Ever heard of the TransAmerica Trail? No surprise if you haven鈥檛. The under-the-radar route stitches together backroads and dirt tracks, creating an epic journey from coast to coast. The route is a national treasure, but reliable info about it has been hard to find, and for years the TransAmerica Trail has remained an experts-only affair. Until now. Ford and Google Maps decided to flip the script, making it something every off-roader can plan, preview, and take on themselves.

To do that, Ford joined forces with Google Maps on an ambitious mission: capture the entire journey in Google Street View. The team tackled the rugged terrain with a three-vehicle convoy: a 2025 Ford Bronco庐 Badlands庐 聽equipped with Google鈥檚 new Street View camera and an Expedition庐 Tremor庐 聽and Ranger庐 Lariat庐 to carry the crew and tools that made it all possible.

Like any big adventure, the TransAmerica Trail has plenty of unpaved challenges: loose sand, sucking mud, and jagged rock, plus route variations that can make it longer or shorter. The adventurous route crosses 13 states over 5,900 miles with some of the best hiking, camping, biking, climbing and paddling in the country along the way. And now it鈥檚 easier than ever to discover it all for yourself.

Learn more about and how you can easily follow this under-the-radar route.

is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company鈥檚 Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty.

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Take a detour to discover the road less traveled鈥攜ou鈥檒l never go back. Not only will you find solitude and adventure, taking a detour often means a more responsible path forward, dispersing our impact by seeking new destinations. Sometimes all it takes is the right guide.

Our feature collection of Detour Guides across the U.S. starts with Sam Haverstock in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Utilizing a Toyota Tacoma, he accesses an off-road area of Western Montana that鈥檚 a world away from Glacier National Park鈥檚 Going-to-the-Sun Road. Haverstock guides chef and friend Ranga Perera, launching on a section of the Middle Fork Flathead River that鈥檚 overlooked by most park visitors. Follow the duo packraft and fly-fish on clear, empty waters, then read more guidance below to adventures in and near the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Go deeper with the full video, more Detour Guides presented by Toyota Trucks, plus the trails and the trucks to get you to the wildest corners of our country.

Meet Sam Haverstock. At 18, he signed up for a Grand Canyon guiding course to conquer his biggest fear: whitewater rafting. 鈥淭he first two weeks were about the most terrifying two weeks of my life,鈥� he says. By the end of the 26-day trip, he had learned how to read a rapid and found a new calling. A year later, Haverstock relocated to Montana with dreams of a wilder life.

That was 2007. He’s been in West Glacier ever since, managing Wild River 国产吃瓜黑料s and guiding everything from family floats to six-day wilderness expeditions into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Haverstock鈥檚 life revolves around the Flathead River drainage, where wild and scenic rivers flow undammed from Canada.

It鈥檚 a rare combination: great access, world-class trout fishing, and plenty of whitewater. Haverstock鈥檚 advice for visitors: 鈥淭hink about what scares you a little, then go do it. You can usually find that in any direction you throw a stone out here.鈥�

Go Beyond Glacier

Fish the Middle Fork of the Flathead

Sam’s top pick for a single day: a full-day fly-fishing trip high on the Middle Fork Flathead, floating about ten miles through boulder gardens and searching for Montana’s state fish, the black-spotted westslope cutthroat trout. The best months are usually July and August, when the water warms enough for dry-fly-fishing but the cutthroat are still hungry after the long, cold spring.

Paddle Middle Fork Whitewater

For legitimate rapids, hit the Middle Fork Flathead in May and June during high water for Class II鈥揑II runs. 鈥淚f you want to bring the whole family, come in July and August,鈥� Haverstock says. The North Fork offers similar conditions but runs from the Canadian border. Both are wild and scenic rivers with no dams.

Hike Apgar Mountain Lookout

Right in West Glacier proper, this 3.5-mile climb gains nearly 1,900 feet to reach a 1929 fire lookout tower with postcard views of Lake McDonald and the surrounding peaks. The trail passes through burn areas from massive wildfires, now sprinkled with young lodgepole pines and wildflowers. Start early, since most of the route is exposed on south-facing slopes.

Deeper Detour to Great Northern Mountain

At 8,705 feet, this is the highest peak in the Flathead Range and the tallest summit in the Bob Marshall Wilderness proper. 鈥淥ne of the most magical peaks out there,鈥� Haverstock says. From below, the mountain looks impossibly steep, but there鈥檚 a hiking route that gets you to the top in a day. The summit offers views into Glacier National Park, the Great Bear Wilderness, and hundreds of peaks across northwest Montana.

Read more on Haverstock鈥檚 tips on how to handle Glacier-country waters.

For generations, Toyota has built durable legends destined for greatness: Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Sequoia and Tundra. Whether you鈥檙e conquering off-road trails, hauling heavy loads, or seeking confident versatility, there鈥檚 that鈥檚 just right for you.

The post Go Beyond Glacier appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Take a detour to discover the road less traveled鈥攜ou鈥檒l never go back. Not only will you find solitude and adventure, taking a detour often means a more responsible path forward, dispersing our impact by seeking new destinations. Sometimes all it takes is the right guide.

Our feature collection of Detour Guides across the U.S. continues with Emily Gantner in the heart of Michigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula. Utilizing a Toyota 4Runner, she explores the remote peninsula that shape-shifts with the seasons by launching a sea kayak tour around Grand Island. Gantner guides pro skier and friend Jake Hopfinger to secluded Lake Superior waterfalls and then deeper into the Hiawatha National Forest, which draws a fraction of the crowds of comparable destinations like Acadia National Park, with equally dynamic shorelines. Follow the duo鈥檚 multi-sport adventure, then read more of Gantner鈥檚 guidance below to nearby adventures. Go deeper with the full video, more Detour Guides presented by Toyota Trucks, plus the trails and the trucks to get you to the wildest corners of our country.

On January mornings, Emily Gantner fires up a snowmobile and rides across frozen Lake Superior to climb 200-foot curtains of ice that coat the same sandstone cliffs and waterfalls she paddles beneath in July. It鈥檚 a life built around Superior鈥檚 extremes.

Gantner spent nearly a decade guiding for Michigan Ice Fest before joining Superior High Angle Rescue. She knows the Upper Peninsula鈥檚 secret: While most people flee when the snow starts falling, winter here transforms the landscape into something extraordinary. More than 300 inches of snow bury the woods, Lake Superior freezes solid, and the waterfalls become climbable sculptures of ice.

But winter is just one of the U.P.鈥檚 draws for Gantner. Every season is magical. 鈥淚 love how it鈥檚 different every year,鈥� she says. Few places offer this range: world-class ice climbing, technical sea kayaking, and landscapes that shift so dramatically they feel like different planets depending on when you visit.

Deep into Hiawatha National Forest

Paddle
Miners Beach to Miners Castle

Gantner鈥檚 go-to routine: sunrise paddle along Pictured Rocks鈥� striped cliffs to the iconic Miners Castle overlook (鈥渙ne of the best places to see the sunrise鈥�), then back for a trail run and lake swim. The short, protected paddling route offers landing options aplenty if conditions change. Up the challenge with the more exposed crossing from Sand Point to Grand Island鈥檚 East Channel (shy of one mile).

Ice Climb聽
Grand Island鈥檚 Trout Bay

Michigan’s ice climbing capital offers more than 100 routes, from beginner WI2 pillars to expert WI6 curtains. Michigan Ice Fest Guides can outfit gear and offer instruction. Cross by snowmobile to Grand Island for the area鈥檚 tallest ice (up to 200 feet). Peak season runs February through March, 鈥渨hen it鈥檚 25 and sunny and we finally get to climb in the sun,鈥� Gantner says.

搁耻苍听
Miners Beach to Mosquito Beach

鈥淢y favorite trail run of all time,鈥� Gantner says of this 6.5-mile out-and-back on the Lakeshore Trail with forest shade, cliff views, plus the option for a post-run Superior plunge. Start at dawn to have the trail to yourself.

Deeper Detour聽
Go Wild

Skip the crowded Chapel Loop for this quieter network of trails in Pictured Rocks鈥� federal wilderness. Short loops lead to hidden overlooks and lakeshore access. 鈥淕et on the trail by 6 a.m. and you won鈥檛 see a tourist around,鈥� Gantner says.

Read more on Gantner鈥檚 tips on how to paddle and experience Lake Superior safely.

For generations, Toyota has built durable legends destined for greatness: Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Sequoia and Tundra. Whether you鈥檙e conquering off-road trails, hauling heavy loads, or seeking confident versatility, there鈥檚 that鈥檚 just right for you.

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For years, I thought a two-wheel-drive (2WD) van wasn鈥檛 capable of getting me to the places I like to camp the most: dispersed sites at the end of long, rough forest service roads somewhere in Northern New Mexico. But last summer, I spent a month driving one on backroads and was pleasantly surprised by where it could go. More importantly, I took a hard look at where I actually spend the most time traveling and realized that while yes, there are absolutely situations in which four-wheel drive (4WD) is necessary, most of the time I didn鈥檛 need it.

After my time in a Ram Promaster van last summer, I spent the fall hunting season playing 鈥�4WD or Not?鈥濃�攁 game I made up to estimate how many times I actually put my truck in 4WD during hunting trips (when I spend the most amount of time driving off pavement), and whether a 2WD vehicle would鈥檝e sufficed. Between seven different trips, I threw the truck in 4WD only three times鈥攐nce when I encountered wet and sloppy roads, once when unexpected snow storm moved in, and once when I drove up an incredibly steep section of road while scouting for mule deer. There was only one situation in which I鈥檓 certain a 2WD vehicle would not have made it.

While a 2WD van can鈥檛 go everywhere a 4WD vehicle can (which has more to do with ground clearance, approach, breakover and departure angles, and suspension flex than it does with the vehicle鈥檚 drivetrain), it can get you most places. To make it better suited for off-road travel, I鈥檝e made some modifications to the Promaster in the last six months while keeping a van鈥檚 inherent limitations in mind. If you own a 2WD van and are interested in making it more capable, here鈥檚 what I鈥檇 recommend.

The post How to Turn a 2WD Van Into an Off-Road Machine appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

People across the United States took to the outdoors like never before during the country鈥檚 adventure boom in the 1960s and 鈥�70s. It was an unprecedented era of exploration, and it needed a vehicle to match. Enter International Harvester鈥檚 Scout庐 vehicles. Born from a desire to create a truck that could go anywhere and do anything, the first Scout model debuted in 1960. Over the next two decades, the brand set a new standard for durability and versatility. For work, play, and family duty, the Scout vehicles were embraced by everyone from farmers to boaters and became a symbol of freedom and rugged independence for a generation of adventurers. Now, is reimagining the brand, connecting its heritage to modern ingenuity. We caught up with Ryan Decker, vice president of strategy and brand at Scout Motors, to get the details on how this iconic vehicle is leveraging new technology and building on its vibrant community.

国产吃瓜黑料: What鈥檚 the story of Scout鈥檚 rebirth?
Ryan Decker: Scout Motors was formed in 2022 to craft the next era of Scout vehicles, rooted in the same tradition that made the original an American icon. The Scout brand and vehicles have always been about community. One of Scout Motors鈥� first priorities was to invite nearly a dozen Scout community members to a gathering to say thanks for keeping the Scout spirit alive, show them our early design models, and listen to their feedback. Beyond that, our original intent was clear: 1) Reimagine the iconic Scout brand and grow its community of passionate fans, and 2) design and develop highly credible vehicles in the core of the U.S. market.

What makes Scout Motors unique?

The Scout products and brand can be summarized as 鈥淐onnection Machines.鈥� The Scout vehicles connect American truck heritage with modern ingenuity. Body-on-frame architecture and a solid rear axle meet electric torque and over-the-air updates. Including features such as an optional bench seat and intuitive, easy-to-use technology, Scout vehicles connect drivers with their passengers. Tactile switches, knobs, and handles also help connect Scout drivers with their vehicle.

Another priority is that Scout Motors, as a company, connects with its community. Whether we are engaging on our community forums, visiting IH Scout and All Truck Nationals in Springfield, Ohio, or sponsoring the Vintage Race Terra for the Baja 1000 rally, we want to create moments of meaningful connection between Scout Motors and the broader Scout community鈥攖o listen, to learn from them, and to make new fans.

What鈥檚 ahead for Scout Motors?

Like everything we鈥檝e done to date, the next chapter at Scout Motors will be defined by rolled-up sleeves, hard work, and the intent to build something lasting. We鈥檙e building a multibillion-dollar production center in Blythewood, South Carolina, that spans over 1,000 acres and is projected to create more than 4,000 good-paying jobs and produce 200,000-plus vehicles per year. We鈥檙e designing and developing the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck. We鈥檙e building a retail model that offers trust, transparency, and the best possible customer experience. Ultimately, we鈥檙e building a totally new system to deliver vehicles, service them, and earn customer loyalty.

What models are launching first?

Scout Motors will launch the Scout Traveler SUV and Terra truck. The Traveler and Terra are designed to compete in the core of the U.S. market鈥攔ugged SUVs and full-size trucks. Both products share priorities, the first being to honor the credibility that Scout vehicles delivered from 1961 to 1980 and inject that heritage with modern performance and technology. From payload and towing to torque and zero-to-60 times to accessories and built-in power outlets, the Scout Traveler and Terra will be able to work hard and play hard. Both vehicles will be available in all-electric models or with the Harvester powertrain, which includes a gas-powered generator projected to give Scout vehicles more than 500 miles of combined range. Lastly, Scout vehicles were always best experienced together. An optional bench seat and our Community UX ensure that the Scout Traveler and Terra remain Connection Machines.

How do you join the Scout community?

First, we hope you do. We want to hear from you directly, and there are many ways you can engage with our team. Similar to how we showed up at the , we plan on getting the Scout brand and products out into the world to meet our customers and community where they are. Come see us and say hello! Second, we are building a highly engaged . We participate in online discussions daily and invite you to engage with us on social media. Third, you can subscribe to our email communications at 鈥攚e plan on providing meaningful updates about our company鈥檚 progress to our handraisers. And finally, you can reserve your spot in line for a Scout Traveler or Terra鈥攐r both鈥攁t .

Scout Motors was formed to craft the next era of trucks and rugged SUVs rooted in the same tradition that made the original Scout vehicle an American icon. is revitalizing a legend and returning manufacturing to American shores. Initial production is targeted to begin at the Scout Motors Production Center near Columbia, South Carolina, in 2027.

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Be it bad reality TV, romance novels, or video games, everybody has a guilty pleasure. Mine is scrolling Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for adventure rig classifieds.

I love gawking at cool 4x4s, RVs, trailers, and campers, and I also love a good deal. I have a buddy who suffers from the same affliction, and we have a text thread going back several years that鈥檚 filled mainly with Craigslist links to cool vehicles we鈥檝e found online. This is how I ended up with a 2006 Power Wagon a few years ago and how he scored a killer deal on an even rarer truck and camper. Mostly, though, surfing the web for used trailers, campers, RVs, and adventure rigs is just a fun way to pass the time when we鈥檙e bored.

So, in an attempt to do something useful with this goofy habit and put all that time spent scrolling to good work, I’ve decided to highlight some of the coolest rigs and best deals I鈥檝e found recently in an installment I鈥檓 calling 鈥淐raigslist Finds.鈥�

Keep in mind that these things sell like hotcakes, so these exact listings may no longer be available by the time you鈥檙e reading this. The hope here is to provide some insight on what to look for when shopping for a used camper, trailer, or RV, and how to find a good deal on a rig.

These little hard-sided, pop-up trailers are seriously underrated in my book. My buddy owns a 2011 Aliner Ranger 12鈥攈e bought it for less than $10K in 2015, paid a welder $600 to add a metal subframe that gave the camper 4 inches of lift, and added the biggest all-terrain tires he could fit. (We made a video about that rig several years ago if you want a more in-depth look). He鈥檚 logged many miles on rough dirt roads and spent an untold number of nights in his Aliner for mountain biking, hunting, and skiing trips, and he鈥檚 not precious about where he takes that thing. Campers are tools, not jewels, after all. All things considered, it has held up great over the past 10 years.

The real beauty of these Aliners is their folding hard sides鈥攜ou get a pop-up trailer that鈥檒l fit in your garage and keeps a low profile while towing, but has hard walls and offers way more protection from the elements than typical pop-ups with sides made from tent material. This one, , is 18-feet long and weighs around 2000 lbs.

It has one 60-by-80-inch bed and a dinette on the other side that transforms into a 40-by-80-inch bed, so it can easily sleep three adults, or two adults and two kids. Best of all, this one has a dormer above the dinette that provides significantly more head room when you鈥檙e eating at the table.

This Aliner looks like it鈥檚 in great shape and also has the off-road package. It鈥檚 priced reasonably, and it鈥檇 be the perfect candidate for a lift, solar panels, and bigger tires. With those mods, you鈥檇 have a go-anywhere, four-season camper that鈥檒l last a long time without breaking the bank.

Most folks probably don鈥檛 think of 24-foot Class C RVs as being worthy of the 鈥渁dventure rig鈥� moniker, but there鈥檚 an argument to be made here鈥攕tay with me.

At 24-feet long, it’s only a foot or two longer than a Sprinter, but obviously offers significantly more living space inside. It鈥檚 also built on a Ford E450 chassis, which means parts are cheap, and it鈥檚 relatively easy to service. This one has a highly sought-after 7.3L Power Stroke diesel engine that is renowned for its longevity and reliability. With only 48,000 miles on it, it has plenty of life left (they鈥檙e known to last for 500,000+).

While these were never sold with four-wheel drive (4WD) from the factory, aftermarket upfitter converts many Class C RV鈥檚 like this one to 4WD and turns them into pretty incredible off-road machines. Here鈥檚 a of a similar rig that U-Joint converted in 2024. Conversions start around $30,000, so while it鈥檚 not cheap to make these RVs into 4WD machines, once you do you basically have a very capable expedition rig. In this model鈥檚 case, you would still have spent far less money than a significantly less capable Sprinter would鈥檝e cost.

The really special thing about this rig is that it鈥檚 a . The brand has a bit of an obsessive fanbase, and are well known for making some of the highest quality trailers, truck campers, and Class C RVs on the market. The body itself is made from fiberglass and very well insulated, and all the cabinetry inside is solid oak (versus the particle board many modern RV cabinets are made from). This rig sleeps four鈥攖here鈥檚 a fixed RV queen-size bed in the back, the dinette converts into a bed, and you can create a small bed in the cabover section, too.

Given the low mileage and solid-looking condition of this Class C, it鈥檇 be a great contender for a FWD conversion. The interior is dated, but with a little paint and some other updates, you could have a pretty killer adventure mobile for around $60K all-in (or just keep it as a 2WD and enjoy as-is).

1996 Chinook E-350 Concourse $24,000

Here鈥檚 another cool option in the same vein as the Bigfoot. has been making motorhomes since 1938, and their rigs are some of the most sought-after Class Bs on the market. The company was one of the first RV manufacturers to use fiberglass construction, and they have a reputation for being very well built.

Some of the most coveted versions include the ones built on , but I really like the late 鈥�90s-early 2000s Ford models, too. Like the Bigfoot, to 4WD, and given this one鈥檚 low mileage, it鈥檇 likely be a great candidate.

It has a full-size bed in the back, a full wet bath, refrigerator, microwave, and a lot more space inside than a Sprinter. This particular Chinook Concourse is less than 22-feet long, built on a Ford E-350 platform, and is also listed for significantly less money than you can , despite having only 50K miles on it. Another fact worth highlighting: Once you convert them to 4WD, their .

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The post 3 Used 国产吃瓜黑料 Rigs That Are an Absolute Steal appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I鈥檓 driving a brand-new through the jungle of Puerto Rico, and I have the vehicle at such an awkward angle that one of my tires is hanging in the air. The rock obstacle I鈥檓 traversing on this particular four-wheel-drive trail is steep and off-camber, forcing the nose of the SUV down and the back right wheel to completely abandon the ground. I鈥檓 a 鈥渇our tires on the ground鈥� kind of driver, so I panic about how expensive rolling this vehicle will be. It still has that new car smell. I also think about the location of the nearest hospital. Typically in this situation, reason would take over and I would let off the gas, roll backward, and attack the obstacle at a safer angle, but a voice coming through my walkie-talkie tells me to trust the vehicle and apply steady pressure to the gas.

Watch: Test Driving the 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport SUV

I do what I鈥檓 told, powering through the rock slab (and my discomfort) only to come down smooth and safe on the other side. This is the beauty of the new Honda Passport Trailsport: Like a finely tuned full-suspension mountain bike, it irons out difficult terrain, making off-road trails more approachable for the masses.

This little debacle is part of my two-day test drive of the 2026 Passport Trailsport in Puerto Rico, where I had the opportunity to drive the mid-sized SUV over a variety of terrain, from winding two-lane roads to deep sandy beaches to an off-road course through the jungle designed to show off the vehicle鈥檚 adventure prowess. Honda is hoping the Passport Trailsport will win over hardcore fans of the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Cherokee, and to be honest, the car made a hell of a first impression. Its rugged exterior, comfortable ride, and user-friendly off-road capabilities certainly won me over.

2026 Honda Trailsport Passport Specifications

Price: Starts at $48,450
Power: 285 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine
Transmission: 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters
MPG: 18 city/23 highway

I am not a rabid off-road enthusiast. I don鈥檛 spend my weekends rock crawling through the desert, and my expendable income isn鈥檛 earmarked for after-market skid plates and suspension kits. But I do appreciate what a four-wheel-drive vehicle allows me to do. I鈥檝e driven open-aired ATVs on multi-day tours across Utah and Nevada, and spent countless nights camping out of the back of four-wheel-drive vehicles. I鈥檝e owned Jeep Cherokees, Toyota 4Runners, and Nissan Pathfinders. I currently drive an F-150 with an FX4 off-road package that includes a lift and enhanced suspension.

I鈥檝e liked all of these vehicles because they can get me deeper into the backcountry while carrying the gear I need. I like to camp deep in the forest away from the crowds, so I need a vehicle that can handle rough trails. But the truth is, I mostly use my truck for running errands on paved roads around town.

In short, I am the target audience for the new Honda Passport Trailsport鈥攕omeone who spends 90 percent of my drive time on paved roads, but occasionally wants an SUV that can handle snow, beach driving, and four-wheel-drive trails. Honda鈥檚 Trailsport development team says it was designed to be a daily driver that doubles as a gear hauler and off-road workhorse. Honda is touting the Passport Trailsport as their most capable off-road vehicle to date. It鈥檚 also damn pretty to look at and a super comfortable ride.

Off-Road Performance

Honda gave the Trailsport plenty of power with a standard V-6 engine and enhanced off-road capability with a new front and rear suspension system with increased lateral stiffness and forged-steel arms; the all-wheel-drive system also boasts 40 percent more torque than previous models. The Trailsport also has 8.4 inches of clearance, about a quarter inch more than the previous model, that鈥檚 maximized by a front overhang that is set back to increase clearance on steep terrain. The undercarriage has beefy protection from ground contact thanks to steel-armored plates protecting the fuel tank, transmission, and oil pan. Wide, 18-inch all-terrain tires (the biggest tires Honda has ever used on an SUV) and front and rear recovery hooks round out the standard off-road package.

I drove this vehicle across terrain that I normally would not attempt in any of the four-wheel-drive vehicles I have owned in the past, navigating a jungle course and trails through rock, off-camber angles, steep ascents and descents, and deep sand, all of which tested my own off-road skills. I think I was cantilevered with a wheel in the air more often during my two-hour jungle drive than in my entire adult life. And the Trailsport not only outperformed my expectations, but did so in total comfort, and with a user interface that is intuitive, even if you don鈥檛 have much experience driving off-road.

Simply use a button to choose which off-road mode you want (Trail, Sand, Snow, Mud), all of which calibrate the suspension and torque based on the conditions. For instance, if you鈥檙e in Trail Mode, which is the general four-wheel-drive setting, and you lose contact with the ground on one or more tires, 75 percent of the torque will be sent to the wheels that are still in contact with the ground; the system maintains 25 percent of potential torque on the airborne wheels, so there鈥檚 an immediate transfer of power once ground contact is regained. This is what allows you to carefully throttle through certain obstacles.

And while you鈥檙e in Trail Mode, the Trail Watch camera system is activated on the 12.5-inch touch screen, engaging four cameras so you have a complete view of what鈥檚 around your vehicle while you鈥檙e navigating the trail. This enhanced view gives uneasy drivers more confidence that they鈥檙e keeping their vehicle safely on the trail and allows them to see obstacles that might be hidden from their natural point of view. Gauges on the dash track your elevation, pitch, and rollover status on the driver display so you can keep an eye on key factors that keep you safe in rough terrain.

I also really liked the Downhill Descent feature: Click a button on super steep terrain and the Trailsport goes into 鈥渁utopilot,鈥� maintaining your speed on the downhill. A similar Brake Stop feature will keep you from sliding backwards on steep ascents.

None of this is ground-breaking technology, but the fact that it all comes standard in the Passport Trailsport is incredibly enticing, especially to a casual off-road enthusiast who isn鈥檛 quite sure what features he/she should add on to their purchase.

On-Road Comfort

That鈥檚 not to say the Trailsport is only an off-road workhorse. The truth is, most people that buy this SUV won鈥檛 test its limits the way I did in Puerto Rico. It is an easy, comfortable car to drive, whether you鈥檙e heading deep into the desert or taking kids to their Saturday soccer game. The cabin is plush, with synthetic leather seats that wipe clean, a panoramic roof that comes standard, and lots of easy-to-navigate tech with a large touchscreen as the infotainment hub. The seats are heated and there鈥檚 even a built-in wireless phone charger in the front console.

Cargo space is off the charts, too, thanks to the almost 84-cubic-feet of hauling space when the second row seats are folded down. That means you can fit two adult mountain bikes inside the vehicle. There鈥檚 also under-floor-storage that holds a spare, and is big enough for folded camping chairs or other camping gear even with the spare stored inside. Large side storage bins add dedicated spots for smaller items too. Even the cupholders between the two front seats are big鈥攍arge enough to fit 32-ounce Nalgene and Hydroflask bottles.

One of my favorite details is that every model of the Passport Trailsport comes standard with all-season rubber floor mats, which is typically my first purchase after I get a vehicle.

国产吃瓜黑料 Ready

Honda also created a new line of accessories that can be added at the factory or dealership, giving you a handful of packages that enhance certain aspects of the vehicle. There鈥檚 a Pet Package that includes seat covers and a separation barrier, and a Tow Package that adds a trailer hitch, hitch harness, and ball mount. My favorite is the Trailsport 国产吃瓜黑料 Package, which includes a platform roof rack, Molle storage panels in the trunk, a rear LED cargo light, and a cargo shelf that increases the hauling capacity in the trunk and can be converted into a picnic table with the screw-on legs that are stored next to the spare tire.

Another cool detail that won me over: There鈥檚 a garnish on the tail end of the roof that鈥檚 made of a resin material that allows you to lean skis or fly rods against the vehicle without scratching the body.

Final Thoughts on the Honda Passport Trailsport

Honda built the Trailsport to compete with the Toyota 4Runner, in hopes of gaining some die-hard 4Runner fans with its combination of off-road prowess and top-of-the-line styling. Normally, I鈥檇 say there is no chance that a new SUV would win the hearts of 4Runner devotees because of their cult-like enthusiasm for that rig (I say that as a card-carrying cult member myself). But I know that a lot of 4Runner fans are upset that Toyota has abandoned the V-6 for a 4-cylinder turbo engine, so I think there鈥檚 a window for Honda to pick up some ground in the mid-sized SUV category.

My two-day test drive of the Passport Trailsport was a winning experience, and if I were in the market for a new SUV, this would be at the top of my list. But the Trailsport is not perfect, at least not for my personal requirements. First and foremost, Honda is not producing a hybrid version of the Passport Trailsport. I want my vehicle to do three things: take me into the backcountry, carry my gear, and do as little environmental damage as possible. Hybrids and electric vehicles aren鈥檛 a silver bullet, but I do believe they鈥檙e a step in the right direction, and I think my next vehicle will be a hybrid (if not fully electric). That鈥檚 a personal preference, and I鈥檓 sure many will disagree with me in the comments.

Another thing to consider: the Passport Trailsport only has two rows of seats. This is less of an issue for me now that my kids are driving their own vehicles, but I know plenty of people who simply will not buy an SUV that doesn鈥檛 have third-row-seating. That鈥檚 a non-starter for them.

But the Honda Passport Trailsport is a badass vehicle. It will take you deep into the backcountry, handling a variety of terrain along the way. And with its superior cargo space and smart accessories, it will carry the gear you want to use once you reach your destination. And isn鈥檛 that exactly what we all want from an off-road vehicle?

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The post How Rugged Is the New Honda Passport? I Drove One Through the Jungle to Find Out. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Overlanding seems to have become all about creating the most ultra-luxurious or ultra-accessorized rig possible. If I鈥檝e learned one thing in all the camper and trailer testing I鈥檝e done, it鈥檚 simpler is better. Less stuff to break means more time having fun outside.

People spend stupid amounts of money building adventure rigs, and pour tons of their own time and energy into creating luxurious mobile dwellings for themselves. They鈥檙e effectively creating an AirBnB on wheels, and I fear they鈥檙e missing the point of why they got into it in the first place鈥攜ou know, to go camping.

Attend an Overland Expo show these days, or arrive at a popular dispersed camping area like Moab, Utah or Fruita, Colorado, and you鈥檒l see what I鈥檓 talking about. In a capitalist society that values consumption, and at a time where we鈥檙e constantly fed a barrage of content designed to make us want to buy things, it鈥檚 easy to get sucked into the whirlpool of wanting more.

The point of overlanding, to me at least, is to use a vehicle to better enable human-powered adventures and make camping a little easier and more comfortable. We鈥檝e now gotten to a point where ease and comfort have morphed into luxury and excess, and it鈥檚 time to take a hard look at that.

“The Most Advanced Systems and Premium Components Money Can Buy”

Before I go any further, I want to make clear that I鈥檓 guilty of this too鈥攈ell, I write about campers and trailers for a living. My wife and I ended up with our most recent adventure rig, a 19-foot Airstream trailer, because we kept seeking out more and more amenities in a camper. Like a lot of folks, we wanted something that would make boondocking more comfortable during longer trips鈥攁nd the Airstream had all the bells and whistles, like a three-burner stove, an oven, a toilet and shower with hot water, A/C, and more.

Watch: Bryan Rogala’s DIY Truck Camper

This weekend, my wife and I went camping with friends at a gorgeous, off the beaten path state park near White Sands National Park. The campground is pretty standard, consisting of a couple of paved loops with a few tent sites and some with water and electric hookups. Our neighbors were some folks camped in a built on an industrial, military truck chassis with huge, mud-terrain tires that was clearly purpose-built for off-road exploration.

There鈥檚 an abundance of awesome dispersed camping in the area, and we couldn鈥檛 help but wonder why anybody who owned a nearly half-million-dollar expedition rig designed to stay off the grid for extended periods of time鈥攃omplete with its own water-filtration system鈥攚ould stay on a paved campground loop in a state park, or use the campground bathroom when I can guarantee you the one inside that vehicle was nicer. But hey, at least they rode their dirt bikes to the bathroom each morning.

When I see rigs like selling for over $530,000 fully kitted out with features like heated floors and a full bathroom, a 14KW lithium battery system, 70 gallons of water capacity, and 鈥渢he most advanced systems and premium components money can buy or skilled hands can craft,鈥� I can鈥檛 help but wonder what happens when one of those systems fails on the road.

I鈥檝e witnessed water tanks leaking and pumps failing in fancy Sprinter conversions, and stood in the booth of a major overland trailer manufacturer at Overland Expo West as customer after customer came up to complain about cabinets falling off the walls, tank sensors failing, suspension components breaking, and more.

Is There No Middle Ground?

Rather than make campers and trailers that are as high tech and comfortable as possible, I want to see more manufacturers focus on simplicity and durability鈥攁fter all, we already have the RV industry if we want cheaply-built 鈥渓uxurious鈥� rigs. It鈥檚 as if there鈥檚 no middle ground in the camper and trailer space these days鈥攜ou either have to spend huge sums of money in the overland space to get something that鈥檚 truly well-built and won鈥檛 rattle apart on you, or you have to buy a cheap RV and cross your fingers.

To me, 鈥渙verlanding鈥� has always been more akin to car camping than extended, off-road journeys. It鈥檚 about having a rig capable enough to reach remote campsites without worry, and one that provides at least a bit more comfort during your stay than a traditional tent setup (especially in bad weather). That way, you can stay longer, sleep and eat better, and have more fun doing the other activities鈥攍ike biking, hunting, fishing, etc.鈥攜ou鈥檝e traveled for in the first place.

The Skyloft Van is obviously an extreme example, but if you take a walk around an show, it feels like the whole industry is shifting towards luxury and complication and away from its sleeping-in-the-back-of-a-Land-Cruiser roots. Even traditional RV brands like have gotten into the overland game in recent years with the series of trailers.

While I fully support the notion of an RV being built for off-pavement use, I sometimes wonder what the point is of spending $120K on a trailer with features like a pass-thru slide out kitchen, on-demand hot water, ducted heating, and a tablet that remotely controls every system on the trailer. When you zoom out a bit, the whole point of a trailer, especially an 鈥渙verland鈥� trailer, is to go camping and spend time outside.

While all those luxuries will make you more comfortable, I鈥檇 bet a lot of money you still won鈥檛 be as comfortable as you would in a nice Airbnb or fancy hotel room somewhere.

Let鈥檚 say . You could book 480 nights in an Airbnb for the price of that $120K camper. If you camp a lot, say 50 nights a year, it鈥檇 take you 9.6 years of Airbnb stays to break even. That鈥檚 a lot of vacations.

Keep It Simple (and Functional)

My point isn鈥檛 to chastise anyone for having a lot of money to spend on a camper, or to suggest we should all just toughen up and sleep in a bivvy; it鈥檚 to remind folks, and the overland industry at large, that the goal of this hobby is to get outside and go camping, and that oftentimes unnecessary luxuries can get in the way of that. You can make camping extremely comfortable while still keeping things simple, after all.

Rather than overcomplicated rigs with fancy systems and every amenity under the sun, I鈥檇 like to see the overland industry and camper manufacturers focus on building simple, durable rigs with an emphasis on reliability and quality.

Give me an insulated box鈥攚ith some lights, a heater, a basic hand-pump sink, and a Goal Zero for charging things鈥攖hat鈥檚 able to withstand washboard roads and light off-roading than a luxury apartment on wheels with leather-wrapped dinette cushions and a washer and dryer (seriously). After all, nobody will care how warm the in-floor hydronic radiant heat system keeps their feet in the morning if it quits working after a year or needs constant maintenance to keep running.

I鈥檇 rather have a rig that鈥檚 easy to deal with, requires minimal maintenance, and enables my other hobbies and passions versus an overcomplicated Airbnb on wheels that in itself becomes an all-consuming hobby to maintain.

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