The Source

The Source is a collection of purposeful posts that help simply some of the biggest (and most confusing) topics in offroading. For everyone's safety, we want all of our customers to be educated before they hit any trail. The Source is here to help. Did we miss a topic? Hit us up @valoroffroad

backspacing vs offset what is the difference powersports utv atv
Backspacing

Wheel Offset vs. Backspacing

4+3? 6+1? 25mm? We put to bed the UTV industry debate on what measurement is better, why we use wheel offset and wheel backspacing in the powersports industry, and we do a deep dive into why each m...
Wide Stance UTV Wheel Kits
UTV

Wide Stance UTV Wheel Kits

Wide stance kits are all the rage right now. The biggest reason you'll see people run a wide stance kit is improved stability. The wider the vehicle, the better cornering, turning, climbing and  pr...
What happens when a tire is over inflated?
Learn

What happens when a tire is over inflated?

When you are mounting a tire to a wheel there are several warnings and risks that need to be considered, primarily overinflation. We break down the science of professional wheel and tire mounting s...
What is a Wheel PCD and How to Measure
UTV

What is a Wheel PCD and How to Measure

PCD is short for 'pitch circle diameter'. This is the label given to the particular circular bolt pattern used to hold the wheels onto your vehicle. The most common PCDs you'll find on UTVs and ATV...
Polaris Xpedition Accessories
New

Polaris Xpedition Accessories

So, you're looking for new accessories for your Polaris Xpedition eh? We put together a collection of some of the best upgrades, accessories and parts we recommend adding to your Xpedition build li...
UTV Sand Kit Buyers Guide
Learn

UTV Sand Kit Buyers Guide

Do you need beadlock UTV wheels for riding in the dunes/sand? What PSI do I need to run? What are the best utv wheels for sand? Best utv tires for sand? We answer all of these questions and more in...
CanAm Maverick R Wheels & Tires
Learn

CanAm Maverick R Wheels & Tires

Now that you've ordered your brand new Can-Am Maverick R, you're now looking the exact OEM specs for wheels, tires and brakes right? This post was put together especially for you, you're welcome. D...
Principles of Tread Lightly!
Learn

Principles of Tread Lightly!

Tread Lightly! is a non-profit organization that leads a national initiative to promote the responsible use of motorized vehicles when recreating outdoors. Their goal is to balance the off-road and...
ATV Tires vs UTV Tires
Fitment

ATV Tires vs UTV Tires

What is the difference between UTV and ATV tires? Are UTV and ATV tires the same? Well, kinda, but we break down the differences anyway. Let's discuss.
Best 2025 UTV Events
UTV

Best 2025 UTV Events

Looking for the best UTV events this year? We put together a list of the top events in the United States so you don't miss out. Explore remote destination with professionally guided trail rides. Ch...
UTV Tires 101 Crash Course
Learn

UTV Tires 101 Crash Course

Tires are a technological feat considering they are the only part of your UTV that connects with the trail. We take for granted how important tire technology, manufacturing techniques and durometer...
Does lightweight matter?
Learn

Does lightweight matter?

Wheel design/style is the primary consideration when considering whether or not you want to quickly drop unnecessary weight. Bulky styling can quickly increase weight, pushing your wheel well past ...
What are DOT approved UTV Tires?
Learn

What are DOT approved UTV Tires?

DOT approved UTV tires, DOT rated UTV Tires. What in the world makes these things DOT anyway? We break down that the definition of a DOT approved UTV tire is and why it matters to you, the drivers ...
Rims or Wheels? What's the difference?
Learn

Rims or Wheels? What's the difference?

You've heard both right? Wheels or Rims? Which is the correct way of referencing the circular metal things that you mount tires on? We throw our two-cents on the subject and explain why we use both.
What is a Flow Formed Wheel?
Learn

What is a Flow Formed Wheel?

There is more than one way to skin a cat when it comes to UTV wheel manufacturing. Valor Offroad utilizes multiple manufacturing techniques depending on the product to ensure the highest quality UT...
How is a tire made?
Learn

How is a tire made?

We take for granted the technical experience and unique materials required to manufacture the only thing touching the ground when we're driving our vehicles, our tires. Learn the steps needed to so...
What is the best UTV wheel
Learn

What is the best UTV wheel

Looking for the best UTV wheel in the industry? What makes one brand different from the next and why is there such a big swing in strength, sizing options, customization and price. Learn why the be...
Top 10 items you need in your trailer
Trailer

Top 10 items you need in your trailer

Getting ready for a weekend in the wild with your UTV or ATV and looking for some last minute additions to make the best of your trip? Check out our top 10 things we ALWAYS carry with us in our enc...
What is a Dual-Drill UTV Wheel?
Fitment

What is a Dual-Drill UTV Wheel?

A dual drilled wheel is a wheel that is drilled with two sets of bolt holes. With this additional set of holes, dual drill wheels can accept two different bolt patterns. On all dual-drill wheels, t...
Tire Durometer Ratings
Learn

Tire Durometer Ratings

Durometer numbers simply represent a relative comparison of hardness between different but similar materials that have had their hardness measured using the same durometer scale, device and measure...
Unsprung vs Sprung Weight
Learn

Unsprung vs Sprung Weight

Lightweight? Forged? Flow Formed? You need new wheels but you're confused as to what the hype is surrounding wheel weights and construction right? We take a deep nerdy dive on why lightweight wheel...
Restoring an older UTV or ATV
Learn

Restoring an older UTV or ATV

Getting the most out of your older or used UTV or ATV requires patience, creativity and a good grasp of the essentials to spend money on to make your offroad adventures more awesome than awful. Lea...
How to Install Beadlock Wheels
Learn

How to Install Beadlock Wheels

Want to know how to mount your new Valor Offroad UTV beadlock wheels on your tires? We're here to help with a The Source instructional post on best practices. Let us know if you have any additional...
Explain Tire Sidewall Marks
Learn

Explain Tire Sidewall Marks

It's one things to know your tire's brand and model, but what do all of the other markings on the tire's sidewall actually mean? The dirt is in the details, let's jump into what makes each tire tru...
What is a tire bead gap
Learn

What is a tire bead gap

There is more than meets the eye when you dissect how a tire and wheel combo inflates, stays inflated and why some wheels and tires shouldn't be matched together. We take a deep dive into what make...
How much does a UTV weight?
Learn

How much does a UTV weight?

Weight matters, especially when you're trying to figure out what trailer can support your new toy. We put together a list of all popular makes/models of UTVs on the market so you know exactly how m...
Guide to buying a UTV or ATV
Learn

Guide to buying a UTV or ATV

You've decided make the plunge and get yourself a new toy, but where do you start? So many choices, so many decisions! We're here to simplify your journey so that you land on the right vehicle for ...
What is a bolt pattern?
Fitment

What is a bolt pattern?

Your vehicle's bolt pattern is one of, if not the, first criteria that needs to be considered when determining if a wheel will fit your car or not. The bolt pattern is the number and spacing of the...
Tire Pressure on Your UTV
Learn

Tire Pressure on Your UTV

Air will expand when heated and contract when cooled. This makes fall and early winter months the most critical times to check inflation pressures. The rule of thumb is for every 10° Fahrenheit cha...
What is a Centerbore?
Learn

What is a Centerbore?

The centerbore of a wheel is the size of the machined hole on the back of the wheel that centers the wheel properly on the hub of the vehicle. Centerbores on wheels are typically a standard size in...
UTV Tires Made in the USA
Learn

UTV Tires Made in the USA

We've all heard why buying local can make a huge difference, but maybe you haven't taken the time to really think about the power of your buying decisions. This quick post touches base on the subtl...
What makes Valor Different
UTV

What makes Valor Different

We've been doing this for a long time. We don't claim to know everything so we're not scared to jump in head first to learn. Valor Offroad is a small group of incredibly passionate offroad innovato...
Why you should tighten your lugs
Learn

Why you should tighten your lugs

I'd like to tell you that the featured image of this post is a stock image I found online. It isn't, and the events that led to this catastrophic failure in both judgement and mechanics we're both ...
What is a tire section width?
UTV

What is a tire section width?

The section width of a UTV tire is typically the first measurement that is stamped or raised on the sidewall. Sometimes in mm but more often in inches, the section width is crucial to understand so...
Valor Offroad Casting Process
UTV

Valor Offroad Casting Process

The automotive industry has relied upon low-pressure die casting for decades to create strong, high-quality aluminum casts. However, due to its relatively slow casting process. Low-pressure die cas...
What Exactly is An Overland Vehicle?
Learn

What Exactly is An Overland Vehicle?

More often than not, the guy talking about his next overlanding vehicle is just building a really capable UTV that can go anywhere. What makes a vehicle a "true" overlanding vehicle can be murky bu...
How to handle a flat tire
Learn

How to handle a flat tire

Your day finally came and you got that infamous flat tire. What now? What do you need to fix? Knowing how to safely get you, your passengers, and your UTV back to trailhead requires some preparatio...
SRA vs IRS ATV
Fitment

SRA vs IRS ATV

For decades, enthusiasts have debated the better of the two: Solid Rear Axle (SRA) vs. Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). But which ATV is actually better for you? We took a deep dive into what mak...
UTV Gear Checklist
Learn

UTV Gear Checklist

Heading out for a quick day trip? Maybe your packing for a week-long epic traverse through state borders? No matter the distance, time of year or style or riding you prefer, we put together a list ...
New Polaris UTV Wheels & Tires
New

New Polaris UTV Wheels & Tires

The new models of Polaris UTV and ATV are rolling out and we put together a list of the hottest new wheels, tires and accessories for you to take them from stock to stunners. See whats new for Pola...
Winter Offroading Packing List
Learn

Winter Offroading Packing List

So you you're lucky enough to live in an area that has snow or weather cold enough to be considered "winter"? With the right planning, the right basic gear, and realistic expectations, you're in fo...
Why Do I Need New Lug Nuts
Learn

Why Do I Need New Lug Nuts

Wondering why your new wheels require a set of new lugs to install? It's a common question we get asked so we figured we'd pull back the curtain and explain why it's common practice to need new lug...
How to pick the right size trailer for your utv atv
Learn

What is the Best UTV Trailer?

You found the perfect ATV or UTV at your favorite local dealer... now what?  Finding the best trailer for your new machine is a tedious endeavor. Make sure you get exactly what you need while not b...
Why You Need UTV Beadlock Wheels
Fitment

Why You Need UTV Beadlock Wheels

Deciding whether or not you need beadlock wheels is a decision thousands have had to make before you. Are they worth the extra $? Will they properly hold my tire? I heard they're a pain to maintain...
How do I clean my wheels?
UTV

How do I clean my wheels?

Follow these easy steps to keep your wheels in tip top shape and extend the life of your finish. Skip the BS and empty promises of expensive products and keep a few simple ingredients on hand for a...
Unofficial Guide to Off-Roading
UTV

Unofficial Guide to Off-Roading

We've put together the unofficial guide to UTV off-roading for those of you just starting out, just bought your first UTV or ATV, or maybe it's just been awhile since you hit the trails. We're upda...
UTV Offroad Glossary
Learn

UTV Offroad Glossary

We've all been there. You're talking to an offroad friend and they use a word or phrase you've heard before but never grasped the full meaning. We've got you covered with The Source - UTV Offroad G...

NEW UTV PRODUCTS

We spend most of the year behind the scenes developing innovative products to boost performance and styling on and off the trail. Check out our most recent additions to the Valor Offroad lineup!