Gone are the days when fitting a roof rack to your rig meant ordering some A1 towers and a couple of load bars from Yakima and calling it good. Roof gutters have long disappeared from the automotive design landscape, and model-to-model updates can subtly change roofline profiles and the hardware on factory rails. Hidden fasteners…
Category Archives: Vehicle Accessories and Protection
Overland News of the Week, October 9, 2026
Vintage Rides Iron Horse Nomad Trails Documentary Film Coming Soon Each year, Vintage Rides brings the vision of motorcycle travel to life by producing an original documentary film centered on heartfelt stories of adventure. In the latest edition (launching October 15), Vintage Rides tour leader Johann Rousselot arrives in Kyrgyzstan and sets off alone on…
Patriot Campers Introduces a Lighter, Lower-Priced Gen 3 X1
Patriot Campers has introduced the Gen 3 X1 off-road camper trailer, positioning it as a return to the company’s roots: a trailer built for exploration with fewer “unnecessary necessities.” The new model combines structural aluminum construction, revised suspension, and an integrated tent, with a listed tare weight of 895 kilograms (1,973 pounds). For overland travelers,…
Luminous Flux: Swim, Sink, or Shine; We Test Nine LED Driving Lights to Their Limits
To honor the 20-year anniversary of Overland Journal, we are revisiting special heritage content in the upcoming 100th issue of the magazine. Originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2013 issue, this article is part of that celebration. I distinctly remember the moment I became aware of auxiliary lights. I was 15 years of age and…
Overland News of the Week, September 11, 2026
KC Hilites Platform One Roof Rack for Full-Size and HD Trucks KC Hilites has expanded its Platform One roof-rack system to fit full-size and heavy-duty pickup trucks. The low-profile platform uses proprietary aluminum extrusions and precision-formed steel components, combining a broad cargo surface with multiple mounting points for overland equipment. Its modular design lets owners…
Overland News of the Week, August 28, 2026
iKamper and Rivian Launch New Skycamp 4.0 DLX Rooftop Tent Suitable for the Rivian R2 and R1S, the new Skycamp introduces an HC Staircase and an electrical junction box that routes power from a compatible external 12-volt source. Additional campsite functionality includes independently dimmable interior and exterior lighting, dedicated HVAC and electrical passthroughs, and USB-A,…
Motsmann Engineering Introduces the 2027 Outranger Fiberglass Off-Road Camper
The ultimate long-term overland vehicle, in my admittedly biased opinion, is a classic Defender with a galvanized chassis beneath its aluminum body. Lightweight and resistant to rot and corrosion, it is the kind of vehicle that can last for decades while continuing to serve faithfully. And who does not love the Defender’s boxy profile? Motsmann…
Geotrek Flatiron Balances Compact Dimensions With Practical Off-Grid Capability
It is no secret that we are not a #vanlife kind of family. A while back, I wrote an article for my website that may have included an introduction comparing overlanding to Hendrix and #vanlife to Nickelback. It might also have mentioned that the good news for #vanlifers—after they had been berated for 500 words—was…
Overland News of the Week, July 31, 2026
AEV FX370 Upgrades the Ford Super Duty American Expedition Vehicles has introduced the FX370, an upgrade package for Ford Super Duty pickups. Designed around 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tires, the conversion adds a 4-inch DualSport RT suspension with AEV-tuned Bilstein 5100 shocks and 18-inch Salta XD wheels. Stamped-steel front and high-clearance rear bumpers provide…
Airstream Expands World Traveler Lineup with More Affordable 17RB
Airstream has expanded its World Traveler lineup with the introduction of the new 17RB, a compact single-axle travel trailer designed to offer a more accessible entry point into the iconic American brand. With a starting price of $64,400, the 17RB becomes Airstream’s least expensive aluminum travel trailer while targeting solo travelers, couples, and first-time RV…
2027 Toyota Tundra Gains Updated Styling, New Technology, and More Accessible Trailhunter Package
Toyota remains the king of long-distance, self-supported vehicle travel in the US and is updating the Tundra for the 2027 model year with revised exterior styling, a new generation of infotainment technology, and an expanded collection of driver-assistance features. The full-size pickup will also gain a Trailhunter package that brings factory-installed overlanding equipment to the…
Chuckles Garage’s 1953 Ford “Nuke Van” Transforms a Cold War Relic into a Modern Overland Camper
Many years ago, an octogenarian English friend of mine—who remains fitter than many people half his age, suggested buying an armored Land Rover for overland travel. At the time, I dismissed the idea. Armored vehicles are heavy, expensive to maintain, and hardly ideal for crossing continents where fuel economy and payload matter. However, after several…
2027 Slate EV Truck Arrives With a Confirmed $24,950 Starting Price
The automotive industry has spent much of the last decade moving steadily upmarket. New vehicles have become larger, more complex, and significantly more expensive, leaving many buyers priced out of the new-truck market. Against that backdrop, startup automaker Slate has officially revealed pricing for its upcoming electric pickup, confirming that the 2027 Slate EV Truck…
Overland News of the Week, June 19, 2026
Free Spirit Recreation Updates RTT Line Up Free Spirit Recreation has introduced a fully updated 2026 rooftop tent lineup, featuring upgrades across the Nova, Kali, Aspen Lite, Aspen Pro, and Evo XL models. The revisions focus on durability, comfort, and improved usability based on customer feedback and field testing. All models now feature redesigned floors…
Joe Burrow’s Custom Charity Bronco Heads to Barrett-Jackson Auction Block for a Cause
The last time we wrote about a Barrett-Jackson auction, it was to express some disbelief that a Santana Land Rover with what many would describe as an overly theatrical Jurassic Park-inspired theme managed to attract bids exceeding $400,000. Recently, Barrett-Jackson announced that a one-of-a-kind custom 2022 Ford Bronco built in collaboration with Joe Burrow and…
First Drive :: BFG Trail-Terrain+ Tire Review
While the BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain+ all-terrain tire is a great original equipment (OE) tire replacement for many vehicles used for overland travel, it’s not a replacement for a KO3, KM3, or other more aggressive, and most importantly, more cut-resistant sidewall, off-road focused tire. With that said, a majority of overland travel happens on pavement, dirt roads,…
Overland News of the Week, June 5, 2026
The Ford Bronco Filson Has Made its Debut Ford and outdoor outfitter Filson have teamed up to introduce the Ford Bronco Filson. This collaboration is rooted in the American legacy of outfitting pioneers, the US Forest Service, and search-and-rescue organizations, culminating in a premium version of the 6th-generation Ford Bronco SUV. Featuring a twin-turbo 3.0-liter…
Top Gear :: Overland Expo West 2026
Someone I know who has been in the adventure travel industry for many years told me that we are currently in a “creativity crisis.” He thinks we’re stuck in a rut and that very few truly new ideas have been filtering into the overland world lately. I had this claim front and center in my…
Mammoth Overland’s XLE Blends Overland Travel with Advanced Security Features
A few years ago, our overnight compound in West Africa was infiltrated by armed men who beat the staff and briefly interrogated me. After shots rang out and before the intruders reached us, I moved my family into a room and had my wife and son barricade the door while I slipped into the shadows…
Winnebago Launches the Arka, a Purpose-Built Off-Grid Adventure Truck
Winnebago Industries has introduced the new Arka, an overland-focused adventure truck that signals the company’s continued push into the growing off-grid and backcountry travel market. The Arka is generating considerable buzz across social media, with many quick to compare it to vehicles like the EarthCruiser. While there are certainly similarities in concept, the two platforms…