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Before heading out on the trails for an offroad adventure it's important to air down your tires to achieve maximum traction. Before hitting the trails at SMORR (Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch) Scott Carline demonstrates one way to quickly and efficiently air down your rig's tires using the ARB Quick Deflator! View the full article

PTL's Daisy Jade is talking with Greensburg native Vinnie Luhovey, who is back in town this weekend to compete in the 2022 High Point National! View the full article

2022 High Point National Entry Lists & Event Info View the full article

When traveling to certain areas of the U.S., you’re bound to encounter at least one area that does not have any public land or dispersed camping options available. Crazy, I know. But this is more common than you might think. Take the East Coast for example. There’s plenty of places to explore and dispersed camping is readily available in the National Forrest of the Appalachian Mountains, but what if you wanted to get closer to the coast? Maybe you want to explore regions of New England, Maryland or even further south into the Carolina’s and Florida. Some of these areas are difficult to locate any public land in which you’re allowed to camp, let alone dispersed options. The go to in these areas has pretty much been limited to hotels, campgrounds (seasonal), or Walmart parking lots. The later only really works if you’re self contained in a van or some sort of camper. Lately though, there as been another option that is starting to gather popularity. App based campsites. You can find these options through member services such as Harvest Hosts, Boondockers, and the like. The major draw back to these services are they are typically limited to actual hard sided campers, so no rooftop tents or pop up campers, and they are membership based. The one other caveat is neither really offer a dispersed option where you can be off on your own. With Boondockers you’re either camping in someone’s driveway or in front of their house and with Harvest Host it’s typically some sort of business that’s offering camping in exchange for you visiting their store/facility and potentially spending some money. Neither are bad options at all. But lately there has been another App based service that is skyrocketing in popularity, Hipcamp. This service is more like an AirBNB for campers. In the app, you can filter based on location, availability and amenities, scroll through pictures and reviews of the campsites and even book/pay right through the app. The best part is there is no annual subscription and each campsite has the price listed in the description. Full disclosure, we’ve only used Hipcamp a couple of times ourselves. Our experiences were both great and mediocre. The great one being a dispersed campsite on private land inside a national wildlife refuge with firewood, fire ring, outdoor furniture, grill and even a composting privy at our disposal. The mediocre one was again on private property over on the side yard within eye shot of their home. It offered the same amenities as the other, but with the privy and a shower located in their detached garage. They also offer access to their pool, which was not yet open for the season. Both were gorgeous campsites, but we have to admit it was a little odd camping in someone’s yard, at least for us. We also knew, going into it that we were going to be staying near the house on the lawn. It was just our way of trying some of the different options out there that are listed on Hipcamp. Again, the really nice thing about Hipcamp is it acts just like an AirBNB rental. You pick your camp and once you book it, you’ll have the comfort of knowing that there will be no need to hunt for a site when you get there, nor will you have to worry about someone getting there before you. Just show up, setup and enjoy. There’s something to be said about the ease of that. So if you find yourself traveling through an area that may be difficult to find a campsite, or maybe you just don’t want the fuss of trying to track a campsite down due to time constraints. You may want to give Hipcamp a try. NOTE: This is not a paid post and we are in no way affiliated with Hipcamp. This is honestly our first impression of the service and will most likely not be our last interaction with it either. We truly see where this can and will be a valuable tool in our kit to locating campsites in the future. See the gallery below for photos of the aforementioned “Great Experience” campsite we enjoyed in Maryland. The link to this campsite is located here and the link to the video our YouTube channel is also located here. View the full article

One of the best parts about owning a Jeep or 4X4 is taking it out in the great outdoors with all your gear. Offroading and overlanding are fun ways to enjoy nature with your friends and family, but you should know a few things before heading out for summer 4×4 adventures. Gearing Up for the Adventure Take a look at your 4X4 or Jeep – you may already have what you need to get started. Other considerations include fuel economy and the reliability of your axles. You won’t have repair shops or gas stations when you’re 0verlanding offroading. Plan your trips accordingly to optimize fuel use and have a qualified 4×4 mechanic check your suspension before going off-grid. What Else Do I Need? You’ll need to stock up on supplies based on where you’re going and how long you’re staying out. Other gear you should have on hand includes a first aid kit, sleeping bags, water containers, and GPS devices. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, it’s a great starting point. Remember to adjust accordingly based on where you’re headed and how long you plan to be out camping. Ready to hit the wilderness with your Jeep or 4X4 and find some adventure this summer? Not all mechanics are experts in the upgrades it takes to get your vehicle ready. At Axleboy, we want every client to get the best customizations for their vehicle. We’re not your average shop. Instead of selling you anything and everything, we’ll ensure you only get upgrades that are truly important to you. Get in touch with our team today! The post Summer 4×4 Adventures appeared first on Axleboy Offroad - St Louis . View the full article

2022 High Point Northeast Amateur Regional Rider List View the full article

You’ve bought your dream Jeep or 4X4, added some seriously cool mods, and now you’re ready to off-road – right? Wrong! Much like there are rules for traveling on paved roads, there is also off-road etiquette. Make sure you know the basics before you put tires to the dirt. Do Your Research Before you hit the trails, know where you’re going and how to access the land you’re traveling on. Research the area and understand the route you’re taking; there may be areas where you travel that don’t support GPS or cell service, so you won’t be able to check your phone for directions. You’ll also need to know if the area charges for access and if there are any trail closures. Respect the Land There are signs marking the route for a reason – don’t go off-trail into vegetation that’s not meant for off-roading. Make sure your 4X4 crosses streams or water where designated and drive over obstacles (and not around them) to avoid making the trail wider than it’s intended to be. Additionally, don’t dump your trash on the trail, and be a good citizen by picking up any litter that you see along the way. Give Them Space Many off-road trails play host to other travelers like horse riders, hikers, and mountain/dirt bikes. Your 4X4 is bigger and louder than all of those, and you need to yield the right of way to them. Failing to do so can kick up dust and rock, creating unnecessary and hazardous conditions. If you see horses on the trail, the best practice is to pull to the side safely and turn off your noisy vehicle until they pass. Let Them Know Off-roading is always more fun in groups, but taking your 4X4 or Jeep on a group run presents more safety challenges for other travelers on the trail. If you’re the pack leader, make sure you inform oncoming traffic of how many are in your group – simply holding a number out the window using your fingers will let them know how to give you space. The last vehicle on the train will hold out a fist to let you know the parade is over. Follow the Rules of the Road The first rule is about hills: Any vehicles traveling up a hill have the right of way because they need to maintain the momentum required to get to the top. Second rule: Watch the space between you and the vehicle in front of you, like on a highway. Third: Don’t ever (ever) stop in the middle of a trail or an obstacle! Wait until you can safely pull over, off the trail, and out of the way. Finally, and probably most importantly: Don’t drink before or during off-roading (but you already knew that one.) Other Dos and Don’ts DO mind your dust: Just because you have cool mods on your 4X4 and some seriously rugged tires doesn’t mean you should show them off at another vehicle’s expense. Slow down as you pass other trail travelers to be respectful and safe. DON’T pack your ego: Staying safe while off-roading means you need to know your skills and how you’re limited about what you can’t yet do. Be the bigger person and skip that obstacle or difficult trail if you have any questions about your ability to ride them safely. DO know when to accept help: Being winched out of a trickly obstacle is no big deal; it happens to even the most seasoned off-roaders. If you’re tried to get over it a few times with no success, it’s time to call in the team – no shame in that game. DON’T leave anyone behind: Stop to help others on the trail that may be having problems with their 4X4 or Jeep, and never go ahead when someone in your group is stopped with their issues. Stick around until everything is resolved; it’s the right thing. Armed with the knowledge of off-road etiquette and a 4×4 equipped with all the right mods, you’ll be hitting the trains in no time! Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team when you’re ready to start your 4×4 adventures, and be sure to revisit this off-roading guide in the future. The post A Guide to Off-Road Etiquette appeared first on Axleboy Offroad - St Louis . View the full article

Video Highlights from AMA Pro ATV Racing at High Point View the full article

Overlanding…. What is it? There are varying opinions and definitions of this popular term. Some believe its four wheeling across rugged terrain, miles from civilization and some believe it’s purely car camping. While both of those scenarios certainly fall into the definition of Overlanding, there’s a lot more to it then just that. You see, “Overlanding” can really mean something different to everyone. One of the best definitions that we’ve happened across is “Overlanding sees the journey as the purpose. Overlanding is about exploration, rather than conquering obstacles.” This is the definition that personally resinates with us the most because it’s how we like to approach the majority of our travel. So why are we talking about this? There are hundreds of articles and videos out there discussing this same thing. Well… Lately we’ve run into a lot of people who are interested in Overland Travel, but feel that they have to spend a small fortune to build a capable vehicle and have products X, Y & Z before they can even embark on their first trip. It really kills us to see how worked up everyone gets about having the right gear. So much, that they never even go on a trip. Listen, gear is great, but it’s also bad… Let me explain. Having the right gear can obviously make all of the difference between an alright trip and a fantastic trip. There’s nothing worse than waking up in a pool of water because your awning or tent leaked. Or shivering all night because you have the wrong temp sleeping bag. You won’t get any argument from us on that. However… Gear can also be a bad thing because you set in your mind that you have to have all of this “stuff” before you can do anything. The truth is, you probably won’t even use a third of all that gear on your first five trips. Ask us how we know. We, like many others before us, have fallen down the exact same rabbit hole a couple of times and had to claw our way back out of wonderland. It’s hard to do. Okay, then how do we go Overlanding without gear? Well that depends on what type of Overlanding you want to do and how you define it. If your definition aligns with ours, then there is a lot that you can do without any gear. Remember, it’s all about the journey and exploration. Have you ever been to the next town, county or state over? What makes their area different than yours? What is their heritage/culture? What hidden gems rural and urban are hiding there? All you need for that type of exploration is a vehicle to get you there and a lot of curiosity. Overnighting it? No problem. Hit a hotel, bed and breakfast, or a cabin in a state park. Still not one bit of gear needed. And guess what… You’re still Overlanding! Obviously when you mix car camping into the definition of Overlanding, things begin to change. Or do they? What does it take to car camp? For one to two people, not too much. Depending on the vehicle, you could just sleep inside with a pillow and a blanket. Need more room? Buy a small tent and ground pad and you’re golden. What about food? You’ve made ramen before right? How about Pop tarts? You laugh, but 9 times out of 10, we eat pop tarts for breakfast. It all comes down to how comfortable you want to be in relation to how much money you want to spend on the gear vs the travel. Believe it or not, you can be pretty darn comfortable for a reasonable amount of money. I guess what we’re trying to get across here is not to fall into the paralysis by analysis trap. You want to go Overlanding? Then go, but go within your means. Try to add gear only as there becomes a need for it, not because everyone is buying it right now. We don’t even want to begin to think about the amount of times we bought something because it was going to be “life changing” only to sell it the following year because we only used it one time. That would be depressing. Honestly, some of our greatest memories and trips only required a vehicle and some clothes. If we can give you one piece of advice when looking at gear, it would be: “Think about if it is a need or a want… How much does it cost and how many trips could I go on instead if I were to just spend that money on the trips themselves?” View the full article

It doesn’t matter if your 4×4 has been holed up in the garage all weekend or you’ve been out enjoying the frosty trails – spring weather is finally here! Your vehicle is an investment, and it’s essential to keep it well-maintained after every season of driving so you’re not stuck on the side of the trail when you go offroading this year. Check out the spring maintenance tips for your 4X4 below! Start With a Thorough Cleaning Whether you’re a DIY car washer or have it detailed by a professional, you can’t skip this step before going back on the road. Snow and freezing winter weather means salt, and that means residue that can damage the underside and body of your 4×4. Ensure your exterior cleaning job is comprehensive enough to get rid of that residue; it can eat away at the paint and eventually lead to corrosion. Don’t miss washing the undercarriage with a high-pressure hose. If your fenders are messy and gunked up, consider upgrading to a set of off-road fenders for your 4×4. When you’re done cleaning off the mess, head to your headlights. Well-lit trails and roadways are vital to staying safe, and if you can’t get your headlights clean to allow the light entirely through, it’s time for a replacement or even an upgrade to LED lights. Time for a Check-Up Now that your 4×4 vehicle is thoroughly clean, it’s time to get down to the nuts and bolts of maintenance. Undercarriage: Check for loose parts, hoses, damage, frayed wires, or anything else that could lead to severe problems when you’re out on an adventure. Tighten any bolts on gear, and make notes for when you bring in your Jeep for any modifications or repairs. Exterior parts: When you’re offroading in the mud, rain, or heavy wind, make sure you’re protected from the elements. Replace your wiper blades, check plastic windows, and replace broken or old parts. It will help keep you safer and less exposed and could prevent serious problems on the trail. Battery: Check that your 4×4’s battery is fully charged, properly attached, and free of corrosion. Ensure that your jumper cables work, and even think about picking up an extra battery to have on hand when you’re on the road. Belts and hoses: These are essential parts of keeping your 4×4 running smoothly. When belts and hoses aren’t working correctly or worn down, you’re at risk of breaking down or even ruining your engine altogether. Tires and brakes : Between climbing and stopping, traction is a big deal when it comes to keeping your 4×4 safe and in top shape. Tires should have plenty of tread, and brake pads need to be thick enough to help you stop safely. Oil and other fluids: This is a great time to change your oil, regardless of what your odometer says. Make sure you also replace the oil filter to keep things running well through spring. Top off wiper fluid, coolant, power steering, and brake fluids while you’re at it. Talk to Us About Mods Spring is a great time to make an appointment to upgrade your 4×4 with custom modifications to enjoy sunny spring and summer offroading. Are you ready to take on spring in your 4×4? Follow the checklist of maintenance tips above and get ready to hit the road! We’re your team if you need a fresh set of eyes or looking for modifications. Get in touch with our team today! The post How to Get Your 4×4 Ready for Spring appeared first on Axleboy Offroad - St Louis . View the full article

The Black Hills of South Dakota are truly magnificent. Beautiful canyons, streams, lakes and waterfalls, there are so many things to discover there outside of the usual tourist hotspots. Spearfish Canyon is a great example of what make the hills so amazing. The canyon can be explored via HWY 14A or the myriad of back country roads that run all through the area. Either way you choose, I guarantee that you’ll discover a landscape that is unmatched by any other. Have you ever been to the Black Hills? What did you love most about it? View the full article