In addition to the hordes of cool four-wheel drives, motorcycles, and campers at Overland Expo each year, there are always at least a few new products on display. This year’s show was no exception, and we spotted everything from Overlander bottle openers to electric motorcycles. Here’s a quick peek at a few of the products that we felt stood out amidst all the commotion.
Scheel-Mann Seats
It seemed like Maltec’s two beautiful camper conversions were the talk of the show, but after driving the 70 Series variant, I walked away with one thing in mind: the seats. Produced by Scheel-Mann out of Stuttgart, Germany, these high-quality seats feel more comfortable and supportive than anything I’ve used thus far. Each can be purchased in a variety of color and fabric combinations, and the Vario model
(shown below) can be adjusted in 10 ways to fit your exact dimensions. After using them during the show, and feeling the relief in my bad back, I actually purchased a set of two for my own vehicle. To learn more about these seats and their options, check out their
website here.Genesis Offroad Tacoma Dual Battery Tray
Genesis Offroad has already developed a reputation for dual battery systems thanks to their popular Jeep JK kit, but at Overland Expo East they unveiled their latest product, a dual battery tray for the 2016+ Toyota Tacoma. This kit comes with everything you’ll need to make adding a second battery a breeze, and can even be ordered with different terminals, new accessory or cranking batteries, and a monitoring system. Pricing starts at $519 USD, and more information can be found here.
Reiken Tire Covers
We love to see small companies producing products right here in the USA, and Reiken does just that. Their custom tire covers are made to order out of thick twill waxed canvas and leather in a range of colors, and can be secured with an adjustable locking cable. While these two friends are just launching their business, we’d say they’re off to a good start, and we can’t wait to see more of their products on the trail. Check them out at ReikenUSA.com
Decked Mid-size Truck System
Alright, alright, we know we’re behind the curve here, but in case you haven’t heard about the mid-size truck system released by Decked at this event, here’s what you need to know. The deck packs a 2,000-pound payload capacity, which can be used for everything from lumber and rocks to an ATV or dirt bikes, and each drawer can carry 200 pounds of whatever you want. The drawers also contain dividers, and are available with boxes as shown in the image above. Pricing for the Tacoma model starts at $1,149, and more information can be found
here. Ubco 2×2
One of the most fun products to use at the show was the Ubco 2×2 electric motorcycle. With two-wheel drive, an all-terrain suspension and a top speed of 31 mph, it’s a great bike for tackling a trip to town or some light off-road trails. When we spotted it the bike was parked outside of EarthCruiser’s booth, and we immediately saw the appeal. What better run-around bike could you have for an overland vehicle or large RV? For more information, check out their
website here. 
Hercules Tire
While Hercules Tire certainly isn’t new to the tire world, this was one of the first chances that I’d had to inspect their Terra Trac T/G Max and Terra Trac M/T up close. Both looked like interesting and affordable options, although the Terra Trac T/G seemed to only come in limited sizes. We hope to see a few of these out on the trail soon to find out how they really perform. To learn more, visit the manufacturers
website here. Tembo Tusk Adventure Skottle
The skottle cook system seems to make an appearance at every overland event I’ve attended, and has certainly cooked some of my favorite camp meals through the years. The only trouble is that they can be somewhat large and difficult to carry, but not anymore. Tembo Tusk now offers a smaller and lighter version of their popular grill called the Adventure Skottle, and it retails for $260 USD. To learn more,
click here. Overland Gear Exchange
One of the coolest concepts at this show came from Overland Gear Exchange, a company that has set out to be a platform for buying, selling, and RENTING overland gear. This includes everything from roof-top tents, heaters, and stoves, to a fully kitted out Conqueror UEV-440 trailer or a flatbed Toyota Tacoma with Four-Wheel Camper. Oh, and yes, you
can list your own equipment and vehicles for rent as well! Check it all out on their
website here. Adventure Tool Company
ATC has held a special place in our hearts and our trucks for a long time. Their high-quality equipment is designed and built to last a lifetime, and well worth every penny of its cost. It didn’t surprise me in the least that by the time I saw their new gear bags at the show, they were 100 percent sold out. Fortunately ATC will be making more, and you can check out all of the
specifications here. 
Mountain State Overland Bottle Opener
There are some things that I simply have no good reason for wanting, I just do. This bottle opener is one of those things. It’s not silver and obnoxious, it says overlander in a hipster font, and it opens frosty beverages. What more do I need to say? Check it out on their
website here. Kariba Hot Water Shower
If there’s one complaint I hear most about spending extended periods on the road, it’s that people want a hot shower. Well, Equipt Expedition Outfitters now has a solution for that, and it’s called the Kariba. This single burner gas heater can be used as a stove or a hot water heater for a shower, and is compact enough to fit just about anywhere. It can raise ambient water temps by 65°F, and can operate on camping gas and propane. For more information, visit the
Equipt website here.RedArc Electronics
RedArc already has a reputation for being the best of the best in Australia, but they’re still establishing a presence here in the States. I have little doubt that they will be successful, and products like the BCDC1225D below are sure to give them a solid foothold. This awesome power management system is fully sealed and weatherproof, and is designed specifically to charge your secondary battery banks to 100 percent while on the move. Its advanced monitoring system can even prioritize the output from hard-mounted solar panels and your alternator on the road, in order to determine what combination will give the vehicle its best charge for the conditions. To learn more about this and other RedArc products, check out their
website here. Free Spirit High Country Edition Tents
Let’s be honest, setting up and breaking down roof top tents can be a pain, but Free Spirit’s new tent is about to make it a whole lot easier. Their new High Country tents require no additional poles, and the setup and breakdown can occur within seconds. They still use a traditional soft cover, but for their size we would guess they’re one of the easier tents to use. High Country Editions are available in a range of sizes and colors, and more information can be found on their
website here. Primus Kamoto Fire Pit and Stove
We love a good campfire, but we also love preserving the many beautiful locations we have the privilege of visiting. For those times when a ground fire is impossible, or just wouldn’t be treading lightly, Primus has a solution: the Kamoto. Available in two sizes, these fold-flat pits are made from stainless and powder-coated steel. The sides provide wind protection, while carefully placed vents underneath provide air for combustion. An ashtray underneath catches any falling debris and protects the ground from embers. Each model can also be paired with an open fire pan which can be set up to stand over the flames with its legs or sit directly on top of the fire pit as seen here. To find out more, visit their
website here. 
Warrior Products Quick Latch Shovel Mount and MOD Box
The two new pieces of kit at Warrior Products that caught our eye were this quick latch shovel/axe mount and their new MOD box. While we don’t have pricing on either, both can be mounted to a roof rack or the bed rails of a Tacoma, making them fairly versatile accessories. For more information, visit their new product page here.
Blue Ridge Overland Gear
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Blue Ridge Overland Gear, they’re an awesome company based out of Bedford, Virginia, who make their products by hand right here in the USA. From packing cubes for your clothes to storage bags like the one you see below, these folks know how to make cool useful products for all of your needs. This year they had a few new additions, including a Tacoma attic which can be seen below. I think I’ll be adding their overland oil bag to my personal collection sometime soon. To see more of their awesome products, or watch how they’re made, check out their website here.
Looking for more Overland Expo East action? Check out the four wheel drive and camper and trailer articles below.
