TRUKD’s Philosophy: Talk to Your People | Waypoints | Ep 129

JD sits down with Ben Azam, founder of TRUKD, to talk through how a personal need for a cleaner camp setup turned into a Pittsburgh-built, modular truck bed rack system. They get into real-world fitment quirks (tonneau covers, different bed shapes, and why nothing is truly “standard”), materials and finish choices (stainless vs. aluminum, powder coat, and hardware), and what it actually feels like to scale a product company without losing your mind. Along the way, they swap trail-and-travel stories—Holy Cross plans, Sedona tire fixes, Starlink “just in case” moments, and why paper MVUM/BLM maps still earn a spot in the glovebox.TRUKD (T-R-U-K-D)📍 Trails and DestinationsHoly Cross City (Colorado)Georgetown, ColoradoClear Creek County, ColoradoSedona, ArizonaFlagstaff, ArizonaPoint Pleasant, West Virginia (Mothman country)Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania🛠️ Gear and ToolsTRUKD modular bed rack systemTonneau cover (tri-fold style mentioned)Rooftop tentAwningStarlink satellite internetGlueTread tire repair kitToyo Open Country R/T Trail tiresGaia GPSonX OffroadPurple Lizard MapsUSFS MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map)BLM georeferenced PDF maps🚙 Community and Advocacy GroupsBackroads of AppalachiaGambler 500🚙 Community ShoutoutsBen Azam / TRUKD🗓️ Events and ResourcesOverland Expo EastOverland Expo Pacific Northwest (PNW)Overland Expo Mountain West (Loveland, CO)Mid-Atlantic Overland FestivalRange to Ranch (Idaho)24 Hours of Appalachia: Mothman’s Revenge📞 Get InvolvedCall / voicemail: 719-408-0132Apple PodcastsInstagramWebsiteShopTyriLights