[el_kab0ng]

Preamble:

Webster's dictionary defines 'overland' as a word first used in the 12th Century to describe a journey by, on or across land. A more prescriptive usage of the phrase is provided by Overlandjournal.com, which defines it as a “described 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. While expedition is defined as a journey with a purpose, overlanding sees the journey as the purpose.” Very nicely put, if you ask me.

I think it's generally accepted that there are two camps here on the forums: The extreme off-roaders who enjoy modding their beloved T4R to tackle the toughest obstacles this planet has to offer and those of us who simply want to accessorize our T4Rs to enjoy the journey between point A and B. It seems that the majority of posts favor the former over the latter, so I wanted to start one which was dedicated specifically to Overlanding and the people who enjoy this type of activity.

With that in mind, if you plan to participate in this thread, I’d like to ask you to keep it on topic to Overlanding and avoid cluttering the thread with unneccesary modding, extreme off-roading or other unrelated topics. Examples of appropriate topics (as I see them) would be vehicle preparation, personal essentials, overlanding trip reports, camping gear recommendations, food preparation recommendations, etc.

This is strictly voluntary, of course, but hopefully this thread appeals to those who enjoy Overlanding as much as I do and appreciate the effort to have this sort of discussion all in one place. With any luck, we could have this turned into a dedicated section of the forums so that it has a home for the longer term.

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Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get this bad boy kicked off right with some vehicle essentials. Over the last year, I’ve been accessorizing my ’16 TE w/KDSS with some basic additions. I’ve listed the most prominent ones with where I got them from and would be happy to explain my reasoning to anyone who wants to know.

• Roof Rack w/ladder (Bajarack standard basket/ladder)
• Shovel/Ax/Folding Hand Saw (Home Depot)
• MaxTrax (Ordered online)
• Schumacher Digital Power Station (Walmart)
• Expanded Tool Kit (jack, flares, cave light/flash light, high-vis gear)
• Plastic Fuel Cans (Scepter - Tractor Supply)
• Recovery strap/soft shackles (Bubba Rope & Soft Shackles - Amazon)
• Fire extinguisher (Walmart)
• Vehicle fluids (drive train, radiator, etc) (Walmart)

Mod edit: I have stickied this thread at the top of the General Forum. Eventually we will make an Overlanding sub forum.
-mod-

[el_kab0ng]

63 views and 3 likes, yet no posts so far? Don't let the nay sayers about community interest in Overlanding be true!

[owyheerat]

Originally Posted by el_kab0ng

63 views and 3 likes, yet no posts so far? Don't let the nay sayers about community interest in Overlanding be true!

I will be following and trying to contribute to this thread. I have recently been struck by the 'overlanding' bug, and have started equipping my rig appropriately. I spend some time on Expo portal also, but this community is so big and has so much to offer (I have learned a ton on here) that it is good to see this topic considered and discussed here.

I grew up camping with my family, and loved it, but I married a great gal that doesn't enjoy camping. So I haven't done much in recent years. 3 years ago I sold my ATV's and bought a well maintained 3rd gen. I started taking it out on day excursions, exploring and learning how capable and reliable the 4runner was. Last year, I started stretching the day trips into overnighters and went on 3 multi day trips (Overlanding), and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am new at it and have plenty to learn, but am excited to do more.

Sorry for rambling, but thanks for broaching the topic.

Oh, and my rig is not my DD, so my build might be different than most.

Durwin

[Vinsil]

Mine is being modded in this direction.

My mods so far include better off-road tires (BFG KO2's in the 10 ply configuration).

Sliders for a few reasons. Step to access the roof, rocker protection of course, jacking points and hey, door ding protection too!

A dedicated off-road shovel, I have two. One for snow that is fully aluminum and light weight, and a krazy beaver because it's cool looking (and super strong and multifunctional.

Recovery gear. Straps, rear hitch pin, gloves, some d rings and snatch blocks for someone with a winch!

I have a high lift and mounts for the roof, but have been debating on switching over to traction boards instead.

Adding my CB here as parts come in. Have a set of two ways as well.

Bilstein 5100's. I might not do these if I had to again, I love them and do have them on my truck but I'd most likely wear out the stockers first and upgrade down the road. Maybe springs as well as weight is added.

So far, thinking of building a smaller drawer system for the back. I can that being very handy for organizing the common gear.

Have a go bag in the back with a three day setup. Full med kit, clothing, hygiene, water/food, hatchet, knives, multi tool kit, ect.

That is it so far as we don't plan to go on much more than day trips so far with it. I have a slide in camper for my Ram we use for over nights. I have three young boys and a dog so it fits better than a RTT right now. But I can see a RTT or trailer opening up some more secluded places. We don't do camp grounds unless forced to on the coast when fishing but I push my Ram and slide in down some fire roads deep away from others!

Great thread look forward to more posts and sharing.

[el_kab0ng]

Has anyone played around with the roof top solar panels and dual batteries to power gear at a camp site? This is one area I'm exploring along with some side lighting. I play around in areas that get DARK when there's no moon in the sky and often feel a pair of Rigid D2HDs on the side with wide spread would be nice.

[Vinsil]

Originally Posted by el_kab0ng

Has anyone played around with the roof top solar panels and dual batteries to power gear at a camp site? This is one area I'm exploring along with some side lighting. I play around in areas that get DARK when there's no moon in the sky and often feel a pair of Rigid D2HDs on the side with wide spread would be nice.

From my experience with perma mounted solar panels, they lack in a few areas. Flat mounted panels don't take full advantage of the sun. You miss a full day due to flat mounted position.

I'd recommend a suit case style setup so you can move it to gain maximum light absorbing ability. Also....your able to move it outside of shade since we, as camper, camp under shade in the hotter months.

[el_kab0ng]

Originally Posted by Vinsil

From my experience with perma mounted solar panels, they lack in a few areas. Flat mounted panels don't take full advantage of the sun. You miss a full day due to flat mounted position.

I'd recommend a suit case style setup so you can move it to gain maximum light absorbing ability. Also....your able to move it outside of shade since we, as camper, camp under shade in the hotter months.

Yeah.. it seems there are two camps with this as well - rigid panels and flexible panels. Flexible are more portable, but usually less efficient than rigid. Rigid gives you efficiency by sacrificing the ease of use. It's definitely a cosmic convenience conundrum.

[1engineer]

Originally Posted by el_kab0ng

Has anyone played around with the roof top solar panels and dual batteries to power gear at a camp site? This is one area I'm exploring along with some side lighting. I play around in areas that get DARK when there's no moon in the sky and often feel a pair of Rigid D2HDs on the side with wide spread would be nice.

@Titanpat57

[Titanpat57]

Originally Posted by 1engineer

@Titanpat57

I used a Renogy solar panel on my aluminum rack I built...100 w panel with a 10 amp MPPT controller...works great. I run a Dometic fridge from March thru November.

Starts at post #64

The 2016 ROAM 4Runner Build

I think this thread is a good idea, but agree it needs some way to keep it organized.

As far as the whole overlanding scene...if you're traveling from country to country, using sole vehicle supported accommodations for 63 nights, I thinks that's what I picture as overlanding. If you're dragging your off road trailer into parts unknown, or driving in off the main drag for 3-4 nights...in my eyes that's camping.

There seems to be a real "push" to separate the two...but I've been at this scene for 9 years (and camping a hell of a lot longer than that) and believe the term gets misused....just my 2 cents. We go to a campground and camp...then spend the day and wheel....or travel thousands of miles on paved roads with some sideline dirt roads for adventure....whatever...I think it's just important to get out and do whatever makes you most happy.

One thing I can truly appreciate is the gear improvements, and the increase in convenience that overlanding has brought out. Some really cool stuff has hit the market. I think discussing some of the pros and cons about the individual use of these types of gear, could certainly help a first timer from spending money on stuff they don't need or won't use.

[Xetabur]

^reported

[gavin200688]

Great post, I appreciate the information!

[luke1218]

Any good locations in Virginia to go off roading?

[Conner94runner]

Originally Posted by el_kab0ng

Has anyone played around with the roof top solar panels and dual batteries to power gear at a camp site? This is one area I'm exploring along with some side lighting. I play around in areas that get DARK when there's no moon in the sky and often feel a pair of Rigid D2HDs on the side with wide spread would be nice.

I have a separate marine battery running my inverter and interior lighting. I charge it when I go into towns and that allows me plenty of juice to make it a few days. I have a set of jumpers hard wired under the carpet that I plug in if I need power quick.

[232vzlano]

overlanding is my thing but I enjoy offroading too. im trying to build my truck to be an hybrid between the two but I take an overland trip anyday over an offroad trip anyday however true overland trips take alot of planning and time while a quick offroqd trip is more convenient

[Spenny]

Great topic. I fear everything/ posts will get lost in one long thread. There's the off-roading section that is hardly used from what I see and we could hijack that area as a lot will be similar.

I tried to start a camp kitchen thread to share recipes and such, but it got lost pretty quick.

With that said, I'll be following along. I'm working on getting my gen5 as self sufficient as possible to go anywhere I want. Slowly chipping away at what gets put in the car and how it is secured.