Just last week we released an article on a new wedge shell from Vagabond Outdoors. It challenged the existing options from Go Fast Campers, and we knew it was only a matter of time before AT Overland released their own wedge shell. After all, we had first talked to them about it over a year…
Old-School Cool: Classic 4x4s of Overland Expo
When it comes to four-wheel drives, most of us have our brand loyalties. Heck, we even debate which tires, tents, and other accessories are best. But if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that vintage four-wheel drives are awesome. It doesn’t matter if their lines are sharp and square or round and…
The Best Seat in the House: Scheel-Mann Vario F XXL
We evaluate a lot of gear here at Expedition Portal and Overland Journal. Tents, trucks, bags, fridges, and recovery equipment are regularly used and reviewed by our team, and normally the write-ups are pretty straightforward. We cover their specifications, talk about our expectations, and determine how well the product ended up meeting them. But today…
Vagabond Outdoors Drifter Shell
The pop-top camper shell market has exploded with activity lately. It started with the release of the AT Overland habitat back in 2016 and then heated up with the Go Fast Camper (GFC) which hit the market earlier this year. Now a new contender has entered the ring, and it’s called the Drifter. The Drifter…
An Overland Camper for $38K
We see a lot of trucks pass through our for sale sections, and I’d be lying if I said we didn’t browse through most of them to see what new hotness is on the market. Usually the coolest vehicles are snatched up and sold quickly, but every now and then one manages to fall through…
Video of the Week: Timeless Adventure
For this week’s video, we’re taking a second look at this beautiful Jeep and teardrop trailer combo owned by Larry Shank. The pair was originally purchased and built by his father, and Larry spent his childhood bumping around the backroads of the United States in the passenger seat. Over the years he has lovingly preserved…
BFGoodrich KM3 Review
In 1980, BFGoodrich introduced an unconventional tire that would forever change the way we thought about off-road traction. They called it the T/A Mud-Terrain, “T/A” borrowed from their successful line of street-performance offerings, and the latter for the type of terrain it would call home. It was the first such tire with an aggressive tread…
The State of Overlanding: Preservation, Treading Lightly, and the Instagram Influx
In 2018, environmentalism, conservation, and preservation are common terms. Most of us are aware of the damage society has inflicted on the natural treasures we love, and, in turn, we make conscious efforts to save these wonders. But it wasn’t always so. Back in the late sixties, pollution was rampant, lake and rivers were treated…
Everyday Four-Wheel Drives of Australia
G’day, mate! If you’ve come here to take a squizz at some of the four-wheel drives rolling around Australia, you’re in the right place. On our last trip to this speccy country, we picked up more than just some ripper new slang. We also brought back heaps of photos of cool fourbies from coast to…
Field Tested: Buckstop Bumpers
When Ford designed the Excursion, it’s clear that they had a few things in mind; durability, reliability, and versatility for example, but somehow I doubt overlanding made the list. Despite its solid axles, massive payload, abundant storage space, and diesel motor, this truck has a couple issues that can make four wheel drive touring difficult,…
The Last “New” XV-JP
Some years back EarthRoamer made a small batch of vehicles they called the XV-JP. These Jeep Wrangler based campers included all of the luxuries you’d want for comfortable road living wrapped in a surprisingly compact and capable package. It was an extremely cool concept, but unfortunately the platform never took off, and they were soon…
ExPo Classifieds: An Ugly HJ45 Camper
Today, we find a very interesting vehicle for sale on the forums. It’s a right-hand drive 1978 Toyota HJ45 diesel pickup that was originally sold in Africa but has somehow found its way to Kodiak, Alaska. The “old Landy” as the name on the camper shell suggests, should be rather cool, but there’s a catch….
Adventure Interview: Advanturing
If you follow vanlifers on Instagram, chances are that you’ve spotted Advanturing’s flat black sprinter along the way. It looks a little like Batman designed a delivery truck, and we’re digging it. Apparently, others do as well, because over the last few years this adventurous couple has accumulated over 20,000 followers on Instagram, and that number…
On the Lizard’s Tail
I took a deep breath, letting the cool mountain air fill my lungs. The crisp smell of snow and pine was invigorating, and I inhaled again, letting the sensation wash over me. It was a perfect morning. A fresh layer of powder was coating the ground from the previous night’s storms, and it muffled the…
Environmentally Friendly Overlanding
I met Nena Barlow in the ponderosa pine-clad mountains halfway between Sedona and Prescott, Arizona. Nena is a 4WD trainer and the owner of Barlow Adventures, a company that offers off-pavement experiences in the American Southwest. As a certified Leave No Trace instructor, she also knows everything and a bit more about environmentally responsible driving….
Field Tested: Conqueror UEV-440
Conqueror trailers are finally on the American overlanding scene after years of seeming just beyond our reach. The videos of these trailers on YouTube have been shared with statements like “If only I could get one here,” and “They are so cool, too bad they don’t import them.” Finally, in September of 2015, they did…
Expedition Portal Classifieds: Tacoma with Habitat
For today’s ExPo classifieds, we have what could be considered one of the most desirable overland setups in North America: a Toyota Tacoma with a paint-matched AT Overland Habitat. What’s more, it’s equipped with an array of accessories and can be purchased for $7,000 less than a TRD-Pro at $36,000. So without further adieu, le’ts…
General Grabber A/TX Hits Market
For most people, tires are just expensive pieces of rubber that they have to put on their cars every few years, but for us, they’re pretty darn exciting. They can make the difference in clearing an obstacle or spinning your tires, navigating a mud pit or being stuck in the slop, and getting a flat…
Cold Weather Camping With Kids
This past month Texas was shocked to its core from a winter storm that left us reeling. Yes, the state shuts down when any cold, inclement weather hits us square in the flip-flops, but you can’t ignore an opportunity to beat the summer heat and explore the backcountry. Winter camping alone demands special attention, but…
Christmas in Utah
I’d been wanting to do this trip for a while now because my girlfriend, Olivia, has never been to these areas and one of my oldest/best friends Charlie has been wanting to go on a trip with me for a while now. We loosely talked about doing it a couple of months ago, but nothing…