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  • Author: Matt Swartz

Spot X 2-way Satellite Messenger

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2022 Issue.  I frequent locations that don’t have cell service, where I’ve come to appreciate two-way satellite communication devices. And while earlier personal locator beacons simply alerted SAR, modern two-way messengers like the Spot X do that and a lot more, like allowing you…

Super Pacific Switchback X1: Side View

Ram 2500 Overland Build :: Super Pacific Switchback X1 Truck Camper

Ram 2500 Overland Build :: Super Pacific Switchback X1 Truck Camper Of all the additions I have added to my Ram 2500 overland build, the Super Pacific Switchback X1 truck camper has been the most significant in terms of size and infrastructure. It provides a variety of solutions for vehicle-based travel, all in one neat,…

Yes, Overlanders Sleep in Ground Tents, Too

Editor’s Note: This article on tents was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. I toiled in the desert sun, slept under the stars, got bloodied, spilled beers, and picked cactus spines out of my fingers and feet for days to develop some opinions on this selection of ground tents. What’s that, you say?…

Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube 8 x 32 Monocular Telescope

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. The Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube is a fun little gadget to keep in your vehicle’s center console or mount to your backpack strap when you are heading out the door for an adventure. Primarily designed to help you get a closer glimpse of…

aev dualsport xp suspension ram 2500

Ram 2500 Overland Build :: AEV Dualsport XP Suspension, Salta HD Wheels, General Grabber A/Tx Tires

Two important questions that I’ve asked myself throughout my Ram 2500 overland truck build are Will this upgrade add utility, and Will this upgrade enhance capability? Utilizing this decision-making framework is generally straightforward, but when it came to making changes to the suspension, I felt some uncertainty. I was interested in creating more wheel well…

IceCapades: High-performance and Lightweight, Soft-sided Coolers Get the Job Done

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2022 Issue. Soft-sided coolers have gotten good—really good. From the back seat of your truck to your campsite and on the trail, they provide cold storage for food and drinks, with waterproof closures and excellent ice retention. But beyond these fundamental functions, they are also significantly…

Getting Wayout There :: Dometic Trail Ride 2022

The sun dipped below the horizon hours ago, but we’re still driving. The Gladiator’s off-highway lights cut through clouds of dust, abruptly pitching up and down with the front end of the rig. I swallow two painkillers to stave off the pain behind my left eye—my own fault, and the consequences of neglecting calorie and…

Treeline Outdoors Tamarack Plus Rooftop Tent

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2022 Issue. Many tents are coated in flame retardants to meet regulatory standards in North America, and these chemicals can easily transfer from fabric to skin to the hands (and ultimately, to your mouth). This is where Treeline Outdoors is making progress toward a safer…

Garmin tread xl overland edition on vehicle dash

Field Tested :: Garmin Tread XL Overland Edition

Garmin, a company that is synonymous with navigation, has been building GPS devices since the late 1980s. Their products, which run the gamut from smart watches to hand-held navigation devices, can be found in everything from airplanes to boats and even farm equipment.  One of their newest devices, the Tread XL Overland Edition, is 10-inch,…

Video of the week: Truckhouse BCT

We know that many of you have been following along with the development of the TruckHouse BCT camper, and if you’ve been lucky enough to get a first-hand look (it’s been on display at a variety of events), you are well aware that it is a thing of beauty. But do you know the backstory…

portable diesel heater for overland travel

Buyer’s Guide :: Best Gas & Diesel Heaters for Overland Travel

Gasoline and diesel heaters from companies like Espar, Webasto, and Planar are designed specifically for heating the cabins of vehicles like campervans, trucks, and global expedition vehicles. Regardless of the fuel type, forced-air heaters will operate in most environments, and some even perform well up to and above 10,000 feet in elevation. Although they cost…

edgeout rotomolded overland trailer

Featured Overland Teardrop Trailer :: Edgeout Trailer

The Edgeout is the first overland travel trailer that we’ve featured with a completely rotomolded body (a world-first, according to Edgeout). The futuristic-looking teardrop is constructed from two separate components: a sleeping pod and a kitchen, both of which are single pieces of seamless LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) plastic. LLDPE is known for being flexible…

Overland News of the Week

Aspen Frontiers Patagonia Black Hole Duffle Bag Hangers I get really excited when I see innovations in the campervan space, mostly because the industry seems to be maturing a bit and unique solutions are a little less frequent these days. But here’s something new: Black Hole duffel bag racks from Aspen Frontiers. This clever solution…

sync vans sprinter

Featured Campervan Upfitter :: Sync Vans

If you are considering purchasing an adventure vehicle and want something that is comfortable and nimble, a campervan is a great option. Vans aren’t quite as capable as trucks, and you’ll still have to pack up all of your belongings whenever you want to move (sigh). But what they lack in performance and convenience, campervans…

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