Experience the thrill of overlanding, learn from expos, and get top off-road tips.

The Rough Draft: Lifestyle Archive

Lifestyle

Overland & Camping

Off-Roading

Hunting & Fishing

Trail-Riding

Tailgating

Trail Crew

Upcoming Events

2021

Ford

truck

covers

hard-fold

soft-fold

roll-up

retractable

Overlanding

camping

outdoors

Maverick

Ranger

Toyota

Tundra

Tacoma

Colorado

Alpine

Loop

Bronco

lift

Nissan

Frontier

Jeep

Gladiator

Can-Am

Explore new builds and get inspired to take your own ride to the next level.

The Rough Draft: Builds Archive

Builds

Get in-depth information and tips on all things off-road.

The Rough Draft: Shop Talk Archive

Shop Talk

Discover what's coming: new vehicles and exciting R&D breakthroughs.

The Rough Draft: First Look Archive

First Look

Spotlighting the standout builds of our Ambassadors and Coalition members.

The Rough Draft: In the Spotlight Archive

In the Spotlight

Keep your cool on scorching trail days. Discover the best ways to stay hydrated, protect your vehicle, and enjoy hot-weather overlanding.

The sun's beating down, your tires are clawing through dirt, and that cab starts feeling like an oven on wheels. Whether you're out for a full-blown overlanding weekend or just hitting a trail after work, one thing’s for sure—staying cool isn’t just about comfort, it’s about safety.

Keeping a Cool Head on Hot Trails: Survival Tips for Off-Roading in the Heat

Rough Country hit the sand at Jeepin’ the Coast 2025 with our Gladiator build, dealer meetups, and gear that got people talking. From soft top tips to TJ upgrades, here’s what Jeepers asked—and what’s coming next.

There’s something about the coast that makes everything feel a little more relaxed—especially when it’s lined with thousands of Jeeps. This year’s Jeepin’ the Coast in Gulfport was the kind of gathering that reminds you why you got into off-roading in the first place. No pressure, no posturing—just people who enjoy their rigs and a weekend spent doing what they love.

Sand, Sun, and Suspensions: Rough Country Hits the Beach

Rough Country made its Overland Expo debut in Flagstaff, Arizona—connecting with the off-road community, showcasing top gear, and hitting the trails in Sedona. Here’s what went down.

Overland Expo West isn’t just another event on the calendar—it’s one of the biggest gatherings of off-roaders, gearheads, and outdoor explorers in the country. This year, Rough Country set up shop in Flagstaff, Arizona for the first time, and the response spoke volumes. Between product conversations, trail stories, and a steady flow of sticker sheets and patches, it was clear we were in the right place. The weekend was packed with smart builds, strong connections, and honest feedback—exactly what we came for.

Rough Country Heads West 

Get your vehicle ready for summer with this off-road prep guide. Includes a maintenance checklist, must-have gear, and safety tips for summer trails and road trips.

Summer’s rolling in—and that means weekend trips, muddy tires, and long days under the sun. Whether you're heading out for a day on the trails, a weekend at the lake, or just chasing that “any excuse to drive” feeling, your rig needs to be just as ready as you are.
We put together a quick guide to help you get ahead of the heat. A little prep now saves a lot of trouble later.

Summer Vehicle Prep: Simple Tips to Get Your Rig Trail-Ready

Rough Country showed up strong at Jeep Beach 2025—see the builds we brought, the feedback we heard, and what Jeep fans are asking for next.

If you couldn’t make it to Jeep Beach this year, no worries—we’ve got the highlights. Thousands of Jeep enthusiasts rolled into Daytona Beach, and Rough Country was right in the thick of it. From purpose-built rigs to product feedback and real conversations with the community, this wasn’t just another event. It was a chance to connect, listen, and show what we’re all about.
We had a solid crew on-site at Jeep Beach this year, with <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jason Birkes, <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">AJ Tate, and <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Kevin Wagner representing Rough Country alongside our ambassadors, who brought a well-built <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">JKU and an eye-catching <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">TJ, both outfitted with Rough Country gear. Together, they made sure our booth was more than just a stop—it was a place to connect, swap stories, and talk shop.

Jeep Beach 2025: Rough Country Shows Up and Stands Out

Rough Country brought the heat to MOORE Expo 2025 with the LC250 build, Jeep Gladiator, and overlanding gear that had attendees buzzing all weekend.

There’s something special about rolling into the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and seeing rigs from every corner of the country—and this year’s MOORE Expo didn’t disappoint. If you’re into overlanding gear, killer vehicle builds, and swapping trail stories with people who just get it, this was your kind of show.

Rough Country at MOORE Expo 2025: Big Builds, Big Buzz, and Even Bigger Ideas

Rough Country returns to Mud Nationals 2025 at Sabine ATV Park—connecting with UTV and ATV riders, showcasing gear, and getting feedback.

Burkeville, Texas set the scene for one of the Southeast’s biggest off-road events: Mud Nationals 2025 at Sabine ATV Park. Thousands of UTV and ATV riders gathered for a long weekend of trail riding, mud challenges, and gear showcases. And Rough Country was right there in the mix, checking in on one of the most energized corners of the powersports world.

Rough Country Returns to Mud Nationals 2025

This year marked our first-time attending Orange Beach Invasion, and let’s just say—it won’t be our last. Here’s what stood out, why it matters, and what we learned about the builds folks create today with brands like Rough Country.

If you’ve never been to Orange Beach Invasion in Orange Beach, Alabama, it’s hard to describe the full scene until you’re standing in the middle of it. The show was packed with high-impact builds, from massive lift kits and forged wheels to over-the-top lighting and sound systems. Mixed in were rows of lowered trucks and mini trucks, each polished to perfection with a serious show-and-shine focus.

Orange Beach Invasion 2025 

Spring means mud—make sure your rig is ready. Explore the best mud-terrain tires and off-road essentials to stay moving when the trail gets tough.

Say goodbye to winter’s icy grip and hello to fresh mud, clear skies, and prime off-roading conditions. Whether you’re conquering rocky terrain, splashing through puddles, or cruising scenic backroads, the real fun begins in spring. But before you throw it in 4WD and take off, a little preparation goes a long way. From gearing up your rig to picking the best trails, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of spring off-roading.

Top Tips for Spring Off-Roading: Gear, Trails, and Vehicle Prep Essentials

Compare the best truck and Jeep front bumpers for off-road driving, overlanding, hunting, and daily use. Find the right fit for your next adventure.

Your front bumper takes the hit before anything else.
Mud. Rocks. Tree branches. Tight trails. Every truck or Jeep owner eventually learns the same thing: factory bumpers were built for commuting, not adventure.
A stock bumper works fine for everyday driving. But once your truck starts seeing hunting camps, overlanding trips, rough backroads, or weekend trail rides, you start wanting more protection and more capability up front.
The right front bumper adds recovery options, better clearance, lighting mounts, and aggressive styling that makes your build feel complete.
Here’s what you gain:
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Better front-end protection </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Improved ground clearance and approach angles </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Winch and recovery mounting points </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Extra lighting options for night trails </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Heavy-duty steel or aluminum construction </li>
</ul>
For many truck and Jeep owners, the bumper becomes the centerpiece of the build. It’s one of the first things people notice rolling into camp or pulling up at the trailhead.

7am - 7pm	Monday-Fri
8am - 5pm	Saturday
Closed	Sunday

The Rough Draft

Latest Articles

Shop By Category

Videos

Talk to a Build Expert

Stay Connected