For those of us who love the outdoors, nothing is better than going out into nature. However, sometimes that’s easier said than done. Sure, we may know where the best spots are, but oftentimes they’re down unpaved, or even washed out, roads. Fortunately, you don’t need to make a ton of modifications to your crossover, truck or SUV to make it ready to take you and your gear past the pavement. These five modifications will let you take on the dirt with all your favorite gear in tow.
1. Roof Rack
This first mod won’t help you get any more clearance over rocks, but it’s pretty much essential if you want to do anything other than hike or camp once you’ve made it out to the wilderness. A roof rack is perfect for bringing bikes, kayaks, skis or anything else too bulky for the trunk, especially when you have all your friends in the backseat. It even works great for hauling stuff around town, so there really isn’t a reason not to get one.
2. Tow Hitch
This is the same idea as the roof rack, but for when you’ve kicked your gear game up a notch. Canoes, dirt bikes and other heavy things can’t really go on top of your car, so they need a trailer to make it out into the wilderness. The bed of a truck can also work, depending on the size of the bed and gear, but if you have a crossover or SUV, then this is an absolute must-have, along with a trailer. Towing a trailer off-road may be intimidating at first, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
3. Off-Road Tires
Of course, you’re not going to be able to do much of anything off-road if you don’t have some traction. That’s why putting a set of off-road tires, like the Nitto Nomad Grappler, on your vehicle just may be the most important upgrade of all. The biting edges on off-road tires like the Nomad Grappler are exactly what is needed to maintain grip on the loose and uneven terrain you’ll find on unpaved trails. With a set of off-road tires, the world of places you can explore with your hobby really starts to open up.
4. Suspension Lift
Now that hauling your gear and finding traction off-road are taken care of, it’s time to get your vehicle itself ready for the trail. One of the most basic and important upgrades you can make is adding a suspension lift. By adding a few inches of height to your suspension, you’ll be able to clear obstacles that would otherwise have left you high-centered and stuck. On top of that, new off-road coilovers will give you greater articulation to allow you to drive over rocks and other obstacles safely.
5. Wheels
Sure, OEM wheels are fine for cruising around town, but if you want to start taking your rig past the parking lot, you’ll want to upgrade them to something a bit stronger. When you’re on the trail out to wherever you’re headed, your wheels will undoubtedly take a beating. Having your wheels stay in good shape is super important, so you’ll want to proactively add something designed for the dirt, rather than switch once they’re beaten beyond recognition. As an added bonus, new wheels are one of the best ways to show off your style.
While all of these upgrades are important, if you only have money in your budget for one, we would have to recommend getting a set of off-road tires like the Nomad Grappler. It’s the one upgrade that really unlocks all the amazing places that you can visit to take your hobby to the next level.
