Toffees
Member
Hope you're bringing along some epic Coolio for your fantastic voyage
A Crash Course in Overlanding with the 2016 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
- Thread starter propain
- Start date
Hope you're bringing along some epic Coolio for your fantastic voyage
Jetboy
New member
I think it's hard to really understand how different it is to drive across Africa than go camping in the southwest. Things you think are everywhere - are not everywhere. Like shoes. There are areas the size of the entire western USA that you would not be able to buy a pair of shoes, or a rubber hose, or a new tire. There's no hardware stores, no 2x4's, no nails, no bolts. The common weekend or week long camping trip with cell phone coverage really is a very different experience. It's sailing in San Francisco Bay compared to crossing an ocean. Can you do it in the same boat? Sure. Is it the same thing? well... it sure feels a whole lot different when you're a week offshore and a weather report doesn't look promising or your autopilot stops working.
Neither is better or worse. It's just a word used to describe something that's being used incorrectly. It's like saying I have 37's. It doesn't hurt anyone. But it's going to be a bit of a surprise when you're thinking 37's and you see 265s. For perspective you could drive from Miami to Barrow Alaska - and back - and that would be about the same distance as a one way trip across Africa. It's easy to think that a camping trip from Southern California to Montana and back is comparable - but that wouldn't even get you out of South Africa and you'd be on pavement or improved gravel roads 95% of the way even if you did your absolute best to stay off of them.
Call it whatever you want. But words have meaning. If we're changing the meaning of "overland" we'll just need to come up with a new word for what was traditionally overland trips. Maybe we can just swap them. We'll call long term, remote, off the grid trips "camping" and spending a weekend on an overnight trail ride "overlanding". Everyone wins!
Neither is better or worse. It's just a word used to describe something that's being used incorrectly. It's like saying I have 37's. It doesn't hurt anyone. But it's going to be a bit of a surprise when you're thinking 37's and you see 265s. For perspective you could drive from Miami to Barrow Alaska - and back - and that would be about the same distance as a one way trip across Africa. It's easy to think that a camping trip from Southern California to Montana and back is comparable - but that wouldn't even get you out of South Africa and you'd be on pavement or improved gravel roads 95% of the way even if you did your absolute best to stay off of them.
Call it whatever you want. But words have meaning. If we're changing the meaning of "overland" we'll just need to come up with a new word for what was traditionally overland trips. Maybe we can just swap them. We'll call long term, remote, off the grid trips "camping" and spending a weekend on an overnight trail ride "overlanding". Everyone wins!
Toffees
Member
So overlanding is just mechanical hiking? I'll retire to planning my next latte-sipping "skiing" trip then.
Jetboy
New member
That's part of what makes overlanding so hardcore. You often have to improvise with the materials at hand. For example you could take a backpack, strap it to your spare tire, and open the zipper - BAM! - improvised trasharoo. This is where your training really comes into play. Many amateurs would just go directly to the back to school section, when the proper canvas colored backpack is in the outdoor section. LOL - you can always spot a newb with their power ranger bag!
Sleeter
New member
4runnertrdgirl
New member
look me up on fb....photo albums are there :thanks:
Titanpat57
Senior Member
I have to rescind that last comment....
Walmart does in fact carry Maxtrax....
for RC 4wd trucks.....lol
https://www.walmart.com/ip/RC4WD-Z-S0612-1-10-MAXTRAX-Crawler-Extraction-Recovery-Board-New/37275752
Titanpat57
Senior Member
MRM69
New member
Words do have meaning, but more than one example of that meaning is possible. If you are fortunate enough to have the time, resources and skills to Overland through Africa that's great! This is the pinnacle of the sport/hobby/adventure/endeavor/undertaking, but it doesn't mean that smaller examples of the same, using similar skills, techniques, equipment don't qualify as being an example of over landing, should someone decide they want to use the term. Mountain climbing is still mountain climbing regardless of the size of the mountain. Overlanding is still overlanding regardless the duration or distance of the trip :bigok:
Jetboy
New member
so tempted to buy those and mount on my 4runner... you're going to make me waste $20. They would be perfect mounted to the side of my roof rail, or maybe on the C- pillar next to the TRDSEMIPRO emblem.
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Titanpat57
Senior Member
Hell....if you do it I'll PP you 10 bucks and split it!...lol
1engineer
Moderator
The problem is some of the newer people to the party think overlanding is a trip through Yosemite. Or a day trip down a dirt road. Where is the line?
You have crossing Africa or the Amazon at one end of the scale. You have a trip to Pizza Hut and having to go through a gravel detour around road construction on the other end. Both are technically "overlanding" but not really. Everyone's point is that the word has become too watered down and commercialized. When I envision overlanding it is the Africa trip, not three days through Utah, regardless of the terrain. Three days through Utah is just an off road camping trip to me. Things like going on a day trip over Engineer's Pass in Colorado are not overlanding to me, they are just simple 4 Wheeling trips.
Again, it's like comparing my local mountain bike rides to Jacob Blick's trip to Nepal where he parachuted out of a helicopter onto a glacier and skied down. Both are adventures but his is an ADVENTURE.
Personally I think the term "overlanding" has turned into a catch all term for going off road or camping. It does not mean what it used to mean.
We had some guy a few days ago ask a question in the forum for the best "overland" suspension. What does that even mean?
1engineer
Moderator
It does when you are trying to help someone.
If a guy asked you a question about what suspension to use because he wants to go "overlanding" what would you think? "E" rated, deep lug, etc right? Now you find out he really just goes on a dirt road twice a year... it totally changes things.
Some of you guys are "askers" and some of you guys are "answer-ers" and it makes a big difference to how someone describes their intended usage. There are a lot of "askers" that come here. Many more than the "answer-ers" so give those guys a break. How good would this forum be if nobody ever answered people's questions? Or worse, answered with the wrong information? Right. It would be a terrible forum.
1engineer
Moderator
That's my point... they don't. Many come here to this forum with their make believe Indiana Jones hats on envisioning they will take their $40K 4Runners out on grand adventures through the toughest wilds of South America and that is the way they present themselves. In reality the worst conditions their vehicle ever sees is a wet grass field at their son's travel soccer game.
So how do you help them? You start by being realistic, which some fragile people think is being mean. Threads like this will hopefully make people think twice before defining their application as "overlanding" when in reality they only need to go down a dirt road for a mile or two.
Also, if they want to just fix their 4Runner up for "the look" then great! Tell us up front and we can save them $$$$$ and keep the on road ride and handling as good as stock! Bottom line... don't kid yourself. Don't have some romantic notions of conquering the Amazon when all you need is to go in your back yard.
What people really don't understand is the fact that the 5th Gen 4Runner, completely stock with the addition of some decent AT tires, will go places that they will never take it because they don't have the courage. They think they have to have skids, winch, front and rear bumper, rack, 27 light bars and big brakes to do something that a Honda CRV would do with ease. It's been proven time and time again by some savvy guys here.
jrandom
New member
So if I call you a f'khead and my definition of the word f'khead is someone that I like, how will you take it not knowing my definition of the word? You will be offended, period.
This is the whole problem, a definition is a definition given by "experts" (generally not singular) in any particular field/discipline/ect. not by someone who just thinks it sounds cool so that is what I am going to call what I am doing. Those are also the ones that have the prowess to change that definition if they see fit.
Hey I have launched a model rocket once, I am a rocket scientist! I built a car out of lego, I am a fkn engineer! I drank fine Bourbon once therefore I am a foremost connoisseur. WHERE does it end?
f'k it I am joining [MENTION=47340]Titanpat57[/MENTION] on the douche canoe
Sleeter
New member
Everyone knows the correct answer is Icon Stag 7, duh.
jwkilgore
New member
^^^ This.
My personal definitions: (yours may be different)
Offroading / 4Wheeling: Driving in an area that requires 4WD or an ATV/UTV/Motorcycle. Also includes "roads" in poor condition such that your average 2WD couldn't make it. Any length of time meets the definition from 30 seconds through a ditch during an interstate U-turn to an "epic" month-long journey through the outback.
Camping: Temporary living in primitive conditions. My personal definition requires that most luxury allowed is a 2-room tent, (whether on the ground or on the roof), laid out in the back of your truck, or a bed in a trailer (teardrop). Bonus points for sleeping in a hammock or on the open ground. IMO dragging a portable house with kitchen, toilet, and shower behind you (or, in the case of my parents driving your Class A portable house) does not count as "camping". That said, phrases such as "camp house" and such do exist, and my brother sleeps in a 4-bed "camper" with full amenities. Each to his/her own.
Car-camping: Camping while carrying your gear in a vehicle or pulled behind in a trailer. Typically driving down paved roads and stopping for the night to camp. The camp is typically a developed commercial/public campground, but that isn't necessary.
Road-trip: Long distance travel via vehicle, typically over paved roads. Must be longer than a "day trip" or an "overnighter" and must be progressive (different sleeping location each day). May or may not include car-camping.
Overlanding is the combination of all the above. A long-distance journey over roads or trails (or fields) requiring a high-clearance 4WD vehicle where you bring all supplies with you. Not a park-and-ride such as a trip to Moab where you leave your gear in a permanent base camp for day trips. You are traveling with all gear/food/water as you move, setting up a different camp each night. Almost impossible to do in the eastern US because any off-road sections are generally short and disconnected, but totally possible in the western US.
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paulndot
New member
This thread made my day...LMAO.
What a bunch of self-indulging ego maniac, one-upping a-holes. Holy crap. No, no, YOU aren't "overlanding" because you only went for X amount of days, and didn't get stuck enough times. Oh please, YOU don't need THAT equipment because I did it in a stock vehicle (and conveniently left out all the $$$ I paid to correct my stupidity). So the OP referenced an article about a vehicle we ALL love enough or want to know enough about that we spend our free time reading and posting on a forum, and we slam the name of the article? The best responses were the "I'd rather be 'out there' than typing on a keyboard". LOL... Seriously? Were you on your laptop, "out there" in the deepest wilds of Africa on a satellite connection? Probably not. Likely at home on your tablet, or in the toilet on your phone. This same attitude is grossly prevalent in the RC aircraft world at the flying fields. YOUR plane isn't a "real" RC plane because it has batteries - gotta have nitro to be considered real RC. Oh, you only have 4 channels? Please, I have a 16 channel, quadruple transmitter, atomic clock synchronized DNA encrypted radio, that thing you have is a toy. Well, it flies my plane doesn't it? Yeah, that one, circling around your RC Starship Enterprise.
This is a GREAT forum, and more info from more helpful people? You'd have to look long and hard for that. I learned more about the 4Runner in a few hours from people here than I did from studying the manual. Please, don't muck it up by being an elitist. If the popularity of what we do goes away so will the vehicles, after-market support, etc, etc. If a guy wants to call sipping margaritas at the soccer game "camping" and parking in the grassy field "off-roading" great...just chuckle & go be a "hero" without slamming him in public.
What a bunch of self-indulging ego maniac, one-upping a-holes. Holy crap. No, no, YOU aren't "overlanding" because you only went for X amount of days, and didn't get stuck enough times. Oh please, YOU don't need THAT equipment because I did it in a stock vehicle (and conveniently left out all the $$$ I paid to correct my stupidity). So the OP referenced an article about a vehicle we ALL love enough or want to know enough about that we spend our free time reading and posting on a forum, and we slam the name of the article? The best responses were the "I'd rather be 'out there' than typing on a keyboard". LOL... Seriously? Were you on your laptop, "out there" in the deepest wilds of Africa on a satellite connection? Probably not. Likely at home on your tablet, or in the toilet on your phone. This same attitude is grossly prevalent in the RC aircraft world at the flying fields. YOUR plane isn't a "real" RC plane because it has batteries - gotta have nitro to be considered real RC. Oh, you only have 4 channels? Please, I have a 16 channel, quadruple transmitter, atomic clock synchronized DNA encrypted radio, that thing you have is a toy. Well, it flies my plane doesn't it? Yeah, that one, circling around your RC Starship Enterprise.
This is a GREAT forum, and more info from more helpful people? You'd have to look long and hard for that. I learned more about the 4Runner in a few hours from people here than I did from studying the manual. Please, don't muck it up by being an elitist. If the popularity of what we do goes away so will the vehicles, after-market support, etc, etc. If a guy wants to call sipping margaritas at the soccer game "camping" and parking in the grassy field "off-roading" great...just chuckle & go be a "hero" without slamming him in public.
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