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While battling for tenth place with 55 laps to go, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet driver Dillon and his former team-mate Reddick made contact entering Turn 1 as they ran three-wide with Brad Keselowski to their outside. Dillon was the only one who lost out, spinning across the track and slamming the outside wall. The 2018 Daytona 500 winner was able to climb from the car under his own ...Keep readingView the full article

By Grafton Pannell, OPP Ambassador Over the years I’ve had a lot of 4WDs. I first got addicted to Toyotas via Land Cruisers and I’ve never really looked back. Right now I’ve got a 2000 Toyota Tacoma that I’m in the process of building alongside Offroad Power Products. A few of my favorite parts we thew on are a Warn VR Evo 10 S winch, KMC Roswell 720 wheels and Baja Designs Squadron Sport lights. Oftentimes with a rig like mine it feels like progress comes with one step forward and two steps back. It seems like every time I install the next “cool” part, some part of the truck decides it’s maintenance time. Older vehicles tend to need a lot of time in the shed. I bought my current truck in Montana this last year for 4k. If you know the Toyota market at all, that should sound like highway robbery. It’s a 2000 V6 5 Spd TRD e-locker truck with a sunroof, a bit of a rare bird to buy for such a low price, but here's the catch… it had 325k when I bought it. The truck drove home with no issues and has since had very few real big problems. However, but there's always a short list of things I could rattle off that need some love. For me, I love the process. Whether it’s continuing to build the truck into what I want it to be or simply maintaining the rig to be more reliable, it’s all fun. I often get asked why I don’t just buy a new car with a warranty. (usually I’m being asked when one of my cars is out for maintenance of course) For me, the answer is simple, I hate debt. Even though there are months where I might spend more money and definitely more time keeping my truck on the road that I would a new truck, I feel better about knowing that I’m not paying for the depreciation of a new car and instead hopefully I am upping the value of something by doing my own work. The hard part for me is staying focused. I’ve sold so many cars because I felt like I ran out of money or time because the “build process” wasn’t moving along quickly. That’s why they’re called project cars though, if you bought one already finished, you’d miss out on the learning process and most of the fun. Another question I’m often asked is “are you just teaching yourself how to do all of this?” I own and operate a mobile bike shop for work so turning wrenches is something that I’m already doing all day. That said, just about the only crossover is being willing to dive headfirst into something new and figure your way out with the resources available to you. So yes, I have taught myself most everything I know about working on cars. From something as simple as replacing CV axles, to replacing an engine, or even learning how to weld, I’ve leaned heavily on friends and family for help when they can or the internet when no one I know has the answers. Youtube is a wild place, you can learn just about anything on there these days haha. In closing, my encouragement to anyone wanting to learn how to work on their own 4WD or any vehicle, would be to just go for it. Find the first thing you want to do on your own whether it’s an oil change, changing brake pads, or something like replacing injectors and send it. The first few times I fixed something on my own, the first drive back in the car was always a little nerve wracking, “Did I do it right? Did I tighten all the bolts enough? I put the oil drain plug back on right?” but that’ll pass with time. For me it has certainly been liberating finding new ways to understand my trucks and save a lot of money in the process. If this post inspired you at all to do something on your own, find me on instagram @grafton and share it with me! I’d love to see it. Cheers. Want to learn more about Grafton's Tacoma build? Check out his OPP Ambassador page for a video, build details and more!

So, what is a MAXTRAX Recovery Board? The MAXTRAX recovery Board is an anti-skid traction plate designed to extract or recover a stuck or bogged vehicle in a safe, simple, and quick manner. The technique is fairly simple: Clear the sand, mud, or snow from the front of one of the stuck tires using the shovel-shaped end of the MATRAX. Once the area in front of the tire is clear, wedge either end of the MAXTRAX firmly against the tire’s tread face. Apply the same technique to the other tire, then shift into your vehicle into its lowest gear, and gently begin to accelerate slowly. The traction treads on the MAXTRAX will interlock with your tire tread, and your vehicle will climb up and out of whatever it was bogged down in. The beauty of recovery boards are their simplicity. They make it possible for one person to rescue a stuck vehicle without the use of a winch or recovery strap. What are MAXTRAX made of? Every MAXTRAX is injection-molded in Australia from engineering-grade reinforced polymer. This durable polymer is lightweight, strong, and UV-stabilized so it can withstand years in the sun. The polymer used by MAXTRAX is made from fiber-reinforced-nylon formula that has more strength and flex than the ABS plastic that many cheaper recovery boards are made from. What separates MAXTRAX from other brands? MAXTRAX have been designing and testing their recovery boards for over 15 years, which makes them old-timers in the polymer recovery board world. They make their boards in Australia, not China, they offer a wider variety of colors than most other brands, and they stand behind their boards with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing faults and workmanship. MAXTRAX is the only vehicle recovery board on the market to be endorsed by the International 4 Wheel Drive Trainer’s Association. Do MAXTRAX come in different sizes? The MAXTRAX XTREME is the largest and most durable board in the MAXTRAX catalog. The XTREME, which features alloy teeth and thicker polymer at key pressure points is designed to take more abuse than the other MAXTRAX models, which makes it the go-to board for serious off-roaders and drivers with large, heavy vehicles. The XTREME’s alloy teeth dramatically increase tire traction and make the board significantly more resistant to wheel-spin damage. However, if one of the 88 anodized alloy teeth does get damaged, you can simply flip the board over and use a T-50 Torx bit to remove and replace the damaged tooth. The teeth are inserted robotically into specially made sockets in the injection mold, then over-molded into the body of the board. This ensures that the polymer conforms to the thread of each tooth and virtually eliminates the risk of a tooth unwinding from the body of the track. Size and Weight: 45L x 13W x 4.5H, 10LB (4.5KG) per board, 20LB (9.0KG) per pair The MAXTRAX MKII is the flagship model in the MAXTRAX line, it is the original recovery board that established the MAXTRAX name. The MKII features an array of polymer treads for traction and three longitudinal beams for added strength. Like all MAXTRAX boards, the MKII features six handles (three on each side) that make maneuvering and handling the board easy and comfortable. In most off-roading situations, the MKII offers ample traction, even with vehicles in the 6,000-pound range. The MKII doesn’t have anodized teeth like the XTREME, but the strength to flex ratio is impressive and the traction is second-to-none. Size and Weight: 45L x 13W x 3.5H, 7.5LB (3.4KG) per board, 15LB (6.8KG) per pair The MAXTRAX Mini Recovery Board is specifically designed for UTVs and small crossover vehicles like the Toyota Highlander and the Ford Explorer. Think of the Mini as a compact version of the MKII and you’ll have the basic idea. Like the MKII, the MINI is made in Australia from UV-Stable, flexible, reinforced nylon. It is considerably shorten the MKII, but still features an aggressive array of forty-four reinforced nylon treads. One of the major benefits of the smaller size of the Mini is that it can easily be stowed away behind a seat or in the trunk. Size and Weight: 25L x 13W x 3.5H, 4.4LB (2KG) per board, 8.8LB (4KG) per pair What Accessories Are Available for MAXTRAX? All MAXTRAX come standard with multiple mounting options, six glove-friendly handles, and an attached leash, but MAXTRAX also offers a number of accessories that work in tandem with their boards. Linking spikes allow multiple MAXTRAX to be linked together in a line. Mounting pins can be added to a factory roof rack or a tire rack. Additional leashes can be added to make the boards easier to find and extract in muddy conditions. How to use a MAXTRAX recovery board 1.) Hold a MAXTRAX using one of the six built-in handles and use the shovel on either end of the board to clear dirt and debris from underneath the chassis and tires. 2.) Attach at least one MAXTRAX Leash to your board. This makes retrieval easier in mud and deep sand. 3.) Once you've cleared away the debris in front the wheel, wedge either end of the MAXTRAX firmly against the tread face of your tire, making sure that the teeth are making solid contact with the tread on the tire. If necessary, repeat this process on the second tire using the second board. 4.) Shift your vehicle into its lowest gear, and then gently begin to accelerate while the MAXTRAX interlock with your tire tread. You'll soon begin to feel your vehicle being lifted out and up. Remember: Try to avoid breaking traction by spinning your wheels. Excessive wheel spin will cause unnecessary damage to your MAXTRAX and won't get you out any faster. ​ FAQs FAQ: Do MAXTRAX have a weight limit? MAXTRAX are designed and warrantied for standard 4x4 vehicles and light trucks that weigh under 3500kg/ 7750lbs. This being said, YouTube is full of videos of MAXTRAX being used on oversized trucks and massive Unimogs. FAQ: Will the sun damage a set of MAXTRAX if they are mounted on the outside of a vehicle? Every MAXTRAX features a UV stabilizer that shields the boards from the UV rays of the sun. So, yes, they are designed to be sun-resistant. However, their long-term resilience will be gradually affected by how much sun they are exposed to. Left in the sun for years, they will eventually fade a little and lose some of their ductility. FAQ: Do MAXTRAX work in snow? MAXTRAX were originally designed and tested in sand and mud but they can also be used in snow if snow conditions are favorable. In extremely cold and dry winter conditions, the polymer may slide a bit on the snow. Heavier wet snow, however, will "grab" better, which will prevent board slide and give you the traction necessary to get out of a snow drift or a ditch. FAQ: Is one set of MAXTRAX enough or is a set needed for both the front and back wheels. In most circumstances, one pair (2 boards) of MAXTRAX will provide plenty of traction. However, two pairs (4 boards) will always make vehicle extraction easier. MAXTRAX recommends two pairs if you are going on an extreme or lengthy expedition (remote areas, desert crossings, etc.).

Tired of the usual flavorless freeze-dried camp food? Try this simple and delicious Asian-inspired recipe. These salmon cakes are ideal after a long day on the trail or while out camping. Only taking a short time to make, while still taking your camp kitchen skills to the next level. Perfect served with rice and vegetables of your choice. Recipe Preparation time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Total time: 20 min Feeds: 1-2 people. Makes 2 Salmon Cakes Ingredients: 7-8 ounces cooked salmon 1/4 to 1/3 cup of toasted bread crumbs 1 egg 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 2 cloves finely minced garlic 2 scallions, sliced 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger 3 tablespoons minced cilantro Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 1 tablespoon coconut oil 2-4 tablespoons hoisin sauce Instructions In a large bowl combine salmon, mayonnaise, garlic, scallions, toasted bread crumbs, egg, lemon juice, ginger, cilantro, salt and pepper to taste, then combine thoroughly. Gently form into two salmon cakes roughly ½ inch thick each. Heat Tembo Tusk Skottle wok over medium heat, when hot add coconut oil. Place both salmon cakes near the center of the Tembo Tusk Skottle Grill, sear for 4-5 minutes on each side. Let cool for 2 minutes, drizzle with hoisin sauce then enjoy alongside your choice of grain and vegetable. The salmon cake mixture can be stored for up to 2 days in the refrigerator, so whip this up and bring it along on your next adventure!

Camping with dogs is a lot fun for human and canine alike. All it takes is a little planning, some common sense, and the right gear. Dog Camping Best Practice Don’t leave a dog unwatched at a campsite: It’s not only potentially disruptive for other campers, but it could also endanger your dog if wildlife wanders into camp. Pack Ample Water. Your dog camping kit should include a lightweight/collapsible bowl for water. It’s smart to carry a dog-specific water bottle too. Use doggy bags: Don’t kid yourself - just because a dog is an animal doesn’t mean that dog waste is a natural part of the environment. Dog poop is disgusting, unsightly, and when it is left on the ground near a creek, river, or lake, it eventually breaks down and pollutes the water. Always have a leash handy and use it often: Campgrounds nearly universally require that dogs remain on leashes of no longer than 6 feet. The leash laws on trails can vary, but as a general rule-of-thumb always be prepared to leash your dog. Sleep in close proximity to your dog: Most areas usually require that dogs sleep with you either in the tent, camper, or vehicle. Sleeping with your dog helps to quiet your dog, and keep it safe. Don’t leave dog food out at the campsite: Leaving food out invites wildlife to your campsite. While squirrels and mice won’t cause you much trouble, bigger critters can be more problematic. Always Research Your Destination’s Dog Rules Whatever kind of camping trip you have in mind, be sure to do a little research before departure. There’s nothing worse than pulling up to a trailhead and being greeted by a No Dogs Allowed sign. When it comes to camping with dogs, rules regarding dogs vary from place to place. Some national parks, for instance, are more dog-friendly than others. Most developed campgrounds allow dogs, but leash laws within campgrounds vary greatly. In some areas, off-season dog rules are different from peak season. Broadly speaking, the following is usually true regarding the rules of dog camping (but again, do research before departing): Most national parks allow leashed dogs. Some national parks allow leashed dogs on certain trails. Taking dogs in national park backcountry is typically forbidden. These same rules usually apply to state parks as well. This national parks map is an excellent resource. U.S. Forest Service land and BLM land are both usually more welcoming to dogs than national parks. Since they collective manage well over 400 million acres of land, this means that public land is a fantastic option when you’re considering taking your four-legged friend. This being said, it’s still important to check rules in advance and to be respectful of the other campers and the environment. Dog-specific Camp Gear First Aid Kit: Wise campers always carry a well-stocked first aid kit. The same holds true when camping with dogs. The U.S. Forest Service recommends carrying the following canine-specific first aid items when dog camping: Tweezers for tick removal A multitool that has a needle-nose pliers for extracting porcupine quills or thorns An emergency blanket for treating shock or cold Booties to protect/cover injured paws A packable first aid book with instructions for pets The name, phone number, and directions for a nearby vet or pet clinic Collar light: A collar light is a lightweight and affordable way to keep your dog visible at night. They are particularly handy in areas in which the rules allow a dog to be off leash. An extra towel: Unless you like sleeping with a wet, muddy dog, make sure that you have towel to clean up your dog before it enters the tent. Lightweight/collapsible food and water bowl: If you’re packing light, there’s really no need for two dog dishes – use a packable bowl that pulls double-duty for food and water Dog backpacks: A dog backpack makes a dog more visible at the campsite and on the trail, and it allows your dog to carry poop bags schlep its own food. Dog sleeping pad:Allowing your dog to cozy up to your sleeping bag is fine. But If you’d prefer your dog not to snuggle with you, pack a small inflatable mat and cover it with a lightweight blanket or pack towel.

Nothing brings people together like a great meal cooked outdoors. Get ready for your next adventure with these camp kitchen essentials. Tembo Tusk Skottle Originating in South Africa, a skottle is a large, circular cooking disc traditionally used straight over a fire. Tembo Tusk’s modern take on the Skottle adds the convenience of a gas canister and legs. If you're unfamiliar with the Skottle, think of a heavy-duty wok and you've got the basic idea. You can cook pretty much anything on a Skottle that you can cook on a traditional grill but you can also whip up scrambles, fried rice, and noodle dishes. In other words, the skottle pretty much does it all. The Skottle is fabricated in the USA and comes pre-seasoned so it can be used immediately. The Tembo Tusk Camp Table is a premium, made-in-America camping table with an attractive bamboo table top. Its unique hook and hoop system allows multiple tables to be daisy-chained together either length-wise or width-wise The Camp Table comes with an extremely durable carry bag with integral leg storage in the cover. Most camp tables are flimsy and poorly built—not this table. Quality materials and careful craftsmanship elevate the Tembo Tusk table into a class of its own. Tembo Tusk Skottle Leg Table A Skottle makes camp cooking easy. Adding a Skottle Leg Table makes it even easier. Made of half-inch bamboo and capable of holding a static weight of 25 pounds, this ingenious table attaches to the leg of a Skottle. It’s perfect for holding a condiments, seasonings, cooking tools, or cutlery, and its height is easily adjustable. Now you no longer need to balance everything in one hand and cook with the other! And it even fits in the carry bag used with the Skottle. Skottle Lid & Steam Tray Level up your Skottle cooking game with a Steam Tray and Lid. These handy accessories turn a skottle into a multi-functional cooking machine that allows you to steam vegetables, cook quicker, smoke meat, and even bake cookies and cinnamon rolls. The lid is made of stainless steel with a heat resistant Bakelite handle and features a built-in loop that lets you hang it up when you’re not using it. The TailGater Tire Table The TailGater Tire Table is a durable steel travel table that cantilevers off a tire on your vehicle or camper. It's easy to store, it packs flat, and it sets up quickly. It's perfect for tailgating, impromptu outdoor gatherings, and camping—it even doubles as a convenient workbench if you're working on your vehicle. It holds up to fifty pounds, it fits most tires 14” and up, it weighs under 12 pounds, and it can be assembled in seconds. The Tailgater Table is a simple, ingenious accessory that you'll be able to enjoy for years to come. Outback Adventure Trailgater Table The Trailgater Table is a hide-away kitchen table designed specifically for Jeep Wranglers. It attaches inside the tailgate, so it’s invisible when the tailgate is closed. Open the tailgate, and a spacious stainless steel cooking table folds down and a bamboo cutting board conveniently slides out from under the table. The entire assembly is easily attached and held in place with two rattle- free spring latch pins. Now you can serve trail snacks or cook an entire meal from you tailgate. The 600 square inches of working surface provides ample room for a camp stove as well as cooking utensils, mixing bowls, plates, cups, and more. It’s the perfect accessory for your next off road Jeep adventure! Dometic Fridges & Freezers An ice-chilled cooler is fine for short excursions, but ice only stays cold for so long. For this reason, electric coolers have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Featuring generous fridge capacity, a freezer, digital temperature displays, reinforced corners, and steel hinges, the Dometic CFX3 Powered Cooler Fridge will turn your backcountry basecamp into a gourmet restaurant. No more melted ice. No more warm beer. Grizzly Coolers American-made Grizzly Coolers are made of rotationally molded plastic, which makes them incredibly strong and provides optimum cold retention. The rotomolding process guarantees that every cooler can hold up to the toughest abuse, including bears. Grizzly Coolers go through strict IGBC bear resistance testing to make sure they are 100% bear proof. But Grizzly Coolers aren’t only protective against wild animals; they are protective against the heat of the sun as well. If you need a cooler that will keep things cold on long journeys and hot summer adventures, then a Grizzly Coolers is what you need.

Get Ready for Springtime Off-Road Adventure We all want to get outside more than ever. Winter is coming to a close. Spring is right around the corner. But when the opportunity finally comes, will you be ready? Don’t procrastinate. There’s no better time than now to go over your checklists, repair old gear, and update gear if necessary. The following list of must-have off-roading essentials will guarantee that your next adventure is comfortable, fun, and trouble-free. Bubba Rope Tow Ropes and Shackles Everyone who drives off road eventually gets stuck. For a lot of us, it’s part of the fun. But when you do get stuck, you’ll need a safe and effective way to extract your rig, which is where Bubba Rope comes in. Bubba Rope has the highest breaking strength in the industry, it’s protected from abrasion with PowerStretch® Gator-ized© vinyl rope armor, and—in contrast to cheap recovery straps—it stretches dynamically as you pull. Experienced off roaders know that a little stretch eliminates unwanted jarring, prevents potential vehicle damage, and allows for a smoother overall recovery. Bubba Rope Gator-Jaw Soft Shackles are another essential in your recovery kit. When connecting a rope to a vehicle, a synthetic shackle like the Gator-Jaw is stronger and safer than metal. Also, the Gator-Jaw is light, so it floats, and since it is not metal it won’t rust. Most importantly, with a breaking strength of 52,300lbs, the Gator-Jaw is stronger than steel. My Medic First Aid Kits Every vehicle needs a first aid kit, but if your adventures take you far away from the nearest medical clinic, a quality first aid kit is essential. My Medic offers a wide array of professional-grade kits engineered for a variety needs. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure or an extended trip with a large group, My Medic has exactly what you’ll need. Front Runner Water Jerry Can & Aquamira Water Filters When it comes to safety, water is by far the most important element in the survival equation. With a capacity of 5.3 gallons, the Front Runner Water Jerry Can is a durable, trail-tested way to transport enough water for extended adventures. Water only last so long, though, so it’s also smart to carry at least one water filter options to supplement your water supply when necessary. The Aquamira Straw Filter is small and light, perfect for packs and pockets. The Aquamira Water Bottle Filter will filter up to 120 gallons and holds 22 ounces. The ultimate setup is an Aquamirea In-line filter, which connects to any ¼” tube and filters up 1000 gallons of water. Dometic Fridges & Freezers An ice-chilled cooler is fine for short excursions, but ice only stays cold for so long. For this reason, electric coolers have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Featuring generous fridge capacity, a freezer, digital temperature displays, reinforced corners, and steel hinges, the Dometic CFX3 Powered Cooler Fridge will turn your backcountry basecamp into a gourmet restaurant. No more melted ice. No more warm beer. Oztent King Goanna Chair There are plenty of camp chairs on the market, but the vast majority of them are poorly made and uncomfortable. The Oztent King Goanna sets a new standard in camp chairs. Fully padded and featuring insulated drink holders and lumbar support, the King Goanna is more throne than chair. And with a weight rating of up to 330 pounds, it’s built with king-sized adventurers in mind (Order early because they are often backordered). SMRT Summit Suite Rooftop Tent A rooftop tent gets you off the ground away from bears and creepy crawly critters. The SMRT Summit Suite Roof Top Tent is sturdy, easy to access, and simple to set up. Featuring a comfortable high-density foam mattress, weather- proof walls, and a sturdy aluminum frame, the Summit Suite is more luxury hotel than tent. Take Away When your friends call for the first adventure of the season, be prepared to pack up and go! Never miss out on a perfect day because you waited to order your gear. Have questions about the best set-up for you? Give us a call! (855) 463-3762