Checking in

[muddy tires]

Followed Roadie's hints and the trail to here from the "OS" and decided to register. My "wiener dog" EXT and I will likely mostly lurk over here and live vicariously through your adventures but I'll chime in if I think I have anything to add.

[Trail X]

Good to have you!

And please feel free to contribute. That's what this community is here for!

[Gordinho80]

Welcome! Please feel free to contribute as much as you can.

As for the community, we're all generally nice people... except for a select few...

[bgwolfpack]

Welcome! Please feel free to contribute as much as you can.

As for the community, we're all generally nice people... except for a select few...

Doesn't take long to find out who they are.

Big Welcome muddy tires

[irishboy02]

Welcome...hope you live up to your name

[Philberto]

Welcome! Keep those tires muddy!

[MrSmithsTB]

Welcome aboard, chief!

[foosh]

Welcome... where are the picks of these so called muddy tires. We should launch an investigation report!

[dirtychevymama]

I Love Mud! Welcome!

[muddy tires]

Boy, tough crowd. I know the "no pics, didn't happen" rule so guess I'll have to go find some mud. I don't think I have anything in my picture archive and I'm camping with my son's scout troop this weekend so it will have to wait a bit. (need some marshmallows for this smilie, and some rain if our recent camping weather experience continues)

[Gordinho80]

Boy, tough crowd. I know the "no pics, didn't happen" rule

[The Roadie]

Boy, tough crowd.

[muddy tires]

OK. No mud (it was under the snow) but some pictures of my TB putting my summer toy to bed and waking up my winter toys. I waited too long to put it away so I had to push the camper through 2 feet of snow to get it to its winter home behind the barn.





And a shot of my kids playing in the front yard. (Disclaimer - they always wear the proper safety gear including helmets when playing. My daughter just jumped on the sled for the photo.)

[Trail X]

I see one problem though...

Running Boards!! Terminate with extreme prejudice!

Also... is that the factory brush guard? Is it sturdy? It appeared to be mainly plastic, right?

[The Roadie]

Running boards? Oh, geez.

[muddy tires]

I see one problem though...

Running Boards!! Terminate with extreme prejudice!

Also... is that the factory brush guard? Is it sturdy? It appeared to be mainly plastic, right?

Brush guard is factory - came with the truck. The lower part is covered with plastic and it is held on with fairly flimsy metal strips. It proved its worth when somebody bashed into me in a parking lot (snowplow maybe). Bent the mounts but saved the bodywork. And it gives somewhere to tie a canoe. I wouldn't recommend it but don't really see a need for an upgrade right now.

As for the running boards. My mission is a little different than most of yours. My TB is largely a family transporter that needs some offroad capabilities. It generally takes me to the staging area and serves as a base for whatever adventure is planned. For example, this past weekend I hauled 6 boy scouts and a trailer full of camping gear on a spelunking weekend. Other chores are hauling and launching our boat, pulling our camper and getting our snowmobiles to the trail. The northern Ontario terrain is different from what you ride so most of my offroad running is on relatively tame logging or forest access roads or getting into (and more importantly out of) snow covered fields to unload my snowmobiles. A canoe truly is the best method of accessing the untamed wilderness in my area. My running boards allow me to reach my 4-place roof mounted bike rack without carrying a stool to stand on. They've banged on a few rocks but not held me back so far. Until they prove to be an impediment, I kind of like their utility. Every vehicle is a result of the compromises we make to suit our mission. Besides, everybody has to start somewhere.





However I do enjoy reading of your adventures and how you have modified your vehicles to make them more functional for your needs. I like the idea of a lift and bigger tires but can't sacrifice the tow capabilities. A winch and front bumper would be cool, but I'd probably never use them. I usually travel with a buddy and a tow strap. I do however use the winch on my ATV regularly. I've even learned a few things along the way. Maybe one day I might even be lucky enough to ride shotgun on a desert excursion. However I don't have the lib///y right now of planning a cross-continent trip like AlekG (who is also from my hometown of Toronto) for my offroad adventures.

Sorry for rambling, but I guess it is all part of an introduction.

[cowboy63645]

Everyone's vehicle serves a different purpose and need and you know what your's is, no arguing that. Atleast it still gets used to the best of its capabilities and you know it's limits. Oh, and welcome!