When I started overlanding (prior to the launch of Trail Recon)—or camping out of my Jeep as I called it then— my needs and my gear were simple. I was good with a sleeping bag, a ground tent, a cooler, and a basic camp stove.
Trail Recon’s Rubicon
Given that it was usually just me and my boys or a few friends, and we didn’t travel off-road too far from Southern California, that setup worked just fine. But over the years, as I’ve grown to love overlanding more and I retired from the Navy, I’ve found both the inclination and the time to venture farther and farther from my home base, and my needs have changed.
Traveling farther afield requires bringing more gear. You have to make sure you have enough food and supplies to last for the duration of a week’s long trip. I’ve also realized that as I get less young, I have less tolerance for multiple nights sleeping on the ground and drinking bad coffee.
But the biggest impact of my longer overland journeys was spending more and more time away from my home and family. More accurately, I was away more often from my wife, Regena, because my boys are now adults and have their own lives and commitments. After 26 years in the Navy and many deployments, she and I have already spent quite a lot of time apart. While I was in the Navy, we really didn’t have a choice but now, I do.
Rubicon and Shift pod Combo
I didn’t see any reason Regena couldn’t join me on Trail Recon adventures. At least, I didn’t until she pointed out that having been in the Navy herself, which included time spent with the Marines, she’d done her fair share of roughing it and it was going to take more than some rehydrated meals, a tent, and a shovel to dig a hole in the woods to convince her to come along.
So, I began my quest to find the perfect overland setup that would allow us not only to get off the beaten path, but also provide some of the creature comforts that I knew would entice Regena to hit the trails with me. To be honest, I was interested in enjoying some enhanced, less spartan accommodations. It’s a modern world and innovations in camping gear mean there’s no reason you have to sacrifice comfort and convenience to hit the trail for remote locations where you can enjoy the great, unspoiled outdoors.
The first part of the equation for the perfect overland setup was finding the right rig. I wanted something that was not only off-road capable but would also be comfortable for long trips. After considering several full-sized trucks, I decided on the Ram Power Wagon. The interior was spacious and offered a bit of luxury, it had sufficient payload to carry plenty of gear on long adventures, and it came very well equipped straight from the factory to handle off-road trails with its solid axles, front and rear lockers, sway bar disconnect, and a Warn winch.
Our maiden voyage happened a month after I’d finished the build when Regena and I headed out on a two-week adventure in Washington state. Along with a few friends, we traveled from Ocean Shores on the Pacific Coast, through the Olympic Peninsula and the Hoh Rain Forest, across the Puget Sound and through Seattle, before heading to the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains and tackling a section of the Backcountry Discovery Route.
Airing up on the trail
Everything about this trip was a resounding success from soaking in the majestic sights of the Pacific Northwest, to sharing this adventure with Regena and great friends, to the performance of both the Power Wagon and the Hawk.
I absolutely love the 6.4 liter Hemi because it never wants for power. While the Power Wagon wasn’t built to do rock crawling or tight technical trails, it did an amazing job conquering Washington’s backroads and trails, and when we encountered an obstacle along the way, we had no problems navigating our way through it. Of course, the tradeoff for that power is the fuel economy, which is poor to say the least. Thankfully, the truck has a 31 gallon tank, but at 9-11 MPG, I have to wonder whether I should have opted for a Ram 2500 diesel.
When we stopped for camp each evening, setting up the camper was a breeze, usually taking me under a minute to pop it open and unload our gear so Regena could head inside, away from the swarms of bloodthirsty mosquitos, and prep dinner on the nights she was cooking. Even though most of the cooking was done outside so we could all hang out together, having hot water for washing up dishes after the meal, which was my job since Regena cooked, was an incredible luxury.
Camp Luxury
Inside the camper, there’s plenty of headroom, which is great because Regena and I are both tall (I’m over six feet), and even though it can require a bit of maneuvering around each other when we’re both inside, there’s still plenty of room to relax when we want to get out of the elements.
The mountains in Washington, even in July, can get chilly at night and having a heater and thermostat is probably one of our top three favorite things about the camper because I am not a fan of being cold, let alone being cold while I sleep.
Also on our list of favorites is the queen-sized bed, to which we added a memory foam topper. Being able to get a good night’s sleep on the trail—or anywhere for that matter—is vital to your well-being. Waking up refreshed and ready to go sets the tone for the entire day and definitely contributed to our enjoyment of the entire trip.
The cassette toilet is the final item on our top three list (and I’m pretty sure it’s at the top of Regena’s list). Having some privacy and not having to brave the elements when nature calls is, in Regena’s words, “life-changing.”
A room with a view
The only thing we would change about the Hawk would be the refrigerator, because the current one doesn’t seem to regulate temperature very well. Despite adjusting the settings multiple times, we ended up losing food, especially produce, after we’ve found that it had been frozen. In the grand scheme, that’s a minor irritation.
Overall, the Four Wheels Camper and the Power Wagon have been everything I’d hoped for in an overlanding setup and more. Call it “glamping” if you want, but I’ll take it. Not only can I go off the grid and off the road to enjoy some spectacular locations while being completely self-sustained, but my wife is more than happy now to hit the road and go adventuring with me.
The Stratus Down Hoodie is a State-of-the-Art Goose Down Jacket with Stretch Shell, Stitch-less Baffles and Hydrophobic Down
Prometheus Design Werx introduces their state-of-the-art Stratus Down Hoodie for Fall-Winter 2021. Featuring a unique stitch-less baffle construction to reduce weight and bulk, stretch 20D shell, and premium hydrophobic 800 fill power goose down. The Stratus Down Hoodie packs down small for trail to travel, has an excellent warmth to weight ratio, and cut to fit under outerwear. The Dupont treated, water repellent, premium 800 fill power goose down is 27 X more water resistant than untreated down, so this hoodie retains its thermal properties even if dunked or wet. Design details include an integrated stuff-sack storage camp pillow and detachable travel neck pillow, 4 pockets, internally routed bottom cinch, a cozy brushed hood liner, and a 20D nylon shell with stretch, DWR and Dupont Silvadur anti-microbial treatment.
The Stratus Down Hoodie is a part of Prometheus Design Werx’s PRO-Line of technical apparel. Available in Mission Gray, and Outpost Blue.
The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:
“The Stratus Down Hoodie is best in class. We sourced and used the best in this goose down mid-layer as a follow up to our hooded Tycho model from 2019. We custom milled this unique stretch nylon with stitch-less baffles for our shell, making this jacket one of the few on the market that possess these performance characteristics for unparalleled comfort, movement and reduction in bulk in any down garment. There is nothing lighter, warmer and more compressible than a down mid-layer. Down mid-layers allow the user to be unencumbered by excess weight; when not being used, they pack down smaller than any other technical mid-layer and can be easily stowed in a pack. We continue to use a Dupont treated goose down fill, which is 27 times more resistant to water. It will survive an accidental dunk and still insulate. While down jackets were never intended to be used as rain wear, the Stratus will allow the user ample time to shrug off the first minutes of rainfall to grab a waterproof shell to wear over and not lose its insulating capabilities. It’s the quality of make and design details that makes our goose down mid-layer a cut above the rest. We used premium 800 fill power goose down for its high loft, is RDS certified, a DWR shell with anti-microbial Dupont Silvadur treatment, cozy brushed tricot hood liner, and expanded capabilities with its integrated camp pillow and detachable travel neck pillow.”
Easy to moderate (stream crossings likely moderate after seasonal runoff)
Required Vehicle
Stock 4×4 with high clearance.
Time
2-3 hours
Length
16.2 miles
Trailhead-Wyman Canyon
Directions to the Wyman Canyon Trail: From White Mountain road, the trailhead is 3 miles past the Schulman Grove visitor center. Turn right (east) for Wyman Canyon Trail or left (west) for Silver Canyon Trail.
Mellow switchbacks
Site Location and Description: The trailhead is at 10,500 ft with views west to the eastern Sierra. It is clearly marked and leaves the graded and easy White Mountain Road. The trail starts at high elevation and makes its way steadily down through gentle switchbacks into Wyman Canyon. In dry conditions, 4×4 is unnecessary for the first 7 miles. After this point, the trail starts to criss-cross the canyon’s stream multiple times. In summer, crossings are shallow and very mellow, however it should be noted that they could alter considerably in different seasons or after storms. After several miles of following the canyon and stream, the trail exits into an open boulder strewn high desert environment. At 16 miles, the trail ends and connects to the I-168.
Mid-point
History: This road follows Wyman Creek, an old mining and pole line road. On the East end of Wyman Canyon is White Mountain City, in the 1860’s, this was a silver processing town. Only some stone walls and smelter stacks remain.
TAP note: We drove this in August when the stream crossings were very mellow. There were, however, a couple of areas where we could see that the crossing would become significantly more challenging with increased streamflow. TAP always recommends that you take all safety precautions when crossing any body of water and respect the Tread Lightly principle of crossing slowly in order to disturb the natural ecosystem as little as possible.
Sagebrush desert in the canyon on Wyman Trail
Click here for more CA off-road, Overlanding trails…..and TAP into Adventure!
If you’re always on the go, the Dometic CFF-T makes it simple to bring your favorite food and drinks along for the ride — while keeping them cold and refreshing. The innovative CCF-T Center Console Refrigerator fits seamlessly into the console of your Ford F-150 (2015-2020 models), Ford Super Duty (2017 and newer models), or Ford Expedition (2018 and newer models).
The CCF-T offers the latest way to trick out your truck with a mobile fridge that will be the envy of your buddies.
From Center Console to Mobile Fridge
With the Dometic CFF-T, you have a go-to fridge, wherever you go. The fridge has:
Generous Storage Size: 7.5L and holds up to 12, 12 ounce Cans
Quiet Compressor: Whisper quiet operation
No Batteries Required: Uses 12V socket in the center console for power
Simple Installation: Easy to install design integrates into center console
Easy access and no mess: Within reach and never needs ice
Works as Hard as You Do:
Make the Dometic CCF-T your new road trip companion. Whether you’re commuting to the jobsite or heading out on your next adventure, the CCF-T works as hard as you do — and lets you play hard, too.
Dometic equips you to get out there faster, live outside more comfortably, and stay out there longer. We make it easy for you to focus on what gets you outside, however you choose to get here.
Twice a year, Equipt Expedition Outfitters owner Paul May closes his shop for a long weekend and takes his team on an adventure. The goal is to break from the daily tasks and spend some quality time exploring the west, expand some horizons, and to get to know each other a little better. For most of the team, vehicle adventure travel is a lifestyle. Not only do they sell some of the best products on the market, but they really do get out and use it. Their tour of central Utah this last fall was inspiring. They explored high desert plains, grand vistas, deep sandstone canyons, and the fall colors in full array. Paul had been to the upper portion of the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monumentregion of Utah before. Many times actually. But none of the team had. Their goal was to see new things, and that meant new things for Paul too. And boy did they. For Paul, it was another incredible adventure added to more than 40 years of exploration. And truth be told, it is at the base of why Paul started Equipt.
How did you get into Overlanding personally?
Overlanding is a relatively new term. I’ve been exploring the outdoors since I could walk. My parents took me along on their adventures. At 10, they took me on a road trip circumnavigating North America. The Boy Scouts introduced me to backpacking. When Santa was bringing other kids trains and toys, he brought me down sleeping bags and backpacks. A drivers license expanded my range exponentially. Early adventures to England and France opened my eyes to the world. Grad school took me to Japan and Korea. From there, it seemed that I spent most of my income and all my spare time exploring the backroads of Utah and the southwest. A lifelong passion. I tried quite a few different vehicles, but settled into Toyota Land Cruisers as my means of getting around.
How did you get into Overlanding as your business path?
It was actually a mutual appreciation of Land Cruisers that changed my life a little over 15 years ago. I was ready for change in my professional life at that time. I was involved with a local Land Cruiser club, and heard of a couple from South Africa who were travelling from Argentina to Alaska in a 70 Series Troopy. At the time, that was a very rare Land Cruiser to see. I asked them to stop by and meet our club. They graciously did. The night before the club meeting, my wife and I joined them for dinner. Jack Stuhler, owner of Eezi-Awn, showed me around his vehicle, and I was in awe. There were all sorts of equipment on his truck I had never seen before. He said that he made most of these items in South Africa, and asked if I knew of anyone in the US that would be interested in offering their products here. I was about to offer someone else’s name, when my wife elbowed me and looked at me like I was an idiot. I know that look well. So instead I told him I wanted to think about it, and we’d talk the next day. After a sleepless night, I told Jack that I wanted to be that guy. After a month or so of discussions, we shook hands and that was that. I started Equipt in the fall of 2005, and opened the doors in the spring of 2006.
Talk briefly about Equipt’s mission #builtbetter and how each brand we carry fits into that.
Equipt’s mission is to offer our customers products that are simply Built Better. I have been fortunate to bring to the US what could arguably be the best products of their kind in the world. Eezi-Awn, our first line of product, is known worldwide for their quality and longevity in roof top tents, awnings and rack systems. The choice of true world explorers. National Luna portable fridges have been winning comparisons around the globe for decades. The aluminum storage cases from Alubox are the last cases you will ever purchase. And the fit and finish of Escape Gear seat covers are like nothing else on the market. Each brand strives not to be the biggest, but to be the best in their field, globally. Their products are all simply Built Better than anyone else.
Talk briefly about your big 4 brands: Eezi-Awn, National Luna, AluBox, and Escape Gear.
Eezi-Awn has been producing world class roof top tents, vehicle awnings and expedition level roof rack systems for going on 40 years. They have been the benchmark for the industry. Many a product on the market today are inspired by the designs Eezi-Awn brought to the market. All of their products are produced in South Africa. They now have representation in Australia, Europe, England and the US
National Luna, also based in South Africa, originally designed portable fridges for World Health Organizations to haul medicine around the African continent. Their fridges had to be robust, hold a specific temperature in high ambient temperatures, and run on close to nothing. They succeeded in that design decades ago, and have been improving on it ever since. They also make an incredible line of vehicle battery management systems and LED task lighting.
Alubox is a family owned and operated company in Denmark that produces aluminum storage cases for the military, commercial and exploration markets of the world. For over 20 years now, and more than 10 of those with us, they have shown quality and attention to detail can offer in a simple yet incredibly robust case. They offer sizes from 10L to 690L. They take great pride in what they do, and it shows.
Escape Gear Seat Covers of Cape Town South Africa are works of art in canvas. We have been lucky enough to represent them for a decade now. Their quality is obvious, when you see their work. The conformity to seat design, and level of finish surpasses all others. I believe they are the best seat covers on the planet.
What’s been the greatest challenge of Equipt?
Early on, it was product recognition. Nobody knew what a roof top tent was. Or what the benefit of having a true fridge in your vehicle could be. Do you know the phrase, the scouts always get the arrows? We were pioneers in this market. The overlanding industry hit a tipping point half a dozen years or so ago, and that has all changed. Now the greatest challenge for us is keeping up with demand. A good problem, but a challenge all the same.
What’s your current rig build out?
No one should feel sorry for me in that category. We have a few favorites here at Equipt. My current vehicle is a Toyota Land Cruiser, of course. A 200 Series that we have built up for world level travel. We’ve had it featured with Expedition Portal and Expedition Overland. Truly a great truck. If I sold it, I’d just buy a newer one. Another one that we are having fun with is a 1983 Land Cruiser 60 Series, with a 351 Windsor race engine in it. It looks stock, but it doesn’t run stock. There are a few other fun vehicles here too. A Gen 3 Tundra we call Monster. A charged Gen 1 Tundra called Sleepy. A Gen 3 Tacoma known as Jr. And the FJ40 I met Jack Stuhler in so many years ago. I guess I am not too good at selling trucks.
What’s been your favorite trip and why?
I have been fortunate enough to go on quite a few incredible adventures. It’s hard to single out one. Traveling through South Africa, Botswana and Namibia with Expeditions 7 was the pinnacle for me. It was such a unique an area to explore, and the team of individuals I went with were incredible. I’ve had the opportunity to explore Mayan ruins in mainland Mexico and Central America, self supported with a few friends for 2-½ months. A solo run to Prudhoe Bay Alaska changed me too. I really have been lucky to see so many incredible places.
Tell us about the Equipt team.
Such a great team. All interesting and unique in their own ways, but they seem to work very well together.
Morgan is our Customer Experience Lead. He is who you will most likely talk to when you call. He has a history in fly fishing and the outdoors market, and has taken to the overland industry incredibly well. Morgan is passionate about what he does here, and it shows. An incredible part of our team.
Drew’s business card title is Mr. Fix It, and that he does. Drew was my favorite bartender, so I hired him. He now is second chair on inside sales as well as manager of our installations department. He oversees our fleet, and keeps most things in our operations area under control. Definitely a man of many hats. We are very lucky to have him here.
The Equipt Team
Kristin is our Chief Everything Officer. Kristin has been with me from almost the beginning of the company. She now manages all financial operations as well as the warehouse and shipping departments. Kristin keeps the train on the tracks. I am not sure I could do this without her help.
Lola and Kesa in fulfillment, and Rob in installations round out our small team. I am amazed at all this crew can accomplish. Like the companies we represent, we are not out to be the biggest. We strive to be the best in our field, for our customers and ourselves. A company that is simply Built Better.
We miss our Tacoma – AKA “The Beast”, but we’re stoked to know that after it went to live in Colorado, it became “The Alpha Beast”. If TAP built the foundation, well, the house has certainly been finished by new owner, Justin Pascarella. Read on to learn what mods Justin has undertaken to build The Ultimate Tacoma!
Buying The Tacoma:
It’s been three years since I went to SoCal and bought TAP’s, renowned, overlanding equipped Tacoma, better known as “The Beast”. Since then, with a laundry list of mods over the years, it’s evolved into “The Alpha Beast”. Here’s how it happened.
The TAP Beast: 2010 Toyota Tacoma
In 2018 I purchased The Adventure Portal’s 2010 Tacoma. I had seen it featured on both their website and social media feeds and when I saw it posted for sale, I knew I had to have it. I contacted TAP, made an offer,headed to SoCal and made the purchase. I was ecstatic! Leaving California, I decided to take a scenic route through Utah to my home state of Colorado. I was really excited about taking this 1000 plus mile “maiden voyage”. While driving the vehicle home I dreamt of all the future adventures I would take.…I swear, I felt like a kid at Christmas. I had a two day window in which to make it home, and knew I had to hit Zion and Moab. Taking a quick off-road detour in Moab gave me the opportunity to bond and get familiar with a totally different animal of a vehicle than I had before. It did not disappoint!
After a few summer camping trips to Leadville and Rollins Pass in Colorado with a group of friends, I began to contemplate the Tacoma build trajectory. Summer was coming to an end and it was time to get to work.
The Tacoma on the way home to Colorado
First Tacoma Mods:
Rotors, Exhaust System and a Rear Differential Breather:
Some of the first few modifications I made were to upgrade the brakes and rotors, the exhaust and to purchase a rear differential breather. With the current and anticipated added weight as well as oversized tires, I wanted to ensure I had adequate stopping power without potentially overheating the rotors. I went for PowerStop Extreme Truck and Tow Rotors, since I had a good experience with them on my prior build. For the exhaust I went with MagnaFlow Off Road Pro Series Cat-Back Performance Exhaust System, since it was short (It ends before the rear diff.) and could be tucked high up under the truck to avoid any trail damage. It also provided a more aggressive sound, which I liked. For the rear diff breather, I went with the ARB 4×4 Accessories Differential Axle Breather Kit. Even though deep river crossings or desert-like regions aren’t very frequent in Colorado, my ultimate goal was to be prepared no matter where I went. Especially in places where weather can be extreme and unpredictable.
Sleeping, Kitchen, Roof Rack and Battery Management System
Adding a Roof Top Tent:
Next, I focused on my sleeping area, kitchen and battery management systems. I had been ground tenting for nearly a year when I decided that I wanted to install a roof top tent. After spending some time researching, I found a barely used ARB Simpson III with an annex. The main reasons for purchasing the roof top tent and annex were to get off the ground and to have an enclosed room to change, sit, cook and to get out of the weather when needed. It was definitely an exciting change to finally have an RTT for the first time! Another bonus was that it was spacious enough to accommodate two adults and two dogs fairly comfortably.
The Tacoma “Alpha Beast” in the making with its ARB Simpson III and annex
The ARB Simpson III’s maiden voyage was traversing The Mojave Road. A weeklong trip touring through the Mojave will reveal most weak points of any camping gear or overland build. With the high winds incessantly flapping the tent fabric in the wind and the less than desirable factory RTT mattress, it was clear what needed to be improved upon. I swapped out the mattress with an Exped Megamat Duo Sleeping Pad, which was a vastly more comfortable. The noise made by the tent fabric was nothing I was driven to change. I knew that this was the norm for soft top RTTs. I had a great experience with the ARB Simpson III tent for about two years. My biggest complaint was with the breakdown of this tent. On cold or damp mornings, it became very frustrating to fold up the tent and zip on the cover with freezing cold hands. Cursing and busted knuckles were a common occurrence. Overall though, the ARB Simpson III was a good tent for its time.
ARB RTT addition to the Tacoma on the Mojave Road
Kitchen:
I already had a great off-roading fridge but was in need of a new slide. I found a product by DFG Off-road that was affordable, slimline and lightweight. It works really well with my Dometic CFX-50. For a water storage solution, I went with the WaterPort 3.8G self-pressurizing tankto assist in cleaning dishes etc. Thus far, I’ve used a classic Coleman dual burner stove and it’s lived up to its reputation, although I began using an 11 lb propane tank and adapter to connect to the Coleman stove instead of the disposable 1 lb tanks that I’d been using. These additions have proven be a game changer on longer journeys.
New Roof Racks:
My next goal was to install a more suitable roof rack on the Tacoma. I needed to replace the basket-style Yakima Rack with a streamlined mounting platform for mounting accessories and the RTT. Enter Front Runner roof racks. What drew me to Front Runner was the modularity, reputation and functionality. I loved the fact that FR offered an array of mounting accessories to accommodate almost any overlanding gear you could want and that I could order directly from their site. I ordered a rack for the SnugTop Topper and front cab. I also ordered a shovel mount, quick dismounts for the RTT, as well as Rotopack and awning mounts. The lights I had wired up previously were easily transitioned to the Front Runner rack channels as well. For the awning, I used my existing Batwing Awning from Rhino Rack.
The Alpha Beast 2010 Tacoma with the addition of Front Runner roof racks.
Adding a more Powerful Battery Management System:
The Tacoma already had a basic National Luna Dual battery system, but I wanted a more robust, flexible and intelligent BMS. I was looking for a system that would allow me to incorporate solar for charging the aux battery. I decided on the REDARC BCDC 1240and had it installed by Off-Grid Engineering in Colorado. To mount the REDARC neatly, (and to support local businesses) I went with PowerTray’s Engine Bay Tray Mount, a great product which seemed to accommodate the REDARC perfectly with room to spare. I had the primary starting battery moved to the opposite side of the engine and had the Windy Nation 100Ah Deep Cycle AGM battery installed in its place. This entirely new system powered up the auxiliary lights, fridge and accessories. It has also protected the primary start battery reliably for over two years.
Tires, Air Compressor, Distributed Air System & Snorkel Upgrade
Tires:
The Falken Wildpeak AT3’sthat the Tacoma came with are an incredible tire. They stood up to the abuse of every kind of terrain imaginable without ever getting a flat. But the AT3’s had a good amount of mileage on them and I wanted to try a different brand and look while keeping the 285/70/17’s size. After some inspiration from watching Expedition Overland, I was convinced that the General Grabber X3 Mud terrain tires would be a worthy alternative. The Generals have yet to let me down after numerous trips on varied terrains throughout Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.
Air Compressors:
I’ve been through quite the evolution of air compressors: Ryobi, Smittybuilt, PowerTank, single ARB and more. I really felt that I needed a more reliable and permanent on-board air compressor solution. The obvious choice for me was the ARB Twin Compressor. I mounted it vertically in the engine bay close to the battery, using Slee Off-Road’s awesome ARB mount. Then I ran a wire loom to the aux battery and wired it into the existing sPOD switch.
ARB Compressor
Tire air Up/Down System:
To air-up more quickly and efficiently, I ended up getting the Indeflate Two Hose Unit. Indeflate is a device used to inflate or deflate two tires simultaneously. Once connected, the Indeflate equalizes both tires automatically. Manufactured in South Africa, it has been tried and tested to withstand harsh conditions. Between the ARB Twin Compressor and the Indeflate two hose unit, the airing up process was significantly faster. But as we all know, overland builds are never really finished and after running this configuration for some time, I decided that I wanted to improve upon this system even further. I decided to go with Boulder Tools Tire Deflator Kit and it has suited me very well. For the airing up process, on the other hand, I was looking for a more efficient system. My search lead me to a universal 4-tire air distribution system from UpDownAir. By running most of the hose alongside or through the frame rails, this neat system is able to equalize the pressure between all four tires automatically and is compatible with my twin ARB compressor. It can be mounted in multiple places on the Tacoma, but after confirming some measurements, I decided to mount the unit next to the REDARC on the PowerTray.
Redarc Mount
After multiple uses, I found that the air whips from the UpDownAir kit were inadequate for my needs, so I made four of my own using some Flexzillahose and AstroAIclosed flow air chucks. Once all four whips were connected to the tires, all I had to do was switch on the ARB compressor, sit back in my vehicle and wait. The system automatically fills my tires to the pressure set by the main unit using the regulator adjuster. I also mounted the ARB air hose coupling off of the main unit in case I wanted to use that as well.
Snorkel Upgrade:
My next upgrade for the Tacoma was to find a better pre-filter for my snorkel. The harsh weather in Colorado means that snow and hail can inadvertently get sucked into the snorkel, so I added a Precleaner from Snorkel Upgrade. This turned out to be the perfect solution to eliminate my paranoia around snorkel debris ingestion. You can read more about the technology and how it works here:
The Ultimate Mods: The Alu-Cab Canopy Camper & Re-Gear
The Camper:
Fast forward about a year, I was at the point where if I wanted to make any further modifications to the Tacoma, it would mean I would have to spend a good chunk of money. None the less, I wanted more comfort and ease in terms of functionality, so I sought out something that would check all the boxes in terms of reliability, durability and something that would allow me to streamline all of my systems. Initially I was thinking of getting a hard shell RTT, but that really didn’t fit the bill. I also explored the idea of a full slide-in camper, but most were way too heavy, not off-road rugged enough and didn’t provide all the creature comforts I was looking for.
I spent a few weeks making cost and feature comparisons across various camper styles. I was already familiar withAlu-cab’s hard shell tents and soon discovered their other products. I was very intrigued by Alu-Cab’s Khaya Camper, which seemed like a really cool option and included all the amenities, but it was a little too heavy for what I was looking for. I wanted to retain as much off-road capability as possible. The perfect alternative was Alu-Cab’s other offering, the Canopy Camper. It’s much lighter and offered me the ability to customize as much as I wanted both inside and out. The further I researched the Canopy Camper, the more I was convinced that I had found the perfect combination of innovation and ruggedness. I contacted a local Colorado vendor, Juniper Overland Adventure Vehicle Outfitters to finalize my Alu-Cab Canopy Camper order along with all the accessories I wanted. I decided on the Goose-Gear drawer build, a dual control National Luna fridge/freezer, Alu-Cab exterior molle plates, slide-in table, shadow awning, and shower cube. I also added a New Port Dickinson Marine Propane fireplace for my fall and winter travels. Now I needed a roof rack that was compatible with my new camper. My Front Runner rack didn’t fit, so I replaced it with a Prinsu Roof Racksince it was low-profile enough to fit under the Alu-Cab’s overhang.
Alu-Cab Internal
Re-Gearing:
I knew that the Alu-Cab was going to add quite a bit of weight to the rig so I pulled the trigger on perhaps my most significant upgrade, a Nitro 4.88 Re-Gear. Getting a referral to a local and reputable Colorado shop, Colorado Axle and Gear, I quickly made an appointment and had the new gears installed. I was amazed at the difference in my first drive after the install! There was so much more low-end torque and I was really impressed by how much better each gear responded. After the break-in period, I took a couple of quick off-roading trips around Colorado and I felt like I was driving a whole new truck. I wondered why I hadn’t done a re-gear much sooner.
My first night in the ALU-Cab-Dakan Road outside Castle Rock, CO.
By the time this article is published, I will have owned the Alu-Cab Canopy Camper for exactly a year. It’s been such an awesome balance of functionality, ruggedness and quality. It also just looks badass. Of course, I have made many other customizations to the Alu-Cab in the past year and have gone on some amazing trips, venturing into many of our incredible National Monuments, Forests, Parks, BDR’s as well as the vast mountain landscapes of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.
The Alpha Beast has always gotten me home and has proven to be the ultimate overland machine. Where does the Tacoma go from here, you’ll just have to see…
The Alpha Beast!
Author- Justin Pascarella: An IT Engineer from Southeast Florida, now residing in Colorado. Justin found his passion for exploring the outdoors in Colorado. Aside from overlanding, Justin loves music, coffee, craft beer, writing and creating content for his adventure YouTube channel, SubDivo Overland. He is also a council member for Rocky Mountain Overland, where he leads overland group trips.
You can follow more of SubDivo Overland’s adventures on these social media channels:
