ALT-1 Gift Ideas for Offroading Enthusiasts
You need a gift for a friend and you know he's an off-road enthusiast, but you don't know the first thing about off-roading. What do you do? Here are some simple suggestions which should help you with finding the gift that shows you really care.
First of all, you want to know the year, make and model of his off-road vehicle. While many parts and accessories can be used on any vehicle, knowing the specifics gives you a much greater selection when you're shopping. Next you want to know a little bit about how your off-roader likes to play. Does he fancy himself a desert racer, flying down rough roads, a rooster tail of dirt shooting wildly from the rear tires, or does he prefer crawling over boulders and large obstacles? Perhaps your off-road enthusiast simply enjoys the great outdoors and uses four wheel drive to take him where he wants to go in the pursuit of other hobbies. Bring up the vehicle in a casual conversation and ask just what he does with that thing. Let him tell you all about it and be sure to listen closely for mention of anything the truck needs. You might even be able to ask where he gets all his off-road equipment when he goes shopping for himself! Play it off and tell him you saw a gigantic 4x4 earlier in the day and you know they don't sell those tires at Sears. Keep in mind you might also get this information from a friend or family member if you're short on time.
Once you know a little more about the truck and how it's used, your next step should be to contact a local expert. Find a local off-road shop and give them a call, explaining your situation and what you know. They should be happy to assist you in selecting the right gift. The desert racer might really enjoy a set of high powered lights so he can see farther in the dark at speed, the rock crawler might need a winch for when he gets stuck, the outdoorsman might find one of those portable GPS systems invaluable when it's time to come home, and you can bet all of them have something to say about their suspension. The professional at the off-road shop can suggest ideas and you can then select the individual model or finish of the product based on your enthusiast's personal style, which is something you probably know more about than the off-road industry.
In the end, an enthusiast is going to be thrilled that you care enough to take time to learn more about his hobby. Presenting him with a gift that shows you put real thought and effort into its selection will make receiving the gift that much more memorable. You still might not know anything about off-roading, but by learning a little more about your off-road enthusiast and his rig, you can go shopping for him with confidence.
