Building upon the success of its predecessor, the new Super Duty promises to be more rugged, capable, and versatile than ever before, with significant updates to meet the evolving needs of cyclists. Designed to carry bikes up to 100 pounds per bike tray, the SD is engineered for durability and reliability, allowing cyclists to go harder and farther into the backcountry with peace of mind.
“Since the original Super Duty launched in 2016, it has been hailed as one of the best racks on the planet,” said Kurt Barclay, Marketing Director for 1UP USA. “We’ve listened to feedback, observed how cyclists are pushing the boundaries of bike transportation, and sought ways to enhance the already impressive capabilities of the SD rack. The result is what we consider the ultimate evolution of the 1UP USA Super Duty Rack.”
Key Features of the Super Duty Hitch Rack:
More Capable: With thicker side plates and pivot beams than before, tray capacity now allows up to 100 pounds for the first two trays. Spacing has been extended between bike trays to provide additional clearance between bike spots.
Off-road Ready: Like its predecessor, the new Super Duty is rated for extreme off-road use, but it’s now compatible with the Wheel Chock, an accessory can be used to cradle the front tire and reduce the steer tube rotation, stabilizing heavy e-bikes and offering more stoutness off-road.
Clean and Tidy: The new Super Duty folds up to 90o when not in use, protruding as little as eight inches from the hitch. The single bike option allows for most rear hatches to open without lowering the rack.
One-handed Operation: Redesigned glide bars and levers offer a stronger connection to the arms that hold the tires, enabling a press-and-lift feature that allows users to disengage the ratchet, and open and close the arms with one hand to make loading and unloading bikes easier than ever. Additionally, the new Super Duty is compatible with the optional loading ramp, allowing uncomplicated mounting to roll heavy bikes onto the rack.
Adjustable Wheelbase: The new Super Duty introduces adjustable-width trays, providing the option for four different width configurations: standard at 54”, long at 58”, and offset to either driver or passenger side at 56”. This provides more versatility when mounting multiple bikes, and gives riders more room to fit long rigs.
Fat-tire Capable: The new Super Duty is fat bike ready for up to 5” tires straight out of the box.
Built to Accessorize: The new Super Duty utilizes the same Add-On mounting system as 1UP’s Quik Rack system, making it reverse compatible with current Add-Ons and most accessories.
Up To Four Bikes: Available as a single or double base rack with the option to add two Add-Ons, the Super Duty is just as modular as the original. 1UP also introduced a new Super Duty Roof Rack featuring the same one-hand operation, Wheel Chock integration, and up to 100-pound capacity.
All 1UP USA racks are American-made and backed by a lifetime warranty. Should any accidents occur, every component is available for purchase on the 1UP USA website, and can be replaced easily with standard tools.
In the realm of outdoor adventure having the right gear makes all the difference. Boreas Campers understands this, and the XT trailerstands as a testament to their commitment to excellence in the offroad camping world. Boasting a fusion of durability, versatility, and comfort, the Boreas Campers XT is a beacon for adventurers seeking to venture off the beaten path with confidence.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the XT is its rugged construction. With a heavy-duty powder coated steel frame designed for and around the Cruisemaster CRS2 suspension, this camper trailer is built to withstand the rigors of off-road expeditions. The aluminum exoskeleton and composite panels allow for a small amount of flex when navigating intense topography, as opposed to a rigid shell that can crack under the stress and have the bonus of drastically reducing thermal transfer compared to aluminum and wood competitors.
One of the hallmarks of the Boreas Campers XT is its unparalleled off-grid capability, allowing adventurers to roam freely without compromising on comfort. The camper comes equipped with a suite of high-end components to stay powered up such as the 100AH lithium Battle Born battery, 100w Zamp solar panel (with the ability to go up to 500w), and a full Victron system including the GX50 battery monitoring system, Cerbo GX 5” touch screen display, 30amp MPPT controller, Phoenix Smart Charger (shore power) and Orion Smart Charger (7pin).
While the allure of the great outdoors is undeniable, comfort remains a crucial aspect of any adventure experience. Recognizing this, Boreas Campers made the XT provides a cozy haven of comfort in the wilderness. With a Queen mattress, plenty of storage and a convenient overhead cubby the cabin is a great place to rest after a day of adventure. With the Propex furnace the space can be quickly warmed up, and the Maxxair fan can pull out heat to cool the space down. The optional 12V Nomadic AC can run off the upgraded battery setup for hotter climates. The dual doors feature Tern windows with black out shades, bug screens and vents.
The galley kitchen includes a Truma 60-liter cooler, stainless steel sink, 16” Partner stove which puts out 20,000 BTUs, stainless steel counters and ample storage space. Stay hydrated with the 30-gallon water tank that feeds the sink and instant hot water shower. Stay cool under the 8’ awning and bring your choice of dirt bike or up to 3 pedal bikes on the front hitch receiver.
With its robust construction, versatile off-grid capability, and elevated comfort, this camper trailer is ready to take on any adventure you have in mind. Whether traversing rugged landscapes or seeking solace in nature’s embrace the XT inspires adventurers to embark on unforgettable journeys, forging lasting memories along the way.
Learn more about the XT and our other models at boreascampers.com. Visit our manufacturing facility in-person or virtually by scheduling a time here. And reach out with any questions to 720-515-3641 or info@boreascampers.com.
For an Adventure south of the border in a Boreas Camper XT CHECK HERE
“The Overland Adventurer Series,” TAP’s monthly feature on individuals who genuinely embody the Overland Life. Today we’re sitting down with Grant Willbanks of ARK YouTube channel notoriety.
Let’s dive right in.
Thanks for sitting down with us Grant. Tell us a about yourself and what led you down the overlanding career and enthusiast path you’re on?
I work full time as the Marketing Director of Backwoods Adventure Mods, and I have a YouTube channel, ARK Offroad that I do on the side for fun. I’ve been married for 7 years and have a 1.5-year-old son named Henry. I’ve been an Arkansas native my whole life and have always loved what the Natural State has to offer as far as the outdoors. Growing up, I’ve always been fascinated with anything that has wheels. I can remember being obsessed with construction equipment and amazed at the machinery in general. As far as my career into overlanding, it’s something that has been somewhat recent, over the last 5 or so years. I am a professional graphic designer and am obsessed with form, function, and detail. Up until overlanding, my main hobbies were playing drums, skateboarding, mountain biking, and camping. While working in the graphic and tech design industry, I was pursued by a local offroad accessory manufacturer called Backwoods Adventure Mods because of my YouTube channel. I was actually very reluctant to switch into this industry and take a job with Backwoods, but after much consideration it made so much sense. I realized I would be able to combine my graphic design/marketing skills with my passion for vehicles and the outdoors. I’m sure I’ll touch more on this later in the interview, but I always want people to know that I consider myself an enthusiast and not an influencer. I’m truly fascinated by this sort of stuff whether I’m successful on social media or not.
You’ve created quite an exciting and authentic YouTube channel in Arkansas Off-Road. Congrats on just topping 100k subscribers! When did you start ARK and what’s been the driving force behind its success?
Well, to start off, I’ll say that the whole YouTube thing and even having success on social media at all was a complete accident. It was never something I set out to achieve. Like I said earlier, I consider myself an enthusiast and not an influencer. My goal in making a YouTube channel was never to be successful or make money or be “famous”, and my goal is still the same today. My goal for my YouTube channel was just to capture the memories I made while camping and building offroad vehicles so I would have them one day to reflect on, kind of like a photo album or something, but with video. As far as the driving force behind its success, truthfully, I have no idea. I never researched any special tips or tried to figure out algorithms or anything like that. But I will say the number one thing that people continue to say to me is that they love how real and authentic I am, and I think that’s because I don’t have any pressure to look or act a certain way. I sort of do my own thing and I think people resonate with that because it seems casual, and they feel that they can relate.
Was ARK an overnight success or did it take time to catch on? Any advice for people thinking about setting up a channel?
I remember posting my very first video (see below). It was a little solo overnight camping trip with my dog. I remember somehow it got a thousand views or so in a day or two, then five thousand, and then ten thousand in about a month. I was insanely shocked. I wasn’t trying to impress anybody or anything. So that fueled me to make a couple more. I remember being qualified to be monetized by YouTube in about a month or so. At the time I was just filming random videos, but after looking back, I realized that the quick success was because overlanding wasn’t really a thing yet. Additionally, and probably the most important thing was that there was zero content about the vehicle I was driving at the time. When I started the channel, I had a 2000 Jeep TJ, and my first several videos were me doing DIY mods to it in my driveway. But I realized after about a year in, that I sort of had this niche all to myself. You could type in “Overland Jeep TJ” and nothing at all would pop up but my content. There were no other YouTubers doing content on that vehicle or like I was doing. As a designer and creative person in general, I used YouTube as a medium to share my ideas and solutions to making camping easier. I was obsessed, and still am, with gear and making it all efficient and work flawlessly together. I think the combination of all of those things contributed to my success as well as just being a regular dude.
As far as giving advice to people starting a channel, none of my advice is technical or a formula you can follow for success. I think if you’re genuine, do what you love, and have some sort of differentiator or niche you can make content about people will be attracted to that. Best thing to remember is people subscribe to you because of you, not your content. And if your goal in starting your own YouTube channel is to get free parts, you won’t get far at all. People can sniff that out a mile away. Do it because you love it.
Any future and or big plans for ARK we should know about?
I’ve said this many times and still hold this thought. I have no plans on going full time with YouTube. I like working a full-time job and doing this on the side. I have seen it multiple times…when you turn your passion into a job or into something you solely rely on for income, it can change you and it can change how you feel about your passion. The last thing I want is to feel pressure or obligation to make content because I need to put food on the table for my family. I hate the feeling of forcing content. I feel extremely fortunate to work a full-time job in the industry and do what I love on the side, with full creative control. I never want to leave that position because I feel the most freedom here. Some people have great success going full time, or at least appear successful, but it’s just not for me personally.
So, let’s talk about your rig. I’ve watched it go through many iterations. Tell us about all the changes you’ve made over the years and are you finally finished? (Is a rig ever complete?)
Oh man, well this could go on forever, haha. Like I said earlier, I had a Jeep TJ and really turned that into something special because nobody had really ever done it before, at least for overlanding. It was a small 2 door vehicle that people largely considered a strict offroad only type vehicle. After building that, I wanted to experience a new platform and push myself to do something totally foreign to me. Plus, I wanted to start a family and simply needed more room. That’s when I bought a Tacoma, and it has been the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. It still impresses me today.
The above video talks about all the different variations of the truck that I’ve built. I’ve learned a ton from switching up gear and running different brands, camping styles, suspensions, etc. And no, a rig is never complete no matter how many times you tell that to your wife. I started off basic with a camper shell and roof top tent, then switched out tires, wheels, suspension, bumpers, etc. Learned what I liked and didn’t like about that setup and then moved on to more of a live in camper style. I installed a GFC camper and swapped out suspension, wheels, tires, bumpers, etc. yet again. I did this process 4 times until reaching my current setup, a Dirtbox Overland Flatbed Tray and Canopy. It’s given me ultimate versatility and functionality. It’s my dream to own one of these and I still can’t believe it’s real. And no…definitely not finished yet.
Your rig has obviously been a lot of work, so if you had to do it all over again, would you still choose the Tacoma platform?
Great question. I actually went back and forth between a Tacoma and 4Runner. The main reason I went with a Tacoma was because of the truck bed, all of the aftermarket support, and the reliability. I realized that you can really only outfit SUVs one way for overlanding…a tent on the roof, bumpers, and some drawers/internal storage. A truck bed allows tons of different style setups, which like I mentioned earlier, have experienced in my build. A truck bed also keeps gear completely separate from the cab, which I love. So, as far as my vehicle choice is concerned, a truck fit the bill, and I specifically chose the Tacoma because it was midsized. In the Ozarks, where I wheel most often, it’s very dense and I had to keep size in mind. When you choose an overland vehicle, it’s super important to consider where you’re going or where you’ll be most often. If you’re out West, it makes sense to get a full-sized rig. The one thing the Tacoma lacks is power, that’s my only complaint. You can do things like re-gear, which I’ve done, but it still is a bit sluggish with everything loaded. Still wouldn’t trade it for anything else currently.
So, what does 2024 look like? Any major trips planned?
I can’t really ever plan my year out besides shows I do with Backwoods for work, but I’ll be going to Colorado and some other places here and there. I usually find myself doing a couple big trips a year, but always look forward to wheeling in my backyard in the Ozarks. There’s just something special about it. That’s why I named my channel Arkansas Offroad because I love Arkansas so much.
What’s been your most exciting trip to date and why?
It’s really tough to pick one single favorite trip, but I’ll sort of pick 2 that really stood out to me. One of my favorite trips was actually to Colorado for our2nd Backwoods company camp ride. It was so awesome because we went when some of the major passes were closed, at least closed officially to the public. I remember us camping at the base of one of the passes when we ran into the Forest Service crew. They told us that they just officially opened and cleared Engineer Pass and we would be the very first ones up it that season if we’d like to go for it. I remember that feeling being the first tire tracks up there passing all of these bull dozers thinking I was the first one on the moon. It was so cool to me because at camp I was in a t-shirt and it was around 70 degrees, but after driving up the pass for an hour or two, it was a full-on blizzard, and I was in a coat freezing my butt off. That was an insane experience. One other trip was the one I took with my Wife right before we were about to be parents for the first time. I think she was around 5 or 6 or so months pregnant and we wanted to do one last big trip together. We spent a week on the road from Arkansas to Flagstaff, AZ where she flew home out of AZ, and I stayed and did a show with Backwoods. We got to see so many cool things and it was sort of our last time together without a kid. I have videos documenting both of these trips by the way if you’re interested. I might go back and watch them after this now, ha.
Finally, any fun trail stories to share?
So many trail stories! The most recent trip we had was a Backwoods content trip in the Ozarks. We called it Toyotality because we all went to the woods in our Toyotas to see the total eclipse. Long story short, we accidently flooded our company Tacoma in a very unsuspecting mud hole. The truck ended up dying and we had to do an alternator change in the middle of the woods. It’s crazy when tensions are that high and you have to be totally self-reliant and get an entire vehicle out of the deep woods. And it was even more nerve racking because it was our company truck. Anyway, we were able to source an alternator and swapped it late one night at camp. It was an absolute mission, but we made it out and the only thing wrong with the truck is a muddy interior, which is literally getting fixed as we speak. I think when things like this go wrong, it builds so much character and gives you these challenges that you have to overcome. Yes, its nerve racking, but the reward of conquering a difficult or scary thing is next level.
Thanks for your time today, Grant. Stay healthy and safe and see you at the shows and hopefully in the backcountry!
The “Behind the Wheel” series is an up close and personal look at authentic brands and their owners, in the exciting world of Overlanding and Vehicle Supported Adventure. Today we’re sitting down with KP, Founder of Zero Declination.
Let’s Dive in!
KP, great to chat with you today. Let’s start with your background and what led to the creation of Zero Declination.
Hello Andy, it’s nice to be here. I grew up on a farm and in a small town, so was always interested in trucks and off-roading, but in my early 20s I was bit by a travel bug. It didn’t take long for me to combine the two pastimes and that turned into a PanAm trip from 2016-2019.
When I got back from that trip, getting a “real job” sounded pretty terrible so I started Zero Declination with the goal of helping others outfit their rigs for true, long-term adventure travel. My background is mostly in full-size American trucks, and I find they make an excellent overland platform, so that’s our specialty.
So, Zero Declination is an interesting name, what’s its origin?
So, it can mean several things, but in this context it’s a point on the map where true North and magnetic North align with one another.
Give us some insight into what you and your team do at Zero Declination. What brands and products you currently distribute and why?
I gravitate toward very high quality, well built, but simple products. I like things that just simply work, right out of the box and our product mix reflects that. Our flagship line is definitely the truck camper, chassis mount expedition trucks, and aluminum trays made by Overland Explorer Vehicles. We also love Battleborn Batteries and Victron electrical componentry. I’d say we’re most well-known as a high-end electrical shop, focused on lithium batteries and solar installations. We also sell and install MITS Alloy products as well as Skinny Guy campers.
Are you planning on any additional products and if so, can you tell us about them?
Currently, in-house, we design and sell a few of our own products, including the very popular Reico Titan quick release jack kits. I’ve got a few more ideas I’m working on in the queue, but nothing ready for primetime. Yet!
In the last few years, the overlanding category has exploded. What current trends are you seeing for good or for bad?
Well, I’m certainly grateful that the industry expansion has allowed me to make a living helping others do something that I personally love. I’m not sure there would have been the demand for our products or services ten years ago. That being said, I’m typing this from Baja Sur right now and I’ve NEVER seen so many American rigs in places that were once pristine, and absolutely remote. It’s definitely a give and take.
Looking into your crystal ball, where do you see the category going as it evolves further?
Oh man, I wish I knew. I realize this sounds ridiculous coming from a guy who literally owns an overland shop and sells accessories, but I truly hope we see a focus shift away from accessories and aesthetics, and back to the roots of travel and exploration.
As a passionate overlander yourself, what’s been your favorite trip you’ve taken, and do you have somewhere special on your bucket list destinations yet to visit?
My favorite trip so far has to probably be a moto trip in South America. I bought a cheap KLR from a guy on Facebook Marketplace and rode it from LaPaz Bolivia, through the altiplano, the Atacama Desert, and Patagonia to Ushuaia. The motorcycle wasn’t very reliable, so my breakdowns and subsequent fixes resulted in a ton of great adventure stories and amazing interactions with locals and travelers alike. Motorcycle travel is wonderful because it really exposes you to the elements and environments you’re traveling though, but still allows you to cover miles when needed.
Finally, any funny trail stories you can share with us?
Oh man.. so many, but my favorite is probably the time I setup camp inside an abandoned warehouse near Porvenir Chile. I’d hung my hammock from the motorcycle to a beam inside the building, hung my helmet from the handlebars, and fell asleep facing the open door and a view of the Straight of Magellan. I woke up in the middle of the night. With the fork, bars, and suspended helmet, my motorcycle looked exactly like some sort of skeletal terminator nightmare bearing down on me. I literally screamed and fell out of my hammock before I woke up completely and realized what was happening. I slept great the rest of the night though, and it’s still one of my all-time favorite camp spots.
Thanks for spending time with us today, KP. Hope to join you one of these days, down south.
Storyteller Overland, a pioneering adventure lifestyle brand and best in class manufacturer of Class B RV Adventure Vans and off-grid expedition vehicles, today announced its acquisition of TAXA Outdoors (“TAXA”), an innovative manufacturer of lightweight, highly versatile camping habitats and overlanding utility trailers. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone for both companies and reinforces their shared commitment to providing full range of solutions for their growing community of lifelong adventurers.
Inspired by its founders’ roots in NASA habitat design and space architecture, TAXA has gained acclaim for its distinctive, “Otherworldly” approach to form and function. TAXA offers adventurers a range of versatile, lightweight towable solutions that are capable of traversing rugged terrain while also providing a comfortable, stylish mobile base camp experience.
By fusing TAXA’s expertise with Storyteller Overland’s innovative approach to motorized adventure vehicle design, exceptional dealer sales & service network, and deep commitment to fostering community engagement, the combined entity will empower new generations of underserved and underrepresented customers to elevate their experiences and pursue their passions in the outdoors.
The alliance of Storyteller Overland and TAXA positions Storyteller as the most comprehensive and forward thinking, independent outdoor lifestyle and recreational vehicle company in the industry. As a fully integrated and aligned portfolio of active interest and adventure lifestyle oriented brands, this combination results in a unique customer journey and value added ecosystem offering solutions ranging from: a curated peer-to-peer rental technology platform (GoCamp), to market leading lifestyle gear and vehicle accessories for DIY and OEM customers (Flarespace), to best-in-class, turnkey adventure vehicles and expedition rigs on a variety of OEM chassis (Storyteller Overland / Global Expedition Vehicles / GXV), and now innovative, lightweight towables and mobile human habitats (TAXA).
“We are stoked to welcome Neil Grimmer and the TAXA team along with their loyal owner community into the Storyteller Overland galaxy,” said Jeffrey Hunter, CEO of Storyteller Overland. “Both of our companies share a passion for inspiring and equipping individuals to boldly explore and expand their horizons and connect more deeply with our growing community of adventurers around the globe. This acquisition represents a natural alignment of the vision, values, and vibes that support those passions. For us, all of this is yet another giant leap forward to help more people live free, explore endlessly, and tell better stories.”
The LAND Moto District Scrambler emerges as a beacon of innovation in the electric motorcycle industry, embodying the perfect blend of off-road capability and urban versatility. Designed for the adventure seeker who refuses to be confined by the boundaries of the concrete jungle, the District Scrambler stands out as a testament to LAND Moto’s commitment to eco-friendly, efficient, and thrilling transportation solutions.
Crafted in Cleveland, Ohio, the District Scrambler is a masterpiece of engineering, combining hand-made production techniques with cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. This motorcycle is not just a mode of transportation; it’s an extension of the rider’s desire for freedom and exploration, offering an unparalleled riding experience that’s as sustainable as it is exhilarating.
Performance and Power:
At the heart of the District Scrambler is a robust electric powertrain that delivers instant torque and silent operation. Capable of speeds over 70 MPH, it caters to the adrenaline rush of speeding down open roads and the precision required for navigating through urban obstacles. The bike’s range of up to 120 miles on a single charge ensures that your adventures are not limited by distance, making it an ideal companion for both daily commutes and weekend getaways.
Design and Durability:
The Land Moto District Scrambler’s design ethos is rooted in functionality, durability, and beauty. Its rugged frame is built to withstand the rigors of off-road trails while maintaining a sleek silhouette that turns heads in the city. The motorcycle features high-quality suspension components that provide a smooth ride over rough terrains and absorb the shocks of urban potholes. Its all-terrain tires offer superior grip, allowing riders to confidently tackle diverse landscapes.
Eco-Friendly Innovation:
In an era where sustainability is paramount, the District Scrambler leads the way as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional gasoline motorcycles. By harnessing electric power, it significantly reduces carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner, greener planet. This commitment to environmental responsibility does not compromise on performance, making the District Scrambler a pioneer in the electric revolution.
Technology and Connectivity:
The District Scrambler is equipped with the latest in motorcycle technology and connectivity features. Its intuitive digital dashboard displays essential information at a glance, including speed, range, and battery status. The motorcycle’s connected features allow riders to customize their riding experience, monitor their bike’s health, and navigate with ease, all through a dedicated mobile app. This integration of technology enhances the ride by making it safer, more enjoyable, and seamlessly integrated with the rider’s lifestyle.
Customization and Community:
Understanding that riders value individuality, LAND Moto offers extensive customization options for the District Scrambler. From unique color schemes to performance upgrades, each motorcycle can be tailored to reflect the rider’s personality and riding preferences. Additionally, LAND Moto fosters a community of electric motorcycle enthusiasts, providing a platform for riders to share experiences, routes, and tips, further enriching the ownership experience.
In conclusion, the LAND Moto District Scrambler is more than just an electric motorcycle; it’s a gateway to adventure, freedom, and sustainability. It represents a bold step forward in the evolution of transportation, offering riders the chance to explore new horizons without leaving a carbon footprint. Whether carving through city streets or conquering rugged trails, the District Scrambler stands ready to challenge the status quo and lead the charge into the future of mobility.
To learn more about the Land Moto District Scrambler CLICK HERE
This is a sponsored article. TAP does not receive any commission from sales resulting from this feature.
