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

I don't mind them having tricked out trucks, actually I love it especially on tacomas, but I wish they actually knew wtf they installed on their truck and at least know the bare minimum for it, I understand if they only have time to be a weekend warrior but I just don't like it when they do it to look cool and it comes out of daddy's pocket

EDIT: speaking of posers this couldn't have came at a better time haha

 

i back him up in this, cause i went to the overland expo an there just like sema vehicles

 

I was thinking about going.. but decided against it..

I dunno - I mean I actually get out an use my junk. I mean, sure - it would be nice to have 10 more LED lights, etc. - but for what I do my rig works just fine. There's definitely a palpable elitist attitude over there.. Although, I have met quite a few good friends through a local "overland" group in the PNW. For the most part, everyone involved with the group is great, of course there is the one dude who told me how to build a fire, insisted that no garbage was placed within x amount of feet from the camp, and proceeded to tell me how I was an idiot for only navigating with paper Topo maps..

Honestly, do whatever makes you happy. Life's too short to divide into specific cliques.. If those dudes are happy spending thousands on their rigs, and never getting them dirty - so be it. I do have to laugh at the guys running around with axes and shovels on their roof racks, though..

I know what/where I've been, with what I've had - and I'm happy!

 

Great thread, look to do some traveling around this summer.

 

Same here. I was going to meet up with other drivers and head down there this year, but after thinking about it I decided to take a week long grand canyon trip instead

 

I got a question for you guys. I want to build my rig for an expo style capable of being out in the middle of nowhere for up to hopefully weeks at a time. With that said I am goin to have some money to blow after taxes and I am wondering should I go with upgrading my suspension first or throw on a roof top tent and snorkel? Hmmm tough deduction I know. There is a rtt group buy so I was thinking if I can save a couple hundred now that might be the way to go. Hopefully I will be able to do suspension in a couple of months around June so it's not that long of a wait. If his was my only chance to make a big price ticket purchase for the year it would be suspension. I guess I jut wanted to get your guys opinion on it. Thanks oh and penis. Cause I can never have it be completely straight.

 

I'm not making a blanket statement about everyone at the Overland Expo. There are plenty of completely legit trucks that get used and used hard. But there is also a good number of complete posers.

and for the record, I consider myself a poser to some degree. I still go use my stuff and use it pretty hard, but nowhere near the level of some people.

 

This kinda goes along with this article on Expedition Portal from today
http://www.expeditionportal.com/gen...anding-or-car-camping-and-does-it-matter.html

I feel kinda bad for those trucks. It's like when you see a surfboard hanging from a bar ceiling. It'll never see the ocean.

Last year I bought a new mountain bike. It's a 2010 Turner 5 Spot with full XTR, dropper seat post and all blue components, even blue crank brothers wheels. Anyway it was built for the InterBike trade show and never ridden. I feel like I not only got a killer deal (I paid $3K, it would have been $6200 in 2010) but I also rescued it so it can have a better "life" being ridden on dirt and jumping and hitting big rocks and roots.

 

I like to think I use my stuff then I see other people and know I don't/can't go that hard...

 

Funny article. However, I agree with the author that what you call your trip doesn't really matter, it's about the adventure. I just think "expo" or expedition has taken on a life of it's own and become way too overblown. What ever happened to just going out and hitting the trails? really that's all most of us ever do. I guess in the end, that's what makes me roll my eyes and laugh about the individuals I'm referencing at the Overland Expo. Just because they present the "image" of an overlander they seem to claim some legitimacy to having that title. Not so IMO. I hope that we can somehow just get back to calling stuff what it is, trail rides and camping trips.

edit: and personally I don't think it really matters how "hard" you use your truck. Just get out and actually use it.

 

I agree with this. The words expedition and overland have been blown up in the last 5 years.

Who cares long as you just get out and do stuff

 

I was out there three weekends ago, hit some of the mud across the playa and am still pulling that stuff out from under my truck. Pretty amazing spot to camp though.

 

Yeah, I think if I'm going to purchase something I need to justify the expense to myself by using it. My all weather tires on my truck were worn out so I bought AT tires to replace. Now I need to go drive on some trails. I bought a camper shell and built a sleeping platform. I should do some camping while on those trails. It all works out to having fun and getting away.

 

expedition/overland is going to be the new baja type of trend before you know it.

 

What do you mean? By "Baja" are you talking desert race type stuff?

 

You should hear the shit talking I get in my area. lol Been called a douche for having the stuff on my truck that I do. I do believe I use it as much as I can, and I do put my truck through it's intended purposes. I can say I've used everything I've added on. And I still try to keep it pretty. haha I'll stay in my khaki pants; poser or not.

yes! I did the same. lol I literally need to shovel clumps of dirt out. It's packed everywhere. Already spent $30 at the pressure wash places to get the outside areas clean. I think I'm going to have to drop the skid plates and empty the dirt out.

 

i'm talking about the mentality behind it. baja has it's "bros", and it won't be long (if it hasn't already started) before overland/expedition has similar "just for show" kind of folks.

 

I've seen enough of your truck to know you go out and use it. Nothing wrong with trying keep it looking nice in the process. And you can wear khaki pants if you want. But I'll guess you have at least something of a different color in your closet.

gotcha and I think we've been there with the "just for show" for a while.

 

he's got the dark khakis for those more adventerous days