Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady and co-host Matt Scott argue that many overlanders overload midsize pickups like the Tacoma due to limited payload (often around 1,000–1,200 lbs before passengers and gear), making full-size 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks a better choice for carrying campers, bumpers, winches, water, and supplies while staying under GVWR. They discuss full-size durability as commercial equipment, better bed space, comfort, and fuel range—especially with diesels and large or auxiliary tanks—plus the ability to fit 40-inch tires with less drivetrain upgrading. They note tradeoffs: size challenges in big cities and small villages, and diesel reliability/service complexity internationally, sometimes requiring specialized mechanics. They compare models and packages like Ram 2500/Power Wagon and Ford Super Duty Tremor, praise AEV Prospector builds, and review aftermarket options, concluding full-size trucks suit heavy, feature-rich travel setups.
Overland Journal Podcast Episode #26
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The Payload Power of Full-Size Trucks
One of the most compelling reasons to choose a full-size truck for your overland adventures is their superior payload capacity. Often, overlanders find themselves at the limit of their vehicle’s gross weight ratings. Compact trucks can quickly feel the pinch when loaded with essentials and extras. Meanwhile, full-size trucks offer the substantial advantage of potentially doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling the payload, enabling adventurers to carry more without compromising on safety or performance.
Built Tough: The Backbone of Full-Size Trucks
Beyond payload, full-size trucks are designed to endure the rigors of a variety of challenging environments. From construction sites to mining operations, these vehicles are built for resilience and durability without the pampering often needed by enthusiast vehicles. Unlike smaller counterparts, which require frequent upgrades to handle larger tires or heavier loads, full-size trucks are equipped to manage significant stress, providing a tough, commercial-grade foundation for any overland expedition.
Exploring Reliability and Fuel Efficiency
For those deeply rooted in adventure, reliability and range are key concerns. Full-size trucks typically offer robust engine choices that can transform the handling and efficiency landscape for overlanders. For example, diesel engines in full-size trucks deliver superior fuel economy over long hauls, richly balancing power with efficiency. The option of extended fuel tanks in some models further extends their range, reducing stopovers and ensuring fewer interruptions on endless roads.
Breaking Myths: Addressing Concerns with Full-Size Overland Travel
While full-size trucks present many advantages, potential travelers may fear international journeys’ logistical challenges. Brady and Scott acknowledge that while full-size trucks aren’t abundant outside North America, parts can still be accessed without too much inconvenience. Essentially, compromising on repair or part availability could be balanced with the vehicle’s increased reliability and the additional comforts offered during local travels.
The Practical Luxury of Full-Size Trucks
Full-size trucks don’t just offer practicality—they bring a whole new level of comfort to overlanding. Modern full-size trucks come equipped with features that make long journeys pleasurable: think massage seats and convertible cabin spaces that double as mobile offices. As our hosts note, these vehicles have been engineered with both utility and comfort in mind, delivering a posh yet functional interior for extended roadside exploration.
Host Bios:
Scott Brady
Scott Brady is an adventurer, author, and publisher, and the first person in history to cross all seven continents. Brady is executive publisher of the Overland Collective, home to Overland Journal, the Overland Journal Podcast, and expeditionportal.com—the world’s largest vehicle-dependent adventure community. Scott wrote Overlanding 101 (Simon & Schuster) and is currently riding around the world on his BMW GS. He also led Expeditions 7, the first expedition to drive the same vehicle on all seven continents. Brady’s polar crossings include Antarctica and a south–north crossing of the Greenland ice sheet. Scott is a fellow of the Explorers Club and lives in Prescott, Arizona.
Matt Scott
Matt is a leading expert in automotive adventure. He has extensively explored the world’s most remote places by 4WD and is considered an industry authority on overland travel. He is the only American to ever become an editor of a major Australian 4WD publication and has over 15 years of competitive auto racing experience. @mattexplore
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