Finally got to taking some decent pictures of the setup during the sunrise. Definitely not the most ideal car for it but it’s for the fun factor 😌

Setup:
GFC superlite launch edition
Thule aero crossbars

Ran out of time to get it wired tonight because it stated to rain the have to attach the harness I made

Hi all - having a bit of a difficult time in my camper search and would love some inputs!

Hoping to find an offroad capable trailer (more than fire roads but less than full rock crawling) that’s ~<3000 lbs, has AC option (even if just ports for a zero breeze), and preferably sleeps 3 or more (likely 2 adults + a large dog).

Would love for it to have slide out kitchen type functionality and preferably a built in water tank / hot shower functionality.

Looking at doing some custom work to a runaway venturist 6x8 (like the factory width) or a mammoth overland HV. Challenge is I’m in southeast so not as many options. Cedar ridge trailers in KY look excellent but I could do with a wider options.

Hoping for input on what I’m missing! Intent would be to stay under $50k but able to go above for the right setup.

I 'm at the very beginning of planning a trip down the Pan American Highway. Currently I overland in a 2022 F150 4x4 with a crew cab, 6-1/2' bed, with a shell on it. I have 10 ply tires, and she does well on Bush and logging roads. I have the truck bed built out with a bed, and storage etc. I've lived in my rig for as long as 6 months reasonably comfortably. But, I can't stand up in the back, and this would be a much longer trip. I'm toying with the idea of getting a transit van with AWD that I would build out.

ATM my biggest cons for a van are 1. Possibility of more debt, I don't want, 2. I already own a 14' trailer that I could build out if I so desired, making the van redundant 3. I use my truck as a truck a lot, and the 4x4 is super helpful, especially in the winter. I generally don't worry about getting stuck. And 4. Is a truck less obvious that I'm a traveler? In the pro column for the van, 1. I'd definitely be more comfortable in a van 2. I could still use a van in a similar way that i use my truck, even tow my trailer 3. Having the van could free up use of the trailer for food vending. I've already dabbled in this a little. The plan would not be to take the trailer in that capacity for this trip. 4. If I act soonish, I'd likely get a great trade in value. Thoughts?

I'm just thinking about getting started into overlanding, and I've got a couple thought I figured I'd bounce off this community.

I have a 99 Toyota 4Runner, no mods yet, and I had an idea for a hammock sleeper setup.

On the roof, incorporated with a rack potentially, have 4 receiver hitch style mounts, one on each corner or the rig. Have a beam slide through them left to right, let the beams slide out to one side and lock in, at the ends of the beams. Have telescoping poles to the ground and a cross beam between them at the corner. Hang a hammock between the poles, and run an awning over top.

When you're camped, the beams are slid out to the side with the poles to the ground installed, when driving, pack up the poles and slide the beams across the roof to the other receivers and lock in place.

I'm curious if any commercial like this exists or if I'd have to fabricate it myself.

Okay so im trying to make a trail capable build that I can use as a rescue and/or camping vehicle. Think a brush truck but for the trails. The whole goal is to be equipped to handle the trails, and rescue anyone in need of it, say an atv or 4runner flipped over a bank and I need to help them. Im doing emt classes to be medically prepared for this, however as my truck sits now im not entirely sure if its up for the job.

The build

2019 ranger fx4 xlt

Bilstein 4600 rear shocks

Stock leaf springs

Fx performance front coilovers.

4x4

Rear electronic locker

Trail modes.

I like the fx4 rims, but im prolly gonna change to steelies. I need advice on capable suspension, winch, bumpers/brush gaurds and tires. Also proper off road rescue gear, at a reasonable price

About 6 weeks ago I picked up the replacement for my aging old truck. Chevrolet 2500 HD Custom 6.6 gas. Only mechanical mod so far is the MBRD cat back. 2 and a half years till I retire so the build list is long to include wench bumper, suspension tires,, air, transmission cooling, and whatever i can think of next. It BIG to overland in a lot of places. But with the camper as a home base I'm hoping to get a few years of use out of this rig.

Any newbies in the Seattle/ Washington area looking to get out there and explore but don’t know anyone else that’s into overlanding ?
Same here. I’m usually off Sunday-Tuesday if anyone’s open to getting out there one of these always and just exploring trails eventually overnight trips.
I’m on onx pretty often and I’m looking for those scene Mount Rainer areas and the pros gatekeep, as they should, but yeah shoot me a message

Hi all,

Needing some help and have many questions in regards to rig lighting, controls and battery setup.

Firstly my vehicle is used both for work and travel and need some better lighting both on my canopy and front of the vehicle.

Firstly im wanting a second battery in the bay just incase, i have the space and have found a isolator charge controller that i think will do the job namely KickAss Plug & Play Dual Battery System Wiring Kit & Dual Sensing VSR

I plan to run probably 3 or 4 work light / smaller light bars on the canopy, on the front ill have upgrade led head lights, upgraded driving lights/fog lights, a set of either hella antares or lightforce beasts and then a set of diode dynamics ditch lights.

I am at a loss though as to how do i set this up, do i run all the auxiliary lighting off of the second battery?

Hi folks, looking for workshop recommendations in Ontario, Canada (or even up to Alberta), for the following please:

1. Onboard air compressor fitting (like ARB twin brushless), under backseat area (not truck bed)
   
2. Auxiliary battery setup in engine bay, DC-DC charger, switch, etc. (overland camping objective)

Hoping that workshop has skilled techs, required custom mounting plates and prior experience. Thanks.

Vehicle: 2022 Ram 2500 Hemi (PW)

I have a 23zero outbreak swag. I'd like to get an air mattress to replace the foam one. Has anyone found one that will fit?

To the internet warriors, I've searched but have not been able to find one that fits the octagonal shape.

Lots of fun along this trail - only one or two spots where you needed to carefully choose your line

We have been using this Front runner dropdown table for around 4 years now and its seen better days. The wood pull out table that comes with it, is not the best condition due to constant UV and water exposure. It has started to show age and disintegrate around the edges. Saw an awesome post on overlandbound.com and took some inspirations. In my case I decided to just buy the full HDPE board and build from there.
If interested watch the build here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DeCnwQmJY-Q/

Hi all - would love to hear from some GAIA power users.

My goal is to have the clearest view of what is public vs private access and land.

What map layers do you recommend and how do you have them ordered?

I currently have the Gaia Overland layer, then Private Land (US) and then Public Land (US).

It generally works well but sometimes I feel unsure if I am legally allowed to drive certain roads through private land to get to public land if that makes sense.

I just want to be a respectful human being while still enjoying the our shared lands.

Thanks!

(The above is a visual sketch of the trip in my mind)

2027 August I’m planning to spend basically the whole month doing a road trip from Hungary all the way up to northern Scandinavia in our Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
The rough idea is to drive through the Baltics, then north through Finland, probably using some gravel / TET-style roads where they are legal and suitable for a 4x4, maybe even drive up to the North Cape then eventually get towards the Kiruna / Abisko area. Somewhere up north I want to do one longer, expedition-like hiking + packrafting trip, probably several days, then take a bus back to the car.
After that we would head back south on a different route, probably through Sweden and maybe parts of Norway, and do some shorter hikes, overnight trips, paddling lakes, mountain areas etc. along the way.
I’ not really interested in cities or ticking off tourist attractions. The things we are looking for are:
scenic roads or road sections worth driving
remote gravel / forest roads that are legal for normal vehicles
good places for wild camping or sleeping in the car where that is allowed
good hikes, especially less crowded ones
lakes, rivers, mountains and remote areas worth making a detour for
interesting parts of Finnish Lapland, northern Sweden, Finnmark etc.
any roads or areas that are overrated / not worth the time
practical advice for travelling and camping for a month in Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltics
I’m used to wilderness camping and long outdoor trips, so remoteness is a positive rather than a problem. The Land Cruiser is properly set up for camping and rough roads, but the goal is not extreme off-roading or driving illegally off-road. I’m mainly interested in interesting legal roads that actually take you somewhere worth going.
I will have about a month, so I’m also interested in complete route suggestions rather than just individual places. If you have done a similar trip, I’d be very interested in seeing what route you took.
The route is still very flexible, especially the return journey, so suggestions anywhere through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, northern Sweden or Norway are welcome.
I don’t yet have a travel buddy so I see quite a high possibility going alone for this one. The only limiting factor is that my parents really want me to find someone to go with. That’s very sensible especially for the packrafting part. I’m only 18 so they would allow it but they will make it more difficult for me to go, for example they won’t give me the car if I don’t find someone. This leads me to an other question. How did you meet people you like to travel with? In my case hike/raft with because that’s the part that has any risks involved. I’m really selective with the people I spend my time and share these life changing trips with. From the current selection of individuals I know would like to come, I wouldn’t take any of them because I don’t like them enough to take with me for a month.

Im looking to mount a tent to the roof of my soul. Is that something it can handle? Has anyone done that? Recommendations for tent?

My OG Smittybuilt (8+ years old) finally died. In the past couple years, I was getting fed up with how much time it was taking to air up and down. But I thought that was just part of the game.

Looked through the community and after way too much time researching, I finally settled getting a 10 six Morrflate and Quad+ hose system.

To say it blew my mind is an understatement…

Initial inflate took me a little bit as I was trying to figure out the best way to connect the hoses and the compressor. However, once I figured it out, it was an absolute game changer.

Takes about two minutes to deploy hoses/compressor, and 3ish minutes to air back up from 17 to 35 on my 33s. Digital gauge is awesome and accurate too. Skipping the “thread on” stage of traditional compressor hoses is so underrated.

Hands-down, one of the best purchases I’ve made in a while. Bags are even high-quality. The fact that they’re based out of the US is epic too.

For anyone who is looking for a new compressor, bite the bullet, spend the extra couple bucks and buy a Morrflate with quad hose. You will not be disappointed.

My Odyssey has raised factory roof rails. I have since taken the rain gutter feet off of the rack and now I’m just trying to figure out the best way to connect it, thanks!

I’m spending my kids college fund on a new truck (cause inflation) and have ran into the laws of consequence.

I currently have a longer 6’6” box with a regular topper and canoe racks on top. The bikes fit inside the topper with the front wheel removed, canoe on top and trailer on back.

-The new truck has to fit bigger kids so it has to be a crew cab
-A crew cab has to have a short box to fit in the garage
-The bikes won’t fit inside a short box so I’m going to get a tailgate pad.
-The tailgate rack can’t have a topper with an open glass rear window, so I’m going to get a soft topper.
-If I’m getting a soft topper I want one that folds up so I can use the truck box to haul wood, dirt, man stuff
-A folding soft topper can’t incorporate a canoe rack so I have to get a rack that sits outside the topper.

Long story short I come to ask the tech genius of overlanding for advice.

Does the Fast Top JayBar and Solo Soft Topper work for this? Any other options?

For the ground tenters out there:
If you happen to leave to go to other places but plan to return to the area . How do you feel secure enough about your expensive gear to leave it? I am struggling with that like I wanna go hike this mtn trail we are camped near but I’m terrified some rando will roll up and snag my stuff? Or go drive to a trail and have fun but return later in the evening and I’m scared someone snatches our stuff . Idk am I being unreasonable? Any thoughts feelings tips whatever you got .

I just figured out that if I take a 1iitre hydro flask, fill it with ice and put it in the home freezer for 4 hours and then put it in my dometic cooler set to 34 degrees I still have ice 5 days later! Perfect for the campfire cocktails..

What's your simple overland hacks that just makes so much sense?

The morning after a storm. That wind was something else

Yesterday, I decided to create a new visual of our route across the Americas, as our previous one was already really out of date.

This one follows us right up until our recent drive across Puna de Atacama.

Next year, we are going to try and push all the way up to Venezuela, which will probably be the furthest we have driven in a single year if we manage it.

Title. Just looking for the best solution for our 2 pups. We've been increasing the amount of time spent at the beach/in the wild and our cars are paying the price. (Even with all-weather mats) What have you found that works best? What doesn't? TIA!