Off The Grid Rentals

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off the grid rentals, trailer rentals, off-road trailers, over land, overlanding, off-road, off-roading, vehicle supported adventure,

TAP just published an off-road trailer buyers guide and thought we would tie in this off-road trailer rental company for those of you who are interested in trying out overland trailer camping. Nizar Najm gave us some background on his company, Off The Grid Rentals. How he got started and why. Read on and TAP into Adventure!

Business Overview: Off The Grid Rentals was started a little over a year ago.

I approached Bond Gilmer, owner at Rebel Off Road with the idea of renting off -road trailers and roof top tents out of his Laguna Hills shop. We both knew there was a market for this and no one serving it. We also knew that in places like Australia and South Africa, there were many successful companies offering this kind of service. As an avid outdoorsmen, I wanted to give people this option here in the states. Bond agreed and Off The Grid Rentals was born.

After researching the available options, we decided to go with the teardrop style trailer designed and built by Gabe Pari of SoCal Teardrops (www.socalteardrops.com). Some of our requirements were to offer our customer something that was easy to use, intuitively designed and was built to last. SoCal Teardrops delivers all of these things. Customers can easily be trained and become comfortable using the trailer within a short time. In addition, SoCal Teardrops is in Southern California and that has proven to be convenient as we are located in Orange County (also in Southern CA).

When considering roof top tents, the same thing was true. The tents needed to be easy to use, dependable and long lasting. We went with Autohome and their line of Columbus and AirTop hard shell tents. We then added the ARB Fridge option and some small portable generators. Our goal is to offer customers the best camping experience possible.

Locations: Southern CA, AZ, UT
We started with the one location at Rebel Off Road in Laguna Hills, CA. After seeing the success we had there, we began to look for other areas and hooked up with Nena Barlow of Barlow Adventures. Barlow Adventures rents Jeeps and takes customers on off-road adventures all over the Southwest. We partnered with Barlow’s and now rent trailers, tents and more out of their Sedona, AZ and Moab, UT locations.

About the Business:
We had some major challenges to overcome starting this type of business. Insurance, a reservation system, security and getting systems in place were all very challenging. It was a steep learning curve, but things seem to be running smoothly now. The Laguna Hills location has seen steady rentals year round as there is no off season due to the weather here in Southern California.

There are so many camping options here in the southwest that vary from beaches to mountains to deserts. Our customers have ranged from the single Jeep owner to larger families in their SUV’s. Many families like the idea of putting a roof top tent on the teardrop trailer and being able to sleep up to five people comfortably. Plus the kids love the roof top tents and always want to go to bed early!

We handle all our bookings through our website www.RENTOFFTHEGRID.com. The online rental calendar is item specific and always up to date. Customers just go on there, select their dates and instantly know what’s available. From there they can reserve the item(s), and get pricing. We offer many discounts based on the length of the rentals and those discount codes are right there on our website. Payments are made by credit card and they are all set to make their plans.

We have had steady interest in Off The Grid Rentals on social media and in many online magazines. Companies like Motor Trend and Outside Magazine have used our services and written some great follow-up reviews. Overbuilding the teardrop trailer with Method Race Wheels and 35” Falken tires has really made them stand out with a huge “cool” factor. Some of our pictures have gone viral on the web with millions of views.

My experience is that most people who initially don’t know that our business exists, see us and see that it is an affordable rental and think, “Hey, we can camp in this!”. We love seeing people get fired up by these rentals. Check out our press page to see how we have been welcomed by so many. https://www.rentoffthegrid.com/in-the-press/

To check out Off The Grid Rentals:

Go to: www.RENTOFFTHEGRID.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/offthegridrental
Instagram: https://instagram.com/offthegridrentals/
Email owner: nizar@rentoffthegrid.com
Call: 949-234-7223

TAP into Adventure!

TAP in the Sierra

By

Lori Palmer

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A quick look at four Sierra off-road trails: White Mountain, Wyman Canyon, Buttermilk Country and Coyote Creek. Get out there, explore…… TAP into Adventure!

https://vimeo.com/142945855

Coyote Adventure Safari

By

Lori Palmer

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Coyote adventures, john marshall, overloading, over land, off-road, off-roading, vehicle supported adventure,

TAP loves Moab UT. It’s a beautiful area to get outside and play. You’ve got Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, bike tours, astronomy groups in the evening, off-roading tours and more. Speaking of off-roading, we found this business called Coyote Adventure Safari and checked it out on-line. Coyote Adventure Safari and Coyote Overland Tours are run by John Marshall. John is a certified Off -Road Driving Instructor (I4WDTA), is an Advanced level Emergency Medical Technician, a Certified U.S. Marshal’s Desert Tracker, and has over 30 years off-road experience. TAP gave John a call and this is what he told us about his business.

Can you give TAP an overview of your business? In most of our daily lives we have slowly become detached from our basic human desire to explore. We find ourselves making countless excuses for not grabbing the “off-road adventure tiger” by the tail. We make excuses such as, “The kids are too young.” or “I’ve just started a new job.”, only to find ourselves another year older and more set in our ways. These excuses may be somewhat valid but still, they are excuses and not reasons. I see countless SUVs blanketing the city streets and highways, all looking shiny and oh so sad. These vehicles were designed to take their drivers camping, fishing and yes…..exploring. But somehow, most never leave the perceived safety of the pavement. This is where Coyote Adventure Safari comes in. We offer multi-day off-road 4 wheel drive training trips with people just like you in mind. Everyone from first time off-roaders and weekend warriors to the trail savvy veterans will benefit under the expert guidance of our certified off-road instructors.

Where are you located? We are Located in Beautiful Moab, Utah in the heart of Red Rock country. This area is home to more than 5,000 miles of trails that all scream ADVENTURE. Every type and scale of terrain can be found here, from well maintained dirt roads to trails that seem nearly impossible to traverse.

What services do Coyote Adventure Safari offer? Coyote Adventure Safari offers both single and multi-day off-road training trips that can be custom tailored to meet your individual training goals. We also offer fantastic Multi-day Expedition style trips. This true adventure trek is designed as a training expedition for the off-roader looking for a real backcountry experience. You will travel through some of the most remote regions of desert in North America as you learn everything from proper driving techniques to manifold cooking, to navigational skills and vehicle recovery. This dynamic training experience will leave you with a greater understanding of the “Big Picture” of expedition adventures. You are encouraged to bring your own vehicle or a Jeep rental can be arranged for your adventure.

Who goes on your single and multi-day expeditions? Our clients have ranged from complete novices to veteran off-roaders. Our customers have included the U.S. Army Special Forces, professional race car drivers and law enforcement, as well as the weekend warriors. Because we can customize our training to fit individual needs, we truly offer something for everyone.

How long have you been in business? Coyote Land Tours was started back in 2002 offering scenic adventures in the Moab area. In 2008, Coyote Adventure Safari was conceived. It has quickly grown to become the premier off-road training company in southern Utah. Combining the daily tours and off-road training classes, Coyote has completed nearly 2,000 trips into the backcountry over the last decade.

What was your motivation for starting this type of business? Our never ending quest for adventure was the driving force behind the creation of Coyote Adventure Safari. As lead guide and owner, I feel quite blessed to be able to make a living doing what I love. Being able to share my passion for desert exploration with others is truly exciting. It is a wonderful feeling to see students gain the confidence needed to venture out on their own and develop the required skills needed to experience some truly amazing wilderness.

What makes Coyote Adventure Safari stand out? I have always run both Coyote Land Tours and Coyote Adventure Safari as if all of our customers were friends and family. My biggest source of customers has always been direct referrals from other customers and guests. That’s how family works. I believe that if you treat every customer with the respect they deserve, they will in turn continue to spread the word.

Going to Moab? Contact Coyote Adventure Safari and TAP into Adventure!

Contact information:
CoyoteAdventureSafari@gmail.com
CoyoteLandTours@gmail.com

CoyoteAdventure.com
CoyoteLandTours.com

435-260-6056

Facebook
Coyote Adventure Safari
Coyote Land Tours

TAP Note: THANKS John Marshall for a great article and
Chris Conrad Photographer for amazing photos

Movie Flat Trail – eastern Sierra

By

Lori Palmer

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Movie flats trail, overland trails, off-road trails, off-roading, off roading, over land, vehicle supported adventure, California overland trails, eastern sierra trails,

GPS	N 36 41.02 W118 06.35
Elevation gain	3,800-5,000 ft
Season	Fall to spring in dry weather
Terrain	Easy, graded
Difficulty	Easy
Required Vehicle	Main trail is easy with no need for 4×4 or even high clearance. Subaru perfection. High clearance 4WD useful for the side loop trails
Time	1 hour
Length	8.5 miles

Current Road Information: BLM Bishop Field Office, 785 North Main Street, Suite E Bishop, CA 93514. 760-872-4881

Directions: From US 395, 6 miles north of Lone Pine, turn southwest on Moffat Ranch Road at the sign.

Site Location and Description: This is an extremely popular and scenic off-road trail that can be traversed by passenger vehicle (Subaru perfection). Movie Flat trail runs through the Alabama Hills Recreation Area along a low range of hills on the west side of the Owens Valley. The road’s popularity stems from the rocky boulder-strewn hillsides that have served as the setting for movies, commercials and TV series. There are lots of side trails to explore which require 4WD and plenty of great primitive camp spots with dramatic views looking west into the Sierra. The main trail joins Whitney Portal Road, which is the major paved road that offers hiking access to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States (14,494 ft). Hiking permits are required for day and overnight hikes and advanced reservations are essential. Although the main Movie Flat trail does not require 4WD, the large boulders and views of the Alabama Hills makes this an extraordinarily scenic trail and perfect for a mellow vehicle supported adventure.

For the 4×4 enthusiast (trail rated 3 out of 10 for difficulty), at GPS coordinates N 36 38.94 W118 07.82, you can take a road that branches off to the right and takes you to the remains of Old Abe mine up above Owens Valley. The final section of this road is significantly off-camber, so check it out before you drive it.

History of Movie Flat Trail area: The Alabama Hills were formed roughly 100 million years ago, at the same time as the High Sierra. Summer heat and winter snow has shaped their peaks into the dramatic skyline you see today. Archeological evidence suggests that the area has been in use for over 10,000 years. It was and still is an important area for the Paiute tribe who once used the land for Native American ceremonies, hunting, interment of the deceased, traditional religious practices and plant gathering and processing. In the early 1860’s, the Paiutes were driven out of the area by settlers after many conflicts between the two groups over food and supplies. The Owen’s Valley Indian wars ended in the winter of 1862, in the Alabama Hills, when settlers destroyed the Paiute’s food reserves. In the spring of 1863, the Paiutes were relocated south to Fort Tejon in the Tehachapi Mountains.

The Alabama Hills were named after mines that were named by southern sympathizers after a Confederate battleship, the Alabama. Today, the Alabama hills are best known for their continuous use in movies, commercials and television shows. Shows like “The Lone Ranger”, and “Gunga Din” as well as many other westerns were filmed here. There is a plaque at the start of the dirt road that commemorates the films. It was dedicated by Roy Rogers, who made his first film there in 1938. In 1969 the Bureau of Land Management created the Alabama Hills Recreation Area in order to help preserve the natural and cultural significance of the hills for future generations.

Click here for more CA off-road, Overlanding trails…..and TAP into Adventure!

Outside Van Sprinter Conversions

By

Lori Palmer

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outside van conversions the adventure portal 5

Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in the number of Mercedes Sprinter Vans in our area. Recently, we began to notice some kitted out 4WD Sprinter Vans and decided to do some research on them. We found a company based up in Troutdale OR, just outside Portland, called Outside Van. They specialize in custom Sprinter Van conversions, equipping current model Sprinters for overlanding and gear storage. So, whether you are a hiker, biker, skier, surfer, kiteboarder, or looking for a kitted out 4WD overlanding vehicle, they can custom design a van for you. Check out this article about how the business got started and what they have to offer. Even if you are not interested in getting one, we encourage you to check out the level and quality of these amazing conversions!

I spoke on the phone with Chris Schey of Outside Van about how the company got started, and this is what he had to say:
“Outside Van’s owner, Eric Eckman, started out as a sales rep about 20 years ago in the outdoor industry up in Hood River OR. He had converted an old Ford van in order to be able to safely transport his products; surfboards and kiteboards. His friends checked out his van and really liked what he did. They wanted the same storage capability. As time went on the products Eric sold, his sport preferences and gear storage needs changed, so he sold his van to one of his friends and converted a new one. This process continued for years until he morphed it into a business. Eric chose to work with Sprinters because living in the NW, these vehicles provide the ultimate protection against wet weather conditions , not to mention the fact that they are just plain solid. Today, Outside Van caters not only to outdoor sports enthusiasts, but also to campers and 4WD overlanders who are looking to find that pristine primitive campsite to escape to.”

The business, Outside Van evolved out of Eric’s desire to promote a way of life that he and his friends value; the outdoor, adventure lifestyle. He built a business that converts tough factory made, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo and Passenger Vans into anything from your ideal home away from home to the ultimate toy hauler. Eric is constantly building new conversions, road testing them for endurance and the ability to withstand whatever form of abuse may come from his adventures. From these tests have come some basic designs that make up their inventory. From the inventory, a customer can add or subtract a number of custom components based on their needs, wants, lifestyle requirements. Another option the customer has is purchasing the Sprinter Van model they desire, having the dealership freight the van to Outside Van, then meeting with the design team and choosing various components and modules; kitting out their van to fit their lifestyle perfectly!

Here are some of the choices a customer will make to customize their vehicle to suite their lifestyle:

-the type of water and power systems
-flooring
-modular additions such as stoves and refrigerators
-various arrays of gear storage racks, sleeves, compartments, overhead cabinets
-a bed system
-full interior insulation
-heating systems
-off the grid capability of solar panels
-color scheme: powder coated and anodized stainless steel
-indoor or outdoor showers
-built in compressors

Check out the various types and sizes of Sprinter Vans available from Mercedes.

Go to outsidevan.com to see the full array of conversion choices.

Contact information: Outside Van, 81 NWA Corporate Dr., Troutdale, OR 97060 (800) 971-8830

TAP into ADVENTURE!

outside van conversions the adventure portal 2

OSV firstlight 144 4x4 The adventure Portal2 — OSV firstlight 144 4×4 The adventure Portal2

outside van conversions the adventure portal 3

Read the Terrain and Pick a Line

By

Tom Severin

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The following article contains some practical words of wisdom for the novice 4×4 overlander or a brush up for the experienced 4×4 overlander.

It’s a good time for a trip to the deserts or mountains of California, so read on, then choose your trail from our CA Overland Trails or Points of Interest pages and TAP into Adventure!

POV

The driver’s point of view (what can actually be seen out of your windows)- A few items to remember about blind spots.

-The long hood means you cannot see the ground 10 feet or more in front of your vehicle.
-Vision to the rear of the vehicle is even more obstructed.
-You can see well enough on the driver’s side (and toward the front) by hanging your head out the window, but vision is obstructed on the passenger’s side.

With so many blind spots, a good defense is to memorize the terrain as you approach. Many novice drivers try to look over the hood and see the ground directly in front of the vehicle. The end result is that their view is restricted to a very narrow arc and they are merely reacting to changing terrain as it appears inside that narrow arc, rather than preparing well in advance.

The better approach is a scanning technique, where you observe the general terrain features as far up the trail as you can see then scan back to 20 or 30 feet ahead of the vehicle and memorize the terrain features. You then have plenty of time to react and get set up to tackle obstacles. It’s a continual scan that increases in intensity with the terrain’s difficulty or complexity.

Pick a Line

A Line is an approach and path over or through an obstacle that allows the vehicle to surmount the obstacle without damage. One hopes the line picked is the “best” line, but to paraphrase an old pilot’s adage, any line that gets you up and over without damage or injury is a good line. Picking lines comes very naturally to some people and with more difficulty to others. Rest assured, even those with the least amount of innate ability can learn to do it well enough. Watching an experienced driver is a great way to learn that art of picking lines. A well-known British off-highway driving instructor, who spent at least 40 years teaching people the fine art of four-wheeling, says, “Pick the high ground”, meaning:

-Pick a path that keeps your undercarriage clear and unobstructed.
-Seek to keep your vehicle as level as possible.
-Look for the spots that have maximum traction.
-Remember that vehicle dynamics play a big part in choosing lines. Just because a line is good for one vehicle does not mean it will work well for another.
-If you have an open diff, try to keep traction equal side to side to avoid spinning the wheel with the least traction. Try to pick the places that do not present traction obstacles at all four wheels simultaneously.

One critical element that all drivers must, and will, learn quickly is that the front and rear tires do not follow the same path. It’s easy for newbies to steer the front end clear and forget about the rear. This could put your rear tire into something you’re trying to avoid. The trick is to wait until the rear axle is nearly even with the offending item and then steer hard to pivot that tire around it. Maneuvering on the trail is often done with large amounts of steering input.

Happy Trails!

The contents of this article come from The Four -Wheeler’s Bible 2nd edition by Jim Allen
The Four-Wheeler’s Bible can be purchased at Amazon.com and is TAP recommended.
TAP also sends a shout out of thanks to Mr. Allen for his permission to use this material.

The Adventure Portal

Off The Grid Rentals

To check out Off The Grid Rentals:

TAP into Adventure!

TAP in the Sierra

A quick look at four Sierra off-road trails: White Mountain, Wyman Canyon, Buttermilk Country and Coyote Creek. Get out there, explore…… TAP into Adventure!

Coyote Adventure Safari

Going to Moab? Contact Coyote Adventure Safari and TAP into Adventure!

Movie Flat Trail – eastern Sierra

Click here for more CA off-road, Overlanding trails…..and TAP into Adventure!

Outside Van Sprinter Conversions

TAP into ADVENTURE!

Read the Terrain and Pick a Line

The following article contains some practical words of wisdom for the novice 4×4 overlander or a brush up for the experienced 4×4 overlander.

It’s a good time for a trip to the deserts or mountains of California, so read on, then choose your trail from our CA Overland Trails or Points of Interest pages and TAP into Adventure!

POV

The driver’s point of view (what can actually be seen out of your windows)- A few items to remember about blind spots.

Pick a Line

Happy Trails!

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