Born and raised in sunny South Africa, I had minimal experience driving icy winter roads before heading to the Northern Hemisphere. When preparing for a winter expedition to the Arctic Ocean in the darkest depths of winter, I realized I still had much to learn. That learning was the entire point of driving up to…
Overland News of the Week
Overland News: Guzzle Introduces 4-inch Stealth Flex Twist UV Water Filter We all love maximizing every inch of space in an overland vehicle, so products that are small but mighty are always a win. Offering the thinnest footprint in Guzzle’s Stealth point-of-use series, the Flex Twist takes up mere inches of space behind drawers or…
Full Power: The Wescotts’ Turtle V Gets a Solar and Electrical Upgrade for its Next Adventure
Think back to 1972. Some of you may remember when The Turtle Expedition, Unltd. was exploring the backroads of Mexico and Central America in our trusty 1967 109 Land Rover. At that time, we had one battery, and its functions were to start the 6-cylinder gas engine (that choked on Mexican Pemex Nova regular), turn on…
Norweld Debuts the Elite Tray
Norweld has a reputation for innovation; they produce products that evolve from excellence towards perfection, a benchmark in their industry. That might sound like a mouthful of hyperbole but do yourself a favor and watch the video below, and you will likely agree that the Elite Tray is built to be damn near perfect. At…
Toyota Australia Unveils Upgraded 48-Volt Hilux for 2024
2023 was a great year for the Toyota Hilux in Australia, but it could have been better. After seven years at the top of the sales chart, the mighty Hilux was dethroned by the Australian-designed and engineered Ford Ranger. It was a close-fought battle won ultimately by Ford’s ability to deliver more vehicles from Thailand,…
Lexus GX 550 Overtrail+ :: First Drive
I’ve always considered the Lexus LX and GX lineup luxury forward vehicles that became popular for adventure travel after the fact. I thought buying a used LX or GX and outfitting it for overlanding was somehow cracking the code, creating an extra-fancy Land Cruiser—an idea that brilliantly pushed the limits of normal consideration. Over the…
Overland News of the Week
Goose Gear Announces New Products for Ineos Grenadier In this week’s overland news, our very own Scott Brady is Crossing the African Continent in the Ineos Grenadier and has so far reported that it has exceeded his expectations. Goose Gear similarly understands the vehicle’s significance and potential and has subsequently revealed a lineup of products…
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…
RealTruck and Matchbox Team Up to Auction One-Off Gladiator for Charity
For those of us who grew up playing most days with die-cast cars and trucks, it’s not unusual to wonder what it would be like to have your own rig immortalized as a Matchbox. Now is your chance to find out—online automotive parts and accessories retailer RealTruck has teamed up with Mattel to build a…
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…
Gon Dirtin’s 1994 Land Cruiser Troopy : Feature Vehicle Interior
“There’s no such thing as a perfect travel vehicle,” says Karissa and Linhbergh of Gon Dirtin. Built to support the LA-based couple’s careers as professional automotive photographers and overland chefs, their 1994 Land Cruiser Troopy suits their outdoor lifestyle, houses their two pups, Kyia and Stella, and acts as a rolling chef’s lab, from which…
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…
Ford Maverick Tremor :: Review
Worlds are colliding. The ground is shaking. In the past, the spheres of all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive have been separate and very unequal. While capable enough in slippery conditions on regular roads, all-wheel drive has struggled for cred when the going gets really rough. Flimsy axles, part-time operation, and a conspicuous lack of both…
Crossing the Simpson Desert in the Footsteps of a Legend
I wake with a splitting headache, my body hurts all over, and I feel disconnected from reality. It takes a full 20 minutes to overcome heavy lethargy before I can crawl out of the swag and confirm Katie feels no better. With nets over our heads to block the unrelenting blowflies, we only feel worse…
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…
Cummins Will Pay $2 Billion for Cheating Diesel Emissions
From 2006 to 2015, VW sold over half a million diesel vehicles in the US that investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency later found were intentionally dodging federal emissions requirements. The scandal (known as “Dieselgate”) led to VW paying over $25 billion in fines and civil penalties and even sent a handful of VW of…
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…
Overland All the Things! :: From the Showroom to the Trail
The Lamborghini Huracán is a 630 horsepower, 3.2-seconds-to-60-mph rocket sled of a carbon fiber origami kit that is, by all accounts, an absolute joy to drive. The sounds the 5.2-liter V10 bellows from its hexagonal tailpipes many find worth the price of admission alone (MSRP $335,000). There is also an off-road version. The Huracán Sterrato bumps…