Joseph Patam, also known as @the_greatwhite, is well-known on Instagram for tearing up the hills of Southern California in his epic White 2027 Toyota Tundra Platinum 4X4. We caught up with Joseph to find out what four-wheel driving means to him, his top tips for newbies and why he goes by the name, The Great White.
“These vehicles allow us to see some of the best landscapes in the world. To be able to do that while bonding with close ones makes for some of the best memories that life has to offer.”
What is your vehicle set-up?
So far I’m on a seven lift, King shocks and 38” tires. I’m running a Rhino-Rack Reconn-Deck with Pioneer Platform and I’m hoping to add a Batwing Awning in the near future. I’m loving the Reconn-Deck. It’s more sporty looking than other decks but still provides a lot of space to be able to carry more gear. Being able to wire lights within the rack is also a huge plus! I plan to also use the rack to transport my surfboards to the beach for surf season. It’s definitely multi-purpose.
What gear can you not go without on the road?
If you’re talking about a technical aspect, recovery gear is a must. Sometimes you can be way off-grid without cell service so you’ll need to be able to get yourself out of sticky situations. If we’re talking luxury, then I’d say we always need to have some good food and drinks while exploring. So cooking gear and a cooler is a must.
How did you come up with the name The Great White?
The Great White is symbolic of the Great White Shark. It is fearless and relentless yet so beautiful and majestic. The top of the food chain. Nothing gets in its way. It’s a symbol of strength. This is exactly how I feel while driving my truck: I’m powerful and I can go anywhere.
What do you love about 4WDing?
The best thing about off-roading is spending time with friends and family, soaking up the scenery and enjoying each other's company. These vehicles allow us to see some of the best landscapes in the world. To be able to do that while bonding with close ones makes for some of the best memories that life has to offer.
It’s also great for making friends. On our last trip up the coast of California, we ran into a father and son who were visiting from Australia. They were so intrigued by the size of my truck that they asked to take photos of it and of me as well. We chatted with them a bit and I remember thinking how awesome it was to be able to chat with someone from another country, all because we share a passion for off-roading.
Do you have a favourite 4WDing spot?
Living in Southern California, there isn’t a shortage of destinations to explore from mountains to deserts and the coast. My favorite is anything with an ocean or lake view. I believe in keeping the wild, wild, so you’ll need to go explore for yourself!
Do you have any tips for 4WDers looking to hit the road?
- Always travel in a group at first. It's always better to have someone who could help should an issue arise, or even someone to drive you back to safety if it gets really bad.
- Pack more food and drinks than you anticipate you'll need just in case.
- Don't explore a trail for the first time at night. It's better to explore it during the day and come back another night once you're familiar with the trail.
- Be sure to pack recovery tools and first aid kits. It's always better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.
- Lastly, stop to take in the views. Some places have a lot of history and we're lucky enough to be able to explore them.
Follow The Great White’s adventures:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_greatwhite
