Holiday gift guides can be great ways for people to find that just-right gift for their special someone. They can also be useless shill pieces aimed at bringing in traffic to their site without anyone actually touching the products—but that’s not the case here! The Crankshaft Culture Holiday Gift Guide features products we’ve actually used…
Continue reading →
Words by Andy Lilienthal; photos by Mercedes Lilienthal When we got our first ARB fridge/freezer, I said if I ever needed to use a cooler again it’d be too soon. Well, that was a stupid thing to say. There are simply times when you need a soft-sided cooler. We found ourselves in such a situation…
Continue reading →
As you know, we recently got a 1998 Honda CR-V. In fact, we drove it from Oregon to Wisconsin and back and only broke down once. (That’s a story for another time.) Before leaving for the frozen midwestern tundra, we put some all-weather Toyo Celsius tires on. No, not all-season, all-weather. If you’re not familiar,…
Continue reading →
The advent of modern technology has brought about smartphones, tablets, and other gizmos outfitted with navigational programs. These include Gaia GPS or OnX Offroad for off-pavement usage or even Waze for on-road travels. However, carrying a compass with you, like the Suunto Global MC-2 G Compass can help you find your way when technology fails….
Continue reading →
Andy and I spend as much time outdoors as possible. It’s our respite from the digital world we’re so attached to. Our latest build, the Travel Tractor Mitsubishi Delica van has allowed us to camp in comfort, no matter if we’re headed to overland shows via our makeshift sleeping platform or by moving the mid-row…
Continue reading →
We reviewed the Aeros Ultralight Deluxe and Aeros Down Sea to Summit inflatable pillows. Are they all they’re cracked up to be or are they filled with hot air? We take a deep dive into both pillow types and share our impressions of each model.
Continue reading →
The Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam provides high-quality, crisp recordings and can give you added security when on the road. We recently received a Nextbase 622GW dash cam for review. At a tune of $399.99, it certainly isn’t the cheapest one on the market but it offers several bells and whistles in exchange for its hefty…
Continue reading →
Australian-based ARB knows a thing or two about living in the Outback. From heavy-duty bumpers and off-road fridges to high-powered auxiliary lights and even awnings, the company has a long-standing reputation for quality, design, and longevity. We review the ARB Touring Awning Kit with Light to see if it stands up to its other products.
Continue reading →
Andy and I have reviewed dozens of products over the years. Some types of gear are utilitarian. Others are brought to market as “design first, function last.” It’s rare that your eyes notice something truly unique and functional and you know with a strong degree of certainty it’ll become a classic. One such product that…
Continue reading →
Next to air, water is the next most precious thing. Without it, especially when traveling remotely, bad things happen. We’ve tested the Sea to Summit 6L Watercell ST to see how it stacks up against its hard-sided water-carrying cousins. Over the years we’ve reviewed a variety of hard-sided water containers. However, they’re bulky and take…
Continue reading →