overlanders

[DLTooley]

To start off with I would begin with shorter back country adventures. It can certainly be done much cheaper than the typical blinged out overlander.

A 4x4 pickup base is probably the simplest value, but there are also many van conversions available as well.

I like to call this sort of travel ‘Rough Riding’ in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, the iconoclastic Republican who also started the ‘socialist’ forest service.

Aussies are very big into this sort of stuff. Maybe consider flying there and buying a rig for a big adventure. You could then ship it back, if you wanted.

 

[desert_sailing]

I did see that Aussies are big into this expedition type of travel and I have certainly thought about hopping a flight to check it out... of course my budget is going to keep more a bit more local for the time being.

I saw there is also a major route that goes from Cairo to Capetown... wow.. too bad it is soo dangerous in many of those countries.

I would be completely contented with a 4x4 truck at first and while I would love to hit some of the more advanced trails.. again my budget would prevent a large repair bill if I mess things up too much.

I do want to pick up a small parcel somewhere for a base.. I imagine the more remote and difficult to access I would get better prices and be right in the thick of it all.

Sounds like a win win.

Thanks for the input.

 

[highdesertranger]

sorry for the delay, I forgot all about this.

what vehicle? depends on where. for here I would not use a specialized vehicle that was not sold in the US. also no conversions like 4x4 vans. i would want something that is easy to service and get parts for.

for myself I have a 2001 Ford f250 3/4 ton super duty 4x4 and a 1978 Chevy 1 ton crew cab 4x4. the Chevy beats the Ford all day long. I tow a cargo trailer and also have a Suzuki 4wheeler.

highdesertranger

 

[Qxxx]

To start off with I would begin with shorter back country adventures. It can certainly be done much cheaper than the typical blinged out overlander.

DL, that original page that d_s linked had a video of the TAT people going over and down Black Bear Pass into Telluride. Since you can probably see it from your living room, you might tell d_s about it. LOL. The boys in the video didn't really do the best job of telling people some of the things they would be getting into. Similarly for some of the places over near Moab. About 4:40:

 

[tripper]

I do a bit of solo overlanding but not hard core.  Overlanding requires a very reliable vehicle and usually travel with groups with like setup rigs, if you break down no tow company is coming for you, that's why group travel, plus usually one guy will be an awesome guide. It is for the most part a sport for people with money to burn, they do it part time while still working. If you want to seriously overland Toyotas and Jeeps are the best all around rigs.  Cherokees can be done up on a budget, Rubicon is the best all around if you have deep pockets, but the Toyotas, while not quite as capable (close), are the most reliable.  I personally do it to get to nice camping spots away from people, most overlanders seem to be in it for the challenge of traveling and move on every day or two. I am using a 4x4 truck and hard sided pop up camper, which is a bit too large to really do the rough rock crawling and backwoods stuff; but works well for me, I like to be comfortable lol. There is a lot of info on youtube about overlanding, some of the channels are just big commercials and some are genuine peeps. If you want to test the waters I seriously recommend a Jeep Cherokee with the straight 6 engine, they are inexpensive and tough. If you want to do a pickup truck, a shell or lightweight tent popup camper is good. There is a great YouTube solo overlander channnel that is mellow and interesting Venture4WD .

My 4x4 with popup camper
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[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]With the top down, important to be low profile in backwoods[/font]

 

[desert_sailing]

Thanks for taking the time to share som e great advice and the link.

I love your rig and pop up. I imagine you get to some nice off the beaten pathways. That is exactly what I am looking for or darn close. I do not have the skills or spine for the real serious expeditions..I have zero desire to slip and slide down 500 foot embankment/hillside. I do want to find off road caravans and join and learn AND have extra security of numbers...at least with one other rig around.

I also don't have deep pockets and able to burn cash. So something that is close but not too close and that offers a bit of adventure. is where I am heading.

I have heard from several people that the cherokee was  a great rig. Thanks for giving the additonal engine tip. I also hear alot about toyota tacoma being a pretty good rig for more of this type of travel/living.

I also found this website that talks abit as well .. I think it is a bit commercialized but some good info so far.

https://www.xoverland.com/vehiclebuilds/

I love hearing anything from you all that are going above and beyond with you rigs on the regular.

Im looking now for something and would probably trade/ sell my just finished van on a dime.  lol

btw the way... are those flexible panels on your camper?

 

[tripper]

You can do a lot with just a van, there is plenty to see out there. If I were just starting I would go for the jeep Cherokee, it has straight axles which are better (more reliable, better articulation for traction) than independent front suspension (which newer Toyotas have) for Overlanding , and it shares many components with other Jeeps. You can continue to invest and upgrade your base Cherokee all the way into a world class explorer. Most remote trails are Jeep sized, so full size pickups will have difficulty traversing them. A plus to Cherokees are they are near the point were their value is going to go up, as they are desirable off roaders.
Yes those are flexible panels on the roof, but not what most people think off as flexible, they are Copper Indium Gallium DiSelenide, or CIGS flexible solar panels, not silicon based like most panels, that used to be made by Global Solar in Tucson. I have 3 of of them for a total of 690 watts on the roof. They are really cool panels but the Chinese bought all 3 companies in the world that used to make them and the companies seemed to be non operational after that. I do know a local guy that has access to some, but the are expensive, about $1.50 watt. They are perfect for my use tho.
You could also put a lunchbox locker (locking rear axle) in the rear axle of your van (assuming you have a rwd one) and a small lift kit and that will get you to a surprisingly large amount off backwoods spots.

 

[bullfrog]

I figured Low Tech would have shown up by now! His stuff and adventures even at the old RTRs will blow you away. I would highly recommend you start your mechanical education right away and get used to going slow on the highway. There is usually a gathering in Flagstaff every year for over landers in the fall that highlights all the new products and builds.

 

[tripper]

Overland Expo postponed until 2021 in Flagstaff

 

[desert_sailing]

Thanks for the info. It looks like potentially May of 2021... that is great timing for me. Gives me time for a bit more research and finding a rig potentially/ideally..

Thanks for the resource.

 

[desert_sailing]

would highly recommend you start your mechanical education right away and get used to going slow on the highway.

I am obviously on a steep learning curve here. I appreciate all the input from anywhere. It is a project in progress. I would like to find a reasonable rig and slowly start building it up and learning as much as possible and in a yearish I can be roaming the backways much more.

Slow is good.. for past 18 years I have gotten paid mileage and wage.. I never hurry anywhere.

 

[DLTooley]

DL, that original page that d_s linked had a video of the TAT people going over and down Black Bear Pass into Telluride. Since you can probably see it from your living room, you might tell d_s about it. LOL. The boys in the video didn't really do the best job of telling people some of the things they would be getting into. Similarly for some of the places over near Moab. About 4:40:

I can see the Tomboy road, but I’ve never driven it.  Part of the deep pocket aspect of extreme over landing is the risk of losing your vehicle - on that route due to the actions of those risk adverse drivers is too high for me.  

I have a high clearance torsion bar suspension 2wd Ranger with over 300k miles.  I was full time in it post a 2010 foreclosure and I still get out for 4-5 months a year. 

I like sleeping under a truck capper, but it does require unpacking and is not at all stealthy.  It’s is a pain to ride out a storm in, but still doable.  My out of pocket might be 5% of a specialty rig.  It took awhile to get my outfit exactly right.

I have 150 watts of solar and a single deep cycle FLA battery running a 12v fridge and can go for three weeks without a resupply. I cook off the tailgate with a second ‘counter’ from a 5’ Walmart folding table and a great camp chair. A $2000 rig that has seen so many million dollar view nights.  

My best story is having an alternator go out in Beef Basin, South of the Needles District of Canyonlands NP. I used the solar to get tenish miles out of the Battery.  It took two days to get out.

 

[bullfrog]

Several years ago I bought a 1978 J10 Jeep truck for $1,500. Bought enough camping gear to fill the back 7’ bed, about $1,500 and went camping and exploring. Improved the truck with a raised suspension, lower gears, high performance engine parts, new radiator, wider steel wheels and larger off road tires which cost about $6,000. I then built a tall topper (great in the desert but no so great in the tree forest) with three beds, two down the sides and one across the front for about $500. So for more than 10 years an initial investment of say $5,000 and $5,000 over time we have been able to go just about anywhere, as DLTooley says if it is where you live full time it is difficult to chance tearing it up but you can still get close and hike or tow a 4x4 to adventure. Full timing requires you haul a lot of weight so over landing in rough terrain can get shall we say challenging! Lol!!!

 

[highdesertranger]

I put a call out to LowTech I hope he responds. highdesertranger

 

[wayne49]

Regarding the Jeep Cherokee recommendation, are there specific years to look for/avoid, or any other similar criteria?

 

[Malamute]

I like sleeping under a truck capper, but it does require unpacking and is not at all stealthy.  It’s is a pain to ride out a storm in, but still doable. 

 I built beds in my pickups. First was tool boxes with a steel shell built over them. Much of the junk was in them, but the bed folded up when not in use, so there was room below it that didnt need to be cleared to sleep and space under the tool boxes along the insides for gear. In the smaller trucks I had shells of various heights, but built a bed on one half of the floor space, just above the wheel well, folding top in two pieces, and lockable. It allowed secure storage, a place to sleep with less work, organized gear, and a good place for the dog to lay when driving. The two piece top allowed the dog to stay in place if I needed stuff underneath, or to get to things when in there sleeping or out of the waether and dont want to clear the bed to get under it. 

An extra cab truck helped tremendously in giving more gear space and keeping the back less cluttered. I built a dog shelf to about shoulder height behind the seat with a shelf midway under it. It gave out of sight storage, room for bulky junk like coats and extra outdoors clothes, and I still had the space clear for the dog to lay on. They all loved it, and often would go back and forth between the cab and the back. I also hung a saddle scabbard for a Winchester carbine to the front of the shelf to hang behind the seat, out of sight but simple to get to when stopped.

 

[highdesertranger]

"Regarding the Jeep Cherokee recommendation, are there specific years to look for/avoid, or any other similar criteria?"

for me I would only consider the square body ones with the straight 6.

highdesertranger

 

[LowTech]

Ok I got poked at.

Super busy doing town runs today, and not sure what I could contribute being as how I don't do "Overlanding" right.
I just spend as much of my nomadic life out on the dirt as I can. I do know lots of overlanders as I worked w/ the founders of Overland Expo, but we have different life styles.

And I don't have a practical vehicle, just a combination work/personal rig that fits my needs. It will go most places and drag a house out, but eats like the beast it is.
I also drag 4 tons of off-roadable trailer around w/ me that I live in.

Have I done "Overlanding" routes, yes but mostly in a small caravan of "nothing is impossible" individuals w/ non modified vehicles and short of all the "right" gear. But even more common is that I just find a collection of tracks and dirt roads on my maps that get me to the next work site or event location and go that way.

Even then I'd rather do it w/ more than one vehicle. Solo overlanding is pretty hard core. You've got no help.

 

[desert_sailing]

Thanksfor taking the time.
I also won't be able to do overlanding "right" nor will I be part of the nothing is impossible crowd as my funds will be deciding that for me.

Finding a collection of tracks and dirt roads to get to point B is ideal and your rig is pretty amazing...   liberating to have wings like that.

I look forward to reading your blogpage and gleaning any extra info that I can.

 

[desert_sailing]

Thanks everybody for sharing your ways and means here. It is giving me a ton of ideas on what to expect and how to move forward efficently.

It is nice to see that several of you are on these less traveled paths and that a nomad adventure can be much more than a walmart or koa.