How Do I Start Overlanding in 2023?
Overlanding means so many different things to different people. To most, though, Overlanding is a cross between off-roading, travel, and camping with the focus being on the journey. Overlanders are self-reliant, have a sense of adventure, are patient with planning, and have a thirst for the great outdoors.
So, how do you get started overlanding? Let’s go!
Overlanding 101: Start Simple
You might think you need a lifted 4x4 adorned with all the latest gadgets — like a rooftop tent, traction boards, winch, jerry cans, etc…, but in reality you don’t need any of that to start overlanding. The best way to start your overland adventures is with the vehicle and gear you probably already have.
Towing a camper trailer behind the vehicle you already have is also a great way to get out and explore. Renting one is a great option to get started, and to learn what features you’ll want if you build one for yourself.
Bottom line, you can head out on your first overlanding adventure this weekend without spending much money. Momentum is key, so get out there and pursue your overlanding dreams.
Necessary Overland Equipment and Supplies
The list of necessary equipment for successful overlanding varies with your group’s personal needs and desires, and where and when you’ll be traveling. To get you started, here is a good list of basics.
We’ve also included a basics list for overlanding with a 4x4 vehicle, which usually means you might be heading to more remote destinations that require a more capable vehicle.
NOTE: If you are overlanding in a 4x4, you’ll need everything on both lists.
Overlanding Essentials
- Water: 1 gallon a person/day + more for cooking/cleaning
- Food and food storage (possibly a cooler of 12V fridge/freezer for perishables). Bring extra in case the trip gets extended or you get stuck or lost
- First aid kit personalized for the medical needs of those traveling, including sunscreen
- Navigation tools: smartphone with off-line maps and/or paper maps
- Automotive fire extinguisher
- Basic mechanic tool set & vehicle manual
- Cash (remote locations sometimes don’t take credit cards)
- Appropriate clothes for the place and weather (layering is key, synthetic is better than cotton)
- Warm, comfortable bedding (sleeping bag and pad are versatile, a pillow adds comfort)
- Flat safe place to sleep (depends on animals and weather where you’ll be traveling): tent/bivy sack/hammock/truck bed/RTT/camper trailer/truck camper/etc…
- Cooking equipment (greatly depends on what you’re cooking, if anything)
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Positive, flexible attitude
Basics: Overland With a 4x4
- Know how to use the 4WD system on your vehicle
- Quality off-road tires and an air compressor
- Understand basic principles of off-road recovery
- Full-size spare and all tools required to change a tire, including an appropriate jack
- A basic off-road recovery kit; specifically gloves, traction boards, a kinetic strap, and two soft shackles
Above even those things on the list, it’s always good to travel with multiple vehicles when possible. It’s always easier to get unstuck with others around to help push and/or another vehicle to help pull. Another vehicle also gives you the peace of mind that you can always go get help, even if one vehicle has a failure or gets truly stuck and can’t continue.
Another consideration is communications. Cell phones work in more areas than you’d think (do remember to bring a charging cable), but sometimes you get way out there and cell service is not existent. In those cases you might want to consider a satellite communicator (a device like an inReach, Spot, or sat phone) or even some sort of radio (HAM, GMRS, or CB).
Overlanding Doesn’t Require a Big Budget
Start small, with what you already have. You can build up to your dream overland setup. For some, that’s a built 4x4 towing a capable and comfortable camper trailer. For others, it’s an AWD vehicle and their usual camping gear.
You don’t have to have a lot of money to get started. You can start with what you have and progress from there, as many overlanders have done.
Overland Training
It’s crucial to have actually use your equipment before your first trip. The best navigation system in the world becomes an expensive paperweight if you don’t know how to use it.
The same goes for any specialty off-roading gear, camping gear, and everything else you’re taking with you. Pitch that new camping tent. Take your truck out and get it stuck somewhere, then recover it. You’ll be grateful that you did when it happens for real.
Leave No Trace
A time-honored tradition of overlanders, and also many others who are passionate about the outdoors and love being there, is the Leave No Trace ethic.
Leave No Trace (LNT) means precisely what it says it means: leave no trace of your presence in the wilderness or outdoor areas.
LNT contains 7 principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire)
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
For overlanders, putting LNT principles into practice may look like this:
- Camping in areas that have been camped in previously.
- Sticking to established roads and trails.
- Understanding environmental concerns about the area.
- Packing out all waste. A number of products exist for this purpose, or you can make your own.
Overlanding Vehicles
Overlanding vehicles run the gamut from older station wagons to new trucks outfitted specifically for overland adventures.
Depending on your adventure and your budget, you can overland in just about any vehicle. Check out these recommendations for more information.
Booking A Guide
So you want an overland adventure, but you prefer to leave the planning to someone else? Numerous guiding companies exist for this purpose. They can assist, from planning it for you to providing all of the gear and even going with you, if you’d like.
Overlanding in Your Future
Starting an overland adventure isn’t for the faint of heart, but nearly everyone can do it. With the right planning and the right gear, Overlanding can easily become your next — and most fun — hobby.
When you’re looking for the perfect camper trailer to complement your adventures, look no further than XGRiD Campers for the best selection in the Las Vegas area.
We’ll see you out there!