HUTTO — Farmers, ranchers, hunters, racers and recreational thrill-seekers are fueling the growth in the off-road vehicle market and driving business to custom shops such as Krawltex Motorsports, according to co-owner Joey Sanchez.
A report from data analysis company Fact.MR indicates the market for off-road vehicles in the United States is estimated to be $12.1 billion in 2023, with 8.1% growth over last year.
“There is a big off-road community in Hutto and really all over Central Texas,” said Sanchez, who co-owns Krawltex with founder Cameron Chin. “This area really is great for off-road, and being Texas, everybody has trucks and we do truck customizing also.”
The fabrication and parts shop at 3333 CR 119, Suite 46 had its grand opening in September.
Chin opened the original Krawltex in Austin around 2005, then relocated to Cedar Park. He closed the shop when he moved in 2012, according to Sanchez. Chin recently returned to the area and he and Sanchez began building a 1976 Ford Bronco together, then decided to reopen Krawltex as partners.
“Krawltex had been the No. 1 off-road custom fabrication shop in the area, so when we announced we were bringing it back, everybody was excited,” Sanchez said. “There’s nobody really doing custom fabrication for off-road stuff the way Krawltex had been.”
In addition to custom-vehicle fabrication and modifications, the company sells specialized after-market parts including truck and Jeep accessories. But what sets it apart is the staff’s passion for off-road racing vehicles, Sanchez said.
“Both Cameron and I have raced off-road trucks. We’ve raced all over the country and in Mexico, so we’re really familiar with off-road race car set-ups and suspensions,” Sanchez said. “If people can dream it, then we can make it. We’re kind of crazy that way — we’ll take on any custom fabrication job.”
Not every customer comes to Krawltex with an off-road need. Sanchez said the company has welded special modifications for trailers and even food trucks.
“Our No. 1 goal is to make sure the customer is happy,” he said. “We pride ourselves on doing everything with excellence. We have competitive prices but the quality you get is going to be topnotch.”
Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays by appointment.
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