Driving Line VOLUME V ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2019 | Page 51

To haul additional gear along with his fullsize spare, a dual-swing-
out tire carrier and bumper system from Aluminess was added. Like
the ladders secured to each side, all of the Aluminess products are
comprised of lightweight aluminum. Adding a place for his mountain
bikes to securely mount is a bike rack from 1Up.
Tires were a critical part of the equation, as long-distance travel,
often hundreds of miles from service, demands reliable equipment. For
this build, a 35x12.50R17 Nitto Ridge Grappler was picked for its ability
to handle the off-highway demands while providing proper on-road
handling and comfort. The unique best-of-both-worlds rubber was paired
with a set of 17x9 KMC XD129 Holeshot wheels.
To finish the interior, the van was shipped to Sportsmobile in Texas. There, the team crafted a setup that would balance the owner’s storage and comfort needs.
Given this isn’t Chad Christy’s first expedition-style van, he knew what interior comforts he needed and what bells and whistles he could easily live without. While
storage was very high on the priority list, the addition of a fridge, sink and usable counter space makes living off the grid much easier.
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