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To fold or to roll, that is the question Whether/’tis nobler in the mind to suffer/The slings and arrows of a shoddy tonneau cover/Or to take arms against a sea of tonneau troubles/And by opposing, end them. To snap, to tear/No more.

These days, finding a quality tonneau cover for your rig can be a down-right tragedy. One search on the internet delivers a venerable cornucopia of choices. Hard, soft, roll, fold, snap, tri, bi, retract and hinged. There are enough choices to scare off the ghost of King Hamlet himself. The amount of styles one is presented is, of course, only overshadowed by the number of tonneau manufacturers that exist. There has got to be a ton of money to be made by producing tonneau covers because there is no shortage of companies.

In the old days, my uncle Claude would take me on a day trip to Tijuana, Mexico to get a tonneau made for his El Camino. We would navigate our way deep into the sticky streets of industrial TJ, looking for the little upholstery shop that my uncle did business with. I don’t know how he knew them or how he found them but he did. The place, Jaliscos, was always abuzz with craftsmen making seat covers and tonneaus while drinking from an endless supply of Tecate beer. After a beer and some broken English bartering, my uncle would take me to lunch in downtown TJ. After we ate, he always bought me cinnamon soaked churro, then he would wink and warn me not to tell my aunt Gertrude. When we got back to Jaliscos, my uncle’s El Camino would be sporting a brand new tonneau cover.

Those simple days of Tecate beer, border crossings and chorizo burritos are gone now. Mass production, maquiladoras and homeland security have poured hemlock into the ear of handmade tonneaus from Mexico and left us with a hodge podge of what are now called truck bed covers. On some level it brings a tear to my nostalgic eye on the other hand, I realize that my uncle’s tonneau was really a clunky tarp that actually snapped to his vehicle. And, the snaps were drilled right into the side of his car, permanently!

Today, tonneau covers are simply amazing. The higher end gear can be installed in minutes with no drilling or cutting. They come off just as fast and leave no trace of their existence on your rig. Instead of snaps and straps, modern tarps use quality Velcro or roller tracks to stay on. This also means accessing all the stuff in your bed is easier than ever. Some covers fold open, some even have spring loaded latches and gas struts that lift them up for you. And, with the popularity of ecommerce sites, you can have one of these cool tonneau covers delivered right to your front door.

To narrow it down a bit and keep the costs within this stratosphere, it’s a good idea to opt for a roll up or folding tonneau. The roll up tarps are usually held fast with Velcro and have spring activated tension adjusters to keep your tarp taught. When you need access, you simply roll the cover like a blanket. It rolls up to your cab where you can strap it open or roll it shut again.

The folding covers are usually comprised of a tarp that is stretched over a lightweight frame. The frame is hinged in sections that allow you to lift it like a hard cover. You can lift sections separately on the nicer covers, giving you access to the different parts of your bed. This is a great choice for those who work in the field and need to access their bed frequently.

The end of this debate is no tragedy though. Even though spending a drunken day in Mexico with your uncle is a thing of the past, getting a high quality folding or roll up tonneau cover is something we can all do today.

To help wade through the plethora of choices, take a look at Access tonneau covers. Or, my all time favorite, the Extang trifecta tonneau cover is sure to prove most royal. Basically, you can not go wrong with either. - David S. Brooks

They say that acquiring knowledge is a journey, and I’ve never disagreed with them. Not that I know exactly who the “they” is, but I’m sure they’re wise in some way. Why else would we always refer to “them” if they didn’t know what they were talking about? Regardless, I followed their advice and set out on my own quest to figure out what the difference is between cold air intakes and regular air intakes. Here’s what I found.

My mind is cluttered enough with all kinds of information that I have to keep straight. How much extra should I tip the cabby whose backseat I sprayed vomit all over? How many days can I hold out paying my rent without getting evicted? What year is it? I was hoping that shopping for performance accessories for my Acura RSX wouldn’t require that much brain power, but I was wrong…dead wrong. All I wanted to do was improve my throttle response, enhance my off-the-line spring, and maybe even get a little extra fuel efficiency. A buddy of mine recommended a cold air intake, but then another friend said I should pick up just a regular air intake. I was in a tailspin of confusion. What exactly is the difference between cold air intakes and air intakes? Before I hopped online and did some research, I was completely dumbfounded. But that’s not the whole story.

While wrestling with this daunting question, I knew some serious intellectual concentration would be needed. Since I’m not big on focusing, I realized that I would need some help. So I cruised over to my local watering hole to get bit of liquid smarts in the form of boiler makers, and lots of ‘em. The first tumbler was a bit harsh, burning my larynx as it rolled down into my waiting belly. After that, though, each round got easier and easier to chug, and I could barely even taste the fifth glass. As I slammed that last empty mug down onto the bar, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of clarity. The mental pump had been thoroughly primed, and I was ready to tackle my research project.

Standing up from my barstool, I knew nothing could distract me from uncovering the answer to my vexing accessory question. Not even the gorgeous girl shooting pool in the back corner could make me swerve off my course, nor her hulking boyfriend who accosted me for slapping her rump as I walked past, nor his entourage of goons who dragged me into the back alley and beat the religion out of me, nor the hobo who rooted through my pockets and made off with my wallet while I was passed out, nor the sausage-fingered bus driver who wouldn’t let me on because of all the blood, nor the insensitive cashier at the burrito shop who wouldn’t sell me a quesadilla on credit, nor my lousy neighbors who threatened to call the cops because I decided to wash the clotted gore off my body in the apartment complex’s over-chlorinated pool. No. I had a date with knowledge, and I wasn’t going to stand her up.

Though my left eye was swollen shut, I was still perfectly capable of googling an answer, and what I learned shocked me. The difference is that a cold air intake relocates the filter outside of the engine compartment to suck in colder, fresher, more energetic oxygen. A standard air intake, on the other hand, just replaces or modifies the stock intake, which still delivers serious performance gains. Mystery solved. And I only lost a quart or so of my precious bodily fluids in the process.

You may want to do your own research but, I can tell you I got my answers about cold air intakes and air intakes online while recovering from my off-line research activities. I guess I should have done that first. - David S. Brooks

I am a city-boy, born and bred. Early on, my parents moved to New York, and while growing up, all I knew were skyscrapers, traffic and noise. I always felt comforted to be surrounded by the masses and I knew anything I would ever want or need would be found close at hand.

When I grew up, the story was much the same. I remained in the Big Apple and got a job in investment banking. Throughout this time laughed at my “hick” friends who chose to move to the Deep South, or to some small Midwestern prairie-town…

One ordinary day at the office, I was working in my cubicle when the boss came down for a visit.

“You boys are doing a great job, and our profits have never been better,” he said. “But ultimately, the key to a well run corporation is the bond between employees. That’s why all of you are going on a ‘back to nature’ trip!”

I groaned.

The management and several departments all flew out to a secluded area in the forest. On the first day of the trip we had to practice falling backwards and into the arms of a co-worker as a trust-building exercise. Later, we put on war-paint and chanted: “Efficiency, Productivity, Profitability” over and over while dancing around a fire. We swung across rivers and ate bugs and listened to motivational pep talks.

I was completely sick of the experience and decided to walk around for a while to clear my head. When everyone was busy I snuck away from the group and went into the woods, despite warnings I had heard about the dreaded Sasquatch.

I wandered around randomly, feeling sorry for myself. I greatly missed my city and my old life with all its pollution, sirens and plumbing. There had to be a way to get out, but how…?

Suddenly I heard an unearthly roar shake the trees.

I looked up and came face to face with the Sasquatch! He looked just like Chewbacca and was covered with mud and twigs. I screamed and turned to run.

“Wait friend,” said the beast, “You have nothing to fear.”

Shocked, I turned and contemplated the hairy monster, which had its arms outstretched and a kind smile on its muzzle.

“You can talk!” I said, amazed. “How can this be?”

“Allow me to explain, good sir,” he said.

It turned out that the Sasquatch was actually a guy named Harold. He had worked for a large corporation, and like me, had been brought out to the woods for a back to nature trip. Somehow he had gotten separated from the group and became hopelessly lost. He had thus begun his new life in the woods, foraging and trying his best to survive. He had also somehow grown a thick fur covering, but I didn’t have the time to question him how.

“So Harold,” I asked, “How come you never left the forest?”

“I tried, but my car wouldn’t start.”

He showed me his battered Chevy. I took a look under the hood and found the problem.

“This is no big deal,” I said, “You just need a few adjustments.”

I helped him with the repairs and soon we were both zooming down the highway, I on my way back to the city, and Harold on the way back to resuming the human experience.

It was nice to do a good deed for my fellow mammal. I’m glad that a few engine parts, car brakes and power slot rotors will assist Harold in transforming back from his animal state. –Jimi Plant

After breaking up with my girlfriend I was starting to feel very alone. There were several weekends where I wouldn’t even hang out with my buddies because I just didn’t feel like leaving the house. Then my friend Tim gave me an idea.

“It’s the year 2008 man!” he said, “You have to get with the times. If you don’t want to leave your house to meet someone, you can just go online!”

I was skeptical of online dating, but Tim promised results, and he showed me several sites that he himself had set up. The first one was for mail-order German brides.

“We’re having a two for one sale today only!” he cried. “And shipping is free!”

“I’ll pass,” I said

So he showed me another website where I quickly found what seemed to be the perfect girl. Her name was Michelle. She was about my age, with a great body and similar interests. On top of this she was a former beauty queen, a PhD, and in her spare time she tutored troubled inner-city youth.

“Wow!” I said, “Her other hobbies are drinking beer, watching Chargers games, and belching! She sounds amazing!”

And with a few clicks I had set up a date with my dream girl.

When Friday rolled around I was very excited. We had set up to meet at a small café near my house. I wore my coolest duds and cologne, and made sure to arrive five minutes early.

“I’m here to meet Michelle for a hot date,” I told the head waiter. He gave me a funny look and led me to a table.

“Hi sexy,” said a gruff voice, “They call me Michelle.”

Before stood the speaker—an ugly and horrifying apparition— emitting a terrible stench. And most obviously, he was a man. A beer belly spilled out from under his shirt and a single tooth protruded from his rotting gums.

I shrieked and ran through the café, dodging waiters and overturning tables in my haste. Patrons screamed as I pushed them aside and with a running leap crashed through a glass window to the street outside.

Bloodied and winded, I sat up on the sidewalk and looked around me, feeling trapped in a nightmare. I looked up in horror.

Out of the café’s wreckage, “Michelle” lumbered out towards me.

“I love it when you play hard to get,” he called.

I found the strength to shriek again and run off down the street with Michelle in pursuit. I was heading toward a dead end and I knew only an act of god would save me.

“Don’t hate me cuz I’m beautiful!” Michelle shouted.

Suddenly I heard an engine roar next to me. A pickup truck had pulled up to my left.

“Quick! Hop in!” yelled the driver. Gratefully, I dove in and with another roar we drove off, leaving Michelle in the dust. I turned to look at the driver and I was shocked. It was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen! Already, I felt a strong bond between us forming.

“Thanks for saving me,” I said. “What’s your name.”

“Michelle,” she answered, and for the third time that day I shrieked and passed out.

I sure am grateful to Michelle#1 for bringing me and Michelle#2 together. And I’m glad that Michelle#2 used Quadzilla Chips and Bully Dog exhaust systems, to soup up her truck, or I wouldn’t be alive today!

A true pet lover never leaves their animals at home. Rover and Kitty are beloved members of the family and an important part of every outing. Keep your precious cargo safe and secure while your vehicle stays clean and protected with these handy pet-travel tips. The prestigious Pontiac Pot-Belly Pig Pageant was fast approaching and the wife and I decided to take Rosebud out for her first judging. The Pontiac Pot-Belly Pig Pageant is the hog-equivalent of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show—quite prestigious and very competitive. Pig breeders from around the world bring their best boars to stack ‘em up against the competition.

We got Rosebud all fattened up on pig-chow, washed, waxed and ready to go. It’s a long drive from Coeur d’Alene, ID to Pontiac, MI and we wanted Rosebud to show up for her big day well rested and ready to strut her stuff. So, to make the trip perfect, we decided to invest in a few pet travel products designed to make the journey comfortable, clean and easy. I had earlier discovered the Pet Step II while recuperating from a slipped disc. During my convalescence, I came upon an ad for the fabulous Pet Step II featured in Fat Fancy, a Porcine Periodical for Pig Lovers. A far cry from her cuddly piglet days, Rosebud now tips the scales at nearly 200 fun-loving pounds. I had given up on hoisting her into the Ford Escape when she hit the 140 mark and I slipped that freaking disc. The Pet Step II is the single greatest pet invention since Snausages. It’s a light-weight, heavy-duty ramp that folds out into a stable runway for Rosebud. I just hook it to my bumper and she swaddles her way up the ramp and into the Escape—safe and sound. The ramp folds up small enough to toss in the back so she can get out the same way. The Pet Step II also makes it easy for Rosebud to climb into our camper and onto our boat. Now, I know what you’re thinking; a pig is a filthy animal. The truth is pigs are cleaner than dogs. You’ll never see a pig greet his friends with a whiff or a lick to the backside, that’s for sure. Either way, slobber, claws and accidents can do some serious damage to your ride’s interior. To prepare for the trip, I checked around and found some amazing seat covers made just for pets travel. Rosebud now sits like a queen-sow on her comfortably-padded and quilted throne.

The seat covers are crafted of super-tough materials that won’t tear or shred. They’re also covered with a waterproof coating that stops muddy paw prints, sloppy slobber—and even worse. Plus, the fibers catch and contain shedding hair and other nasties. So, Rosebud stays cozy and my Escape stays clean. For extra measure, I hang a few of those Christmas trees from my rear-view mirror to cover those special smells. All in all, the trip went off without a hitch and Rosebud took home the best of show prize. She beat out that old sow, Daisy D., who’s taken the win 3 years running. We couldn’t be more proud of our little Rosebud. And, we couldn’t have done it without the help of these pet travel products that made our trip such a pleasure. When your pets go everywhere you go, make sure they can enjoy the trip, too. The pet travel market is full of stuff that keeps your pets safe and sound while on the road. There’s a huge selection of dog seat covers designed to protect your interiors. And, the Pet Step II is the easiest and safest way to get pets in and out of your vehicle. - David S. Brooks

Hah! I laugh in the face of any man who thinks he can usurp my position as trail master, master of the trails! Pride, hubris if you will, can be a nasty trait. I wrecked my whole ride because I was too proud to listen to my competitor’s advice. I like off-roading. It’s my life. Growing up my father was a big fan of motor sports; my mom, not so much.

Every time dad walked into the house with a bleeding leg or broken hand from a riding accident, my mom would say, “Those stupid machines will be the death of you Neddy.” I guess she was right, because he passed away a year ago from an unfortunate motorcycle accident. God bless his soul. We actually etched one of his famous sayings on the tombstone. It reads, “I love the smell of two-stroke in the morning.” That’s what he used to say when we’d cruise around the lake on our motor boat. I’ve been into 4 wheel off-roading ever since I was 14. My dad used to drive me to a nice big open space like our rival high school’s football field and where we’d do doughnuts. I still remember the first time he took me driving. School had been cancelled because it was snowing. My dad asked if I wanted to go for a cruise in the Jeep. I grabbed my jacket and we took off. We finally got to the field and I remember my dad turned, and looked me up and down. “Son,” he said, “Today you become a man.” He pulled the keys from the ignition and put them in my hands. “Shoot, pa. Are you serious?” I asked, trying to hide my excitement. No words—he just shot me a wink.

When I got behind the steering wheel, I remember my feet couldn’t reach the pedals so we slide the seat up all the way, till it couldn’t get any closer. And from that moment I was hooked. I pushed the gas hard, with my right foot, sending the wheels spinning. As I started to get the feel of the pedals, I became more confident and whipped around the field faster and faster. I was having such a good time, but apparently it’s illegal to drive on school property and without a license. Sure, we had a few court fees and had to do a bit of community service, but it was worth it. Since then I have bought my own Jeep Wrangler and have been competing in the professional off road circuit. Unfortunately, a recent accident has landed me out of commission. I was unstoppable. I was confident, some may say cocky. The point is, before the competition Big Chuck Masterson, who happens to be my main competition, was eyeballing my ride. He then comes over and tells me I shouldn’t compete because my shocks looked worn. Oh come on. Does he really need me to forfeit to win?

There’s no way I was losing without a fight. Finally it was my turn. In the competition, drivers must traverse down a narrow, mountain path while navigating over various obstacles—anything from pebbles to massive boulders. As I came into the first turn, I was going to a little fast and my front right tire hit hard into a boulder. Rather than absorbing the impact, my shock exploded, sending my Jeep tumbling down the mountain. A destroyed Jeep and twelve broken bones later, I learned my lesson. If I had only listened to Big Chuck I would have been back in action. Since recovering I have installed a new pair of TrailMaster Shocks and am ready to take back my title as the king of the trails.

Also, check out this blog

–Mike Rosania

Years ago when I was just a boy, my father used to make me wash and wax his cars. He said I would learn to appreciate the beauty of rich finish. Plus, he said it would teach me how to work hard with my hands. Often times, he would come out and inspect my work. If it wasn’t up to his ridged standards, he’d make me do it over and over until it was right. Once, I didn’t rinse out one of his terry cloth washing towels enough. Apparently, there was a bit of microscopic grit caught in the fibers, which caused subtle swirls in the paint.

A normal person would have been hard pressed to see them, but my dear old dad noticed right away. “You don’t see that?” he screamed. “Look closer!” I still have the scar on my cheek from where he pushed my face against the fender and the trim caught my soft 12-year old skin. There was another memorable incident when I suggested we use the carwash at the corner gas station. Pop threw a fit. He was screaming about how the brushes would ruin the paint. I made the mistake of saying that lots of people use them, so they shouldn’t hurt anything. “Anything, ANYTHING?!? I’ll show you ‘anything’,” he wailed. He drove us down the street and I’m not sure why nobody from the station stopped him, but pushed me into the carwash and turned it on. I got out pretty fast without any real physical damage, though I was soaked and quite upset. Perhaps it was karma and fortunately for me, he got into a car accident when I was 14. Bound to his wheelchair, he was no longer a threat. If he started to get aggressive, I’d just go upstairs or simply out run him. Nonetheless and to this day, I still have issues washing and waxing my car. It brings back some pretty nasty memories, so I like to do it as infrequently as possible. And of course, after the early trauma, I’ve never been too keen on the auto carwashes, so I needed to find alternatives. One of the first things I started doing was equipping my cars with bras From my experience, most of the stuff that dirties up your car or mars the paint comes from the front while driving. A nice fitting bra deflects or blocks rocks, bugs and various fluids that would otherwise mean the type of maintenance that I loathe. I also started using car covers. At first, it was those generic one-size-fits-most covers, but I soon realized that a custom fit cover kept the car cleaner and again meant fewer washings. I have a couple of ideas as to why the form-fitting covers are better at keeping the grime away. The first is fairly straightforward – the tighter, contour-hugging fit keeps filth from slipping up under the gaps. My second idea as to why is quite basic too - you get what you pay for.

Whenever I buy something and try to cut a corner, that is, go with the cheaper option, I get a raw deal. So, naturally the cheaper car cover is going to fail and the more expensive is the way to go. Hopefully, none of you had to deal with a jerk father like I had, but I do hope that my tips about ways to keep your car clean without having to wash it all that often make your life just a bit easier. To save you the time I researched car bras and car covers. I think, generally, the easiest way these days is to purchase auto accessories online. Plus, I don’t like driving by that old car wash that’s on the way to my local auto parts shop. - David S. Brooks

I can remember a time when transporting a bicycle meant popping your trunk, shoving in as much of it as you could and praying for the best. (I remember because mine flew out and landed under a pick up truck) A time when packing for a road trip required a degree in Tetris. A time when active lifestyles clashed with vehicular constraints.

I checked out this contest that got me thinking about buying one. One may underestimate the capacity of the cargo carrier, and wonder, “I mean really, how much can you really fit in one of those things?” That’s a bunch of malarkey! You should live your life by the golden rule: Thou shall not question the capability of the cargo carrier. Well, maybe that’s a little drastic, but they can fit golf club bags, kayak paddles, skis, snowboards, hockey sticks—basically any awkward items you wouldn’t want scratching up your car’s interior. I can sympathize with your skepticism because I used to be you. I even used to have a deep rooted fear of carriers; dating back to my childhood, when my brother thought it would be funny to lock me in one and surf it down our front lawn; but that’s a whole different set of issues. Anyway, the other day I was at a local sporting shop and they were hosting this a promotional event. All the big names in the rack business were there—Thule, Surco, Swagman, Allen—and they were hosting a contest called “You Couldn’t Pack this Car if Your Life Depended on it!” The idea behind it was simple. The companies selected an array of couples who live active lifestyles and enjoy the outdoors. The couples were then given twenty minutes to shop through the store and pick out whatever they wanted.

Here’s the catch- they could only keep what they could pack into a mystery car; and they had to do it in 10 minutes! The couples rushed the store, grabbing fishing rods, pool sticks, snowboards, mountain bikes, and whatever else they could get their hands on. When their time was up, the officials unveiled the mystery mobile: a 2007 Subaru Impreza. It was hilarious watching couple after couple attempt to stuff this small sedan. In the end, I think the couple that won fit 2 pairs of skis, a snowboard along with some basketballs and footballs. Then the companies got to give their 10 minutes demo, which consisted of a sponsor rolling up in a similar Subaru; except his was decked out to the max with racks. It had a rooftop cargo carrier packed with 6 pairs of skis and poles, a hitch mounted bike rack, and to top it all off—plenty of interior room! The power of the rack is one to be considered. -Mike Rosania All in all, it was a pretty cool exhibit. Some couples walked away with some free gear and I got to watch them struggle trying to fit all this cool gear in a small car. The companies passed out some info, so if you looking for a roof top cargo carrier or want check out some bitchin’ bike racks, I highly recommend saving yourself a headache and purchasing one.

After I bought a truck for me and my family, I decided to spend the next holiday in Florida. But I made one mistake. I thought that the stuff in the truck bed is safe without a truck bed cover. I am 28 and have a great family. Five years ago I married my wife Jasmin in San Diego and just two months later we got our twins Mike and Andrew.

Surely it is not all fun and games raising two sons, but I am very proud to have such great guys. They are full of life and always interested in participating in sports like soccer, baseball or just playing a bit with the dog. But what does it mean, if you want to go on vacation with such a big family? Exactly, there is no space in the car to store all your stuff because everyone insists that his toys, games, or books have to be in the car. So last year, we decided to buy a truck to avoid this trouble before going on vacation. It is a Dodge Dakota and I haven’t been regretting this purchase a second. I love this vehicle and the rest of the family, as well. Honestly in the last year we spent more time on vacation than at home just to have opportunities to enjoy the benefits of this nice truck. But before our first trip with the Dodge I made a mistake. I believed that you don’t need a cover for the truck bed; as long as you pay attention, nobody will steel the stuff in your truck bed.

When I look back, I know how stupid and naïve it was to think that nothing would happen. I think you can tell by my words that something happened. We were stopped in front of a red light in Florida, when three guys jumped out of their car and stole all the baggage in our truck– all our clothes, all sports stuff and of course my wallet with cash and cards, which I forgot in one of the bags. You cannot imagine how frustrated we were when we recognized that we had no chance to get the money and the other stuff back. Of course we had to turn back home immediately, after we spent two hours at the police station in a small town in Florida, whose name I have already forgotten. After this bad experience with the truck, I instantly decided to buy a truck bed cover for the truck. That is the only way to transfer your stuff safely. And everyone, who disagrees with this, should remember my experience in Florida. So I decided to compare a lot of products and during this market research I recognized that there are a lot of attributes which you should consider before you buy the right truck bed cover. So I found a good one with a tool box that has a continuous hinge and reinforced black power coat lid for superior strength. Another factor, you should consider, is that the Toolbox mounts easily to the side rails without damaging truck bed. So listen to my story and spend a bit money and invest in a good truck bed cover. Avarice shouldn’t impact the benefits of great worry-free vacations. I found a very good selection of truck bed covers online. I think if you combine the Truck Bed Cover with a BedRug Truck Bed Liner, you will have the best protection for your truck. - Tim Saunier

A set of gnarly off-road lights is just about the final piece to your customization puzzle. You can get a pair of performance lights for the factory openings in your bumper, or line up a bank of lamps for extreme power. They come in all sizes—from less than 3” in diameter to beastly 6” housings—for making whatever kind of statement you want. And, with the wide array of makers out there, you can fit a set into just about any budget.

Also, off-road lights like the ones made by PIAA, KC and Hella come in more patterns than sheer brightness. You can pick a long, narrow beam pattern for distance, known as a “driving light.” On the opposite end of the lighting spectrum, “flood lights” sacrifice distance for a massive spread. To cut through nasty weather, a wide and low-intensity “fog light” beam adds to your overall visibility. But, most light buyers stick with the tried-and-true “off-road light” pattern, with awesome brightness and outstanding range.

There are also a variety of bulb options. Most off-road and other auxiliary lights are powered by high-efficiency halogen lights. That’s why most modest light setups can be run off your current battery, with no need for an upgrade. Also, if you have some serious scratch to spend on lights, you can opt for HIDs—incredibly low draw for such clean lighting power. Bulbs for most off road lights are easy to replace, and available at big department or home stores. You may want a set of light covers or light grilles with those new lamps, though. A tossed rock can easily put an unprotected lamp out of commission.

Off-road and other vehicle auxiliary lights usually spark a few common questions. “Why do I need such extreme lighting power on my rig?” The answer is, of course, that your fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun sets. You can keep on chuggin’ through the mud, rocks or dunes well past sundown, or use your lights to set a course through nasty weather. Or, heck, you can even keep your local pickup basketball game playing late. “Isn’t a set of lights extremely hard to wire?” It’s not as hard as you might think, especially with the plug-and-play harnesses provided with most light kits. You could be fired-up in less than an hour. “Would Marty McFly’s or Walker’s truck have been as cool without lights?” No. Absolutely not.

When you need more toughness and utility on your truck, pick from big brands like PIAA lights, KC lights or Hella lights, and see a world of difference.