TrailRecon

I've had this Rhino Rack Backbone with Pioneer Platform roof rack installed on my Jeep for over 2 years now. I've put it through some serious abuse on our adventures by mounting a roof top tent on top and wheeling some hard trails. In this video I'm going to share with you some general information about roof racks and then I'll tell you how well this roof rack has held up and if I'd buy it again.

After installing larger tires, a lift kit and adding several heavy accessories to my Jeep Gladiator, I began to notice a reduction in performance. I elected to swap out the ring and pinon gears to see if I could get some of that performance back. In the process I wanted to do a test to see how it would affect my gas mileage. We tried to be as fair as possible in our pre and post gas mileage test, but because this is real world, there are several factors that can affect the results.

Are you considering buying a used Jeep Wrangler? The 2007-2018 Wrangler JK/JKU is a great off-road vehicle, but there are a few Wrangler specific things you want to be on the look out for. In this video ,I'll share with you some of the common things I've experience with both stock and modified Jeeps that have several thousand miles on them. I'll talk about the 3.8 vs. 3.6 liter engines, tires, suspension, steering, interior and more.

For the last five years I’ve been building up my Jeep Wrangler to be able to take me on some awesome off-road and overlanding adventures. During this time the Jeep has gotten heavier and heavier and the performance has suffered, plus the weight has started to take a toll on the components. In this video I’ll share with you what the current weight is, some things I’ve done to lighten it up and what I’ll be doing going forward to get closure to GVWR.

It was time to get out and do some wheeling and camping with good friends and we purposefully left our agenda open ended so we could explore without too many time and distance restrictions. Well it turned out to be an expedition none of us will soon forget. We kicked it off at the Trona Pinnacles, camped for the night an then set off to explore Death Valley. We had a full sized AEV RAM truck, my Jeep Gladiator with a Patriot Campers X2 Trailer, a Jeep Wrangler with a trailer, a Toyota Tacoma and a well build Jeep Wrangler rock crawler on this overland trip. Good people, good food and awesome stops along the way… I think you will really enjoy joining us on this adventure.

In this Video I share with you some of the filming tips and tricks I've learned over the years to produce my adventure videos. I'll walk you though some of the preparation that happens before I set out, show you all my camera gear, take you out on the trail and show you a few helpful suggestions on getting some amazing video footage and then we'll head back to the office and I'll share with you some basic video editing techniques.

I recently install some new 35" tires and 17" rims on my wife 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL and after spending a week commuting to and from work, it's time to find out what she thinks about them. In this video we set out for and easy day on the Thomas Mountain Truck Trail, do a little exploring, soak in the scenery and talk about her new tires. I found it very interesting as to what she thought of the larger and heavier tires.

While I was in Johnson Valley, California, for King of the Hammers 2020, I met up with Nate from Dirt Lifestyle and we hit the dirt to explore some of the desert trails. I thought it would be fun to throw him the keys to the Jeep Gladiator, get his feedback on how it performs on the trail, and just chat about his passion for off-roading, fabrication, vehicle builds, YouTube, family, life, and more.

Over the years I have swapped out safety equipment, recovery gear and tools for items that are more practical. In this video I share with you what I'm currently using when I'm in either my Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator out on the trails.

In this video I share with you my thoughts about overlanding with an off-road trailer while we walk around and take a close up look of the Patriot Campers X2 trailer that I've been borrowing for a few months. There are some pro's and con's to setting out on an overland adventure with a trailer, and being able to comfortably pack all your camping gear, have plenty of onboard water, a large capacity battery setup, and just some of the convinces a trailer can offer are all very appealing. If you are thinking of buying or building an overland trailer for your off-road adventures, I think you will find this video informative.

I love the aroma of a nice cup of coffee early in the morning at camp, and over the years I've tried a few brewing methods that have worked well outdoors. In this video I share with you 5 ways I use to get my caffeine fix. While there are some out there that like to make a science project out of their coffee brew, for me, I like it to be simple, quick, light weight and easy to clean up.

My son just returned home from being stationed overseas for the last 2 years and the whole time has been saving his money and dreaming of getting and building a Jeep when he got home. It only took him 4 days to find the Jeep he wanted and in this video we take you one a tour of the good and bad things of this 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon TJ…. Sorry we didn’t get and LJ, but we’ll explain why in the video!

I’m genuinely thankful that after all these years, my sons still enjoy exploring new trails with their old man. Some of our best memories have come from wheeling and camping trips in places just like this one. In this video we have a few laughs, learn some new off-road lessons in our Jeep Wranglers and some new memories formed as we explore the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail near Johnson Valley, just on the East side of the San Bernardino Forest.

In this video my son and I begin to make some small improvement to his 2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ that he recently purchased. We just wanted to add some safety gear, the ability to self-recover and a convenient interior modification in this video…. More upgrades to come soon.

In this video I share with you something that I installed 3 years ago on my JKU and while it isn’t the most flashy or trendy modification I’ve added to my Jeep Wrangler, it is something that I have used over and over again. It’s very practical, extremely well built and something I have no regrets about installing. In this video, I review and install the Outback Adventure Products Tailgater Jeep Wrangler JL tailgate table.

Which Jeep do I prefer, the Wrangler or the Gladiator, are we still taking our Alaska overland trip, and what is my dream overland vehicle, those questions and more that you've submitted will be answered in this first episode of Garage Coffee where we just hang out and chat about all things off-road, overlanding, vehicles, life and more...

Join me as I spend some time in the garage knocking out some of the small projects I've been putting off or a while. With the current event in the world, many of us are stuck at home and hopefully there is one or two items that I tackle in this video that you may have been putting off and now is the time so when you are ready to head out on your next adventure, you'll be ready to go!

Is a full sized overland truck the best option, what was my scariest experience overlanding, what trail will I never do again, what was my most memorable experience in the military and what’s with the Van Halen Album on the wall…. All those questions you submitted and more we’ll talk in this video.

In preparation for adding larger wheels and tires to my sons 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon TJ red 2 door, we knew the stock tailgate hinges and tire carrier were going to need to be strengthened up. So in this video, we spent a couple hours installing a MORryde tailgate hinge with a Rugged Ridge tire carrier. This was a fairly easy install, but it wasn’t without a couple challenges along the way….

It's only been a little over a month since my son purchased this 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon TJ with the intentions of making it more capable on the trail and more self-sustainable for overlanding trips. In this video he and I install a Gobi roof rack with the ladders and wind deflectors and then mount a roof top tent on top... great father and son times in the garage!

It’s been a 5 year process of off-roading, upgrading, fixing, and swapping out components and a lot has changed in just the last 12 months. In this video I take you on a tour of my 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and we take an in-depth look at all the upgrades I’ve done in the past and recently.

If you'd like your off-road or overland vehicle showcased on TrailRecon, following the directions below. Looking for any vehicles that have a cool story. An Overland Jeep or Toyota build, a cool rock crawler, a fun sized truck an old classic off-road truck that has been in the family, maybe even stock rig with a great back ground.... anything goes and I'll select the ones that stand out.

In this video we take a look at some very well built off-road and overland vehicles submitted by folks like you. A truck with a massive cabin camper, a few Jeep Wrangler Build, a Jeep Cherokee, a couple Toyotas and a full sized overland build.

What makes a better vehicle for overlanding, a Land Rover Defender, a Jeep Wrangler, a Chevy Suburban or something else? In this video 7 owners take use on a close up tour of their vehicles that have been built to handle long distance travel and off-roading.

Why am I not running a dual battery system? Why don’t I have beadlocks on my Jeep anymore? What are the top 3 upgrades I’ve done to my Gladiator. Those questions answered and more on this episode of TrailRecon Garage Coffee.

There are so many great off-road and overland builds out there and in this video we take a close up look at a Toyota Hilux, an FJ Cruiser, a rock crawling Jeep Wrangler with a trailer, an overland built Toyota 4 Runner and more.

A classic Jeep build has been something I've wanted to do for a long time and after months of searching and looking at Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, Gladiator, J20 and more I finally I purchased a 1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief SJ. In this video I'll take you on a tour of what I am starting with, I didn't even wash it yet. This Cherokee has had some nice upgrades already done to it, but there are a few mechanical and cosmetic things that need to be addressed and we'll talk about the good and not so good in this video.

Do you enjoy checking out the custom modification people do to their off-road and overland vehicles? If so you will love this video! We take a look at 9 Jeep Wranglers that the owners have upgraded to meet their needs. We'll get up and close with a Jeep CJ, YJ, TJ, JK and JL and perhaps their will be a modification that you can apply to your vehicle build.

Are we still taking our overland expedition to Alaska this year, when will I finally be out on the trails filming again, what is up with E3 Overland, those topics and your questions are answered in this video.

In this video we take a close up look at some well build overland and off-road vehicle that are ready for any adventure. A fully outfitted classic Jeep J20 with just about everything an overlander could ask for, a Jeep Wrangler with an Ursa Minor top and lots of creature comforts, a Nissan Xterra, Toyota Tacoma, a hand built overland trailer and more.

In this video I take you with me as we walk around camp and look at a few new pieces of overland gear that you will be very interested in, new solar panel setup, new roof top tent, awning and more. Oh, and of course there will be some good chow cooking up while we are hanging out you won’t want to miss.

In this video we’ll take a look at shelter options you may want to consider when you are out on your overland or camping adventure. There are pros and cons of sleeping in the back of your vehicle, using a hammock, a ground tent or a hard or soft shell roof top tent and we’ll discuss each. Also, we have just publicly launched the E3 Overland Association where you will find educational information to help you plan and execute your next adventure, ensure you have the right gear and save a little money through some exclusive members only discounts. I want to make sure I mention that with the launch of E3 Overland, nothing here on TrailRecon is going to change. Often knowing what to do, where to go, and what to purchase can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of uncertainty, misinformation and limited resources to support an exceptional overland experience. E3 Overland eliminates all the guesswork in planning and accomplishing successful trips with friends and family, doing it in a safe, confident, and enjoyable way. Don't risk "burn out" or squander money. Instead, discover how this program can heighten your overlanding life and experience FOREVER. The E3 Overland Association empowers you to connect and share the most outstanding time spent with family and friends. Together, we'll enjoy the great outdoors through the most innovative and groundbreaking online and offline program GUARANTEED to transform your overland experiences. E3 empowers members to discover and explore what it means to make informed decisions while overlanding, so you can appreciate and grow more comfortable with the overland lifestyle.

In this adventure my good friends and I head to Prescott, Arizona to do some exploring, camping, check out some scenic and historical sites and of course, tackle a few trails. Prescott is a beautiful town in the Arizona mountains and the good folks from Centerforce Clutch were our guides during this extended weekend. And while we set off with a good plan, we had a couple challenges along the way that required some minor modifications to our agenda.... but that's what makes an adventure so much fun!

Buying an old classic Jeep like this 1979 Cherokee Chief SJ can be a big project and require many hours of work and possibly a ton of cash. Did I bite off more than I can chew with this project? In this video I'll share with you some of the things I've found wrong so far, some of the things I've sorted, upgraded and some of things that I never expected to find.

It’s finally time to take this Jeep Wrangler build to the next level and increase the ground clearance, ride quality and overall appearance. In this video we install a lift kit and new wheels and tires on my son 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon TJ. We overcome a few challenges along the way, have a few laughs, and take transform the looks and capability of this Jeep TJ.

In this video we take a look at the 7 Jeeps that are in my driveway, (a Cherokee Chief, Jeep Wrangler TJ, Wrangler JK, Wrangler JL, a Gladiator, Cherokee XJ,Grand Cherokee WJ) and discuss some of the future plans for them, some pros and cons and I'll share with you which one I'm planning on selling soon.

In this adventure, my son and I set out to do some exploring in the mountains, test out his new Jeep Wrangler tires and suspension, do some camping and cook up some hearty meals.

There are many off-road vehicles that are well known for being extremely capable, but often the debate is made that Jeep and Toyota are the most capable off-road vehicles out there. Well, perhaps the Land Rover Discovery is equally as capable? In this video we take a close up look of a 2003 Overland Built Land Rover Discovery that has been slightly lifted, out fitted with some solid gear, a roof top tent, full storage and kitchen build and more.

We set off on a 7 day adventure from San Diego to Downieville in Northern California. Along the way we found some epic camping destinations to include one on the Rubicon Trail. This overland adventure was unforgettable and in this video we share some of the behind the scenes from the trip.

Having the ability to easily air up your tires after a long day on the trail is helpful, but having to lug around a bulky air compressor or installing one in a storage area that takes up space just isn't ideal. In this video, I install the Grimm Off-road dual ARB compressor and mount system on my wires 2018 Jeep Wrangler. This mounting system tucked the compressor away in a nice location, but allows for ease of use.

What would you take with you on a multi-day solo camping trip? When you are out in remote areas by yourself, it’s important to have some basic essentials and in this video I’ll pull out all the gear in my truck, explain why I brought it with me, show you my new sleeping setup, good a little chow and keep a close eye on the weather….

The trail in Moab, Utah are some of the best in the country, but they are also some of the toughest and the unique terrain, obstacles and slick rock climbs can be hard on an off-road vehicle. It doesn’t matter if you drive a Jeep, Toyota, Land Cruiser, or built out buggy, Moab is known for breaking many parts on all vehicles. In this video, I interview Milt from Dixie 4 Wheel Drive and ask him what are the top 10 most common breaks and repairs his shop does in Moab.

This is a 2018 Jeep Wrangler that has been built to handle any trail out there and the owner is about to set off on a serious off-road adventure that only few will ever experience. In this video, we meet with the owner and take a look at all the modifications that have been done to make this Jeep extremely capable. Suspension, 40” tires, upgraded axles, and more.

What’ more fun an easy or a challenging trail? Is the Ford Bronco really a competitor for the Jeep Wrangler, and is an Automatic or Manual transmission best for off-roading? Join me and Jim McGean from Dynatrac as we cruise along an easy trail and talk about those topics and more.

Having spent a couple days on the road and out on the trails of Utah and Colorado, we now find ourselves in the middle of the Rim Rocker Trail heading East. We have put in a lot of miles, but still have over 100 dirt miles we need to put in for this leg and time is running short. Our goal, is to reach the end of the trail, find an awesome camping spot, keep all the vehicles running and everyone healthy for the remainder of this adventure.

We set out to put as many miles on the dirt as we possibly could over 3 days and in this video we head out on the Rim Rocker trail traveling from Utah to Colorado, going from the heat of the desert, to the cool climate of the Mountains. We encounter some scenic views, find some epic camp spots, eat some great foot and have a memorable overland adventure!

I’ve got the keys to this brand new 2020 Toyota Tacoma that right after this video was filmed got stripped down and built back up into an off-road and overland rig for the E3 Association film crew. This vehicle will be built to keep up with us on our long multi-day adventures and stylish enough to be on display at events. In this video I show you what foundation we started with and then there will be an entire build series on this truck coming on E3 Overland.

Welcome to another episode of garage coffee! In this video we talk about some upcoming overland adventures, the 11 day road trip my wife and I just completed, and the status of all our current vehicles, some we've sold and one new one we just bought. Watch to find out what's going on with the Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler TJ, Jeep JKU, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Cherokee Chief SJ and more!

Is the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Diesel the best platform for an overland build? In this video I take you on a tour of the specification and options of this brand new Jeep that I just took ownership of. We’ll explore some of the things I like and don’t like, look at this year models new features, discuss my initial impressions with the ecodiesel engine and talk about the overland build plan.

Having enough clean water when you are out on your overland or camping adventures is essential, but what’s the best method to store, filter and dispense it? Well I’ve been using carrying this LifeSaver Jerry Can in the back of my Jeep Gladiator that has a built in water filter and pressure pump for the last several month and I think this is a solution you may want to consider. In this video I’m going to give you my opinion on the pros and cons and at the end of the video I’ll give it a recon gear score.

I purchased this 2021 Jeep Wrangler Diesel with the goal to build it up to be self sustained while exploring all 50 states in America and beyond. In this video I share with you the work that has been done over the last two weeks, to include a roof rack, communications, rear storage and more.

Myself and 10 other friends setup an amazing overland camp site on the rim of the grand canyon as part of the E3 Overland Association's first event. In this video I take you on a tour of all the vehicles setups to look at some Jeep Wranglers, A Gladiator, a Toyota FJ, Dodge Power Wagon, Ford F150 and several overland trailers. This is a one take video, so just an unedited walk around… oh and the place we were camping at was epic!

It’s been over a year since I was last in Baja California Mexico and in this video, me and several of my good friends planned a 4 day overland adventure to go explore some of the Baja beaches, hit some off-road trails, find some memorable camping locations, cook up some good camp meals and just relax and enjoy the ocean sights and sounds.

Taking a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport from a bone stock foundation and turning into the ultimate adventure rig was the ultimate vision behind the owner of this truck. In this video we take a close up look of all the work, parts and labor that have carefully gone into building this truck, we'll talk with the oner and find out the why behind each modification and hear some of the future plans.

The Jeep Gladiator is the most capable midsize off-road truck you can buy. It's an excellent platform for overloading adventures and cross country road trips and there is a massive amount of aftermarket support for modifying and personalizing it. So why did I decide to sell my 2020 Jeep Gladiator? Well I'll explain why, talk about my experiences both pros and cons over the last 15 months, share with you the vehicle that's taking its place, plus I'll give you a little insight on the suspension comparison I just completed and answer a question I've been getting a lot regarding the Wrangler 392.

The Ram Power Wagon is the Heavy Duty Off-roader of the truck community and it’s heritage dates back to the 1940’s and is well known for its big, tough, trail dominating capabilities. This 2020 model is the 5th Generation of the modern Power Wagons and the off-road refinements and modern interior amenities make this a highly sought-after adventure vehicle for those looking for a full size truck, long range expedition rig and weekend trail adventure truck. I’ve had my eye on the Power Wagons for a while now, and I’m looking forward to, pushing this truck to its limits on the dirt, adding a few modification to fit my needs and sitting back and enjoying the ride on some long-range overland adventures. I think this platform has a whole lot of potential.

Rubicon Unlimited JL's and have 6 different manufactures lift kits to install and review. In this part 1 video, we'll take a close up look at each kits components, install them and then take some measurement to see how much lift they gained over stock. Lastly, we'll flex them out and see which kits articulated the best.

This is part two of this series where I have access to 6 bone stock 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited JL's and have 6 different manufactures lift kits to install and review. In this part 2 video, we'll take these Jeeps out on the road and see how they handle, run them off-road on a variety of terrains and I'll pick the winners of this comparison.

I just installed a new Lift Kit, Wheels and Tires on my 2021 Jeep Wrangler Diesel and today I'm going to take it out for a shake down run and see if there are any clearance issues. I'll also share with you how well it is performing both on and off-road.