William Cowper once said that “Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor,” and after attending seven Overland Expos I’d have to agree. You see, while the attendees’ experiences can change year to year with new classes and instructors, those of us working the booths wind up seeing the same things…
The Campers and Trailers of Overland Expo East
While there are loads of awesome vehicles and products at Overland Expo each year, few command as much attention as the campers and trailers scattered throughout the show. These capable platforms not only look cool, but have made overlanding more comfortable, and in many ways more accessible than ever before. They enable owners to park…
Texas receives an overland event of its own.
Over the past few years the overlanding scene has truly exploded, giving life to new events all across the country. Yet, despite the large number of enthusiasts in the central U.S., these expos and rallies seem to be concentrated solely along the East and West coasts, leaving those of us in the middle without many…
A2A Expedition: Give Me Inconvenience Or Give Me Death
Our Land Rover Defender has taken us to 41 countries over a 6-year period. Not once have we been arrested, none of us (a family of four) have contracted malaria, been robbed, shot at, beaten or deported. How utterly depressing. I want to write the story about how, that one time in Tanzania, I had…
WestX1000: The Trials & Tribulations of a Millennial Nomad
It had been raining for days, maybe weeks. We were in Seattle where I grew up, where my father still resides. We were parked in front of his apartment on a narrow street, lined with cars on one side and apartments overlooking Lake Union on the other. Our van, a 2008 Ford Econoline E-150, was…
Expedition Portal Classifieds: Hemi XV-JP
Imagine for a moment that you have just won the lottery. Hundreds of millions of dollars are now in your bank account, and the world of exotic vehicles and travel are wide open to you. What do you buy? A perfect condition Land Cruiser, a pop-top Defender, a 6×6 G-Wagen, maybe all three? While I…
I Can. I Will. Women Overlanding the World
Before we left, we were repeatedly discouraged by others and by the media. Everyone said these were not safe countries for women to travel in, that a trip like this would be too physically demanding for women, one person even said we would come home in pine boxes. Despite these messages, we overcame our fears and…
Melbourne 4WD Show :: Australia
Walking the halls of Australia’s largest 4WD show
What’s in your winch bag? The basic gear you should be carrying
The other day I ran into the proud owner of a well-built four-wheel drive. Eager to talk shop, he began to list a few of the numerous pieces of equipment he had installed on his new vehicle. The list included 37-inch tires, aftermarket wheels, a 4-inch lift, lights, a roof rack, a front bumper, and…
Buy this truck and drive to South America for the price of a Rubicon
I love browsing through the depths of the Expedition Portal for sale sections. Besides seeing some seriously cool vehicles, you get a peek at the many adventures they’ve had through the years, and the many adventures still to come with new buyers. Just the other day I stumbled upon a perfect example, a 2003 F-250…
The Canadian Overland Tribe Gathers: BC Overland Rally 2017
So much to learn, see, and do at the first annual BC Overland Rally, which was held at the Sasquatch Mountain Resort June 22-25. Sadly, I didn’t spot any Sasquatches, but did have an amazing long weekend with the Canadian overland tribe. High up in British Columbia’s mountains, but only 2 hours north of the…
The Vehicles of NW Overland Rally 2017
With over 1,000 people in attendance at the 7th annual NW Overland Rally in Plain, Washington, there was bound to be a few interesting vehicles, but the sheer diversity was truly impressive. The rally pulls attendees from all over the PNW and has a solid draw from southwestern Canada. The 15-year import laws in Canada…
Land Cruising Adventure: Do you need a fridge?
Karin-Marijke & Coen overlanded parts of their 14-year journey with a fridge, but also years without a one. What is their verdict?
Overland Expo: The Tail End
We’re used to seeing plenty of trailers and dogs at Overland Expo, but this year’s event was particularly packed. There were trailers from all over the world, including some rather famous imports from Australia and South Africa, and some old favorites from the U.S. of A. Dogs too came in every shape and size, and it seemed…
Overland Expo 2017: Living Large in Campers and Vans
When the first Overland Expo took place in Prescott, Arizona, nearly 10 years ago, most of the vehicles in attendance fit the same mold. Built on 4×4 SUV platforms, they all included a roof top tent and a bevy of bolt-on modifications designed to maximize off-road proficiency. Not to say those trucks are less prevalent…
Overland Expo West 2017: It Begins Again
Now in its ninth year, the 2017 Overland Expo commenced again, this time in a new location in the tall pines outside of Flagstaff, Arizona. Previous years have suffered unusually extreme weather conditions, but this year’s show kicked off under sunny skies with clear views of the snowcapped summit of Mount Humphreys. Although official numbers are…
Truck/SUV Drawer Buyer’s Guide
No matter how much we try to trim down our kits, more and more gear continues to find its way into the back of our rigs. As these items continue to pile up, it becomes increasingly difficult to locate specific items amongst the mountain of countless duffels, tool rolls, and pelican cases—not to mention the…
American Overlander: Gerber Center-Drive with Bit Set
I’m not sure how it happened, but I’ve become somewhat of a multi-tool nerd. I think it started while evaluating tools for an extensive review for the Fall 2016 issue of Overland Journal. In that roundup I tested Gerber’s Multi-Plier 600 Basic and was impressed with its ease of use, thoughtful selection of functions, and…
Turtleback Trailers – A Comprehensive Review
A purpose built touring trailer that’s as rugged as it is luxurious
A2A Expedition: To Drag or Drop a Trailer, that is the Question.
I was once almost in love with an Afrikaans girl. She lived in a posh house on top of a hill and bore a German surname. Her father, Loot, hated the thought of me but begrudgingly liked me and one day asked for my help to build an overland trailer which he planned to use…