You're about to make a significant investment in your Tacoma's functionality, and choosing the right camper shell can transform your truck from a basic hauler into a versatile adventure machine. Whether you're planning weekend camping trips or need secure storage for work gear, the shell you select will impact everything from fuel efficiency to cargo protection. There's more to this decision than just matching your truck's color – you'll need to weigh the pros and cons of different materials, consider numerous height options, and evaluate security features that protect your valuables. Let's investigate how to make this important choice that'll affect your Tacoma's utility for years to come.

I dream of having a dedicated off-roader, an overlapping vehicle that I can take anywhere and not have to worry about dents or scratches messing up my everyday car. This is an aspiration for a lot of guys and while it would be easy to say "just go buy a Landcruiser", most of us don't have that kind of money to plunk down on a weekend getaway vehicle. So, if you're looking for the perfect used SUV for your overlanding adventures it can be a real headache. Trust me, I know the struggle of searching for something that fits the budget, can be upgraded easily, has the right specs and won't leave you stranded. In my quest, I've looked at vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner and even an old Jeep Grand Cherokee since they're built to handle rough terrain and you can find used ones for not that much money compared to buying new. However, with something like this it's not about buying a car it's more about purchasing a platform that can be easily modified and upgraded to serve your specific needs as a camping and overlanding vehicle.

Joshua Tree National Park is an absolutely stunning natural reserve with wide open spaces, amazing colors, and terrain ranging from sharp cliffs to sandy plains. It's a fantastic place to explore on foot though it can get extremely hot during the summer, so I find it much more enjoyable to use one of the off road trails and explore it's hidden spaces that way. We did this recently with the 2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland 4x4 and were completely impressed with how capable it was.

Colorado is known world-wide for its excellent ski resorts, but you don't have to wait for cold weather to visit this amazing state. Outdoor activities abound all year long. Let's take a look at some of the favorites among adventure seekers.

GMC has been one of our absolute favorite truck brands for almost as long as we've been doing automotive features here on ManTripping. They've earned that respect because they continually merge the two things that I think most guys look for when it comes to a set of wheels - rugged utility and ultimate comfort that is wrapped up in a stylish package.

For those of you who have dreamed of one day attending the Baja 1000, I've got an alternative closer to home. The Mint 400, also known as The Great American Off-Road Race might not be as well known as the Baja 500 and Baja 1,000 but it is an awesome experience and opportunity to meet your favorite drivers, manufacturers, and be a part of one of the greatest off-road races in the world. 

It's honestly been a while since I've had some time to get dusty on the trails but I'm hoping to break that streak soon now that things are getting more stable and the weather is starting to cool off again. Plus, now that I'll be in Michigan - I have a whole bunch of new trails to explore. One thing though that remains the same, whether I'm cruising through sandy washes in 120 degree heat or ice crusted forest trails in Michigan - being able to communicate with the other folks in your pack makes things more fun and far safer too. While mobile phones are good on highways, on the trails they don't always work and that's where Cardo Systems comes in with their Packtalk Edgephones ORV.

You’re tasked with planning an unforgettable bachelor party, but you’re on a budget. You’ve come to the right place! We’ve got affordable outdoor adventure ideas that will make the bachelor party memorable without breaking the bank. You’ll find every bachelor party option from camping to white-water rafting, mountain biking to fishing, and even paintball.

Get ready to create incredible memories with your crew without emptying your wallet. Let’s dive in and explore these exciting, wallet-friendly options together.

I think most guys have thought about taking a trip to the Smokies at some point - whether it is that epic motorcycle trip or chasing rainbow trout, this is a destination that guys are instinctively drawn to. While there are a wide variety of accommodations that you can stay at in the area - from luxury hotels to rustic camping spots - our pick would be to find a glamping spot where you can have modern amenities but enjoy the back to nature experience too.

Imagine you're nestled in the heart of the majestic Smoky Mountains, swapping stories around a roaring fire.  Picture luxurious yurts, hearty meals, and a cold regional beer in hand. It's not just camping, it's glamping, and it's about to become your favorite way to bond with the boys.

For many men, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a bucket list accomplishment. Unlike other destinations that you can simply buy your way to, climbing a mountain like this is an accomplishment that requires months, if not years of planning and physical conditioning. While your personal abilities and mental focus are clearly critical to success and so is the equipment, the right selection of a Kilimanjaro guide may be the difference between success and failure.

Hinting at upcoming Bronco production model, Ford’s Bronco R race prototype debuts in the desert to celebrate 50^th anniversary of Rod Hall’s historic Baja 1000 win, an overall victory in a 4x4 that’s never been duplicated in 50 years.

One of the things I absolutely love about Joshua Tree National Park is that it is a near perfect spot for people to learn how to drive off road vehicles. You can dip your toes in the sand rolling along Geology Trail or get the adrenaline going in the Old Dale Mining District and still have a great time. This park is your place to advance skills at a pace that you are comfortable with and that matches personal experience and technical abilities of your vehicle. Over the years I've done exactly that, first having explored trails with a Jeep Cherokee and now, earlier this month I returned with the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. 

Almost anyone who has felt the thrill of racing through the open desert has dreamed of one day becoming a professional dirt racer. There's a unique thrill that you can only understand if you've ever sat in an open windshield truck, buggie, or UTV and felt the wind and grit fly by your face. This is a different sort of experience than exploring typical "jeep trails" and the objective here is to go as fast as possible as safely as possible so you can do it all again as soon as possible. BFGoodrich is the undisputed king of tires in this space and if you watch any of the leading races including MINT 400, Baja 1000, or even King of Hammers you'll notice that the pros all are riding on their latest tires. Often this is the KR3 - known for its grip as well as rugged sidewalls able to resist damage at relatively low air pressure. Now though, there's a version for the rest of us to use on UTVs and off-road trucks such as custom Jeeps, Raptors and Colorado ZR2s.

When Ford, in 2017, formally announced that they were bringing Bronco back, the off road enthusiast world lost their shit. This was one of the biggest brands in off road history and now it was coming back in exactly the right time where we have the most advanced suspension technology in history and a wide variety of engines that are designed to be robust enough to handle virtually anything we can throw at it on the trail. Then... a year later a new "Bronco" emerged and that quickly got derided as simply the "Baby Bronco", a vehicle simply riding on the big brother's coat tails. In many ways, that is accurate since I'm not sure the Bronco Sport would survive on it's own if it were called something else - for instance if it were simply called the Escape Sport.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to go rafting in Vermont and I had a blast. Whitewater rafting is a perfect opportunity for male bonding as it requires strength, balance, wits, intelligence, and courage. Most of all, it requires teamwork and leadership or else your whole group is going to tip over or worse. The idea of becoming a rafting guide is certainly appealing when you consider they get to do something awesome every day and meet some cool people, but what does it take to become one? Are you ready to become a whitewater rafting guide?

So you've thought about getting a recreational vehicle but are confused by the different types out there. To help simplify things, I'm going to divide them into two different categories - self-contained RV classes and trailers such as popup campers and fifth-wheel units. Thinking of things on the most basic level, RV classes are as simple as A, B, or C. Let's take a look at the differences in those classes what which one might be right for your lifestyle.

It's pretty exciting to visit factories and see how things are built. Today, industrial-tourism is a big business and that ranges from visiting auto manufacturing plants to breweries. However, what about visiting an RV or Campervan factory? That might be a perfect twist on your same ol' vacation that could turn it into a memorable experience where you might even learn something!

Rockford Fosgate has just introduced their new Ranger Roof Audio System, a trailblazing innovation in outdoor sound technology that will absolutely make you the loudest guy at the party. This audio system is specially engineered for Polaris Ranger off-road vehicles and features eight speakers, two subwoofers, and a remarkable 1,500 watts of sound.

This weekend I had a chance to look back at some of the fun trips that I've taken over the years and right up there in the top 20 were I discovered a pattern - I really like the freedom of going fast, getting dirty, and having fun with my friends while exploring new places. While there's an undeniable level of comfort sitting in a fully enclosed truck or SUV, some of my favorite adventures were spent strapped into a Polaris RZR.

One of the challenges - and frankly the thrills - of having a 4x4 truck is seeing how capable it really is. The challenge with that though is that sometimes the line between awesome fun and danger is blurred and you never really learn except by making mistakes. That's why I absolutely love the fact that the state of California along with some local off road clubs created this amazing park located just east of San Diego with marked challenges and obstacles ranging from the absolutely insane to beginner. This also gave us the perfect place to test out and compare the TRD Pro trucks that Toyota had given us to play with.