For some, converting a perfectly capable and desirable stock-standard overland truck such as an 80 Series Land Cruiser or a classic Land Rover Defender into a live-in camper is sacrilege. While chopping up a vehicle can be heartbreaking, each cut must be done with the confidence that the conversion will thoughtfully improve every aspect of…
The Compact Sportcaravan Cube 1 Trailer is Lightweight, Affordable, and Innovative
A problem many long-term travelers face is that a conventional rooftop tent and drawer system eventually becomes uncomfortable for life on the road, especially if you choose to explore as a family. One solution is to purchase or build a capable live-in camper. While perhaps preferable for extended travel, this solution is often quite expensive,…
Expedition Portal Staff’s Favorite Trips of 2023
With international tourism reaching over 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year, 2023 marked an enthusiastic and eager return to the travel scene for many of us, both domestically and internationally. Overland Journal publisher and co-founder Scott Brady began his much-anticipated long-axis Trans-Africa continental crossing in the capable Ineos Grenadier, while…
The Ushi Outdoors Ultralight Trailer is a Trail Chef’s Dream
Ushi Outdoors, a company based in Dallas, North Carolina, offers an innovative solution for outdoor enthusiasts with its all-in-one ultralight trailer, called the Ushi Ultralight. This compact trailer is designed to cater to various outdoor activities such as camping, tailgating, and fishing, providing a practical and convenient way to carry essential gear but not too…
Hymer Launches Eriba Car Camper at CMT Holiday Exhibition
European vanlifers rejoice! Eriba, the caravan specialist division of the Erwin Hymer Group, unveiled the Eriba Car camper at the CMT Holiday Exhibition held in Stuttgart, Germany, earlier this month. Building on six decades of expertise in creating iconic caravans, Eriba has extended its design philosophy to the camper van segment. The Eriba, based on…
The Best Remote Communications for Overlanders
The historian Hellanicus recorded the first reference to letter writing, a handwritten note sent in 500 BCE from the Persian Queen Atossa, mother of Xerxes and the Achaemenid Empire (Roberts, 1843). There is little doubt that messages were sent across longer distances in earlier times, but they are lost in the sands. The process changed…
Overland News of the Week
New Alu-Cab Ineos Grenadier Roof Conversions are Available for Pre-Order In this week’s Overland News of the Week, Alu-Cab announces the Ineos Grenadier roof conversion, available via pre-order to consumers through OK4WD with free shipping to authorized US Alu-Cab dealers. While currently in the research and design phase, Alu-Cab says this game-changing conversion will offer…
Hard-Shell Rooftop Tents :: Buyers Guide
In recent years, hard-shell rooftop tents (RTTs) have gained significant popularity, and there are compelling reasons for this despite their generally higher cost compared to soft-shell models. While both have their respective pros and cons, hard-shell tents are generally more durable, streamlined, and practical for specific applications. The practicality of a rooftop tent is evident…
Jackery Debuts Solar Rooftop Tent Prototype at CES 2024
At CES 2024, Jackery, commonly known for its expertise in solar generators and portable power stations, unveiled its solar rooftop tent. This groundbreaking product is anticipated to inspire numerous imitations due to its innovative design and functionality. Nimesh Patel from Jackery introduced the solar RTT as a unique fusion of comfort and technology. Equipped with…
Westfalia Returns to The US with the Wave Camper
Vanlifers rejoice! The Westfalia Wave Camper marks a significant return for the iconic Westfalia brand to the North American market after nearly two decades. The Wave Camper, based on the ever-popular Ram Promaster (the new gold standard for Vanlife conversions), reintroduces the Westfalia experience with modern enhancements and a design tailored for both comfort and…
Potjie2Pint’s Land Rover Defender 130 : Feature Vehicle
In 2012, Marjan (a skilled Dutch chef) and her partner, Patricia (an astute Belgian financial business analyst), embarked on a transformative journey. They relocated from Europe to the sublime coastal town of Hermanus, South Africa, with a dream to infuse a touch of Belgium into their new surroundings. Their entrepreneurial spirit led to establishing a…
Airstream REI Basecamp 16X :: Field Tested
Since our overland vehicle is also a daily driver, packing and preparing for spontaneous trips has been cumbersome. My family is forced to choose between comfort, preparedness, and the simple ease of minimalism. In the last decade, a new class of capable overland camp trailers has mitigated this trade-off. We now store all of our…
Peak Evolution Sets Solar EV Altitude World Record
The Swiss Peak Evolution team recently set a new world record for the highest elevation achieved in a solar-powered electric vehicle by driving up to 21,325 feet (6,500 meters). The current land vehicle altitude record is held by French race driver Romain Dumas (three-time 24-hour Le Mans winner), driving an off-road adapted Porsche 911 powered…
Behind the Scenes With Alu-Cab
This summer, I visited Alu-Cab’s headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa. What struck me the most about the experience was the sheer size of the operation. Whisked from facility to facility, building to building, and introduced to the multi-step manufacturing process that lies behind each Alu-Cab product, I realized just how large the company is….
The Self-Propelled L1 Long Range Lightship is an All-Electric RV Built For Road Tripping
From an overlanding point of view, the Lightship L1 is, in its current form, limited in terms of practical travel unless utilized as a base camp (of the Lightship models available, only the L1 Long Range is self-propelled). However, the technology and design of this self-propelled trailer interest us most, as well as the possibility…
Overland News of the Week
Overland Home Launches Overland International’s co-owner and designer Stephanie Brady has launched a new business called Overland Home. Overland Home aims to provide beautiful, unique, and well-designed products from artisans around the globe with a focus on natural materials and time-honored techniques. All artisans sourced from are paid fair wages, which means when you purchase…
Overland Journal Podcast :: Principles of Overlanding—Overland and Expedition Trailers
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 175 Did you know that Expedition Portal articles about overland, expedition, and off-road trailers are among the most popular on the website? It’s one of the hottest segments in the overland industry—from tiny teardrops to massive multi-axle toy haulers, there have been incredible leaps in technology across the board in the…
10 Things to Know About Overlanding Spain
Photography by Richard Giordano It might sound cliché, but Spain is truly a country with something for everyone. An easy jumping-off point to France and Portugal, Northern Africa, the British Isles, or beyond, Spain’s convenient location makes it accessible for most overlanders traveling in Europe. While milder wintertime temperatures provide an escape for those from…
On the Rocks: Outdoor Barware for the Happiest of Happy Hours
Lead photo by Richard Giordano I view cocktail-making as a gesture of love. There’s care involved: slicing citrus, preparing ingredients, sourcing ice cubes, shaking or stirring. Time, a precious commodity, is also required. Your personal preferences are attended to. Two shots or one? Too sweet or not enough? The casual mixologist, often a friend or…
Freedom Campers
A few weeks ago, we wrote about the Freedom Campers Unimog 2.0, and our socials were inundated with likes, loves, and comments. The great news is that Freedom Campers, based in Dubai, have created not only one of the most drool-worthy Unimogs on the planet but also a stable of overland vehicles, which are all…