Some vehicles are so ugly they’re somehow charming, and the Land Rover Forward Control Series IIA is one of them. I considered the later (and better looking) 101 Forward Control as my long-term overland camper and swapped out the original V8 motor with Land Rover’s legendary 300tdi. However, I realized that this platform was too…
Overland Classifieds :: 1990 Nissan Pathfinder SE
It’s no secret that Japanese vehicles are some of the most reliable globally , and models from the 1990s are often considered the very best. Why? Well, that’s debatable, but many 4WDs from the period offered a sweet spot between mechanical simplicity and electrical complexity. Subsequently, vehicles like the Pathfinder were not well-equipped by modern…
Overland Classifieds :: 1987 First Generation Toyota 4Runner
Over the past few weeks, we’ve featured several fancy rigs, including a GXV Patagonia and a 2021 6×6 SLRV Expedition Vehicle, both priced at an eye-watering $675,000. A seasoned overlander once told me that these ultra-expensive overland vehicles offer the “realities of luxury, but the illusion of freedom.” In other words, these behemoths are incredibly…
Gear Roundup at Overland Expo West
I love overland vehicles and I love overland gear! While there were some amazing vehicles at the recent Overland Expo West, it is the search for excellent equipment which, in the words of James May, gives me the fizz. Great gear is essential to an overland journey, and well-designed gear should be good to look…
Overland Classifieds :: 2014 Dodge Ram Power Wagon w/ Four Wheel Camper Hawk
The Power Wagon is engineered by Ram with all-terrain travel in mind, making it one of the few vehicle platforms that’s well-suited to overlanding from the factory. Consequently, it’s a popular choice for expedition builds, with recent examples including this 2017 Power Wagon w/ EarthCruiser GZL and this Kitted-out 2019 Power Wagon. Today’s example has…
Overland Classifieds :: 1999 Ford E-350 4×4 7.3-liter Diesel XLT
The E-350 is a popular choice amongst overlanders due to its long-lived diesel motors, dependable drive trains, OEM and aftermarket parts and accessories availability, and access to 4WD conversion specialists. Over the past few weeks, we’ve featured several expedition-ready examples, including a 2002 4×4 Hightop, 2003 4×4 7.3, and a monster Quad Van 4×4. Today’s…
BearVault: A Container for Safe Food Storage in the Backcountry
As a rider, I’ve traveled through a lot of bear country, particularly in British Columbia, Alaska, and Russia. As a hiker, I’ve encountered dozens of bears—even been chased by one, which is why I take food storage in the wilderness seriously. Not only do I want to avoid being woken in the night by claws…
Overland Classifieds :: 1996 Toyota Hiace 3.0 4WD Diesel
The Toyota Hiace is an unsung hero, a vehicle that’s rarely mentioned amongst the vanlife and overlanding communities yet is widely considered one of the most reliable vans in the world. My dad bought a 2.4-liter diesel 2WD Hiace when he left the army and became a carpet layer. The van never broke down during…
Overland Classifieds :: 2018 Ford Raptor w/ GFC Camper
What’s not to love about blistering performance, trophy truck-esque off-road handling, excellent all-terrain capability, respectable gas mileage, and everyday reliability? With the 2022 Raptor coming in at a MSRP of over $70,000 (before adding extras), it is too expensive for most of us. Nevertheless, we have featured a number of expedition- ready examples, including this…
Senior Editor Ashley Giordano’s Overland Gear Picks from Expo West 2022
Event ticket holders, exhibitors, international overlanders, avid campers, and off-road enthusiasts attend Overland Expo West for many different reasons. Some seek the ultimate vehicle build for their next adventure, while others are eager to teach, learn, or test their chops at the dusty motorcycle demo or vehicle expedition skills area. And with over 400 exhibitors,…
Destination of the Week: Tamasopo – Waterfalls in a rainforest
Tamasopo is a Mexican town in the Huasteca region of San Luis Potosi, which is surrounded by green mountains and clear blue skies. The town is inhabited by a meager 4,326 people, half of whom still speak an indigenous language. One cannot help but imagine this region centuries ago before the European colonists arrived. There…
Overland Classifieds :: 2014 Global X Vehicles Unimog U500
Traditionally overlanding meant sacrificing the comforts of home, but today that’s not always the case. The vehicles produced by EarthRoamer, EarthCruiser, and Global X Vehicles are capable of conquering the toughest environments on earth while providing a level of interior luxury that’s unmatched by most apartments. We’ve featured a number of these monster rigs, including…
Overland Classifieds :: 2002 Toyota Tacoma TRD Overland Build
Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared several expensive rigs, including a $529,000 Global X Vehicles Patagonia and a $238,000 2016 Ford F-550 Camper. Although these vehicles are very impressive and offer all the comforts of a luxury apartment, I can’t help but feel they’re a long way removed from the origins of overlanding. I’ve…
Overland Classifieds :: 1986 Toyota FJ60
We’ve had many heavily modified rigs posted to our forum, including this epic Lexus GX460, but today’s FJ60 has to be one of the most extreme. If you’re in the market for an around-the-world overlanding rig, look away now, but if you want to crawl technical terrain in unparalleled style, it’s your lucky day! “Built…
Bikepacking News :: Restrap’s “Ideal Kit for Staying out Longer”
The summer is fast approaching, which means longer days, and the opportunity to pedal further. Whether you’re looking to cram in the miles, camp overnight, or explore new or familiar trails with friends, you’ll need some degree of storage. In the past, that meant a sweaty backpack or some bulky panniers. Thanks to the bikepacking…
Overland Classifieds :: 2014 Toyota Tacoma T/X Baja Series
The Tacoma is a hugely popular overland platform, with recent examples including this 2016 Expedition Build, 2007 Access Cab, and a 2009 SR5 w/ Pastime 700FDS Truck Camper. Over the years, we’ve featured nearly every variant of the Tacoma—except for the rare and desirable T/X Baja Series. The Baja Series Package, much like the Bison…
Overland Classifieds :: 1982 Vanagon Westfalia
Love or hate them, there’s simply no denying the popularity of classic Volkswagen campers. The Bus (or T2) has always been a symbol of freedom and wanderlust, but it has been somewhat eclipsed in recent years by its successor, the Vanagon (T3). The latter carried forward much of its predecessor’s charm but introduced superior reliability…
Destination :: M. & M. Garage, Malosco, Italy
It’s always intimidating traveling overseas in your vehicle, especially when you’ve taken a 2.5 year hiatus (thanks, Covid), and you drive a notoriously temperamental Vanagon Syncro. Nevertheless, I felt confident in my vehicle after a recent mechanical overhaul and was beyond excited to be headed to Northern Italy, specifically the Dolomites. The van drove impeccably…
Overland Classifieds :: 2017 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 Sportsmobile
The Mercedes Sprinter is one of the most popular vehicles for van life, with many professional camper conversions offered from Winnebago, Westfalia, and Sportsmobile. The introduction of a capable 4WD model has made this platform increasingly desirable with overlanders, with recent expedition-ready examples including this $177,900 Revel 44E 4WD and a $119,000 2017 4×4 2500….
Featured Truck Canopy Camper :: Roverking
Since purchasing a pickup truck, I’ve been paying close attention to lightweight truck canopy campers, thinking that they could be a great alternative to hauling around my Airstream. Canopies may be small, but what they lack in living space, they make up for in cost, and weight savings (under 1000 pounds, some far less). One…