New Issue! TREAD September/October 2020

September/October 2020
What’s Inside?

Issue Twenty-Seven

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ONLINE
On Newsstands by 8/19/20

CONTENTS

FEATURES

32        BUGOUT READY

A ’16 TACOMA READY FOR ANYTHING

46        CALIFORNIA’S HIGHWAY 395

OFF-ROADING HEAVEN MEETS SPECTACULAR SCENERY      

54        BORN TO RUN

WE TEST JEEP’S NEW “DESERT RATED” GLADIATOR MOJAVE

62        PRECIOUS CARGO

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR STORAGE GUIDE

76        ALL-CONDITIONS VEHICLE

COMFORTABLE ENOUGH FOR THE FAMILY, ROUGH ENOUGH TO GO JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE

90        THIS GIANT BRINGS POWER

CAN THE ’20 NISSAN TITAN PRO-4X AND XD HOLD THEIR OWN?

98        PROGRESSIVE PACKING

TWO BROTHERS BUILD A BUSINESS AROUND THE PERFECT BAG

104      SWISS ARMY KNIFE

A JEEP WRANGLER JLU THAT DOES IT ALL

118      EXPLORING ETHIOPIA

TOURISM CREATES TENSION

126      BRUTUS THE TRUCK CAMPER

AN AEV OVERLAND JOURNEY

138      BOOSTING BATTERY POWER

WHY UPGRADE YOUR ELECTRICAL OUTPUT?

DEPARTMENTS

8          EDITOR’S LETTER

14        ROCK ’N’ ROLL

PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

16        OUTFITTED

A ROUNDUP OF THE LATEST AUTOMOTIVE ACCESSORIES

20        GEAR BOX

SUPPLIES FOR LIFE OFF THE BEATEN PATH

22        MADE THE CUT

THE LATEST POCKETKNIVES TO FIT YOUR MISSION

24        AN INTELLIGENT RIDE

’20 SUZUKI V-STROM 2050XT

26        VIEWFINDER

THE BASICS: THE BEST CAMERA FOR DOCUMENTING YOUR OVERLAND ADVENTURE

146      COMPACT COOKING

SNOW PEAK HOME & CAMP BURNER

First Steps

As we tumble into fall, people are still doing their best to get away from home and seek solace. Personally, I’ve found peace and sanity from the current, interesting climate with short getaways and time with Mother Nature. I’ve also started a new project: building a Lexus GX460. And like with most things, starting something new comes with challenges and requires time, but the rewards are usually worth it.

Perhaps you also recently started a new hobby, like camping or cooking or photography, or dove deeper into one that existed. If you’ve been thinking of starting something new, my advice: Go for it! What do you have to lose? I live and promote the thought that anyone can do anything they set their mind to. Some people have natural talents and pick up things easy, while others need more practice to reach similar results. However, investing the time and persevering, while learning your limitations, will prove worthwhile for most everyone when starting something new.

This issue we celebrate a hobby shared by many overlanders: photography. Some got into adventure vehicle travel to get out further and take more amazing pictures. Others decided to pick up a camera and practice photography because they were constantly surrounded by unbelievable scenery and wanted to share it with others. We’ve got something for everyone, whether you’re just getting into the hobby or you’re a long time veteran. John Pangilinan brings us the latest photo storage gear and a story about brothers who started their own company to build the best camera travel bag. We also introduce a new column by Chris Collard, Viewpoint, where he’ll share his tips about photography.

Not to be forgotten, you’ll be inspired from our team of writers and photographers who bring their vision to life in our features, people who share the same hobby of yours: taking a trip with friends and family to see the great landscape of the world. Worldly traveler Dan Grec shows us Ethiopia, Mercedes Lilienthal captures why highway 395 is so popular, and there’s plenty of epic shots of the thing you like most: trucks, Jeeps and SUVs.

When starting something new, whether it is adventure vehicle exploration or a new hobby, the first step could be hardest. Take that first step, you’ll be happy you did.

BUY ONLINE NOW

P.S. Toyota fans, be sure to look for YOTA, out in late September. YOTA is an off chute of TREAD dedicated to Toyotas that like to get dirty.