I Rode Shotgun with an Off-Road Expert. Here's What I Learned About Our Tech

A Ford vehicle is a promise that the adventure doesn’t have to stop with the pavement. However, within Integrated Services, we recognize that the tech and software inside the vehicle should be just as ready for the backroads as the tires and suspension.

That’s why earlier this year, we launched a collaboration with onX, a leader in outdoor digital navigation, to give eligible Ford owners complimentary access to the onX suite of apps for one year. This includes onX Offroad, onX Fish, onX Hunt, and onX Backcountry, which can be used seamlessly via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with the navigation map displayed on the in-vehicle screen. 

But it’s not enough to just make a great app available. 

To help drivers get the most out of onX, we tapped native Texan, Ford owner, and off-road enthusiast Chase Gentry to share his top off-roading tips in “Chasing Off-Road Confidence,” a YouTube video series. Experts like Chase help demystify the off-roading experience so more people can enjoy the great outdoors, and it’s my job to understand what really matters on the trail and how we can make our tech even better. 

Since the best feedback comes from a GEMBA, I went out to Arizona to meet up with Chase and rode shotgun in his F-150 Raptor — a vehicle built specifically for high performance and speed. 

Here is what I took away from our time together: 

1. A Seamless Interface for Pavement and Dirt Is Key

Our collaboration with onX to bring off-roading navigation directly to the in-vehicle screen via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a great first step to helping customers venture off-road with confidence. “OnX does it all, and the way it syncs up to the vehicle is seamless,” Chase said. 

However, the real magic lies in embedding experiences directly into the vehicle’s display screen. For example, showing the driver key off-road attributes of their vehicle such as pitch, roll, and transfer case status. Imagine you air down your tires to 20-25 PSI to go off-roading. You press the off-road button to hit the trail. Your vehicle knows you’ve transitioned from pavement to dirt, and it automatically adjusts your tire pressure threshold to alert you — but only if it drops below the PSI for off-road, not the pavement. By designing software that can adapt to selected terrain, we’re helping customers focus entirely on the thrill of the trail.

2. Live and Breathe the Lifestyle of Customers

One of the biggest challenges we have is building the right software for everyone, regardless of skill set. We want newcomers to understand their vehicles’ off-roading capabilities so they can enjoy an entirely new world, and we want to give the experts more advanced tools so they can make the most of the trail.

If we want to build software that truly improves the off-roading experience, we have to create it with feedback from people who live and breathe this culture — like Chase, who’s been to the legendary King of the Hammers, goes off-roading with his family, then hits Baja.  

I came away from our time together with many ideas for how we can enhance the experience. I’m going to keep those close to the chest for now, but what I can say is this: Authenticity is our greatest asset, and keeping our ears open to genuine feedback is how we stay ahead. 

3. It’s Not the Features that Define the Drive. It's How They Serve the Driver. 
Amid all the talk of powertrain, terrains, and software, Chase and I connected deeply over our outdoor roots. I found myself reminiscing about my grandfather’s classic F-100, while Chase shared stories of childhood camping trips with his dad and spending time outdoors with his young daughter and wife. 

It reminded me of a fundamental truth: While digital integration and vehicle capability are incredible, they are ultimately just enablers. The true value of a Ford vehicle lies in its ability to help people build memories and share unforgettable experiences. 

My day in the desert solidified my vision for what we’re building at Ford. By blending vehicle capability with software integration, we’re ensuring that the next generation of adventurers can hit the dirt with more confidence than ever before. I’m incredibly grateful to Chase for the ride-along, the honest feedback, and the reminder of why we do what we do.