Words by Perry Mack
It’s been a big week for 4WDrive fans as the 4x4 truck and off-road offerings continue to increase with more after-market truck parts and a huge increase of overland and camping accessories available from around the globe.
Lance Campers introduced the “Altimeter’ in the new Overland Experience area. Based on the Lance Camper 855S, the Altimeter is a four-season camper with room for four people. A dinette slide gives extra interior room in a camper that fits into the short bed of the supporting Ford F350 Super Duty. This 6.7L Power Stroke powered 4x4 is built for ‘adventure at any altitude’ with an Icon 2.5” suspension lift, Hellwig rear sway bars and air lift, steel bumper, winch, LED lighting, and plenty of extra creature comforts.
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The matching YXZ 1000RSS side by side make it easy for us to picture ourselves out for an epic weekend adventure.
There was a refreshing number of innovative products this year. The Hitch Tent from Rubicon Expedition Products caught our eye. The platform is designed to accept a Roof Top Tent and plugs into your hitch. A couple of advantages of putting your RTT on the Hitch Tent is easier access and the option of leaving your base camp set-up as you hit the trails.
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LED’s are not new but the LED Light Shield from Kenoh USA is. Many of us live in places where local law enforcement likes to make their wages from wheelers with off-road accessories. Exposed light bars are an easy target. Like many covers, the light shield covers your LED’s to reduce noise on the highway and meet local regs. The upside is it flips up, locks in place and has more light in the cover – it’s a two-fer.
Kenoh
When it comes tires, the question arises, ‘How big is too big?’. If you are trailering your rig, maybe this doesn’t matter. But what if you’re not? Mickey Thompson will offer the DOT approved Baja Pro XS in the spring of 2020, in 10 sizes from 35” to 58”. One look at the aggressive tread pattern will tell you that this is a serious earth-eating, mud spewing tire that will shake your fillings loose on pavement but pretty much let you climb trees on the trail. Ken Warner, Vice President of Marketing for Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels says, “The Baja Pro XS is the necessary tire for your on- and off-road rig. With a tough 4-ply bias ply construction, a durable compound and aggressive tread and Sidebiters, this tire can handle any terrain.” We don’t doubt it.
Perry Mack
It can be tough to get excited about a truck cap as it has typically been a utilitarian fibreglass cover for your truck bed. Then I stumbled across the South African company RDL Designs and their RSI stainless-steel canopy. While many systems ‘cap out’ at a 300 lb dynamic load rating (which means while the truck is in motion), the RSI hit s a staggering 700 lb. That means you can put a lot more on your roof with greater piece of mind – extra-large roof top tent, kayaks, spare tires, extra gas, parts and more. If that isn’t striking enough then check out the kitchen kit customization. This upgrade to the side cabinets includes a custom foam insert with dishware, utensils, and an integrated drop-down side table.
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RDL
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These are just a few of the items we explored to boost our trail and overland adventures to a new level for 2020. Look for full reviews in the next issue of 4WDrive and see the products in motion on our YouTube channel. Plus, more products and reviews of our favourite Sema builds.
Did I mention Vanilla Ice stopped by our booth, twice? He must be a hockey fan.
Perry Mack