Recently, my husband, Andy Lilienthal, and I rallied a 1991 Mitsubishi diesel-powered Pajero in the Alcan 5000 Rally. Not only did we pilot this right-hand-drive Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) 4×4 over 5,120 miles of ice, snow, and blizzard conditions, we had to ensure it started every morning after it slept in Arctic temps of -40°…
ARB Launches Their All New BASE Rack Overland System
In 1975, ARB began producing high-quality accessories for backcountry explorers, starting with a roof rack. Through the subsequent decades, ARB refined their rack line, making it stronger, lighter, and more refined. Their racks have always been considered expedition grade, robust to a degree that the vehicle’s roof would nearly always fail before the rack. Their…
Go Fast Campers SuperLite Redefines Hardshell RTTs
Montana-based Go Fast Campers has a penchant for producing drool-worthy overlanding gear, and they just did something that is likely to send waves through the rooftop tent (RTT) market. Behold the SuperLite: a sub-100-pound, hard-shell, made-in-the-USA rooftop tent for $1,300. Cue fireworks. EDIT: a SuperLite mattress to go with your SuperLite RTT will add $279,…
Snomaster CL56D Long Term Review | Field Tested
We have been travelling for a long time now and I am a large man who loves a cold drink, my family consumes more meat than even the most carnivorous Uruguayan. What do cold drinks and meat have in common? Well, they both need to be kept cold, or at the very least cool. Until…
We Test the New V2 Bivy Stick Blue
Communication is one of the cornerstones of backcountry travel, as the ability to advise family and friends of our progress, call for assistance, or make an SOS during an emergency all helps provide us with confidence to travel further afield. During my travels in Southern Africa, it was helpful to know that the Bivy was…
Webasto and XOverland Team Up for Cold Weather Overlanding Solutions
Webasto has become a household name in the campervan world where their diesel (and gas) forced-air heaters are the gold standard for keeping warm in cold environments. Webasto heaters are versatile and compact, so it’s no surprise that we are seeing them more and more of them in the overlanding world as well as being…
Front Runner Outfitters Releases Slim Line II Rack For Jeep Gladiator
South African overlanding gear manufacturer, Front Runner Outfitters, is well-known for its robust selection of vehicle accessories. New for 2020, Front Runner Outfitters has released a 2019-current Jeep Gladiator compatible Slim Line II roof rack system. The Slimline II allows unencumbered removal of the Jeep’s hardtop roof panels, allowing owners to keep their OEM…
New Sprinter-Compatible Method 901 Dually Wheels
Sprinter owners take note, Method Race Wheels, known for their high-performance products that promise to be “lighter, stronger, faster” has just released the 901 Sprinter dually. This matte- black front and rear wheelset is manufactured from solid A356 aluminum with T6 heat treatment construction. The 901 Sprinter Dually has the iconic 12-window design, a…
Warn’s Legendary 8274 Now Pulls 10,000 Pounds
There are few products that are truly legendary, and the Warn 8274 winch is one of them. This winch has served explorers around the globe for over 60 years. Originally, it was called the Belleview winch, and was manufactured from 1959-1973. In 1974, it was improved and strengthened, taking on the name 8274. “By the…
Field-Replaceable Valve Stem for Overlanding
Photos by Mercedes Lilienthal and Ben Allread One of the most unexpected things that can happen on the trail is slicing a tire’s valve stem. It’s a small detail many overlook, but destroying a valve stem can mean the end of your off-roading adventure if you don’t have a spare tire or means to replace…
The Basic Overland Gear Everyone Should Have
The Overland Journal Podcast #20 Principles of Overlanding: The Basic Overland Gear Everyone Should Have Summary: For this Principles of Overlanding, Matt and Scott review the top 10 pieces of kit that help support local and international overland travel. Topics include navigation, communications, recovery equipment, medical kits, training, tools, and more. Get in touch with…
Testing Scheel-Mann Seats for Overland Travel
Overlanders are a curious breed. We’ll lament quality versus price, vintage versus modern, what-everyone-else-has versus unique, spending months grappling with the decision as to how to best spend our precious money. Over the years, I’ve observed the items most likely to be quickly upgraded, irrespective of cost, are tires, wheels, and suspension—the predominate logic being…
Is the Eezi-Awn Cube the Ultimate Shower Enclosure?
I was recently in South Africa, overlanding through Mapungubwe in the north, which is settled along the border of Botswana and Zimbabwe. The Limpopo River flows through there, and the region is packed with mega-fauna. The goal of the trip was to test the new Hilux and also evaluate the cadre of new equipment from…
iKamper + Front Runner Announce US Partnership and Gear Giveaway
Overland News: Overlanding accessory makers Front Runner Outfitters and iKamper have just announced their new US partnership: iKamper as Front Runner’s preferred rooftop tent partner, and Front Runner as iKamper’s preferred rack partner. The Washington- and California-based companies have had an ongoing partnership in South Africa and they are excited to expand their collaboration to…
Roofnest Falcon XL
I bought my first rooftop tent 10 years ago, a used Howling Moon with a tan cover, weather-worn canvas walls, and a folding floor made of wood. At the time, I thought it was the pinnacle of camping technology, but it was actually a relic. Its bulky design had already been roaming the African and…
Podcast #16 :: Rooftop Tent or Ground Tent or Wedge Camper for Overlanding?
The Overland Journal Podcast #16 Principles of Overlanding :: RTT vs. Ground Tent vs. Swag vs. Habitat vs. Sleeping in the vehicle Summary: For this Principles of Overlanding podcast, Matt and Scott discuss the best sleeping solutions for an overland camp. They review the options of a Rooftop Tent (RTT) vs. a Ground Tent vs….
Premium Windows and Doors for Overland Vans and Campers
Small Business Spotlight: As overland travel and vanlife become more popular, DIY owners and new camper manufacturers are popping up every day looking for better products, more reliable solutions, and the brands with the best overall value. This is also true with van and camper windows, doors, and hatches. Their utility is wide-reaching, including bed…
Company Spotlight: Fifteen52 Wheels
“Let me give it to you straight—our production process isn’t any different than our competitors.” I looked at Matt, rather dumbfounded. Surely there was a punchline coming because this was not how marketing pitches usually went. “If you really get down to brass tacks,” he continued, “every good manufacturer is using nearly the same methods…
AEV’s 2-inch Spacer Kit Is the Affordable Way to Run 37s on Your Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator is one of the most popular four-wheel drives on the market today, but the long chassis length can leave something to be desired from the factory breakover angle and ground clearance. Thanks to AEV’s new 2-inch spacer kit though, Gladiator owners can gain some additional height and clearance for 37-inch tires, at…
AEV Releases 7000 Series LED Off-Road Lights
American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) is well known for producing tasteful four-wheel drive accessories and upgrades with an OEM-level of quality. Their offerings span from wheels and suspension systems to turn-key vehicles and motor swaps, but now they’re applying their focus to the lighting market with the 7000 Series Off-Road light. The 7,000 is designed with…