THE OFF-ROADX TRAIL REPORT #9 WHEN THE TRAIL TAKES A BITE OUT OF YOUR TIRE You packed the cooler. Downloaded the maps. Checked the weather. Finally found a comfortable place for that recovery bag. Then one sharp rock introduces itself to your tire’s sidewall. Suddenly, the most important sound on the trail is: Pssssssssssssss. A flat tire is inconvenient in town. Deep in the backcountry, it can change the entire trip. This week, we’re looking at the three common tire problems

THE OFF-ROADX TRAIL REPORT #8 JEEP AND MOAB MAKE IT OFFICIAL For more than half a century, Jeep and Moab have had one of the most recognizable relationships in the off-road world. Now they have made it official. The Moab City Council has approved a two-year sponsorship agreement allowing Jeep to call itself: “THE OFFICIAL 4WD OF MOAB.” It sounds like the final step in an engagement that began somewhere around the first Easter Jeep Safari. But this agreement involves considera

LESS LUXURY. MORE DIRT. Ford has apparently discovered a rare automotive-industry strategy: Remove some equipment—and actually lower the price. For 2027, the Ford F-150 Tremor and Raptor are gaining new, less-expensive entry versions aimed at buyers who care more about dirt, capability and customization than heated seats and premium speakers. The new starting prices are: • F-150 Tremor: $62,440 • F-150 Raptor: $77,790 That makes the Tremor $5,270 less expensive than before an

THE OFF-ROADX TRAIL REPORT #6 THE WOODS ARE WEARING ORANGE WHAT OFF-ROADERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HUNTING SEASON You packed the recovery gear. You downloaded the maps. You checked the weather, fueled the rig and somehow remembered the one charging cable nobody else in your family owns. But before heading into Colorado’s backcountry this weekend, there’s something else you need to know: You’re sharing the woods with hunters. Colorado’s archery and rifle-bear seasons began Septemb

THE OFF-ROADX TRAIL REPORT #5 YOUR 4WD ISN’T ENOUGH COLORADO’S TRACTION LAW IS BACK You have four-wheel drive. You have big tires. You have enough suspension travel to make the average commuter vehicle feel personally inadequate. You’re ready for Colorado winter—right? Maybe. Colorado’s seasonal Traction Law returned September 1, and one of the most important changes is something many truck, Jeep and SUV owners could easily miss: Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive alone is n

Labor Day weekend is almost here. The weather is beautiful, the mountains are calling, and approximately everybody in Colorado has apparently decided to answer at the same time. Trailheads will be crowded. Campgrounds will fill up. Popular routes will see everything from full-size 4x4s and side-by-sides to motorcycles, hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. That doesn’t have to ruin the adventure. A busy trail can still be a great trail—provided we communicate, remain patient

Your trail app has satellite imagery, 3D terrain, difficulty ratings, and a comment from TrailDad87 saying the route was open last October. What it does not have is legal authority. That bright line on your screen can show where a road exists. It cannot guarantee that you—or your particular vehicle—may drive it today. We love trail apps. We use them constantly for planning, navigation, scouting, and finding alternate routes. But an app is a navigation tool, not a permission s

BEARS DON’T CARE THAT YOUR COOLER WAS EXPENSIVE You researched it for three weeks. You watched a 47-minute video comparing ice retention. You paid enough for it that your family assumed it came with groceries, health insurance and a small vacation home. Unfortunately, the bear does not care. To a bear, your expensive cooler is not rugged outdoor equipment. It is a lunchbox with handles. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ BEAR ACTIVITY IS INCREASING On August 13, the U.S. Forest Service announce

Welcome to the first-ever Off-RoadX Trail Report! So…what the heck is the Trail Report? Each week, we’re going to dig into something happening in the off-roading world and break it down from the Off-RoadX perspective. That might include: A major race or off-road event A new vehicle, product or piece of trail technology Changes to laws, permits or trail regulations Safety, recovery and vehicle-preparation information A viral off-road video that deserves a closer look Colorado