Cowboy Denny

Ultimate Adventures presented by Motortrend and fourwheeler is an awesome journey worth watching.

One of the most popular Trail making systems on the planet is GAIA GPS and I believe once you start diving into it you’ll see why so many adventurers utilize this powerful system. Some great features is GAIA GPS supports multiple operating systems (IOS, Android, etc) and what I love is you can plan your entire route via a web browser and save the GPX file to share with your friends or club etc.. Here are some high level screenshots of the web version BASICS At the bottom left you can see I’m on Search which means I can search for a trail or a city or something or just browse Now I would suggest clicking on Filter and select Offroading and unselect Hiking so you get better results. Obviously you can filter on more if you want. Now if you click on Saved these are either routes you saved or you imported from someone else. HOW DO YOU IMPORT A FILE (.gpx or other)?? On the bottom left I click on Saved then you see the + button at the top, I click on that. You get presented a menu like the one below Click on Import File and browse to your .gpx or kml or whatever file and it will show up on the left which you can organize into folders to keep it cleaner. To move your imported files you click to the left of the imported file (the three …) and select Choose Parent Folder. CAN YOU SHARE YOUR FILES FROM GAIA? Yes you can and its pretty easy to do. You can share an entire folder with all your files OR you can share just a file. When you are on a file (example below is I’m on the UP Michigan trip.gpx) you can click on Share (right next to the Edit button) and you can add Collaborators, you can share the link or you can Export the File (GPX is the most common and widely used). VIDEO TUTORIAL

Let's first define the different ways to attach your trailer to your vehicle Now what to do to prevent sway

We have a small bit of land in Davison, MI with a beginner offroad trail that at times requires some technique to get through some tight spots. I had my wife drive our 97 Chevy 1500 pickup through the trail to see how these new blacklion tires do. Not too bad but if the mud is thick they cake pretty bad and won't clear out. So she got stuck Now at the point of pulling my wife out of the hole she put our son's truck in So now that I got the K5 out I can’t just drive it back and let her sit for the rest of the winter without a little fun. Not only that but a regular tradition for the past few years is going to the Mounds Thanksgiving morning for some fun while the Turkey is on the Big Green Egg smoking. So long story short, wanted to make sure the K5 is running ok. As my wife takes the bypass, I go through the more fun course and to be honest, no way was that 97 going to to make it through even though from the video it probably doesn’t look that bad but it was pretty slick and that mud that just sticks like a slimy booger.

A common question is "what modifications should I make to my vehicle to make it trail worthy?" Reading the offroad magazines, you might think gears, lockers, armor and a radical suspension is required. Below is our take on what it takes to Fool Around offroad. Note that modifications are listed in order of importance and each level assumes you have done everything in the previous step. Vehicle selection Before doing any modifications, make sure you are starting with a good platform. Most any short wheelbase vehicle whose transfercase has high and low range works well on the trails in our area. The Jeep Wrangler is by far the most popular choice, but you would be fine with a Toyota pickup and 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Suzuki Samurai, Chevrolet Tracker, S10 pickup/Blazer, Jeep Cherokee etc. Full size pickups, Blazers and Broncos are too wide for the trails we run. First step A stock vehicle will go amazing places. Get a CB radio. Install tow hooks front and rear if you don't already have them. Get your tools and recovery equipment and figure out how to store them securely. Get the biggest, knobbest tires you can fit. Consider a second set of tires just for the trail if this is a daily driver. Wheel it in this state for a couple of years to see if the sport is really for you. You will learn a lot of off road skills. Spend time watching other rigs and figuring out what your ultimate goal is; mild, moderate or wild and most importantly - how big of a tire do you want. Once you have made this decision, you can start to modify your rig without wasting money on mods that you end up replacing later. Mild build Most likely a daily driver, at home on easy trails, but capable of moderate trails. The good news is that after your "First Step" you already have a mild rig. You might think about adding a selectable rear locker like an ARB, improving body armor with rocker protection and ground clearance with "belly up" skid plates. Moderate build With this target in mind, you are probably going to keep the stock axles. Your first modification should be a roll cage. Then find out how big of a tire your stock axles can support and choose a tire this size or smaller. Then figure out how much lift (or better yet, sheet metal trimming) you need to fit it. These tires will need lower gears and you should add a rear locker at the same time. You might want to think about a winch and front locker or limited slip. You will begin to see the wisdom of a tow rig and trailer to get home should you break something on the trail. Wild build At this level, you are probably talking about a dedicated trail rig. You should keep it street legal as some venues require driving on local roads to get to the trail head. You should mount seats to the roll cage and install four point seat belts. Heavier duty axles, front and rear lockers, and a winch are mandatory. Once tire size goes over 38" you will need a hydraulic ram to assist steering.

Basic Equipment Every vehicle should carry these and they should be securely fastened down (like everything else). You should be able to reach the flashlight and fire extinguisher from your seat. Factory seat belts do not release if you are upside down (don't ask how we know this). CB radio Flashlight First aid kit (include any of your family's special needs like EpiPens or insulin) Fire extinguisher Complete change of clothes Full size spare tire Jack Wrench to remove tire (and key if you have locking lug nuts) Tow hooks front and rear Specialty tools for your vehicle Good to have With the exception of the Hi-Lift, every vehicle really should have these too. Tow strap (no hooks on ends!) Shackle Short piece of chain with washers and bolt that fits through middle links Small tarp or blanket Hand towel(s) Rachet strap High lift jack Basic Tools Regardless of your mechanical skills you should carry these to fix your rig of someone else's. Philips and flat screwdrivers Adjustible wrench Set of combination wrenches (metric or SAE to fit your vehicle) Pliers Ball peen hammer Duct tape Zip ties Small roll heavy wire Spare fuses Fan belt(s) Optional Tools These are really more for the skilled mechanic, but consider carrying a few of these as well. Schrader valve and removal tool Chisel Punch Socket set Small vice grip Channel locks Allen wrenchs Torx bits (if your vehicle is cursed with them) Stubby and offset screwdrivers Hacksaw File Teflon tape WD-40 or wire dry spray Scissors Electrical tester Wire strippers Electrical wire, tape and connectors Misc. nuts and bolts Extra fluids (motor oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, ATF, gear lube)

Here are some tips (always growing) of items to bring with you on your adventure Carry multiple way to make a fire Fire can be used to: provide heat cook and preserve food purify water & sterilize wound dressings act as a signaling device There are several easy methods to start a fire that include: Survival lighter Matches (kept in a waterproof case) Magnesium bar with built in flint and your knife. I like Doan Magnesium Starters because of the quality or Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel First Aid Kit A water proof case or bag DOCUMENTATION Field Guide of Wilderness & Rescue Medicine SOAP Notes (or Injury / illness documentation forms) Note book & pencil List of drugs in the kit & expiration date Copy of doctor’s order for prescription drugs carried in the kit PERSONAL PROTECTION 4 (at least) pair non latex Gloves (also put a set in each of the other sections) Ear plugs Purell hand sanitizer TOOLS Headlamp / Penlight Watch Scissors Tweezers 60 cc syringe Suction bulb Oral / digital thermometer Sterile scalpel blade Fine hemostat x 2 Blood pressure cuff Stethoscope Sterile needles for splinters Pocket rescue mask WOUND CLEANING KIT Tooth Brush - new 2 4x4 inch sterile gauze dressings 2 2x2 inch sterile gauze dressings 1 small bottle of tincture of benzoin WOUND DRESSING KIT 2 4x4 inch sterile gauze dressings 2 2x2 inch sterile gauze dressings First Aid Cream Neosporin 1 2x2 mole skin for blisters 6 band-Aids 1 roll 1 inch flexible tape 1 roll “vet” wrap 1 small tube Providone iodine ointment 1 small bottle liquid soap 2 inch elastic bandage ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK KIT Epinephrine 1 cc syringe x3 or Epi pen 4 tablets Benedryl LARGE WOUNDS / FRACTURES Large Triangular Bandage Xeroform gauze dressing Sam Splint 4 Diaper pins 4” & 6” Ace bandage Burn sheet (100% cotton t-Shirt fresh from dryer kept in plastic bag) Large dressing (Sanitary Napkins / diapers work well) Handful of big plastic cable ties Duct Tape MEDICATIONS – Nonprescription Tylenol aka Acetaminophen (Pain, Fever) Advil aka ibuprofen (Pain, Fever, Inflammation) Aspirin (Pain, Fever, Inflammation) Aleve aka naproxen (Pain, Fever, Inflammation) Allegra-D Imodium Benadryl Stool Softener (e.g. Colase) Syrup of Ipecac Liquid activated charcoalv Cake mate Dramamine (motion sickness) Cough & cold preparations Sun block Chap Stick MEDICATIONS – Prescription (Talk to your doctor) Antibiotic tablets Antibiotic eye ointment or drops Epipen Prednisone Abuterol Inhaler Medication for severe pain Steroid cream Diamox (if going to altitude) Tools & Replacement Parts Replacing a universal joint The tools and parts you’ll need for replacing a U-joint include: New U-joint Snap ring pliers or pliers Flat blade screw driver to push the "C" clips off - a thin blade is nice Big hammer Block of wood to work on Old socket that has the right OD (outside diameter) to fit inside the yoke holding the U-joint cap

What are some great TV Shows focused around crushing some gears? Truck Night in America - History Channel Alaska Offroad Warriors - History Channel Expedition Overland - Youtube

This is the one event Great Lakes Four Wheel Drive Association hosts as a fund raiser. It was done very well and everyone was very polite and helpful. The below video is what was captured on the iPhone when it wasn't overheating (which i believe was due to running OnX Offroad to track where we went). The group we were with was the "Pink Group" which was for the minimal scratches or otherwise known as pin stripping due to the branches along the trail producing a sound of nails on the chalkboard as it glides across your paint. The first few were tough to accept then you remember you are here to offroad in Michigan and in Michigan we got woods. I don't regret it at all and neither did the others that had new vehicles enjoying the same sounds as mother nature made her presence. If you want the GPX files just click on the tab that says.. Routes (GPX files) and download them for yourself.