The Big Thing event began with a simple idea: create something that feels like why we all fell in love with overlanding in the first place. Not for the gear. Not for the builds. But for the belief that adventure makes us better—because it brings people together and changes us along the way. So, we…
Travel Beasts’ 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ73 :: Feature Vehicle
It happens to the best of us; we purchase a vehicle and kit it out for a long-distance overland journey, only to find that our needs change as we fall deeper into overlanding and commit further to a life lived on the road. A rooftop tent and daily outdoor existence are fine for a few…
Da Orffo Launches Unit1 Modular Trailer
A new player has entered the European overlanding market with a product that draws its engineering roots from the battlefield, and it is giving us the fizz. Military-grade vehicles and trailers, at first glance, appear ideal for overland travel; however, many tend to be overbuilt and overweight. The Unit1 breaks the mold and offers a…
The BDR Bros: Nothing’s Thicker than Blood and Bikes
When TJ Brown heard the newly minted NorCal Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) was being opened in the summer of 2024, he immediately called a meeting of his friends, all adventure motorcyclists. The BDR Bros, as he dubs them, assembled on a Tuesday evening with maps, both Google and folding, and began planning for a two-wheeled…
Overland News of the Week
Rossmönster Debuts All-New Havn Adventure Vehicle In this week’s overland news, the Havn is designed for those who love dirt roads and remote trailheads but don’t need the extreme off-road focus of a Rossmönster Baja Series truck or the compact limitations of a Sprinter van. Built on a Mercedes-Benz 3500 chassis and engineered for four-season,…
Made in the West: American Innovation in Overlanding
What does overland innovation look like when it’s born in a Montana machine shop instead of an international trade show? In this Overland Journal Podcast episode, hosts Matt Scott and Sinuhe Xavier sit down with Matt Linder, CEO of Truckhouse, and Graeme MacPherson of Go Fast Campers—two leaders shaping the future of American-made expedition vehicles….
Sierra Trek Adds New Adventure Trips for August 2025
Established in 1967, Sierra Trek has become an annual destination for families across the West, and this year they are pulling out all the stops by adding four new Platinum trips. The event takes place in the Sierra Nevada north of Truckee, California, with a base camp placed on the cornerstones of the 1862 mining…
Graham Jackson: At the Beginning of American Overlanding
Before overlanding was a hashtag, it was a mindset—and Graham Jackson was one of the people who helped define it in the US. In this Overland Journal Podcast episode, Scott Brady and Matt Scott sit down with Graham to trace the origins of overlanding in North America, from the founding days of Overland Journal to…
More than Mapping: onX Offroad Grants, Features, and Initiatives You May Not Know About
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles the off-road GPS and mapping app onX Offroad. In 2009, outdoorsman Eric Siegfried lost his way while hunting at night. Navigating through rough terrain in the dark, Siegfried wished for the ability to see public and private…
Rock N Road 4×4 Expedition Bonnet Bag :: Field Tested
When it comes to maximizing storage on a 4WD vehicle, we tend to think we’ve explored every option. But there’s one often-overlooked space that deserves attention—the bonnet. And this is where Brad from Rock N Road 4×4 comes in. Specializing in custom gear solutions for Special Forces, tactical units, rescue teams, and Dakar race vehicles, Brad’s products…
Women’s-Only Off-Road Class Is a Go for XOverland’s Big Thing Event
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, as the featured “Big Thing” overland weekend concludes, the XOverland Ranch is offering a women-only technical training course—a dedicated space designed to build driving confidence, refine recovery techniques, and foster genuine connection among women who share a passion for adventure. Hosted at the picturesque XOverland Ranch near Three Forks, Montana,…
The Big Thing :: An Ultimate Overland Event
As the overland community grows, it is more important than ever to provide opportunities for training, connection, and shared stories of adventure. At Expedition Portal, we could not be more excited for The Big Thing overland event coming to Bozeman, Montana, at the XOVERLAND Ranch. Now that Expedition Portal is part of the Overland Collective,…
Overland News of the Week
Horsepower Automotive Group Acquires C4 Fabrication In this week’s Overland News of the Week, Horsepower Automotive Group has acquired C4 Fabrication, a respected manufacturer of off-road armor and accessories for Toyota vehicles. This partnership aims to expand production, improve service delivery, and support continued product innovation without compromising C4’s reputation for quality and craftsmanship. C4…
Scott Brady’s Overlanding 101: Travel Simple, Travel Far
“Scott Brady has spent decades traveling the world by vehicle. Now, he’s distilled much of that experience into a compact, accessible, and deeply thoughtful reference guide: Overlanding 101. It’s not just a how-to—it’s a why-to. And it’s probably the best book on overland travel you’ll find, but then again, Scott taught me most of what’s…
Beyond the Human Context: Protecting the Invisible in Kyrgyzstan
In 2017, my girlfriend, Caroline, and I bought a 1990s ex-ambulance Mercedes-Benz 609D in Berlin. With only 40,000 kilometers on the clock, it was in great shape and ready for adventure. Despite our limited resources, we managed to convert it into our off-grid home under the sweltering southern Spain sun. Without a garage, we did…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer
AMERICAN NORTHWEST Northwest Overland Rally When June 19-22, 2025 | Where Plain, Washington The Northwest Overland Rally caters to keeners curious about anything from winching to photography, off-pavement driving skills, or seasoning your cast-iron pot. Join a wine-tasting, whiskey-sharing, or happy hour session before the evening’s lively campfire presentation and raffle. The event is intimate…
Living Legend Kingsley Holgate: The Man, the Beard, the Cause
Photography by Kingsley Holgate Foundation Kingsley Holgate is one of my heroes, having completed 41 expeditions (and counting), all after turning 50 years old. Explorations include reaching the geographic center of Africa, which had never been done before, and circumnavigating Africa, as close to the coastline as they could, which is something that was a…
Overland News of the Week
Four Wheel Camper Launches the Hawk+ Flatbed Camper The Hawk+ is Four Wheel Camper’s first fully self-contained flatbed camper. Featuring a 40-gallon freshwater tank, a new 5-gallon built-in graywater tank, and an optional inset portable 2-burner induction stove, the Hawk+ offers prime self-containment. Off-grid power options include up to 810Ah lithium battery capacity, up to…
Mike Pfeiffer of Last Line of Defense on Practical Readiness
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Matt Scott converses with Mike Pfeiffer from the Last Line of Defense about practical readiness and overlanding. Mike shares insights from his life as an “army brat,” his experiences traveling and living in various states, and his journey into off-roading and overlanding. The conversation highlights the…
1966 Land Rover Series 2a Marshall Ambulance :: Feature Vehicle
The namesake of British explorer Ernest Shackleton is suitably the stuff of legends. This wheeled Sir Shackleton, who we’ll call “Shack” for brevity’s sake, is a 1966 Land Rover Series 2a Marshall ambulance. But we’ve already entered a shrouded realm of mythology. Though Shack’s registration papers designate his build year as 1968, the error in…