Overlanding is Dead! Is it? Finally!!

[EasternSierra]

That’s where it started, and where whoever coined the current usage appropriated it from—technically, back in the pre-modern era, it meant that part of any expedition that had to be done not on plane, boat or road.

In the current era, I’ve always thought it meant a camping-like excursion where the getting there is as important and as fun as the being there. So this means the drive should be an exploration in and of itself, and the adventure begins before you get to your first campsite.

So this means you might need a different vehicle than dad’s station wagon, and you might spend more time behind the wheel than in your tent. It’s like inverting the driving vs. hanging out time ratio of a typical camping trip, and having the drive be more fun than chore.

But, as a poster said above—a lot of the overload is silly. Few of us are going to the Antarctic or the Sahara. There’s a gas station at the off ramp and burgers in town, you don’t have to hunt a squirrel.

But fewer people doing what I want to do is almost always a plus in my book, so I hope @Desertchief is right.

Well put.

When I first ran into the term overlanding I though, hey, that's what I've been doing all these decades (minus the RTT, fridge, and stuff hanging off the vehicle). For me it's always been a 4x4 extended-cab pickup with a camper shell on the back and a foam pad on the bed. Gear has been mostly variations on backpacking gear with sleeping bag, little stove, etc. Everything but the sleeping gear (and sometimes a folding chair) fits into the extended cab. The one piece of gear that really got me out of a serious jam once was an old, somewhat rusty folding shovel.

Wow, thank you so much for the kind words. I'm out there a few times a month, get in touch with me so we can do a trip together. I'm solo 90% of the time and could use some company!

Once my Bronco is delivered, I'll be getting back out to the desert and semi-desert areas east of the Cascade-Sierra crests. I'm pretty far away from you but we might just want to meet up sometime in SE Oregon. There's an awful lot there I haven't seen yet.

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[B Miller]

Well put.

When I first ran into the term overlanding I though, hey, that's what I've been doing all these decades (minus the RTT, fridge, and stuff hanging off the vehicle). For me it's always been a 4x4 extended-cab pickup with a camper shell on the back and a foam pad on the bed. Gear has been mostly variations on backpacking gear with sleeping bag, little stove, etc. Everything but the sleeping gear (and sometimes a folding chair) fits into the extended cab. The one piece of gear that really got me out of a serious jam once was an old, somewhat rusty folding shovel.



Once my Bronco is delivered, I'll be getting back out to the desert and semi-desert areas east of the Cascade-Sierra crests. I'm pretty far away from you but we might just want to meet up sometime in SE Oregon. There's an awful lot there I haven't seen yet.

I'm in 100%. I've never seen the SE corner of Oregon!

 

[EasternSierra]

I'm in 100%. I've never seen the SE corner of Oregon!

Thanks! Places I have in mind include Steens Mtn., the Alvord Desert, the Hart Mtn. National Wildlife Refuge, and Warner Valley for starters. Maybe also the rim above Summer Lake.

My Bronco should have been here by some time in April, but with the manual transmission build delays it may not be until summer. I sold my old truck a couple of years ago and a lot has happened between then and now.

 

[WilVis]

For me it's always been a 4x4 extended-cab pickup with a camper shell on the back and a foam pad on the bed.

Always makes me laugh that a grandpa-style fiberglass shell and a carpet kit over a truck bed is really hard to beat for camping. I’ve enjoyed many a night in rain and wind in relative quiet sleeping in the shell of my RAM 1500. No way I’d ever trade solid walls for fabric. (I’m also a hard top Bronco kind of guy.)

 

[EasternSierra]

Always makes me laugh that a grandpa-style fiberglass shell and a carpet kit over a truck bed is really hard to beat for camping. I’ve enjoyed many a night in rain and wind in relative quiet sleeping in the shell of my RAM 1500. No way I’d ever trade solid walls for fabric. (I’m also a hard top Bronco kind of guy.)

I've found, though, that with some creakiness due to age my long-established way of camping is becoming physically harder. I plan to be sleeping in the back of my moar door which I expect will be easier.

The one time the camper shell became a little more of an adventure was the time that it snowed overnight and the rear hatch froze to the shell. I was trapped! A little bit of careful banging with my bare foot managed to break it loose without breaking the glass. Phew...

 

[Wark]

I think the pandemic did create a pop in this space. And I also believe some of that pop is "dying". I have always been a watcher and I am just now working myself into putting something of a "rig" together. I liked the video...just another opinion...not really in any position to criticize anyways. But it does make sense. I used to really like camping, then I had to do it for my job in the Army. Well that kinda ruined me. I lost interest in it. I am trying to resurrect those cool feelings from high school in boy scouts as a 50 year old with 4 almost all grown kids....read get the wife out of the house and have some rugged fun. Maybe we will "quit" rugged camping as well...and opt for cabins on a campground....but I will get to the outdoors! I truly admire some of the guys who post on this forum. They have some great shots of just going somewhere....usually with a dog....setting up at a remote site and making some cool dinner then heading back. Fun to watch. Someday when I am done figuring things out like what my old body can sleep on maybe I will post something. In the mean time...enjoy the outdoors...it is for us to take care of.

Approaching 50 myself, if you camp in a treed area a hammock (or bear burrito) is amazing to sleep in. I have a warbonnet blackbird and tarp. They are pricey for what they are but made for lightweight backpacking. You can also get stands for the hammock I guess for areas without trees.

In the hammocks you sleep at a 25 degree angle which helps you rest more flat.

You can also add insulation / underquilts and things to keep warm in cooler temps.

I find the hammock more comfortable than my own bed. The hard part is convincing the wife to use one, she isn't a fan of it. It's worth trying out at least as an option.

Oh also make sure to get some help with understanding what suspension you want and refresh on tying those knots so you don't fall overnight.

 

[Beach_Bum]

And I thought I had smoked one too many when I heard rap music emanating from the woods.

I’m just gonna go ahead and say the takeaway from this thread is: overlanding is slowing down as more people head to Cabo, rooftop tents can tip you over in certain situations, don’t waste money on an overpriced transformer shovel, and yes—the jerry can Illuminati is real. Also, if you’re 'overlanding' long distances by carriage, watch out for dysentery.

Did I miss anything?

Missed the premise that having soggy food in a sloshing ice chest = TrUe OvErLaNdEr. And those that prefer to not listen to the sloshing ice and having non-soggy food = PoSeUr OvErLaNdEr.

 

[DaPierogiKid]

And I thought I had smoked one too many when I heard rap music emanating from the woods.

I’m just gonna go ahead and say the takeaway from this thread is: overlanding is slowing down as more people head to Cabo, rooftop tents can tip you over in certain situations, don’t waste money on an overpriced transformer shovel, and yes—the jerry can Illuminati is real. Also, if you’re 'overlanding' long distances by carriage, watch out for dysentery.

Did I miss anything?

That Marketing works..

 

[JustWideman]

Honestly this thread is inspiring me to lay out all my gear on the garage floor, and then just start removing.

Here's an interesting example: all the gear acquisition syndrome early on convinced me I needed rotopax for extra fuel. The reality is, I've never once needed extra fuel. I've converted those to waterpax which free'd up quite a lot of storage space inside the vehicle. If I'm going someplace where I think I might want extra fuel, I'll only bring 2 extra gallons.

I just love when the jerry can illuminati descend upon a situation to lecture all the rotopax owners for spending a few extra dollars, knowing full well that we would need to carry it inside the vehicle, add a $2k to $3k bumper swing out, or a swing gate reinforcement that requires us limit our opening to 90 degrees. I suppose you could put them on the roof but I thought the idea was not to put heavy shit up there.

Another thing that has worked out: My EcoFlow glacier fridge, it has its own battery, its AC adapter tolerates the bronco's inverter port. I have 28-30 hours of cold, and running my engine recovers that fully within an hour of motion. It's fantastic, and doesn't require giant battery banks, etc. Its fully automated, it works beautifully. I can turn the damn thing on before I head to the store pre-trip, throw all my supplies and groceries in there, and get on with my trip.

Less is more sometimes. It's like the old John Belushi movie. Expert vs. Influencer

 

[RoLyMa27]

Love this comment. Very succinct and better than I could state it.

Overlanding in the US I think was just a catch all that sounded cool. What Andrew Saint Pierre White does in Australia and used to through Africa is overloading, where there may be an abundance of danger and far less access to supplies which requires self sustainability is to me what overloading is and done for the thrill of exploration and soaking up the feeling of the environment, culture, and elements. Wish I had more time to do it.

Two words he mentioned very briefly are driving most of this behavior. "Likes" on the Gram and the fear of getting "Flexed On" is real.

 

[Mdozier]

You laugh, but I always play my Bluetooth speaker while hiking. I live in grizzly country and I have had numerous close encounters. One of my best friends was mauled to death while fly fishing at our favorite fishing hole 2 years ago. I consider my Bluetooth speaker my first line of defense, grizzlies have great hearing. And they hate the mumble rap I’m playing.

Not to derail here but I’m very sorry to hear this. We were up in the Joe Brown area fishing a couple years ago and there was an attack near our take out a couple days later. Kinda makes me feel not too bad about the speaker my buddy plays while we’re out.

As far as ”overlanding” I grew up car camping as vacation since early 60’s. My folks graduated to a Coleman pop-up we dragged behind the station wagon and it is still some of my best memories.
Roof-top, drag-behind, or canvas 6 person palatial tent, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s used and enjoyed in my view.

I think the thing that makes me “look away” and shake my head are the vehicles that have so much stuff bolted and strapped everywhere like they’re ready for a long trip in the wilderness but they’re parked in a HC spot while shopping.

 

[RoLyMa27]

My thing is that just because someone says something that may not agree with you, doesn't mean they are hating; they just don't agree and have a different perspective.

I can't count how many times I have said that very thing. Someone posts on here "how do ya'll like my new "______". As soon as a few members come along and say "I don't like it". It won't be long before the "Ignore all the haters" posts start showing up. I'M NOT A HATER...I just don't like the Freewheeling Bronco!!!

 

[Badrap]

I was the hardest core, back country, tent camping freak there was. From hunting/camping with dad, motorcycling/camping and remote hiking/camping. I used to scoff at the RV crowd thinking they were posers and "soft". Then, I turned 60. One day I woke up with the tent covered in a surprising snow, cold with an aching back and knees from the hike the day before. Top that with a pesky black bear looking to get my last ramen boil - it took a blast from the 12 gauge a few feet over his head to get him to back-off. Got home and and started looking at truck campers. Settled on an Arctic Fox 1150 in the bed of a RAM 3500. I'll never tent camp again. After a long hike or hunt, a hot shower with a fridge full of treats and beer, a queen size bed, a propane fire pit, hard bear-proof fiberglass between my ass and the animals?? Call me "soft". As far as overlanding with that set-up, we've managed to wedge it into some pretty tight spots, even while flat towing the JK or Braptor. Retirement is coming and you'll be seeing me and my woman perusing the western US and Canada in search of good beer, good weather and good 'wheelin'. And yes, we've already seen way less people out and about so maybe the craze is dying - good for us older timers who've roughed it before "roughing it" was a thing. Happy Friday, all.

 

[Steve B]

My take on having too much gear or not needing an RTT:

I went in the Army in 1987 and initially I was riding an M60 Tank (Vietnam Era tank) GD engineered a new tank. It was more comfortable, reliable, survivable, etc. We embraced the newer tech that made our lives better. We didn't stick with the old tank because that is how we always tanked before.

I started off roading in a 1980 Chevy Luv, manual, 4 banger with may-pops. That has evolved through various off roaders and now is with 2 very capable new Gen Broncos. The Chevy Luv was a blast, but my Broncos take us further than it ever could.

My camping went from a tent and a cooler and a Recon 250 to a small toy hauler with a generator and some bad ass Hondas.
Now I am running an ikamper RTT on my Bronco I can air down/up with my 4 tire system in minutes. I have extra fuel so I dont have to leave the trails to get gas. I never need ice and my beer is always cold because of my Iceco Fridge. I can winch you out of a hole, when you get stuck and put out your fire when your rig is in a bind. I bring what I need so me and my wife can enjoy our time out there and be comfortable and have fun.

I say bring what you want and call it what you want, as long as you get em dirty, don't trash the forest, unplug form the internet and are having a blast.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

My take on having too much gear or not needing an RTT:

I went in the Army in 1987 and initially I was riding an M60 Tank (Vietnam Era tank) GD engineered a new tank. It was more comfortable, reliable, survivable, etc. We embraced the newer tech that made our lives better. We didn't stick with the old tank because that is how we always tanked before.

I started off roading in a 1980 Chevy Luv, manual, 4 banger with may-pops. That has evolved through various off roaders and now is with 2 very capable new Gen Broncos. The Chevy Luv was a blast, but my Broncos take us further than it ever could.

My camping went from a tent and a cooler and a Recon 250 to a small toy hauler with a generator and some bad ass Hondas.
Now I am running an ikamper RTT on my Bronco I can air down/up with my 4 tire system in minutes. I have extra fuel so I dont have to leave the trails to get gas. I never need ice and my beer is always cold because of my Iceco Fridge. I can winch you out of a hole, when you get stuck and put out your fire when your rig is in a bind. I bring what I need so me and my wife can enjoy our time out there and be comfortable and have fun.

I say bring what you want and call it what you want, as long as you get em dirty, don't trash the forest, unplug form the internet and are having a blast.

I think that “unplug from the internet” part is actually the key point of all of this. I get having a SAT phone for emergencies (good idea), but often probably not necessary. Isn’t the idea of getting away to GET AWAY? Maybe you can’t work or your kids will be bored. That’s the idea. I appreciate the content creators and enjoy their videos, but that shouldn’t be everyone’s aspiration. It’s like going to a concert where everyone’s filming with their phone—just watch the concert people! You’re THERE!

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