What Does a Skid Plate Protect? While often overlooked, a heavy duty skid plate is a must-have accessory for off roading. Some skid plates offer more coverage than others, but a good skid plate set should start at the very front of the vehicle and provide a seamless transition from the bottom of the bumper. This protects the vehicle radiator and ensures that branches, rocks, or other debris don’t fly up and ruin vulnerable components. Moving back along the skid plate, the next components it should protect are the front differential, engine oil pan and steering rack – all of which can be very ..read more

Samson’s Expedition In the final attempt to make something of 2020, I set off with two friends from Toronto to do an overland expedition of Western Canada. Unlike typical trips, there was still a pandemic going on, so we didn’t spend any time in provincial / national parks. Rather, we elected to explore the vast network of forest service roads / logging roads where we were mostly by ourselves. Not only was this the safest option for travel during a pandemic, but we got the chance to discover some hidden gems as well. The goal was simple – stay safe, explore the beautiful nature of Western Ca ..read more

#1 Battery Jump-starTer IIt’s easy to get carried away with plugging a lot of extra gear into your offroad vehicle. Air compressor, lights, radio, and navigation; they can add up quickly and this can lead to unexpected drains on your battery. But what happens when you pull up to the lake and start barbecuing, forgetting that these accessories are still on? If no one is around to give you a jump start when its time to leave, this can be a big problem. There’s nothing worse than walking 30km out of the bush because of a mechanical as simple as a dead battery, especially if you’ve brought guest ..read more

#1 Big Bear Lake in California Sitting high enough to get snow despite being in California, Big Bear Lake is close to San Diego and sits in the San Bernardino Mountains. As you drive through the snow, watch out for the hidden boulders and rocks. You can drive along 4×4 trails as well as what used to be logging trails but are now delegated to off-road adventures. This trail also has sections for all skill levels. Beginners will love the Champion Lodgepole Trail, while experienced drivers will love the John Bull Trail. While you are in Big Bear Lake, you may also want to go for an adventure on ..read more