Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

@INSAYN Here is an honest answer to your questions if you are interested.

Those of you that built an overland vehicle here...

Are you still making credit card payments on any of your gear?

NOPE

What was your reasoning for adding Maxtrax, RotoPax, axe, shovel, Hi-Lift, jerry cans, winch, lights, headliner patches, etc?

Maxtrax, because I got a set for free through my previous business. I did however, find them invaluable for recovery, both in overlanding and highway driving in winter conditions. I have since purchased 2 more sets at full price and keep them on both vehicles all winter long. I have used them to recover cars, trucks, RVs, and UTVs. They are quick to use and simple.

Rotopax, because I hate jerry cans and I always carry extra fuel even if I am just driving down the highway. I like to be prepared. I also use them on snowmobiles, utvs, etc. They are a valuable tool that I use for various hobbies, not just overlanding.

Axe, I have had an axe for camping since I was 12. I dont have it for overlanding, I have it for camping, and I camp in with my truck most of the time. Same thing with the shovel.

Hi-lift, I don't carry one. I dont feel safe using one. I have used thema few times to make trail repairs on my trailer and other peoples vehicles but a heavy duty bottle jack with a good base and an extension is easier to store and is my preference.

Jerry Cans, like I mentioned above. Not a fan of them. Never use them.

Winch, I bought one because it seemed like a smart tool to have and I was already buying a bumper that accommodated one. I use it for everything now. I used it last week to drag some huge stone steps across the yard for my neighbor.

Lights, because I am afraid of the dark . Not really, but I do like to have them for camping as area lights. I added the amber light on my bumper for driving in snow. I often am on rural roads where other cars are seldom and it helps in a blizzard.

Headliner patches, The first few I got, I simply got because they were free handouts. Then my son though they were cool so we got a few for him. Then it seemed fun to collect them from each place we went so we started that.

Did you find that you could not overland properly without these items at some point, or just want to be extra extra extra prepared?

I have never considered what I do "overlanding". I have camped since I was a kid. I go camping now to get away from people. In order to do so, I have to travel further and further. So traveling out into the middle of nowhere for days at a time to camp led me to find solutions that real "overlanders" were using. There are certainly some things I could get away with not having but since it is usually my wife and 2 young kids going and we don't go with a group or other vehicles, I go prepared so my family doesn't end up stranded.

 

That’s just cunts trying to enforce their bullshit pecking order to justify themselves. I just let them extrapolate on how awesome they are while I go do what I’m passionate about, such as wheeling and camping with my mates.

 

No tune change here.
I responded to your logic of why you setup your rig. Sounded like you decided to look the part to stand out in a crowd.
You answered my original question and that's fare.

It is what it is.

 

LOL!!!!! That's the funniest thing I've heard all day!

 

Thanks zscott.

Very specific and personal for sure.
I fully understand the boy scout mentality, if it is what you grew up with, it makes sense that it would stick with you.
You make a great point about camping vs. overlanding. In some ways they can be one in the same, yet in other ways... no way at all similar.

 

Are you still making credit card payments on any of your gear?
- No, everything paid in cash. Doesn't make sense to go in debit for a hobby.

What was your reasoning for adding...
Maxtrax - I've used mine multiple in snow trips and one early spring trip. Its nice and easy to put these out before trying to pull winch line, getting straps and shackles out.

RotoPax/Jerry Cans - Used multiple times, example I drove from Washington State to Utah. Made it in around 11pm at night, drove up a mountain to find a camp spot with a 1/2 tank of gas. Knowing that in the morning I had enough fuel to fill up and make it to a gas station.

Axe&Shovel - Besides camping, both are nice to have up here in the PNW because trees fall daily and in the winter time i've high centered my truck in snow drifts multiple times.

Hi-Lift - I've used this multiple times to fix my rig and others on the trail, i've also used this as a winch point when I didn't have enough straps to reach something and needed a few extra feet.

Winch - Because using a come along works, but a winch is easier. I've used my winch to prevent major body damage in tight spots, along with getting me off trails when my lockers blew up ( twice ).

Lights & Patches - Are personal things, I have two 6" LED bars on the front bumper and rock lights for night runs.

Do you need everything above? No. But the time you do need it, you're going to wish you had it.

It all depends on how you run your rig. I run mine pretty hard, don't care about cosmetics and most of the time I go solo because I can't find people to run trails with me. With that in mind I carry enough parts and tools that I can tear the truck down on the trail and fix just about anything.

 

Absolutely not. Not a hater on anyone. Just wanted a poll on why folks have what they have being that the overlander look/vibe is here and getting more popular by the minute.

This thread originally started to talk about sharing and talking about overlanding rigs. We've seen tons of examples of what an overland rig looks like (many look identical), some go off road, waayyy off road. Some never leave the pavement and everything in between. Beyond the pictures, it's interesting to hear why or how folks see the overland look/feel/need from their perspective.

 

Another one for heavy use.

You must live in my neck of the woods, PNW. I know whatcha mean with the many down trees in the winter.
Have you found the need to carry a chainsaw yet? I'm about there myself.

 

Yes, I always have one in the truck this time of year until all the trails shutdown and turn into snow parks. Last weekend we didn't have one and a new tree fell in the trail. It was maybe 4-5ft in diameter and we didn't have the saw, you could see where someone before us hand chop a small path around the tree but they had to be in a YJ or CJ because it was to small and too tight to get the tacoma around. We had to back track and pick up the trail the next time it crossed a main FS road. We could have cut that out if we had the saw.

We also saw a tree that someone notched either by hand or with a saw, but they picked up all of their shavings so no one would notice. People are weird and you never know what your going to run into.

 

Do you even wheel bro?

 

Who would ever do that

 

what? a Durango now? Didn't you get a 3rd gen or something a while back?

 

My wife and I are just getting into overlanding, if that's what you'll consider our goals. I'm 50, my children are gone, my wife and I are looking for adventures together in nature. I owe nothing on anything I've bought for the truck, which is set up according to the needs I already knew existed just to get in and out of where I hunt which is similar to places we want to go. I don't have a winch or anything yet as we are purchasing as we find needs to meet our goals. We do still owe on our truck and we do owe on our micro adventure camper we purchased after we paid off our house as I didn't feel like unassing 10k in 1 lump. I have done all the work on the truck by myself and I make as much of what we need on my own. Where we live and want to go things like axes, shovels, and a winch, along with recovery gear, would be well advised.
Right now we are sadly restricted to campgrounds but get out as much as possible. The end goal is to go completely off grid for at least a week at a time but to do so some pretty big purchases will have to be made. In this instance we have figured out what's needed and it will have to be purchased before we can leave camp grounds or we'll never make it.
Personally, I don't care what others spend their money on and/or if they ever leave the road with there truck. I try not to judge folks on what they do and don't give a shit if anybody likes what I've done with my truck or not. I'm in no way saying you are judging but IMHO there is far too much of that on TW already. Do what makes you happy life is far too short to be concerned what others think.

 

Casper, sounds like you have a great plan and great companion to execute that plan with. Keep it simple and get what you need as needed is a solid plan.
It's always refreshing to hear when folks do their own work on their trucks, and build their own gear whenever possible.

I can see some judgement on TW, and I certainly see how my line of questions could be perceived as such. I'm not the kind that butters things too much to keep from hurting the softest of feelings, as ask as I see it. Too many folks these days don't want to read what is posted, rather they jump to conclusions, read more into things, or assume the negative side.

In a nutshell, I don't really care how a person spends their money on their truck. On this topic, I am interested in how they came to collecting the gear they have on their rig. Whether folks are the professional, the full timer, the weekend warrior, or just looking to have heads turned their direction, it's all the same. I know I asked if they are still paying for said equipment via credit card and that was more to gauge their thought process a bit. Impulse buyer, penny pincher, average Joe, or a cold ass honky.

Been getting some great returns from everyone.

 

Spoken like a true 2nd Gen'er!

Posing aside, I do think it useful to regularly evaluate the utility of gear. And I think that holds true with the modifications we make to our vehicles, as well. When I started my Tacoma, I had a bling list that included damn near everything under the sun: full armor, shell, racks, lights, winch, etc. The more I used the truck, the more I realized I did not need a lot of that stuff. (even though it looks soo cool). In fact, I tried a lot of gear and then ultimately removed it because I did not care for how it affected the performance of the vehicle. As is so often said here, these Tacomas are amazingly capable straight off the lot. Now I'm starting a new build and trying to apply that experience. What did I learn?

The most effective mods:

• Good tires
• Great suspension (spend your money here)
• Rock sliders
• Leather seats
• Extra tie-downs in the bed to hold my crap in place
• CB/Ham/or other similar communication device

Bonus: I really love my RTT, but I could live without it.

 

In my 20's I had:

• Black Diamond Crag Bag
• 2 blade Vic w/ the plastic busted off
• Insulated Mug from a gas station and a Lexan Spork
• Petzl Headlamp
• A Couple 2liter Coke bottles
• Patagonia Fleece
• Marmot Shell
• Wool Hat/Gloves
• Foam Pad
• REI 20deg Holofill bag
• Old Jansport Tent
• LaSportiva Makalus/Wool Socks
• Tevas/River Shorts
• Couple T-Shirts
• MSR Whisperlite/pot/fuel
• Small rack of climbing gear &rope
• Tooth Brush / Box of Condoms

I roamed the earth, literally, best years of my life...

 

This. Good stuff bud.

 

Climbing around in colorado, this is in idaho springs..i think in arapaho(somethinornother) im not good about these things.

 

The leather seats were an upgrade suggested by my wife. They are surprisingly comfortable.

Good company is a must; well said

 

What is the company you used?