All things Overlanding thread

son is out of school in March for spring break. I am going to take off work, load up 4runner with boy and the dog and head to Pisgah

will sleep in truck and spend a lot of time on the service trails where I can drive. with service trails can also pull over and camp and there is no fee. so whole trip will only cost gas and food

I have a basket for roof from prior owner, though unsure best way to attach?

plan to spend 3-4 days up there

anyone done any short overland trips like this? tips? will probably stay in the pisgah district and/or appalachian district. will hike few hours each day as well

tips on overland, tips on pisgah, all welcome

son and I go camping a lot. this will be first time not tent camping at campground, 1st time on service trails, first time doing anything like this
 
another question: I just skimmed over this whole thread and why don't more people sleep inside the 4runner?

lay the back seats down and use either air mattress or sleeping bags

that is my plan for March
 
fan of fanboys said:
another question: I just skimmed over this whole thread and why don't more people sleep inside the 4runner?

lay the back seats down and use either air mattress or sleeping bags

that is my plan for March
Click to expand...

Some reasons not to do it:
- space: at around the 6' mark it gets tight unless you remove the rear seat bottoms.
- space 2: it's okay for a couple at the most. Add kid and/or dog and it's going to be really cramped.
- space 3: Depending on your load, this may require pulling stuff out of the vehicle, which isn't ideal in bear country.
- ventilation: in bug country you either deal with bugs, hot box in your own funk (or SO's, kids', dogs'...), or rig up screens.
- comfort: it's not flat unless you build up some sort of platform.
- comfort 2: depending on the load you might only have room to mummy sleep.
 
Liquidmantis said:
Some reasons not to do it:
- space: at around the 6' mark it gets tight unless you remove the rear seat bottoms.
- space 2: it's okay for a couple at the most. Add kid and/or dog and it's going to be really cramped.
- space 3: Depending on your load, this may require pulling stuff out of the vehicle, which isn't ideal in bear country.
- ventilation: in bug country you either deal with bugs, hot box in your own funk (or SO's, kids', dogs'...), or rig up screens.
- comfort: it's not flat unless you build up some sort of platform.
- comfort 2: depending on the load you might only have room to mummy sleep.
Click to expand...


gotcha, makes sense

for me, and for short trips, it will work

just me, a 7 year old, and fairly small dog. dog can sleep in front seat. I am only 5'7 and will have air mattress. being only few days I should be good on space

bugs is something to pay attention to. I have a couple thermacells I can use as needed

good points I had not thought about though can bring tent just in case, does not take up much room
 
el_kab0ng said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
fan of fanboys said:
gotcha, makes sense

for me, and for short trips, it will work

just me, a 7 year old, and fairly small dog. dog can sleep in front seat. I am only 5'7 and will have air mattress. being only few days I should be good on space

bugs is something to pay attention to. I have a couple thermacells I can use as needed

good points I had not thought about though can bring tent just in case, does not take up much room
Click to expand...

The ventilation and bug thing is real. You could combine window deflectors with Skeeter Beater screens or a Napier add-on tent if you're commited to sleeping in the truck.

You can fit small items in the floor boards with the seats folded, but you luggage can take away a lot of your sleeping room.
 
jmferg said:
Does anyone make a storage rack similar to this for 3rd gens?


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Click to expand...



9af214ec1e026756b02aad1d279c6c5e.jpg




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Vinsil said:
So I see a ton of people running RTT's. I'm intrigued by the idea, but the $2500-3000 price tag baffles me a bit. What confuses me is the actual benefits of going this route vs. a ground tent.



I've been reading and watching videos and I like the idea in some ways but still curious to the actual benefits.



Can someone enlighten me? Also, I have three boys, 11, 8 and 6.



Are these even big enough for us all? I see CVT has some 4 person models that look pretty big but also looks like it would take up the entire roof.



Am I mad? LOL!



Now the trailer idea seems like it might be a better option but...unless I fab my own they are big money. :wow2:



I'm not cheap but I do have the skills to build a trailer if that is the route I take.



My uses...2-4 day trips at most and mostly doing back country routes.
Click to expand...



Just wanted to add another data point for the RTT. We purchased a CVT two years ago and love it. We came from ground camping and so far have been super happy and most importantly very dry. We are on the east coast our first night using it we had a thunderstorm and it rained 2" overnight. We woke up the next morning perfectly dry with evidence of small streams around our campsite. While they are big on the roof you should ask yourself how much space tents, bedding etc will take up inside your rig. 30 plus nights later in a rtt, we will never go back to a regular ground tent, unless we are backpacking. We are just two people plus a Labrador retriever so our needs are different than yours.

As far as trailers are concerned, I can see the appeal for some but for us the added size and terrain we go through would make towing very challenging. Your situation might be totally different though.


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713541f918fdd2b95147c1106ea66619.jpg
 
Last edited:
jpachard said:
...most importantly very dry. We are on the east coast our first night using it we had a thunderstorm and it rained 2" overnight. We woke up the next morning perfectly dry with evidence of small streams around our campsite. While they are big on the roof you should ask yourself how much space tents, bedding etc will take up inside your rig...
Click to expand...

No doubt that if you're on the roof you won't have to worry about those small streams. I'd point out though that many high-quality ground tents are constructed with a waterproof tub design to keep those streams out of the tent. I only mention it because it seems a lot of people go from cheap ground tents to nice RTTs and aren't aware of some of the really nice ground tents out there (i.e. Kodiak, OzTent, Springbar, Nemo, etc.).

You're right about roof space for sure. And not only is your sleeping gear stored up there, it's already laid out vs in a stuff sack.
 
"krax" said:
No doubt that if you're on the roof you won't have to worry about those small streams. I'd point out though that many high-quality ground tents are constructed with a waterproof tub design to keep those streams out of the tent. I only mention it because it seems a lot of people go from cheap ground tents to nice RTTs and aren't aware of some of the really nice ground tents out there (i.e. Kodiak, OzTent, Springbar, Nemo, etc.).



You're right about roof space for sure. And not only is your sleeping gear stored up there, it's already laid out vs in a stuff sack.
Click to expand...



Yes, 100% agree many come from sub par ground tents.... we actually have a high end North Face two person tent I use on my 2 wheeled overland vehicle adventures. That being said, there are definite pros and cons for both if quality is on even par. I know some aren't nuts about climbing up ladders to get to bed but for us this gives us a level of separation from the critters etc

Hopefully these discussions give those in the market some good ideas and help them make a good decision as to what features they need!

Cheers, James


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This thread has been a hoot to read. I came in late. I liked the conversation about the definition of "overland". What I like to read is what others use and/or do during their "overland" adventures. I am always looking for a better/different way to "overland" or a new place to see. Obviously our version of overland includes a Toyota 4 Runner but it's not always just about the gear, its also about the who, where, what and how you did it. I assume like most, when I head out for an adventure I am always including other activities such as photography, hiking, backpacking, rock and fossil collection and so on. I started with a tent many years ago and now have a self-made custom off-road teardrop trailer (I am tired of sleeping on the ground). So take what you have, enjoy the adventure, and lets go places (pun intended).
 
A10MileHusker said:
Looks good. Any pictures of them up?
Click to expand...



Not yet, I painted it last night and need to figure out a top mount. The bottom will have two tabs that bolt to the factory cargo cover mount and lock.
I figured instant access to emergency items should be a priority in this build. (Flashlight, ABC fire extinguisher, and first aid kit)



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jmferg said:
Not yet, I painted it last night and need to figure out a top mount. The bottom will have two tabs that bolt to the factory cargo cover mount and lock.
I figured instant access to emergency items should be a priority in this build. (Flashlight, ABC fire extinguisher, and first aid kit)



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Click to expand...

Those are intended for mounting molle style accessories. Yours is made out of screen, do you intend to mount things on yours and if so, how? :cheers:
 
fan of fanboys said:
son is out of school in March for spring break. I am going to take off work, load up 4runner with boy and the dog and head to Pisgah

will sleep in truck and spend a lot of time on the service trails where I can drive. with service trails can also pull over and camp and there is no fee. so whole trip will only cost gas and food

I have a basket for roof from prior owner, though unsure best way to attach?

plan to spend 3-4 days up there

anyone done any short overland trips like this? tips? will probably stay in the pisgah district and/or appalachian district. will hike few hours each day as well

tips on overland, tips on pisgah, all welcome

son and I go camping a lot. this will be first time not tent camping at campground, 1st time on service trails, first time doing anything like this
Click to expand...

headed up April 10-12 is plan as of now

first time doing any trail like this, driving 4runner in mountains (new owner), etc

any tips would be appreciated. are these trails in pisgah fairly easy? meaning, will I be ok driving them by myself or is it too much and I should wait?
 
someone here?

I'm Selling My Hot Hatchback For a Dadmobile! What Car Should I Buy?

My wife and I are expecting twins so as much as hate I to do it, I have to sell my Mk 7 VW GTI. As bummed as I am about the car, I’m super excited to be starting a family and look forward to creating a new generation of gearheads! My other vehicle is a 2016 4Runner Trail which is in the process of being upgraded to overland duty and since I use it for work and play, it’s out of the running for daily baby duty.
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