What do I need to start? overland?

I am becoming more interested in overland. I have been watching some videos and would like to try it out. I already enjoy camping, hiking, and hunting. So my question is what would be the basic things I would need to do to my truck? Nothing crazy just something to get me by until I know I would like it.(I'm sure I will). My truck is basically all stock 08 trd off road. All I have done is lights, bull bar, and wheels. Will I need a lift? Would I have to get a specific type of tire? My truck is my daily driver and I drive 65 miles a day so I don't want to hurt gass mileage to much. I just don't want to go into this blind. Thanks.

 

A huge misconception people have is that they need a camel-trophy style vehicle to get out and have a good time... That's simply not the case. Make sure you can sleep comfortably, eat well, and travel safely. If you realize any of those areas lacking, build to suit.

My advice would be to start stock and build your truck up as you see it's short comings.

Now if you're asking what sort of EQUIPMENT you may need, that's a whole other story and really impossible to answer. Get the basics- a jack, some tools, maybe a portable air compressor. Again, notice your shortcomings and buy what you need.

 

I would say, "don't just spend your money on mods unless you know what you want". The more you use the truck, the more you will find things you want to improve.
This thread has some good ideas though: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/of...overland-expedition-pics-specs-bs-thread.html

 

Thanks, I'll just start with a couple short trips and maybe I'll find out what I need from doing that. Anyone else from maine and know some trails/trips to start out?

 

I would remove the bullbar.... It kills your approach angle.

 

I meet a guy in Moab from New Zealand that had just been to Overland Expo last yr.
We talked about the event and "overlanding".
We both came to the conclusion that when we were kids it was just called Camping.

Just make sure your truck is in good shape, you have gear you know how to use and have fun

 

You have a couple of overlander organizations established nearby who sponsor outings every so often.
http://www.northeastoverland.org/
http://www.vermontoverland.com/
Haven't looked into the northeast group yet but on the VOT site they offer recommendations for what to do to your rig.

 

OP, I didn't think to add some of my personal experience earlier. A while back took a 6 week road trip (some like to call it overlanding, but I called it a 'pre-tirement'). The biggest irritations I had with the rig was a lack of a convenient sleeping setup and a lack of recovery gear. You would be surprised how old it gets setting up a tent for 6 weeks. I use a camper shell now, but a lot of people prefer a roof top tent. The lack of recovery gear kept me out of a lot of areas that were most likely passable, but I feared getting stuck all by myself. I'm sure your results will very, as I had already setup my camping gear from other trips.
I tried not to ramble on.... Just get out and travel.

 

If you want to do any serious getting out in the woods "overlanding" then you need to be looking at a plate bumper with a winch and recovery gear. If you look around at all the tacos on here they are set up a million different ways, but pretty mych any guys that go off in the woods have the aforementioned gear. Also some little things people forget till they need it, like several pairs of leather palm gloves, a poncho, can of ether for emergency bead reset on the trail. Also as the other guy said ditch the bullbar asap. Not only does it kill your angle, it offers no real protection, and in most cases actually causes more damage ii an incident.

 

Yea it seems overlanding is just camping but with tea and your pinky sticking out.

 

Go out, see what you enjoy.

Some people need a toilet and power and cell phone reception.

Some people want no one around.

Some people need 33's, armor and a locker.

Some need 2wd.

Best advice I can give is go out a bunch of times to a variety of places. Take a year of camping before you decide what you are into.

I used to want to "overland" so I bought a completely offroad worthy Kamparoo Weekender trailer, built to off road with. It is now 2 years later and I want an outdoor shower and a hard roof for rain, and a fridge.

I have started to do backpacking trips more and more, which usually cause you to park the car on an easy to drive logging road. If you want to be off the grid, backpacking is the only way IMO.

Best page for overlanding/camping.

expeditionportal.com

 

Ditch the bull bar and anything that hangs down low. The best upgrade will be good LT rated tires. Since you have a long bed, a cap and sleeping platform is really nice. But otherwise all you need is gas a tent and a sense of adventure. Just get out there!

 

...and your soul...just a little.

lulz...Google "glamping" for a chuckle.

 

Ya all I have now it a tent. But I really like the look of the roof top tents. They are a little expensive for me but I still might pull the trigger on one, after I go on a few trips. I'm not looking to go rock climbing or anything crazy just enough to need the 4x4. And have a little fun. Thanks for the info.

 

I am also new to the whole offroading scene.

I am more inclined to overlanding .. I would say 80% overland, 20% serious rock climbing. I really dont like mudding.

of course any offroading will involve a little of everything, but we get the idea.

I am also looking to build a rig, for that I just recently bought a 3rd gen 4runner.

For starters I am looking for my on board air, rear lockers, plate bumpers, winch and lift. .. for now I think ill be sleeping in the back if I take back seats out.

 

roof top tent is a absolute NO GO for me.

what if your camp is all set up, and you want to go get fire wood?
want to go explore?
need to get a friend unstuck?
well then, you need to completely pack up your tent, just to move your truck.

everytime after i set up camp, im always out driving around checking things out, no way i could have a tent on top of my truck!!


like others have said, overlanding is the "cool" term of camping.
throw a tent and cooler and chairs and what not in your truck, go out to the forest, and have some fun.
youll find out what your truck needs as you start getting into more tough trails.
a completely stock truck is fine, as long as you have good recovery gear, or are out with a friend!

 

You just saved me a lot of money by not buying a RTT.

My wallet thanks you.

 

You are welcome!
As badass as they are, and as bad as i want one, i just could never have one. I am out farting around too much. My friends that have RTTs are always stuck asking for rides to go places because they dont want to pack up their whole camp.
How often are you at 1 camp for more than a few days, and you dont drive your truck? never, if your there for longer than 1 night you will want to drive your truck...
i love the idea, just not for me i guess. a ground tent or hammock fits my needs better.

 

I agree with doyouevenprerun. I would never put an RTT on my truck however in the next few years i will be building me one of these and i would definitely put a RTT on that. You set up camp. You unhook the truck and your campsite stays ready and your truck is free to go. I personally love this guys trailer
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/other-builds/192955-box-rocket-trailer-build.html

 

You don't *need* anything. Load up the truck and go. After a few trips you'll start to find the things you want to work better/different on your truck and you can start to add them.

Save your money for gas and go out and make some adventures.

Edit: you guys that don't want a RTT.....to each his own but putting the tent away should only take a couple minutes and isn't a big deal IMO. I do it regularly. Sure it's not necessarily convenient, but not that bad. And IMO the benefits far outweigh those minor inconveniences. But it's also the reason I don't set up my tent until I'm ready to get inside. If I know I'm gonna go explore or do stuff, I don't open it up.