Page 2 – Amanda Products [USA]

2023 WINTER 4X4 JAMBOREE

Presented by Desert Roads and Trails Society – Desert RATS 9 minute YouTube Video by Casey’s Off Road Recovery February 12, 2023 Casey joined the last day of Jamboree to guide the Toquerville Falls loop. “There’s a big group today – 20 or so rigs… We’ve got crisp cold air this morning after that snowstorm yesterday.” And plenty of wind. TOWER ROAD “The Tower Road is pretty torn up this morning … really, really wet with lots of clay.” He wants to get the group off the tower before the frozen mud and clay starts to defrost. He’s looking forward to showing them the sights from ‘up top.’ “LOOK AT MY OFFICE” Casey’s Off Road Recovery frequently finds themselves at this location. They’ve hauled ‘dozens and dozens of Jeeps and side by sides and VW cars and you name it out of the Toquerville Falls Road.’ It was a nice change to be there for a leisurely trip with a group. “These Southern Utah Jeep events are something we have been involved with as a family for over 25 years.” THE WINTER JAMBOREE EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS Desert Roads and Trails Society is grateful for the support of volunteers, sponsors and participants. “This year we will be donating $45,000 to Utah public land alliance $15,000 to Search and Rescue $12,000 to Utah 4 wheel drive association, $3,000 to blue ribbon, and $14,700 to an upcoming project on Sand Mt. ohv area.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5buUb50dH0

Micki LeCronier2024-02-03T23:41:34-05:00February 12, 2023|

SEARCH AND RESCUE AFTERMATH

24-minute YouTube video by Matt's Offroad RecoveryJanuary 21, 2023 THE PREVIOUS NIGHT “We had 18 kids up there at 2 a.m. last night.” These are the people who got stuck in the dark. “It was slick. It was a mess. It was super bad.” “Getting them all off the hill was an ordeal but we got ‘em off perfectly fine.” GOING BACK FOR THE JEEPS They have a long drive and don’t exactly know the way. So imagine … what’s about the worst that could happen? Tom confesses “We don’t have keys for any of the Jeeps. They’re all back at the shop.” A PILE OF KEYS THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL They need a cell signal to coordinate assistance; they arrange to meet someone halfway with the keys. Matt explains where the keys are; ‘There’s a pile of keys the size of a softball’ - and explains the driver should drive “as fast as you safely and lawfully can; you need to get there." They’ll be about an hour and a half behind. “WE ARE RACING NIGHTFALL” Matt remembers other epic times they didn’t have the keys. It makes him feel a little better. Matt’s vehicle finally reaches the Jeeps. “Yeah, they are blocking the route for sure.” There’s still one more. They go looking for it. LOOKS ARE DECEIVING “I don’t see anything that would be hard to drive up.” They’re in phone contact with Jefe. “He’s getting close. We’re coming to the sketchy part. There’s a trick to it.” It’s steep slickrock, covered with ice and snow. He’s going to walk Jefe through the obstacle so it can be handled ‘without wrecking the Banana.’ “THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR COMING UP THIS IS [...]

Micki LeCronier2024-02-03T23:18:58-05:00January 21, 2023|

NEW YEAR, NEW ADVENTURES

Ice, Snow and Mud - 28 minute YouTube Video by #4WDAdventureCrew January 16, 2023 It's been raining for the past few days, but they’re doing Eagle Lake Loop – it’s short but difficult. Another group is out doing a vehicle recovery. They expect to cross paths. "SOME OF THE PUDDLES ARE WAY DEEP" There are six cars in this group. “Should be cold and interesting.” “I was expecting to have a lot more snow here and less water and exposed rocks. I deflated a bit way too much for this kind of road.” “We still haven’t caught up with the group recovering the Jeep.” They catch up with them, just ahead. There is fresh powder – then the lake. "THIS IS CRAZY" "The road is all covered in water.” Then fresh powder with ice underneath. They’re wondering if they’ll be able to cross the river. They arrive at the campground, which is close to the river. They’ll see how passable it is. “YEAH, WE GOT SOME FLOW IN THAT RIVER." "We’ll see where our getting out angle is at.” It’s called Pebble Beach. They’ll have to drive through a deeper spot to get out. They stop to build a fire and start making lunch; then the river crossing is a success. THE TRAIL GETS TRICKY FURTHER ON With challenging ruts. One big puddle and they’re nearly to the highway and groomed road; they cross the river and they’re headed back to Sacramento. ‘This trail is really close to the freeway, you can go in and get out quick; you have cell service the whole way.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhuUkdptxiU

Micki LeCronier2024-02-03T23:25:35-05:00January 16, 2023|

SNOW CAMPING AT HOT SPRINGS

34 Minute YouTube Video by 4WD Adventure CrewDecember 25, 2022 “THERE WERE A FEW SKETCHY PLACES.” “This is the California/Nevada border right outside Carson City. The trail is a lot softer with snow on the road.” WORRIED ABOUT THE COLD They’re a little concerned about staying warm overnight, temps are supposed to be in the teens. He’s hoping for mid-20s and looking forward to enjoying the hot springs. They made it to the old ranch house and continued through the fields and into the forest. THE PROBLEM WITH A STEEP INCLINE Going down the steepest incline he notes it could be difficult getting out. “You can see the hill, you can go up right behind the hot spring" – and there’s nobody there. They’ll have the place to themselves. There’s another crossing before they get there. “We’ll see if we break ice as we’re driving across!” No problems. CHRISTMAS EVE WITH FAMILY They chose a bath they could set up next to. The night is cold, as expected; but the water is nice and hot. “It’s better than a Jacuzzi and it’s all natural.” THE NEXT DAY They enjoy breakfast, and clean and restore the site before leaving. Other baths are explored. (Google ‘Carson River Hot springs.’) They note that the further they go upstream, the hotter the water. “Not bad, camping in the winter!" GETTING OUT IS AN ADVENTURE “A day can make a big difference. Today the snow is wet and melting. Hopefully we’ll be able to get up those hills.” “There’s a big deep puddle over here and I AM STUCK! Can’t break through the ice. I need to get pulled out backwards.” “Well, we tried to cross the river” and take [...]

Micki LeCronier2024-02-03T23:24:11-05:00December 25, 2022|

“WORST DAMAGE EVER” – The Hell Trail

The Hell Trail in Wellsville, Ohio - 31 minute YouTube video by Ohio Offroad December 3, 2022 “Exactly my kind of trail.” Rocks, rocks and more rocks. Ashley claims she was left unsupervised. Jeff makes things look easy. “He's a danged good driver.” Things aren’t so easy for the others. Doors are mangled. In a tricky spot … “It might be OK. Come on slow.” “It’s just a hinge, you’re OK.” Sort of. “Pivot dammit, pivot! It’s going to feel really, really crappy!” “Work it so it can pull itself off; OK, you might be turtled. Yeah, I think we gotta winch ‘em off.” “BIG DROP COMING!” Ashley is accused of ‘ruining the whole jeep.’ She retaliates, claims her spotter led her astray. All in all, “It was a fun time.” ABOUT WELLSVILLE Per Where2wheel dot com, “This is the place to go riding! Otherwise known as Wellsville, Yellow Creek, and the Pitts. Riding is open to all Trucks, Jeeps, Buggies, Quads, and Motorcycles fit for the mud and rocks. The parks are open 24hrs a day 365 days a year. It is a ride at your own risk environment. Off Roading riding areas include creek beds, smooth hills, rough rocky hills, some very hairy hills, and some flat trails.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM8drvA3eoE

Micki LeCronier2024-02-03T23:20:53-05:00December 3, 2022|

THE SNIPER X9 STAND UP CAMPER

‘The Camper that Lives Large’ - 11 minute YouTube video by Playing With Sticks ‘Playing With Sticks’ is all about sharing their passion for small campers. In this video they do a full tour of a stand up camper that fits in the garage. “This is a unique camping trailer that will get you almost anywhere you want to go.” AUSTRALIAN ROOTS The Sniper X9 by Offroad RV is sold in North America but manufactured in Australia. “Because of its origin this micro camper has a different approach to overland and off road travel. Check out the fenders, the sides, and the wheel base of this trailer and you will understand what I mean.” The overall camper is 14’ long and 1,800 lbs. dry, so it can be towed by most mid-size SUVs and small trucks. FEATURES INCLUDE: Fast, easy setup – about three minutes (Side awning takes longer) Plenty of storage Plexiglass windows on both sides for great ventilation 200 watt solar panel Foldable shower enclosure Hot water on demand QUEEN SIZE BED THAT FOLDS OUT OF THE WAY FOR SEATING “The quickest move from a bed to a seating area I’ve ever seen.” Redarc battery management system Articulating hitch AN HONEST ASSESSMENT After the walk-around he shares three things he likes, three things he’s not a fan of – and five other campers you may want to consider. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTeLE8jWdro

Micki LeCronier2023-09-21T12:06:03-04:00August 6, 2022|

HOW-TO GUIDE FOR THE OVERLANDING FAMILY

Sean Mack explains, “My family and I have been traveling full-time for the past year and have learned to cultivate the gear that we bring including what we put within arms reach of the kids.” Sean's tips include ... A CHEAP CLOTH BOX Placed between the seats, it offers two benefits: ‘Gives them a place to keep their things’ ‘Limits the amount of stuff they can bring’ JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMS They entertain and engage passengers with short attention spans. Per the National Park Services, “Interested youth complete a series of activities during a park visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger patch and Junior Ranger certificate. Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 13, although people of all ages can participate.” See NPS ‘Kids in Parks’ Junior Ranger programs for online activity guides, Junior Ranger books and more. [https://www.nps.gov/.../parks-with-junior-ranger-programs...] SEPARATE BACKPACKS ARE HELPFUL They give kids a place to keep “their journals, pencils, and other books. The backpacks are also where they attach the badges and patches that they’ve earned through the Junior Ranger programs.” BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT Plan what you'll take. Sean's article includes a free packing list “to help you get ready for your first trip as an overlanding family or to help you refine what you already bring.” https://overlandpathfinders.com/overlanding-family-guide/

Micki LeCronier2023-09-21T11:49:27-04:00June 16, 2022|

“I DON’T THINK THIS IS LEGAL”

Fourteen minutes of humor and heroism by Matt's Offroad Recovery They got a call that a CanAm was stuck in a canyon near Goblin Valley. “I can only assume they’ve got goblins here, why else would they call it Goblin Valley.” He suspects goblins may have been involved in the CanAm problems. THE CANAM WAS 72” WIDE ON A TRAIL RESTRICTED TO 52” WIDE They hoped to retrieve it with The Banana, which is 72” wide. They reached the vehicle after 4.7 miles of rough road. “So here’s the problem. The back end of this has slid over really bad. We need to pull the back end over.” Matt didn’t bring any tools because they took them out for Easter Jeep Safari. So “we’re improvising using stone tools.” “THIS IS HOW PEOPLE HAVE GOT THEIR RAZORS OUT FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.” “Buckle up Buttercup.” “I won’t get far if I fall but it will still hurt.” THE TIRE CHANGE “We used science so to make it so we could change this tire.” “Let’s go!” “Keep it on all fours!” They got the CanAm dropped off and were headed for Moab Easter Jeep Safari when they got a call to retrieve another Razor. “WE ARE REALLY LATE IN THE SEASON TO DO A SNOW RECOVERY!” “I’m willing to risk it. I’m willing to risk it all." They were stuck for a bit, but they got to the Razor and it started right up. THEN THE TRUCK GOT STUCK. THEN A WOMAN IN A SUBARU GOT STUCK AND GOT A T-SHIRT. Upon completion of rescues, the crew used Rock Scissors Paper to choose a lunch destination. Trevor won, but was outvoted anyway. Arm wrestling ensued. “I’m just gonna sit [...]

Micki LeCronier2023-09-21T12:28:04-04:00April 30, 2022|

“NEXT THING I KNOW I WAS ROLLED OVER.”

“During Easter Jeep Safari 2022, I went in my 1948 Willys CJ2A, Grampa's Jeep up on the Moab Rim trail where we had a little accident.” Rollover and recovery by Stan Fuller, 5 minute video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy6_8Vdh4sk The video starts on Hell’s Revenge, with Stan climbing Escalator like the Willys was made for it. From there it was Moab Rim, where the first obstacle was The Devil’s Crack. “Took me a couple tries.” Stan says he was “driving up to go watch the other guys climb The Crack when I miscalculated on that little step. Next thing I know I was rolled over... Everything was OK, no problems, a little bump on the head. All the safety equipment worked as designed.” RECOVERY AND ASSESSMENT They got Grampa’s Willys up on its side and re-rigged the winch lines. The windshield was broken, hood and grill supports bent. Once they got to a flat surface, Stan let his friends check it out more thoroughly. They “got it up and running and drove it down the hill.” THE FOLLOWING MORNING “This is my kind of body work.” [[[Watch Stan drive over the hood to straighten it out!]]] Once they had everything bolted back together, they climbed Gatekeeper to continue their adventure. A FEW VIEWER COMMENTS “Jeeping at its purest” “I think it’s amazing that people spend $100,000 on a pretty jeep to rock climb and you guys are doing it in those old jeeps. Hats off to you guys.” “Thank goodness for roll bars, and good friends.” “Nothing like knowing how to trail fix and get back on the trail. Old guys rule!” #1948Willys #MoabRim #DevilsCrack #HellsRevenge #Escalator

Micki LeCronier2023-09-21T12:22:52-04:00April 9, 2022|

AUTORAMA 2022 AT THE MILAN DRAGWAY BOOTH

Coverage by WXYZ-TV Detroit, Channel 7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3LxOozuvSM At a little less than 1 minute in Faraz Javed introduces Brian Davis and John Quick. “You would have seen them on Street Outlaws Show. FANTASTIC show, a top hit show – you’re also from Detroit. I have to ask you, how’s it feel to have the show come back.” Faraz Javed introduces Brian Davis Brian; “Johnny and I as kids, we always came here and we always walked around. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we’d actually have a car in this… It’s very surreal and very humbling and it’s great for our city to be able to come here and support ‘em.” Faraz Javed with John Quick John; “This was the Super Bowl, this kicks off the season for us. As soon as the snow’s gone Autorama starts – right around the block is racing. Our whole lives revolve around racing. It’s an honor to be here in the Milan Dragway booth – these guys always support us, we try to support them as much as we can. This is great!” Faraz asks about customizing. John replies “Our main focus is on drag racing. Street Outlaws is street racing; we try to be as fast as we can. This is one of the fastest cars in the world on the street. 0 to 200 mph in 4 seconds. It makes approximately 3500 horsepower.” 0 to 200 mph in 4 seconds. Amanda Products' SpeedHook™ is a proud sponsor of John Quick, Merillat Racing LLC and Blain Brothers Racing. #BrianDavis #JohnQuick #streetoutlaws #autorama2022 #milandragway

Micki LeCronier2023-09-21T12:24:05-04:00March 6, 2022|

About Micki LeCronier

2023 WINTER 4X4 JAMBOREE

SEARCH AND RESCUE AFTERMATH

NEW YEAR, NEW ADVENTURES

SNOW CAMPING AT HOT SPRINGS

“WORST DAMAGE EVER” – The Hell Trail

THE SNIPER X9 STAND UP CAMPER

HOW-TO GUIDE FOR THE OVERLANDING FAMILY

“I DON’T THINK THIS IS LEGAL”

“NEXT THING I KNOW I WAS ROLLED OVER.”

AUTORAMA 2022 AT THE MILAN DRAGWAY BOOTH

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