Learn how to prep your overland adventure vehicle for off road adventure
Overland adventure can be the most rewarding travel experience of a lifetime.
The Overland Journal, a publication for environmentally responsible, worldwide vehicle-supported expedition and adventure travel, describes over landing as ?self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal. Typically, but not exclusively, accommodated by mechanized off-highway capable transport (from bicycles to trucks) where the principal form of lodging is camping; often lasting for extended lengths of time (months to years) and often spanning international boundaries.?
But when it comes to choosing your over-landing gear, you can’t enjoy the journey if you don’t have a vehicle that can get you to where you want to go. What makes for a great adventure vehicle? Durability, stability and reliability are just a few of the key elements. Value, fuel economy, load bearing capacity are other factors to consider. Take the time to research the pros and cons of the quintessential overland vehicles such as:
The Mercedes Unimog, Land Rover Defender, Land Rover LR2, Land Rover LR4 HSE, Range Rover V8 SWB, Toyota 4Runner Trail, Toyota Land Cruiser, Jeep Grand Cherokee overland ED, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, Mercedes Benz G500, Mercedes-Benz G63, and Lexus LX570 (just to name a few.)
Overlanders often travel vast distances across international boundaries, diverse cultures and unpredictable terrain. Thus, a vehicle’s ability to traverse muddy, rocky, crossed-axle terrain, steep slopes, rugged hills, sandy deserts and deep-water, will prove critical. Ultimately, the land beneath the vehicle is the common denominator for all overland expeditions.
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Pre-trip planning is paramount for overland expeditions, so don’t get left in the dust! Get yourself up to speed on how to prep your overland adventure vehicle. This link to an Overland Do It Yourself Kit offers useful, accurate information, organized by country, regarding overland adventure. This site contains real stories, photographs and up-to-date information regarding border crossings, visa requirements, shipping a vehicle, selling a vehicle internationally, and other pertinent travel information.
Prior to an overland expedition, it’s wise to work with an experienced off-road service company or retail location familiar with overland prep. You may want to invest in recovery gear, power inverters, solar chargers, dual battery systems, water and fuel storage equipment, roof racks, trail armor, suspension or lift kits, trailers, air compressors, lighting products, air intake snorkels, camping equipment or various other accessories.
If you plan to document all your travels through exotic locations, you may also wish to consider purchasing GoPro cameras, video editing software and investing in camera mounts for your vehicle. GoPro suction cup camera mounts and GoPro roll bar camera mounts are two very popular and affordable new accessories made for overland vehicles.
The lure of remote destinations combined with advancements in vehicle technology that offer travelers more independence and enable travelers to interact with surroundings, is leading to a growing trend in overland adventure. If you are seeking an extreme experience of a lifetime; an experience beyond the boundaries of traditional vacation travel, it may be high time to educate yourself on overland adventure. When it comes to overland adventure; it’s all about the journey. Not the destination.