4-Wheel & Off-Road welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include an address or a telephone number so the sender can be verified. Once verified, your name may be withheld at your request. Letters published in this magazine reflect the opinions of the writers, and we reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, or other purposes. Due to the large volume of mail we receive, we regret that we cannot reply to unpublished letters or return photos. Digital photos must measure no less than 1600 x 1200 pixels (or two megapixels) and be saved as a TIFF, an EPS, or a maximum-quality JPEG file.
Write to:
Editor, 4-Wheel & Off-Road
6420 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048-5515
fax 323.782.2704
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4wheeloffroad@sourceinterlink.com
Reader: Does Ready Freddy (readyfreddy.com) really expect anyone to shell out a hunskie-and-a-half for a "Prepared for Anything" kit that doesn't include a single scrap of toilet paper ("Emergency Field Kit," Nov. '07)?
Never underestimate the importance of bum-fluff up on the mountain. There are times one would gladly trade a dozen wind-up cell-phone chargers for but a handful of ass-wipes. While the gauze, bandages, and pad of paper would all do in a pinch, there is really no substitute for a good ol' double-ply pleated soft-seat-squeegee to get you back to camp without sacrificing a sleeve to Mother Nature.
Eric Durkin
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor: Well said, Eric, and we'll make a point to pass this info on to the manufacturers. However, I think the purpose of the emergency kit is for just that, an emergency. As far as I'm concerned, we all use toilet paper every day, therefore I would think that one would be prepared for that. I know that I carry extra paper in every vehicle and field bag I own, as it is useful for a multitude of other purposes as well. While the Ready Freddy is complete for real emergencies, I suggest you carry your own bum wad.
Reader: On page 86 of your Sept. issue, you state, "If the tread is worn more on the outside, the tires are likely overinflated." In the previous sentence, you said that if the outside of the tread is worn more than the middle, you are running underinflated. Do you actually know which of the statements are true? I believe that if the tires are underinflated, they will wear on the outside. And if the tires are over inflated, they will wear more in the middle of the tire. Do you actually read what you write? Actually, I'm just busting your chops. You guys do a great job. Keep up the good work.
Frank Gilbert
Canton, OH
Editor: You are correct, we goofed. It's hard to believe something that basic gets through our editing process, but thanks for showing us the error of our ways.
Reader: When I subscribed to your magazine, no one told me I would only be getting part of the "real" newsstand version. Shame on you for shortchanging your subscribers. Conduct like that is pure greed in action.
Joseph Whobrey
Leitchfield, KY
Editor: Sorry. We wish we could send all our subscribers the premiums included on newsstand editions. However, those premiums cost more to produce, so the extra cost of newsstand sales make up for that difference, not greed on our part. That's also why they are called premium, something extra that you need to pay for.