Overlanding is Dead! Is it? Finally!!

[RBF 1401]

From my experience, food, water, and shelter are usually just a day or two away—which, in my unpublished book, isn’t all that remote. My Bronco gets about 150 miles off-road or so per tank, and in those gaps, there’s always some fuel available. It might be a little out of the way, but it’s there.

Is it smarter to carry extra fuel? Sure. Could you help someone who ran out? Absolutely. But my point in the original comment was that remote parts of the US are very rare. Take a look at the distribution of gas stations in the US vs Australia.

Hopefully, one day I’ll get to travel and overland in Western Australia, that’s been a goal of mine ever since I got into this. I think that’s when it would actually make sense for me to build a full-on overland rig, complete with a rooftop tent and as many jerry cans as I can possibly cram into it.

You're not wrong. Australia is a whole other bird altogether. And yes, a lot of the "overlanding" rigs you see in the U.S. look like they belong in Australia.

But even your map confirms what @jon was saying. The gas stations (and stores) are farther and farther apart in parts of the west.

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[dejones64]

Overlanding, car camping, ... whatever the term is nowadays, I'm still doing it. I don't do extreme trails or offroading. I hit the national and state parks and the occasional BLM/dispersed camp sites. I love it, my kids love it, so I'll keep doing it. Yes I have a RTT on my Bronco and a DIY trailer with RTT/camping gear. If people are "giving it up", that's their choice, just more space for me out there. Enjoy!

 

[turbo_jimbo]

I spent time in the San Rafael Swell last summer. I brought 5 extra gallons of fuel with me. Glad I did too, because a sign on the i80 said last fuel for 130 miles. After a few days out there I made it to the next fuel stop with 2 miles to empty and a very puckered butthole.

I swear there’s an inherent ignorance from living on the east side of the country. Can’t seem to figure out what mid means (calls the mid east the mid west), drive 4 hours and go through 5 states… out here in the west, we can drive through most states for 5-8 hours in one direction and stay in the same state.

 

[ShiftyBronco]

Ohh boy! Driving Line finally dropped a video that’s long overdue. He asks, or states, “Overlanding is Dead”. Ha ha! Link below:



Nice video on the crowd of guys who swarmed the outdoor market as a trend. This is a topic long debated here on the forum and one that I’ve participated in a good bit for the past 5 years.

Upside is, gear and mods will finally come down in price. Wait times for rigs, parts, mods, gear will go back to normal, and these trendies, will now go back to golf or whatever since they don’t actually like outdoors unless there is manicured grass.

Bronco is better than ever, there is good competition for those wanting other options, and the enthusiast can hopefully once again drive this market. (Pun!)

After watching the video, curious on thoughts?

When did people lose the ability to hike to campsites?

 

[EasternSierra]

I spent time in the San Rafael Swell last summer. I brought 5 extra gallons of fuel with me. Glad I did too, because a sign on the i80 said last fuel for 130 miles. After a few days out there I made it to the next fuel stop with 2 miles to empty and a very puckered butthole.

I swear there’s an inherent ignorance from living on the east side of the country. Can’t seem to figure out what mid means (calls the mid east the mid west), drive 4 hours and go through 5 states… out here in the west, we can drive through most states for 5-8 hours in one direction and stay in the same state.

My inlaws drove in eight states in one very long day in the Eastern Seaboard many years ago. Meanwhile, you can drive all day in California, Montana, or Texas and not leave the state.

Looking at that map of gas stations, note the sparse area in western Utah, most of Nevada, far southern Idaho, and southeast Oregon. That's the closest desert area to where I now live, and it's where I'll be taking my Bronco sometimes once it arrives. Yeah, I going to carry extra gas. Driving 100+ miles on dirt roads/trails will really eat up your gas tank.

BTW, the Midwest used to actually be the "mid west" back when the country was a lot smaller. The name stuck and we're still stuck with it today.

 

[gbub]

From my experience, food, water, and shelter are usually just a day or two away—which, in my unpublished book, isn’t all that remote. My Bronco gets about 150 miles off-road or so per tank, and in those gaps, there’s always some fuel available. It might be a little out of the way, but it’s there.

Is it smarter to carry extra fuel? Sure. Could you help someone who ran out? Absolutely. But my point in the original comment was that remote parts of the US are very rare. Take a look at the distribution of gas stations in the US vs Australia.

Hopefully, one day I’ll get to travel and overland in Western Australia, that’s been a goal of mine ever since I got into this. I think that’s when it would actually make sense for me to build a full-on overland rig, complete with a rooftop tent and as many jerry cans as I can possibly cram into it.

The problem with not carrying extra fuel is, without it there are many places where you would just drive in and out without being able to explore the area. As already mentioned, Parashant is a very good example as is The Maze in Canyonland.

Last year a friend and I went into Parashant National Monument and down into Parashant Canyon exploring for pictographs and petroglyphs. I carried over 7 gallons of extra fuel and he caried about the same total with an oversize tank. We spent 3 nights there without going much out of our way. We still had to cut our trip short to go get fuel. It was not worth going back in because the distance was too far.

There are Rangers that periodically patrol Parashant and I was told they are frequently rescuing people that run out of fuel. Most of the time if they are lucky other explorers will help but it is not traveled very much.

I also lead a group into The Maze few years ago. I recommended at least 10 gallons extra fuel. Sure we could go out and fill up but it takes away time exploring and burns more fuel. One of the guys calculated how much fuel he would need based on the distance we were gong to travel. He ended up short on fuel and we ended up modifying our plans so he could get more fuel. His comment on it was; I didn't realize how much more fuel it took to run in low range.

 

[dgorsett]

The problem with not carrying extra fuel is, without it there are many places where you would just drive in and out without being able to explore the area. As already mentioned, Parashant is a very good example as is The Maze in Canyonland.

Last year a friend and I went into Parashant National Monument and down into Parashant Canyon exploring for pictographs and petroglyphs. I carried over 7 gallons of extra fuel and he caried about the same total with an oversize tank. We spent 3 nights there without going much out of our way. We still had to cut our trip short to go get fuel. It was not worth going back in because the distance was too far.

There are Rangers that periodically patrol Parashant and I was told they are frequently rescuing people that run out of fuel. Most of the time if they are lucky other explorers will help but it is not traveled very much.

I also lead a group into The Maze few years ago. I recommended at least 10 gallons extra fuel. Sure we could go out and fill up but it takes away time exploring and burns more fuel. One of the guys calculated how much fuel he would need based on the distance we were gong to travel. He ended up short on fuel and we ended up modifying our plans so he could get more fuel. His comment on it was; I didn't realize how much more fuel it took to run in low range.

My now forty something daughter still thinks cars can run on fumes because thirty years ago I said "we're running on fumes" about a hundred times coming out of the Maze.

And...overlanding dead?? Darn, I just got my first rotopaxish set up 🫥

 

[jon]

I've been to all of those states in my Bronco, what are you even trying to say?

I was just making a bad joke. I sure wish there was an easy way to order a large fuel tank for Bronco or a suitable easy aftermarket add-on. Fuel tank size is one bad thing about the two door.

 

[SierraBronco]

When did people lose the ability to hike to campsites?

Have you seen the average American? They can barely get off the couch

 

[jon]

Have you seen the average American? They can barely get off the couch

As an average American with back pain I am offended (you calling me fat?) and yet completely agree!

 

[broadicustomworks]

Have you seen the average American? They can barely get off the couch

Or in our case, a wife recovering from some brain surgery still a couple years later.
Neither of us are the type to demand change to accommodate every situation.
We simply adapt plans and know the limitations of what is possible as far as hiking, high temps, terrain going into the adventure and plan accordingly.
Sure, we would love to hike for days and boondock it along the way.
But it is what it is.
If she can’t go, I don’t go.

Edit: @SierraBronco this is not aimed your direction.
I simply quoted the last applicable post.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Much respect to the guys out West with the comments on jerry cans or carrying extra fuel. I have no experience off-road out West, but it does look rather sparse in comparison and potentially more dangerous to get stuck if in desert.

Think many who crack jokes at all the Jerry cans hanging off of vehicles back East or down South is that these accoutrements never get used and on rigs that never see dirt. I can tell what a gas can that‘s been used looks like, same with the truck itself, just look inside the wheel wells or the undercarriage.

Spending so much time looking like you do something when you can just be doing it brings into question the thought process and overall point.

Image can easily be achieved by just doing.

 

[Felix808]

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[MadMan4BamaNATL]

@MadMan4BamaNATL just don't get fooled by the likes of this (Actual product)

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[KT_bronco]

That crap may be about the most douche bag thing of them all. Sort of sums it all up right there….

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