks on dry pavement and the tires held the road well
62 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive and were on the quiet side for A/T tires. Cornering was solid and controlled and braking distance and time uncompromised. The ‘ugly’ weather test day provided WHY LT TIRES DON’T a lovely combination of rain and wet snow. Cornering on winding, wet mountain CONTAIN SILICA roads felt the same as dry pavement and driving at speeds of 100 kph was solid. Tire tread compounds are composed of a A stock 3.6L Pentastar is never going to be a drag racer, nevertheless, the tires reinforcing filler, which is usually carbon didn’t slip when I mashed the accelerator to the floor from a dead stop in 2WD. black, to extend the wear life of the tire. Checking the rear-view mirror and finding no one behind me, I said a short However, thanks to tire technological prayer and slammed on the brakes from 80 kph. The truck came to a fast complete advances over the past decades, stop travelling in a straight line. this carbon black can sometimes be We continued to climb heading up to Big White Ski Resort. With the hill still replaced by silica in some applications. The benefit of silica-containing filler in open, and the snow pack at record highs, I knew we would find snow. general, is less rolling resistance and The Falken A/T3W are good, almost take-the-fun-out of-driving-on-snow more grip than traditional carbon black good. Traction is solid and the treads cleared the wet snow really well. The only fillers, which translates to benefits staggered sidewalls provided extra traction to side-climb snow banks, proving of better fuel economy and higher levels that there is no rut you can’t get out of. of safety respectively. Back in town we spotted some very large piles of broken concrete (4 m high, Changing the tire from an Original 20 m long) and decided these hard, harsh, sharp-edged chunks would provide a Equipment tire or standard aftermarket great durability test. While the tires did get some cosmetic marks, they did not get highway all-season tire to a heavier- shredded. duty aftermarket All-Terrain tire might As a caveat, a designated mud tire like the Yokohama M/T G003 will be a negatively impact the fuel economy better mud terrain tire, and a dedicated winter-only tire will be better on ice. of the vehicle, especially on SUV’s, But specialization means you have to make compromises in other areas of mid-size pickup trucks, and 1/2T pickup trucks in which fuel economy is tire performance, making them less desirable on a daily driver and weekend increasingly becoming more of a focus adventure vehicle. with governmental CAFÉ requirements. The Falken Wildpeak All-Terrain A/T3W proved to be a great performer in These vehicles are more sensitive to snow, wet and dry pavement, mud, sand and loose rock. For us, it was a hero tire changes in fuel economy as a result of we could count on, and a top choice for an all-terrain tire on a 4WD. Check out non-OE tires, which is why Falken utilizes our YouTube video at https://youtu.be/l_P-YDro0io a silica compound in the non-LT sizes to minimize this impact on fuel economy while maintaining the highest level of safety and wet grip possible. On the other hand, Falken does not use Silica on the LT tire sizes which are intended for3/4-ton and 1-ton pickup truck applications and/or off-road applications in which the vehicles are less sensitive from a fuel economy point of view, and durability and tire tread life are often more of a concern. The non-LT compounds are specifically formulated to maximize grip and wear life, as well as winter performance, all three performances with prioritization over rolling resistance. Furthermore, because these off-road, 3/4-ton and 1-ton vehicles are relatively heavy, the normal force in the tire contact patch is higher, requiring a lower coefficient of friction to maintain the same level of friction with the road (and thus grip) as the non-LT tires. In essence, both the Falken non-LT tires and LT tires perform at very high levels of wet, wear, and winter performances when fitted to the intended vehicle applications.
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 63 TIRES GeneralWords by Jason Tansem Tire Grabber ATX
64 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive dropped off the new Grabber ATX’s at OK Tire in Kelowna to have them Imounted and it was like I was carrying around a new baby. The tires are so new, as soon as I had announced what I had, the staff hovered around my 2015 Ram 1500 waiting to check out the new family member.
The ATX were mounted on a set of Mayhem 17” non-beadlock wheels.
It was a good thing that I admired the new LT285/70R17 tires and snapped a few photos before I drove away or else I probably wouldn’t have believed they mounted the right tire. They were noticeably quieter than the all-terrain tires I replaced and sounded as quiet as the OEM all-seasons which I discarded. The GRABBER A/TX is a blend of the GRABBERX3’ s strong sidewall, and the reliable and consistent tread elements of the GRABBER AT2. This aggressive all-terrain all-weather tire has an M+S rated (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol) but it does have an advantage in icy conditions over other all terrain tires with the option to add studs. General says their signature DuraGen Technology provides long, even wear with excellent cut and chip resistance, while Stabilitread Technology features a larger footprint and optimized pattern stiffness to further promote even wear and long tread life. The sipes are full depth so you’ll maintain wet and snow traction throughout the life of the tire and they say their Comfort Balance Technology is a tread cushioning system with an acoustic tread pattern that provides a more comfortable, quiet ride on the road. After a few minutes of admiring the lack of tire noise, and my pleasant singing, I found myself stopped at a red light with no vehicles in sight. As I watched my wipers go back in forth in the downpour I decided to take these new Grabbers through the next test. As soon as that light changed I stomped on my gas pedal. Considering how wet the road was I was expecting some spin but there was
65 nothing to report other than acceleration. As I got up to well over the speed limit I looked around and there was still no one in sight. Normally we test the braking in a large parking lot or something similarly isolated, but in this case the opportunity presented itself and I mashed the brake pedal to the floor with both feet. The truck stopped like it was on dry pavement. At that point I thought twice about what I had done and was very happy there was no slip and slide. As I moved on I cornered through puddles of water at high speed and never felt that uneasy feeling of hydroplaning. Now if you don’t follow us on Social Media – you should. If you do follow us, you would have seen the ideal weather for our next excursion with these tires. A mix of rain and wet, heavy snowflakes dropped through dense fog as we white knuckled at highway speed to our favourite spot - Big White Ski Resort - just like we were late to get first tracks. Our mission was to test the Grabbers without 4WD as long as possible. On flat ground the tires provided plenty of grip in the snow and acceleration around corners at a good speed was done without getting the heart rate up. Close to our final destination, we found a muddy, mushy, wet, snowy work site. The handling and traction were great, so naturally we put more gas into the equation and the only issue we had was blacking out the lens of the GoPro with flying mud. I could feel editor Mack getting bored, so we decided to find a committed- outdoorsman-rated snow covered climb - the kind of road or trail that leads to a remote, no cell reception, ice-fishing spot or winter campsite. Nothing better than a logging road (editor Mack said it was dormant, but I should go first, turn down my country music and listen for a rumbling sound just in case) leading into the mountains to really see what ATX could do. I was climbing through roughly 25cm of fresh snow and didn’t experience any slipping and felt totally in control. As Days later our final test was in loose the rock or gravel scraped and blocked the incline got more intense, I did switch rock and gravel. The only thing that held the front bumper like a snow plow, or into 4WD. The Ram made it with ease the ATX back was the poor approach and tires left the ground (lack of droop or the and I was impressed on how little slipping breakover angle of the Ram. The tires truck was resting on the side steps). This occurred. pulled/pushed the truck along until either caused editor Mack no end of pleasure in
66 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive our continued battle on the merits of work truck versus trail rig. The GRABBER™ A/TX will be available in 27 LT-Metric sizes ranging from 15” – 20” rim diameter, primarily load rating E; 10 floatation sizes ranging from 14” – 20” rim diameter, OD from 27” to 37”; three metric sizes ranging from 16” – 20” rim diameter in widths up to 305mm; and six new sizes. We drive a pile of tires (literally, they are stacked in piles in storage), and these Grabbers were able to climb rock and claw into dry conditions with no problem. What gets me cranked up is what the ATX can do in snow, ice, freezing rain and mud. What I found exceptional was their ability to handle the changing on- and off-road conditions we face. I don’t hesitate in recommending these tires for 4x4 enthusiasts, both hard- working tradesmen and outdoorsmen alike. I am keeping them on my personal vehicle and have full confidence they will get the job done in any situation.
Check out videos from our test on social media: Facebook: 4WDrive Twitter: @4wdrivecanada Instagram: 4WheelDriveCanada YouTube: youtube.com/ c/4WDMagazine
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 67 TIRES Words by Perry Mack Photos by Perry Mack & Bryan Irons Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ P3 and Tuff A.T. T12 Wheels
68 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive ack in May, Mickey Thompson (MT) released new sizes in their infamous Baja ATZ P3 line. 35” and 37” tires to Bfit a 22” wheel. I had to know, how would that look on a Jeep cruising the urban landscape, and would it perform well enough for a moderate trail ride when you needed to escape the rat race? The tire is M+S rated so you can drive it all year. Our tested tires are LT325/50R22 (35X13.00R22) wrapped around a set of Tuff all-terrain 22x10 T12’s in satin black with milled accents. The Baja ATZ P3 radial tire is designed as a hybrid of mud and all terrain, with the characteristics of both in the materials, tread and sidewall. Large tread blocks offer a solid bite into rocks and sand while also easily flinging out mud to grapple with the next chunk of trail. The A-shaped ‘Sidebiters’ in the sidewall shoulder grab the dirt, sand, mud and rock when your tire is in a rut while providing extra sidewall protection at the same time. The outside voids are designed with stone ejectors. You will get rocks lodged in the voids but just keep driving, as the tires will rid themselves of these offending trail souvenirs. The proprietary T4 composition includes a high amount of silica for excellent tread wear, and in conjunction with the siping, gives you good performance on wet roads. It’s built with their race proven PowerPly 3-ply sidewall construction and an extra wide footprint. Our test vehicle is a 2015 Wrangler JKU with a 3” Teraflex (TF) lift, TF front and rear bumpers and rock sliders.
Special Edition 2 69 On the Street Off-Road BAJA ATZ P3 AS TESTED With the windows down you can hear that We aired down to 20 psi for the off-road Size - LT325/50R22 the rubber on road is louder than the stock test drive. Enough to soften up the tires (35X13.00R22) tires, and probably every decent all-terrain without exposing our beloved 22” Tuff Weight – 35.4 kg (78 lbs) tire we’ve ever tested. But this is a Jeep. wheels to damage (no luck there). Load range - E Roll up the windows, and whether you are For the next two hours we traveled Max PSI – 450 kPa (65 psi) driving with no top, soft top, or hard top, our favourite trails through gravel, sand, Max Load – 1500 kg (3,305 lbs) the ambient noise in the vehicle at every rubble and smooth rock. How challenging Approx. Rim Size - 9.0-11.0 in speed over 60 kph drowns out any noise was our test trail? On any trail scale of Tread Width – 11.4 in the tire might make. easy, moderate or difficult - it was difficult. Tread Depth – 18.5/32 in The relatively low profile provides I have to bring this up, as our original plan Tuff Tires – www.statuswheels. confident aggressive cornering without was to keep the trail difficulty moderate com sidewall roll. With an usually wet summer but ‘moderate’ was too easy. There was no ATZ P3 - www. for BC, we had plenty of opportunity to loss of traction on any surface. What’s a mickeythompsontires.com, test drive the ATZ P3 on wet tarmac, and wheeler to do? Go for the gold. https://www.youtube.com/ the results were good – good braking and We finally had to use 4 low and high embed/v25dO-MFGt8 grip through the corners.
to maintain traction and disconnect the front swaybar links to keep the tires on the ground. The tires performed flawlessly. I suspect that 35” Baja ATZ P3’s aired down to single digits on a 16” rim will climb trees. If you want an aggressive off-road tire on your daily driver, without the problems that accompany a mud terrain tire on the road, this is it. The Tuff wheels did take a hit and got a scrape. This tire size and wheel combo isn’t intended to be used on the type of trails we tested. But it’s good to know they can be.
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MICKEY Words by Perry Mack THOMPSON WINS AGAIN Deegan 38 All-Terrain Tires
ack in 2015, Mickey Thompson The original Deegan 38 is a mud terrain LT285/70R17, wrapped them around a set (MT) introduced the Deegan 38. tire. You can be forgiven for thinking the of Mickey Thompson 17x9 Deegan Pro 2 BI believe the first signature tire 38 is the tire size, it’s not - it is Deegan’s wheels, and started climbing. offered by a manufacturer. In this case, racing number. Two years after the Road manners are inspiring and branded by Brian Deegan – founding successful intro of the mud tire, Mickey cranking corners hard enough to test our member of Metal Mulisha and famed Thompson just released the Deegan 38 solid Teraflex suspension was secure and X-Games motocross rider who made the All-Terrain, and naturally I had to have confident. If you need to avoid the A-hole transition to off-road racing,… and Rally a set. The current size range is 29” - 33” turning left from the right hand lane in cross and Monster trucks. Put the guy on OD for wheel sizes of 15”-22”, in standard front of you (really, he couldn’t see a two dirt with wheels and he excels. and LT ratings. We grabbed a set of five metre tall bright blue Jeep in his driver's
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 71 Up the steep slope in loose dirt like it’s a casual Large open tread blocks shed mud, snow and dirt while stroll in the park siping grabs wet pavement for improved cornering and braking.
mirror?), you’ll find the cornering and braking excellent. Wet roads are the norm rather than the exception in springtime, and the special siping and silica reinforced compound did their job of holding onto the pavement in hard braking and cornering. With the new Rampage Trailview soft top mounted, I expected to hear a lot more noise from the large voids and non- directional tire pattern. Yes, they were slightly noisier than the Blizzak winters that just came off, but much quieter than the 35” MT ATZ P3 from fall. If your rig is also your daily driver, and your significant other is not a wheeler, this is crucial. At test time, it was the end of April in British Columbia. At this time of year, heavy mists cling to the mountainsides most mornings, and the snow lines and levels change without pattern or warning, and the winter run-off starts to fill the rivers, streams and trails. We aired the tires down to 10 psi, which provided a nice bulge in the sidewalls and a good footprint against the earth. As we climbed the tires held effortlessly in the loose dirt and rocks. Further up, gathering winter run-off created axle high mud and Alternating shoulder tread blocks have a scalloped edge bumper high water pools, finally changing to sticky wet snow. for extra traction in mud and snow.
72 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Naturally you don’t know how far a tire can take you until you get stuck, so I did - when the snow reached the frame. I needed a quick tug to break free and get over the crest (thank-you Rugged Ridge soft shackles, and Marc in your Rubicon). The tread pattern shed the small rocks, mud and snow cleanly, always providing empty tread ready to eagerly claw up the trail. And what MT dubs the Sidebiter II technology - the pattern of alternating shoulder tread blocks - work like tractor treads to move you through anything they can hook their talons in to. Sharp rocks and fallen trees are always cause for concern but the silica re-enforced rubber compound proved tougher than the trail, proving MT’s claim that the tires are chip and cut resistant. MT backs up the tire with an industry leading 60,000-mile (P-metric) and 55,000-mile (light truck Metric sizes) Limited Tread Wear Warranty. As tire technology continues to improve, off-roaders benefit more than other drivers. If you even think it’s time for a new set of All-Terrain tires for your 4WD, buy these.
Find your tire size at: www.mickeythompsontires.com/ off-road/deegan-38-at/
Slow and steady with no tire spin through the gooey muck.
Treads clear the wet sticky snow easily to saunter down the trail.
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Words and photos by Bryan Irons EXCAVATING With Rubber Torture testing the Nitto EXO Grappler AWT
74 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Yin and Yang. For the miserable Camera men and drones working the shoot. hours, deplorable conditions and constant belittling, this “editor” gig does have its perks… Nitto’s release of the EXO Grappler AWT tire in Canada needed a great ‘hurrah’ to find the right genre of truck owner. We tried telling Nitto’s top brass that nobody watches TV ads anymore but our warnings went unheeded. However, they did require a vehicle to slap the new tires on and commence filming. Upon hearing this news, we eagerly raised our scarred paws to volunteer for a chance to try out the EXO during the shoot. With some careful measuring, a dash of luck, and a call to www.wheelspacers. ca, we shod editor Irons’ 2012 Ram 1500 with a set of 35x12.5x20 EXO Grapplers (despite all the tire shop “that won’t fit” nay-sayers). We mention wheelspacers. ca because we like the look of the factory wheels, but in order to have enough clearance to fit big rubber without hitting the upper control arms, we needed a more room. A set of billet aluminum 0.25-in spacers to fit the 5x5.5 bolt pattern, and 14 mm bolts were sent our way super quick. The tires rub slightly at full lock on the plastic inner fenders up front, but “self- clearance” was the motto of the day. Nitto’s EXO Grappler is a tough- as-nails light truck tire for the nastiest working truck jobs and will return the rough usage with a long tread life. Plenty of siping combined with deep voids in the tread block allow for good winter weather tractions as the “snow flake” symbol on the sidewall depicts. For such a large tire, we were surprised with how square the tire sat once inflated. With our 20x9.5-in rims, we landed on 28-psi front and rear. The Nitto’s produced a slightly louder ride than the super lightweight and flimsy Goodyear GSA’s, but this was anticipated with the more aggressive tread block design. Street handling was tight and controlled despite the deep lugs. The shoot started with some spirited street driving done by our resident tire killer Budd Stanley, as he unleashed his vengeance on editor Irons’ innocent truck. After a few hours of low speed truck chasing and killer drive-by’s, the canyon
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 75 carving tarmac sessions were over. It was heavy hauler time. At high and low speeds, the Grappler’s clung to We hooked up a car hauler loaded with the Okanagan dirt with impressive traction. two plus tonnes of CJ-7 strapped to the deck, and wheeled off to yet another shoot. We chalk tested the tires again only to discover we didn’t have to do a thing for an even wear pattern. We contribute this to the EXO’s strong 3-ply sidewall and very square construction. The tires, combined with the Hellwig airbag setup in the rear of the truck, provided great handling towing the trailer over rough roads and 100 km/h highway jaunts. The eye opening filming sessions started with steep gravel service roads resembling a Baja desert run. With editor Stanley still firmly strapped in the driver seat, the throttle petal became an “On/ Off” switch for his drifting amusement as rocks shot out from the tires like bullets from a P-51 mustang. The howl of the HEMI bellowing up the mountain was akin to angels singing sonnets that bring the burliest of men to their knees and weep. Editor Irons, on the other hand, was whimpering in the fetal position thinking about the payments he still had to make on the RAM as rocks and gravel were spewing from the rear tires. His only words; “What happened to traction control?” All joking aside, the tires performed well, inspiring confidence on the loose and slippery marbles. Some chunking of the leading edge of the tires did occur, but taking into account the violence unleashed on them, and the harder compound used to give the tire a long life, we expected this. Thousands of kilometres after the shoot, we can confirm that this had no ill effects on the smooth ride of the EXO Grappler AWT. We’re not going to tell you that we went rock crawling in a full size truck on 35’s with no lift, but the trails we did venture on for the shoot were challenging. At a well-known local trail, we normally traverse the area in our trail rig with 37’s in 2WD. With no lockers, an automatic (and payments still to be made), we dropped the tire pressure to 15-psi and lazily bumbled up the trail nary spinning a tire unless the truck lifted one. The heavy abuse saw the tread blocks rounded slightly, but still The film crew was looking for more “epic” held up to editor Stanley’s relentless torture with flying colours. shots, as they just didn’t get any enjoyment
76 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive walking up the trail. A large, sandy hill climb was our next shooting location as “stomp on it” Stanley made like a fart in the wind disappearing up the hill in 4 high. Test two was to get him to stop half way and try again. The EXO did as commanded and trudged up the hill. However, 2WD found the tires limit as rooster tails of sand were excavated until the rear end became high centered. 4WD and a little throttle work to get through the massive ruts enabled the trucks escape. Matting the go-petal just dug to the core of the earth. A few dusty doughnuts in the sand ended the filming session proving nothing. The post-shoot driving is where we really got a feel for the EXO’s behavior under normal conditions. Although not the tires fault, the way wide 12.5-in tire does like to find and follow grooves in well-worn pavement. On the other hand, during some massive local rainfalls, we didn’t feel any hydroplaning. The monsoon like rains also brought the mud; the EXO-Grappler performed slightly better than the other AT tires we had tested in the past. Overall, we’re really happy with the tires and our currently stuck with a dilemma; do we really want to swap these out for another tire test? Nah, we’re keepin’ the Nitto’s on!
Nitto Tire – www.nittotire.com Wheel Spacers – On a steep hill in loose dirt, editor Irons cried mercy before the Nitto’s did. www.wheelspacers.ca
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Words and photos by Bryan Irons TOYO Celsius Is the four-season tire… just that?
78 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive he calmly spoken words “don’t mistake these for a dedicated Twinter tire replacement” rang through our little heads like the infamous line “GET OFF MY LAWN” in “Gran Torino” by Clint Eastwood. A little pee may have leaked out that humbling day when we scooped a set of Celsius CUV rubber from Toyo. As the cold chill still tingled down our spines we were dumb enough to ask “why not?” The Celsius line is coined as a “four- season” tire… not to be mistaken as an “All Season” tire, as Toyo stresses. With yesteryears standards for tire traction not being updated in some time, and rubber compound and tread technology making strides like Andre De Grasse, having your average tire meet limp wristed “All Season” baseline testing is a simple feat. The problem is that an “All Season” designation only has a “two season” use timeframe; “summer” and “Dampish”. Not rainy or cold, and certainly not snowy or icy. An All Season tire is what you run when you don’t have your winter tires on for the other six months of the year. The “four Season” tag translates to this in Canuck; this is your year-round tire that you leave mounted with pride unless your travels involve hitting the mountain passes at the peak of the winter season. They will chew though winter ice and snow, blaze through the heat of the summer with nary a whimper, split through standing water like it’s great granddad was Moses and still last a mind numbing 100,000km. We initially had our doubts as we shod a 2008 Grand Cherokee CRD with a set of the Celsius in the CUV variant. The tread pattern looks very much like the dedicated winter tire that we are used to seeing melt away during the hotter months of the year, with a venerable sea of siping mixed with larger voids to extract water and slush. The attributes normally lead to muted handling and noisy highway jaunts. We’d just have to keep our fingers crossed and see what transpires in the coming months. The CUV class of the Celsius are intended for higher load capacities required with portly SUV’s and pickup trucks on the roads today. Despite having “4WDrive” on the cover (you are likely www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 79 reading. We’re not here to offend anyone Features were carefully developed with but… 16”, really? How about the useless the premise that the Celsius design would and overtly expensive 19”? On this premise not involve “trade-offs” for traction and we scooped a set of Jeep JK Rubicon 17” durability but utilize different portions wheels to match our new 245/65R17’s but of the tire for their intended purpose. An because of the 3.0L diesel and tow package asymmetrical tread design was chosen for in our Grand Cherokee, we needed a set the Celsius with more siping towards the of 5mm spacers from www.wheelspacers. inside edges for enhanced winter traction, ca to keep from making our brake callipers while the outside section contains less for a high speed file. Mounting and balancing a sturdier footprint during the remainder was super simple and required very little of the year and in hard cornering. weight to even it all out. From that point Developments like this make every aspect on, smooth sailing and goofy grins are all of the tire a choice with a specific goal that appeared when we thought about the and not a helter skelter “better add a little Celsius over the past eight months and something over here” addition without a 20,000 kms. cause. Editor Mack “advises” us to critique The grind we put the Celsius CUV An asymmetrical tread design was the noise level emitted from a tire when through was mundane and uneventful; chosen for the Celsius with more testing… we’d rate these at slightly noisier just what you want in a daily driver tire. siping towards the inside edges for then the near bald tires they replaced, but Between the daily grind to pay the bills, enhanced winter traction. nothing close to the levels we normally towing the boat to the lake, hauling a experience. As to be expected, the paint fishing pole with no cares into the woods, used to reading about the massive mud tires shaker under the hood still made the and the odd highway adventure, we didn’t and our off-road exploits) the majority of majority of the sounds emitted from the rig. have to “learn” to like the Celsius, we loved the kilometres we travel in a year are spent As stated before, we were a little them from the get go, and have learned on a factory replacement type tire, a genre concerned with the pliable and siped tread to trust them. Deep mud, jagged rocks the Celsius is a perfectly suited for. More blocks, but this proved to be a moot point and hard-core trails are not the intended sizes are becoming available all the time, as the rubber compound used in the Celsius target and sure enough, they packed with but we don’t really expect to see a 40” or LT is less prone to pliability changes due to mud and shredded on granite but the class in the future, and that’s just fine with temperature. We also learned that the sipes forest service road jaunts were a smooth us as this tire covers 99% of the driving are what Toyo calls “variable multi-waves”; controlled journey. Highway runs were we do. If you need the weight handling they do not extend in a straight path to the exceptional and bested the dedicated capabilities or sizes, check out the Toyo CT core of the tire but instead lock together at summers we had on the Jeep for comfort, we tried last year and loved. the base while still allowing the multiple the best part being that we didn’t have to In our humble and completely biased biting edges required for snow and ice worry about the possibility of hitting snow opinion… there should only be three wheel traction. This all translates into a stable and in our ventures. diameters available; 15”, 17” and 20”. Put controlled ride on the highway without Toyo did their homework in the Celsius, your pitchfork down and just send some feeling the tread block “walk” under hard making our job of trying to select a set of hate mail our way after you’re finished cornering or acceleration. tires to “Swiss army” their way into our lives an easy decision. Great handling, long The tread pattern looks very much like a dedicated winter tire. life, smooth ride, snow and ice traversing dominance, and all with a factory backed 80,000 or 100,000 km warranty. No longer do we chew our nails to the bone wondering if we should swap in our seasonal tires before our pricey snow tires melt in the sun, or our summers skid us into a ditch in a mountain pass. Enough of that noise. We keep a set of dedicated winters stashed in case Santa needs a hand getting over the Coquihalla Highway, until then, it’s Celsius season. www.toyotires.ca www.wheelspacers.ca
80 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive A new tread TIRES compound works well in both dirt and snow.
must have heard our whining. The Open Country C/T was meant for Canadians who actually use their truck for work and play 12-months of the Story and photos year. All C/T tires come equipped with a by Budd Stanley tough three-ply sidewall and new tread compounds able to not only grip onto icy surfaces but also live with hot summer temperatures that would normally melt a typical snow tire. All-Weather Some of the same characteristics we love about the other Open Country specimens are here in the C/T too; rock and mud ejectors, deep lugs with wide All-Terrain spacing, wrap around sidewall tread among others. They are pinned for studs if TOYO OPEN COUNTRY C/T you feel they are required as well. We strapped a set of LT275/65R18’s to a well-used 2012 Toyota Tundra for testing. The truck gets used for highway MOM ALWAYS TOLD US “GOOD Country group included the beloved AT miles to and from work as well as hauling THINGS ARE WORTH WAITING II and MT offerings, which proved that a and towing duties around the farm. FOR”. Needless to say, it’s really starting mud tire or aggressive all-terrain doesn’t Days off are spent in the truck finding to bug us how often she was right. We have to be loud, oblong, or wear out new fishing holes or just exploring the have been waiting eons for Toyo to bring faster the a pair of tighty-whities at a chili outback. Mounting and balancing didn’t something new to the table, and not eating contest. What we were jonesing for show anything out of the ordinary and because we didn’t like what they currently was a tire we could run all year with the after a few break-in miles, highway drives produce, quite the opposite; we want to see ruggedness of the MT, the long life of the proved smooth and controlled. The old how much better it could get. AT II, the round carcass Toyo is know for, “P” series passenger car tires that were on Toyo’s previous generation of the Open plus that little snowflake symbol. Toyo the truck could not offer the stable feel or
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 81 firm handling the C/T’s “LT” (light truck) 1,550 kg load rating tire provides. There C/T tires are built around a tough three-ply sidewall. was a slight increase in road noise but we attribute that to the old tires being as soft and bald as a race slick. We all know the dirt is where it’s at for us and the Toyo did not disappoint. The large voids ate up the soft soils and sand while the sidewalls rejected any foreign intrusions. On hard pack FSR’s (forest service roads) with a light coating of mud, the tires did well to dig deep and gave us the traction we needed. The deep muck will require a stern lashing of the skinny petal to keep the voids clean; this is not an M/T tire, but it will get you through. Snow and icy conditions is where Toyo said they did their homework. We picked this set up in the middle of summer so we had to sit on our hands a bit before we could test them out. The Toyo’s felt on par with other AT tires on hard ice, but snowy and compact conditions are its shining point. They could get a good bite in the snow and gave us confidence the old snow radial did not. During winter storms, the with changing conditions are what we look feel Toyo’s do-all direction with the Open truck trudged on without question and for. Longevity and durability are on the Country C/T tire fits very will with what earned its stripes. radar for summer camping trips and long we need for a year-round performer when Multiple driving conditions and hauls. Winter months require the ability it matters most. terrains is part of what makes Canada so get to work and play in the hills once Toyo Tire diverse, and having a tire that can cope temperatures drop and the snow flies. We www.toyotires.ca
The C/T’s did surprisingly well in the white stuff.
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Words and photos by Jason Tansem TOYO Open Country A/T II AW (All Weather)
n many parts of Canada, we need to venture through treacherous, snow covered mountain passes on a regular Ibasis. The Coquihalla Highway in British Columbia brings you to heights of 1400 metres (4600’) and can give you a blast of snow at just about anytime throughout the year. Your tires need to have the “Snowflake” on the sidewall or be designated M+S (mud and snow). Over 10,000 vehicles travel this highway on a daily basis – the winter tire market is serious business. Our friends at OK Tire mounted and balanced the new P255/70R18 Toyo Open Country A/T II AW on our stock Jeep Wrangler JKU. A lot of the time when we drop off our rubbers, there is a bit of a groan from the staff as most of them are heavy, rugged, hard to handle and need some special attention to get mounted and balanced. After a quick breakfast we returned and were informed that they balanced like passenger tires. With that in mind I was hoping the same result would transpire on the road. Normally when we leave the shop and accelerate like we had just stolen the Jeep, there is a lull or lag with the heavier tires. I had just removed some heavier A/T’s from a competing
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 83 brand and these new Toyo’s felt lighter right off the get go. You know that “drone” KEY FEATURES: sound as you ride the pavement to your Tie Bars Between Blocks - Stabilize tread blocks to reduce irregular wear and road noise. Improved braking. favourite trail? These Toyo’s were smooth and silent – perfect for helping any Deep Tread Grooves - These large, deep grooves improve traction annoying passengers fall asleep. on wet roads and also allow the tire to dig into mud, slush or snow. As we climbed to higher elevations, I was concerned that these highly popular Tapered Claw Edges - Edges within the tread grooves enhance All Weather approved Open Country’s traction in deep mud, snow or slush. would suffer from some type of deficiency. A part of the trail was off-camber and Large Block Design - Large blocks provide aggressive traction greasy with light mud, but the tires didn’t during off-road applications while adding stability on paved roads. slip. The Jeep grabbed and continued Staggered Block Edges and Centre Hook Edge Design - This momentum as we traveled across a very combination in the centre blocks helps to grab onto mud, slush and slick embankment. Even though the sticky snow to improve traction during braking and accelerating. mud packed the treads when we stopped, a little hit to the skinny pedal cleared them Increased 3D Sipe Density - Increased sipe density throughout the and we never lost traction. Our path was tread blocks add edge grip on ice and slippery surfaces. straight and on target until we got to the Toyo’s Multi-wave 3D sipes reduce the chance of block movement sharp rocks. for better wet and dry performance with less chance of irregular This rock quarry has carelessly wear. punctured sidewalls in other tires. We Wide Evacuation Grooves - Helps to quickly propel dirt, mud and stopped and started, and stopped and snow from the centre of the tire for added traction. started, crawling through the rocks. We searched and found small, loose rocks as Optimized Pattern Arrangement - Distributed at variable pitches the well as sand, and the tires grabbed with tread pattern is designed to optimize traction and reduce road noise. ease and we made it up any incline we had clearance for. Off-road approved we headed for the snow – Toyo’s claim to fame for this A/T II AW. It didn’t take long to reach the snow-covered highway and the test was on. There was minimal hydroplaning on wet pavement as we climbed up the mountain and minimal slippage as we reached the snow. After testing the tires limits, I was soon up to cruising speed, passing and braking with complete confidence.
The snow was just an element, not a weather conditions. These new Toyo’s far reason to stay home. We all know the exceeded my expectations. For a country puckered up feeling of having insufficient like Canada, where snow is a factor most tire traction on brutal roads and in ugly of the time, these tires are a great option.
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Words and photos by Bryan Irons @bryanirons TOYO RT Tire Review
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 85 Getting to travel and see new products coming to market is one of the perks of being an editor at 4WDrive. The joy and excitement of a new widget, game changing invention, or in this case, tires that fill a void can make us giddy. A day like this played out for us a while ago when we got to try a set of new Toyo rubber… the R/T or “Rugged Terrain”. The elation was short lived after we were unceremoniously whipped back to reality after hearing “Not yet available in Canada”. So, we made like any other good Canuck and sat on our hands politely waiting for them to migrate north… and now the wait is over. The 35X12.5X17 R/T’s we snagged were mounted on a mildly modded JKU, as it seemed the perfect rig for a true test. This truck sees a lot of time in the oil patch of Alberta, traversing hard kilometres on rough roads, mud and asphalt. The R/T was destined to sit between the all-terrain (A/T II) and Toyo’s amazing mud terrain (M/T) in the Open Country tire line, as they are more aggressive than the A/T II but not as noisy as the M/T. We never found the M/T to be particularly loud, but we’re used to tires that would be just at home on a John Deere as any of our trail rigs. However, we admit that the smooth ride and quiet street manners are a definite “tick” in the R/T’s favour. We always try and get a few hundred kilometers or more on a fresh set of tires before taking them to the dirt. This allows the carcass to break in and soften up; permitting the normally stiff new tire to envelope rocks once they are aired down. After an uneventful mount, balance and break in, the pressure in the E load tires were dropped to an off-road friendly 15-PSI before we ventured out into an abandoned rock quarry. The varied siping and angular biting edges of the tire maintained our forward momentum as we foraged through the rock and dirt fields. Despite only having a Limited Slip in the rear of the Jeep, we always found a way up a bolder path unless we managed to lift a tire. Some spitting and spewing of loose geology would occur, but never damage to the tire - be it carcass or sidewall. We also picked
86 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive up very few rocks in the tire lugs proving that Toyo’s engineers had done their work with the stone ejectors. We hear a lot of grumblings that the Open County M/T is “heavy”, and truth be told, it sits at the higher end of its weight class, but not exactly “heavy” as we see it. What surprised us with the R/T’s was that the engineers have managed to shed some poundage over its brethren. While still retaining a 3 ply sidewall, and a healthy 18.9mm tread depth, the Rugged Terrain was a full four kg lighter then its M/T counterpart in a 35X12.5X17. Granted, the MT does have a 21mm deep tread, but four kilograms of rotating mass, especially in an underpowered rig, can be huge for fuel savings and braking distances. After running around the hillsides and flatlands of Western Canada, we’re glad to see that Toyo will be unleashing the Open Country Rugged Terrain to the rest of our great nation. With a 75,000 km warranty on a tire equally at home driving the kids to the mall, or slogging through the nastiest trails the north has to offer, we’d gladly select the R/T, as the wait has certainly been worth it.
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 87 Stone ejectors lie between TIRES outer blocks wrapping inward from the shoulder. 2018 YOKOHAMA Geolandar G003 Mud Terrain Tire Words and Photos by Perry Mack
Forest fires prevent off-road testing.
fter a ten-year hiatus in building a new mud terrain tire, Yokohama Ahad to ‘Go Strong’ in order to gain our attention. You are about to read some bold talk that deserves a hard-assed Canadian tire test – the kind where you virtually set out to destroy a tire. “The M/T has it all: intimidating good looks, superior strength, proven performance and excellent traction in all on- and off-road terrains, from everyday highway driving to attacking steep, jagged rocks; muddy trails and desert sand”, said Andrew Briggs, Yokohama Tire senior director of tire business and product planning. Yokohama says the toughness comes from their new Geo-Shield construction. whenever they can claw into the terrain incorporates alternating shoulder blocks Higher profile sidewall blocks give the tire – think mud, sand, rocks – that reach for improved traction to pull you out of a very aggressive look, protect the sidewall towards your rims. ruts, and built in stone ejectors to keep the from damage, and improve traction True to many new tread designs it also voids clear.
88 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive Yokohama says they’ve designed the Tread blocks are very deep as seen by the optimal tread block-to-void ratio for the tread wear indicator. best traction while their sipe design has a resulted in shorter stopping distances on wet roads. A new high-density tread compound has extended tread life, and in combination with in a flatter profile, they say they’ve decreased tread wear. While they don’t offer a tread wear warranty (no mud terrain tire I know of comes with one) they do offer a 30-day money-back trial pledge – a satisfaction guarantee. Time will tell as we continue to rack up kilometres on the tire. Yokohama actually declares that ‘a quiet, on-highway ride while maintaining off-road performance’ is Functional sidewall armour due to their advanced variable pitch protects and provides an tread. ‘Quieter’ may be accurate, but aggressive look. no mud terrain tire including the Geolandar M/T G003 is quiet on the highway. Our first on-the-pavement drive after switching out the all-terrain Mickey Thompson A/T Deegan 38’s proved that, as you could literally feel the Geo M/T’s aggressively spaced tread blocks contacting the road as we started to roll. Then the telltale hum of perfectly balanced mud terrain tires reached our ears as our speed increased. They may be the quietest mud terrain tires currently on the market, as Yokohama says independent testing shows them to be 2.3dB quieter than the competition. The trouble is that amount is almost imperceptible amount to 50- year old ears like mine. But that shouldn’t The shoulder blocks not only are staggered to bite into ruts deter you. If you want a quiet tire you and gain traction, but also have their own ‘Z’ tread in the side. shouldn’t be looking for a mud terrain, if you want great off-road performance – you should. Yokohama offers the tire in 37 sizes on 15”-20” rim diameters. So is it just eye candy or is it the best new mud-terrain tire? We weren’t able to test the off-road or wet braking performance as the dry, desert conditions in southern BC created smoke, forest fires, and an Extreme Forest Fire Danger rating - not rain drops. Stayed tuned next issue as we find the limits of these tires off-road.
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www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 89 TIRES trees on all sides. Heading out to test tires by myself was starting to look like a bad idea. At one point I thought I had been foiled yet again as a large tree was down along the trail. Pine needles and small branches raining down around me, I grabbed the saw to try and cut enough branches away to get past. Turns out I could, but just barely. The G003’s continued pulling me effortlessly up the steep mountainside as the trail turned from loose wet rocks to muddy pools of water. The air turned colder as the afternoon wore on and to my surprise the water on the trail turned to snow. Climbing higher, the snow thickened and the large mud pits of my dreams turned to slush. However there STORY AND PHOTOS was still hope. The lake at the top of the BY PERRY MACK trail is a managed body of water, which is drained at the end of the season leaving a muddy shore that swallows ATV’s and 4x4’s. I finally reached the lake at the Yokohama trailhead after a snowy detour and drove on to the shore to find it an expanse of snow covered, frozen mud. Foiled again. I pulled out the thermos and sandwiches, G003 M/T stared at the frozen lakebed, watching my breath exhale in cold clouds of vapour. Then it was time to head home. Actually Off-road Test past time to head home, judging by the lack of light. Never go into the woods alone, but if Once again the G003’s provided plenty of traction, never losing grip on the hilly you do, drive the Yokohama G003 M/T sections of the trail, across the rocks, and through slushy muddy holes. I reached the n the summer of 2017, we mounted of rain I went in search of the trails I knew large downed tree I had to cut branches a set of G003 Mud Terrains on 17” collected water, creating large muddy from to pass on the way up. Had it moved? IDeegan 38 rims and got ready to pools. I was so confident in these tires I The trail looked narrower than before. wheel our favourite trails. Then the felt I had to handicap them by not airing Yup, the tree had rolled slightly on its flooding began, soon after that the fires down. Packing my rubber boots in case I broken branches and was now blocking started and the backcountry was closed. was wrong, I started in the valley bottom the trail even more. Tales of woe. It was October before the on a sunny 18°C day, navigating gravel ‘God hates a coward’ the saying goes, fire ban was lifted and I finally had an forest service roads up through the hills. so I crept forward, tires hanging ever opportunity to test and review the tires The rain was so hard and heavy that parts so slightly over the edge as I navigated that had so far only seen blacktop. of trail had washed away. Excellent. the narrowest portion of trail, trying to I’ve had Yoko’s before and the traction Two massive windstorms that squeeze between a small tree at the edge of those All-Terrains was fantastic. I swear accompanied the rain days before had and the blocking behemoth on the right. the grip was so good my Isuzu Rodeo knocked down trees and power lines Which is when I discovered the edge was could climb trees. However I wasn’t across the southern part of the province. sand, and my front driver tire was going looking for trees this trip, I was looking The wind was picking up again, as over. Forward was no longer an option. for mud. Actually, I was looking for weakened trees swayed dangerously in the I backed up a few feet, got closer to the anything but pavement. After several days forest, and I passed downed branches and downed tree and eased forward. The tires
90 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive clawed at the sand as I started sliding Climbing over the edge, again. Turning further into hard rock. the tree to squeeze through, it sounded like my fender was being torn away, the back end of the Jeep pushed hard left towards the edge as the G003’s clawed right to stay on the trail. An excruciating sound, but better than rolling down the mountainside. I drove ten metres further to a safer, wider portion of the trail to survey the damage. To my surprise the rear fender was intact, the tree had torn at the tire itself, hard enough to push the whole vehicle. Not the durability test I had planned (nor wish to repeat) but there it Climbing was, and the tire was intact. No gouges or loose rock. tears in the sidewall. The rest of the trip home was uneventful as day turned into night. I wish I could tell you how great these mud terrains faired in actual mud, but I can’t confirm that, yet. But for pavement, hard rock, gravel, loose rocks, slushy mud and wet heavy snow; I can say they are fantastic.
Tree down across the trail.
Skiff of snow on the trail.
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 91 TIRES
Words by Perry Mack Photos Perry Mack, Bryan Irons and Colin Wilson YOKOHAMA Has My Number Actually My Letters X-MT - Extreme Mud Terrain
ryan’s final words to me before I course the aroma of brand new vulcanized when they arrived at work at 7 am to find drove off into an acre of mud were, rubber. me asleep in my Jeep in their parking lot, B“I’m not pulling line!” Inspiring. It is the smell of adventure. When sunlight twinkling off the morning dew. They say our sense of smell is the most Yokohama’s new Geolander X-MT G005 I know they like to get the crazy’s out powerful sense to recall memories. The arrived at my door, I knew at first glance of the way before sane customers start scent in the air after a thunderstorm, they were special. My friends at OK Tire showing up and my strategy worked. freshly ground rich, dark coffee, and of in Kelowna thought I was ‘special’ too The X-MT’s have an aggressive design
92 Subscribe at suncruisermedia.com/4WDrive with uniquely siped large tread blocks that step down to widely spaced voids. The engineer’s goal was to create a tread that would quickly clear mud, persistently grab rock off-road, and yet evacuate water on wet roads. They succeeded. In a way the tire is miss-named, as it isn’t just a terrific mud terrain tire but also an aggressive rock crawler. The engineer’s also knew that creating a tire named using the word X-treme, meant it wouldn’t be purchased for half- hearted grocery getters. The sidewalls and shoulders have visibly reinforced blocks to provide superior protection and even they have a tread design so every part of the tire can provide traction. A new triple polymer, high density compound resists cuts and chips and
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 2 93 has an added bonus of making a tire last astounding. Aired down to 15 psi we got you want to drive more and winch less - longer. Since my wife occasionally parks a good bulge for an improved footprint buy this tire. using the braille method around concrete and dare I say ‘comfortable’ ride over Check out the full video at pillars (the tire sticks out past my fenders the washboard. The tires had tenacious https://youtu.be/aLBspRM1YBc just enough), I had ample opportunity to traction even in the loose dirt, moss and More sizes and Specs - https:// see (and feel) the tire wear. There wasn’t wood covered forest floor. If not for the tire.yokohama.ca/tires/ any. limiting break-over angle of our Wrangler geolandar-x-mt This is due to Yokohama’s new GEO- Unlimited, we could have climbed up and Specs as tested SHIELD™ construction, which features a over a rock cliff. Tire: Yokohama Geolandar X-MT full nylon cover, three-ply construction We explored the wet muddy trails G005 and extra-thick sidewall protection. If you effortlessly and saw first hand how easily Size: 35x12.50R17LT read our review of the Geolandar M/T the tread clears mud. Even through the Type: Radial extreme mud terrain G003 you may recall how that sidewall slick-as-eel-snot rocker deep mud we kept Max load (lb): 3,195 with the same construction withstood on moving. What a great day. Sidewall construction: 3-ply a severe altercation with a tree (https:// The cons are more noise than an A/T polyester youtu.be/K3oCXeNhDVk). tire, and no mountain snowflake for top Tread construction: 3-ply On the road, the tire is quiet for a mud- performance in ice, slush, and freezing polyester, 2-ply steel, 1-ply nylon terrain tire. Given the size of the voids I temperature road driving. But if driving Approved rim width (in): 8.5-11.0 expected it to be much noisier. That’s not off-road pushes your passion button, and Tread depth (in): 21/32 to say it is quiet, just that it is much more comfortable than expected. Handling and braking on wet and dry pavement are the best I’ve ever experienced on a tire this aggressively designed for off-road use. If you don’t mind the extra noise over an all terrain tire (and it does quickly become forgotten), you could use this tire for your daily driver, and with the M+S rating, you can use it all year long. Off-road, the tire was nothing short of
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