“Everyone Buys the Wrong Rig First”

Not always, but…

When you ask someone about their rig, you’re likely to hear comments like, “My next rig will be a two-door,” “I wish I bought the V8,” or “I wish I had the five-speed.”

What happened?

You don’t know what you don’t know.
You see ads showing a truck all kitted out, heading up to Aspen, and you think, “That looks awesome! I’m trading in my station wagon to live that life.” You get that rig, buy all the gear, and then realize that you don’t live in the Rockies. The truck is too big to be practical for your weekend trail rides in the Appalachian Mountains you call home.
We often tend to build the rig we have, and rightfuly so, vehicles arent cheap.
Through a season of off-roading, you learn and grow. You find out that you don’t enjoy camp cooking and tenting; instead, restaurants and Airbnb are more your style. Your 110 is larger than necessary because you don’t carry the gear you expected to.
You might discover that you enjoy tackling rocky terrains, but your open-open rig isn’t well-suited for that. Upgrading the driveline could cost more than simply replacing the rig with an off-road model that includes locking differentials.

How to Avoid This Mistake

– If your vehicle is stock, drive it as much as possible before buying custom gear, so you can determine if it truly meets your needs while you can still trade it in.
– Ride with others or ask to drive different rigs before making a purchase. You may find that the bumps and dips of trails rated 4/5 are too jarring for you, and you might not need the Raptor Tremor. A F150 could suit you just fine.
– Check out rigs in person — attend meet-and-greet events or cars and coffee gatherings. Ask owners what they like about their vehicles, why they bought them, and if you can sit in them. Don’t be shy; gearheads love to show off their builds and share their experiences.

The 3 C’s: Comfort, Connection, Compatibility

– Do you want a ride that feels like you’re in a Cadillac? Consider an air ride IFS.
– Do you want to stay connected? Keep in mind that without doors, you’ll feel the wind, rain, and smells.
– Ensure that your vehicle, particularly its tires, suspension, and drivetrain components, can handle rough off-road terrain like mud, rocks, sand, or gravel. It should have the necessary features to tackle challenging conditions and avoid damage.

The Predicament: Should You Replace Your Rig?

Know Your Goal and Budget. If your goal is to go overlanding in Moab this year, tackling all the big-name trails, can your rig do it? If not, you may need to start shopping for a new one.
Are you willing to modify your goals to suit your rig and wait it out? Are you okay with completing 80% of the trails near you or riding as a passenger on the black diamond trails?
Can you modify your rig to better meet your needs? For example, consider bigger tires or new heavy-duty axles with lockers. Assess the expense, your experience, and your level of interest.