Ninth Annual Salt Lake Off-Road Expo-Backcountry At Its Best
As always, keep the rubber side down- Quadman
Written By Lynn R. Blamires for My Local Utah
The Ninth Annual Salt Lake Off-Road Expo ended on Saturday, March 2nd. The mild February weather we had leading up to opening day made it appear as though Mother Nature was caught off guard. However, she made up for it Saturday afternoon with a massive snowstorm as a reminder that it is not spring yet. I was glad to be inside the expo instead of in the Real Salt Lake Stadium stands at the Snow Bowl across the street.
More To See At This Year’s Expo
It sounds cliché to say, “This show was bigger and better than ever,” but it was. Imagine 260,000 square feet of floor space full of wall-to-wall off-road excitement. The stage was running continually with educational and promotional programs. Over 60,000 dollars in prizes were given away. In one way, the show was more significant this year because I was surprised to see 39-inch tires on a Polaris RZR last year. This year, RZR had 49-inch tires. Over four feet high – now that is ground clearance! Last year, the number of people drawn to this event grew from 26 to 32 thousand. That number was 36,000 this year—vendor space sold out in December last year. The number of vendors and the variety of their products was remarkable. As I strolled through the hall, I came across these booths that caught my eye:
TrailMater Off-Road Recovery
Off-road recovery has interested me since I wrote an article on Casey’s Off-Road Recovery business in Hurricane, Utah. TrailMater had a good-looking recovery truck that reminded me of Tow-Mater in the Cars movie. They showed me the value of a kinetic rope in vehicle recovery, so I added one to my emergency kit.
Grizzly Joes Seasonings
Trail cuisine is a hobby topic, so seasonings caught my attention. The booth reminded me that I have a bottle of Butt Rub at home. You are supposed to use it on pork in the process of smoking meat. I know that now.
Big Mountain Lodge
This Ferron resort has developed over the past five years into a delightful place to stay. The owners, Brad and Julie Benson, were at their booth. I have planned an event there in April, and the headquarters for The Swell Jamboree will also be hosted at this resort in April.
Jumping Jack Trailers
It’s a most versatile trailer. It is an ATV trailer, a tent trailer, and a utility trailer all in one. After you unload your machines, a pop-up tent stored underneath will serve your camping needs. I learned that camping is where you spend a small fortune to live like a homeless person.
Rhino Hitches
If you haul a trailer, you learn about hitches. I wrote an article about the Rhino Hitch that I tested in 2019. It adjusts easily to the correct height without having to change out hitches. I met a friendly guy with a beard who went by the name of Peaches.
Barbudo Beard Products
Speaking of beards, I saw many people with beards at the show. Well, just guys. You don’t have to have a beard to drive off-road. I don’t have one, but many people do, so this booth fits right in.
Mile Marker Winches
Mile Marker had a booth at the show last year, where I met Bennett Jackson. They have developed a winch that pulls fewer amps than other winches. This is an essential feature with all accessories pulling amps on OHVs. Look for an article on a test I will do with a Mile Marker Winch.
Rocky Mountain Sherp
I am familiar with the Sherp. It is about as ultimate as you can get regarding OHVs. I wrote an article in 2019 about an adventure on Pine View Reservoir in a Sherp. It is amphibious with oversized tires.
InstaPrivy=Instant Privacy
Another booth offered the InstaPrivy – a complete and lightweight solution to “going” in the backcountry. It consists of a cover that balances on your head with an army-green nylon cover that drops around you while you sit peacefully in a private moment. With the right coloring, you might pass for a large tree stump.
It was a great show; catch vendors you might not have seen here. If you completely missed it and love the backcountry, plan to go next spring. When you enter the backcountry, take plenty of water and keep a keen eye on the weather forecast. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the backcountry, and being aware of any incoming storms or shifts in temperature can make all the difference in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Additionally, always inform someone of your planned route and expected return time before heading out, and carry essential safety gear such as a map, compass, first aid kit, and emergency supplies. Remember, preparation is vital to a successful backcountry adventure. As always, keep the rubber side down.