Gear Archives

A white pickup truck with large tires is parked on dirt, ready for overlanding adventures. It has Expeditions West written on the side, a truck bed tent set up, and camping gear like a cooler, chair, and canopy arranged nearby among desert shrubs.

Camper and Trailer, Gear, Gear, Vehicle Accessories and Protection

Sport Masters All-Purpose Awning

Light weight and compact storage dimensions.

A white Toyota pickup truck, perfect for overlanding, is parked with a large tarp attached as a shaded canopy. The truck bed holds a bicycle, and sturdy metal poles support the setup—ideal for any adventurous overlander.

Camper and Trailer, Gear, Gear, Vehicle Accessories and Protection

Camp Awning

I wanted to make an awning that would interface with my Thule rack, and provide an easy set-up/tear down. This is an initial prototype, but it has proven to work pretty well. Awning Design Rack Parts: Thule Parts- Thule Hull-A-Port Kayak Rack (835) Thule QuickDraw Ratcheting Boat Straps (855) Thule Aero Foot…

A white Overlander pickup truck with off-road tires is parked on a rugged dirt trail in a rocky desert landscape under a clear blue sky. A red bicycle is mounted in the truck's bed, ready for more Overlanding adventures.

Four Wheel Drive, Gear, Vehicle Accessories and Protection

BFGoodrich 255/85 R16 Tires

Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

A large gray Engel Fridge is securely mounted on the floor inside a vehicle’s rear passenger area, with brown carpet and two visible seats nearby, showcasing a professional Engel Fridge Installation.

Camping, Electronics, Gear, Luggage and Storage

Engel Fridge Installation

I have found through the years that a freezer/fridge is an essential comfort accessory for vehicle dependent expedition travel. While traveling in Mexico it can be difficult to find ice, and food is often spoiled, or damage from the water that has collected in the cooler. For a minor weight penalty (over a traditional cooler…

Close-up of an Overland vehicle’s wheel well with the tire removed, exposing the suspension system, brake disc, and various mechanical parts. The clean inner fender and detailed suspension reflect overlanding readiness.

Gear, Tools, Recovery and Safety, Vehicle Accessories and Protection

Toyota Tacoma Frame Reinforcement

Demello Off-Road Frame Reinforcement

A white Overland pickup truck with large tires drives over a rocky trail, with two more off-road vehicles following behind in a wooded, rugged area.

Gear, Vehicle Accessories and Protection

Donahoe Coil-Overs

Why Coil-Overs on an Expedition Vehicle?

Abstract Review

An overlander uses a hand winch and a high-lift jack to pull a vehicle, with a spare tire mounted on the back of a Toyota truck in an outdoor, off-road setting.

Four Wheel Drive, Gear, Gear, Tools, Recovery and Safety

Black Rat Hand Winch

Reasons to Include a Hand Winch with Your Recovery Kit The hand winch provides several key benefits as either the primary extraction tool, or as a compliment to a vehicle mounted electronic winch. In my experience using the device, it is the unit’s flexibility that proves most compelling. With the hand winch, the operator has…

Close-up of a black cargo net attached inside an Overlander vehicle, next to a window with visible smudges and reflections. The net is secured to the interior, likely for holding items in place during overlanding adventures.

Adventure, Camping, Electronics, Four Wheel Drive, Gear, Gear, Luggage and Storage, Resources and Routes

Arctic Ocean Expedition: Planning

Winter 2007, N69 26.70 W133 01.60

Two Pentax digital cameras, one black and one white, are shown overlapping with lenses facing forward. Perfect for Overland photography, both feature raised built-in flashes and visible control dials for every adventure.

Electronics, Gear

New Overlander Camera

This is a rocking little machine. They also released a full line of lenses from zooms to fisheyes to go with it.

A man in business attire stands on a large rock beside an overlanding vehicle, with tall modern buildings and a Hilton sign in the background under a clear blue sky.

Adventure, Gear, Skills and Training

SEMA 2004

With major increases in exhibitors in the truck, SUV and off-road area. There were fewer “new ideas” than in years past, but more practical application of existing concepts.

Adventure, Gear, Tools, Recovery and Safety, Video

Warn Trail Run 2011: Easter Jeep

On the Cliffhanger Trail with Warn. Expedition Portal was driving a 2011 AEV HEMI converted JK with 37″ tires – fun is an understatement.

Gear

My Favorite Things: Snow Peak

My Favorite Things- Snow Peak By Scott Brady In our travels we use and abuse all manner of equipment and vehicles, some fairing better than others and most just going through the thankless act of functioning as advertised. However, there are certain products or brands that manage to rise above the clank and…

A black off-road vehicle equipped with Mattracks snow tracks is parked in a snowy landscape. Featuring hylandadventures.com and a phone number on its side, this car is part of a long-term test in harsh winter conditions. Snow covers the vehicle and ground.

Four Wheel Drive, Gear, Gear, Vehicle Accessories and Protection

Mattracks: two year long-term test

After 2 winters of using the Mattracks it is time for a user report.

Close-up of a white Land Rover's front with branding visible, parked on rocky terrain. Three more overlanding vehicles are seen in the background on a desert hillside with sparse vegetation.

Apparel, Camper and Trailer, Camping, Featured Vehicles, Featured Vehicles, Four Wheel Drive, Gear, Tools, Recovery and Safety, Vehicle Accessories and Protection

Arizona Land Rover Rally

The Arizona Land Rover Owners club provided another exceptional event in 2011, hosting over 70 vehicles and hundreds of Land Rover enthusiasts in Gold Canyon. This is one of my favorite events every year because of the level of organization and the fact that I have known many of these characters since 2001! They really are a…