All things Overlanding thread

[Krayziekid]

So I finally got approval from work and stuff to take time off. My two-week journey through Canada, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia that I posted about earlier in this thread is a go!

So now I am in the process of figuring out what I will need to get in the meantime, and while I have a pretty good grasp on most things, one thing I am unsure about is food, specifically easy recipes. Anybody have any good resources (books, articles, blogs, videos, etc) of easy-to-make, yet relatively tasty camping recipes? Would love to be able to have some good food on the road!

 

[jmferg]

So I finally got approval from work and stuff to take time off. My two-week journey through Canada, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia that I posted about earlier in this thread is a go!



So now I am in the process of figuring out what I will need to get in the meantime, and while I have a pretty good grasp on most things, one thing I am unsure about is food, specifically easy recipes. Anybody have any good resources (books, articles, blogs, videos, etc) of easy-to-make, yet relatively tasty camping recipes? Would love to be able to have some good food on the road!

Check out mountain state overlands blog.
They have some good recipes.
Also any backpacking/outdoors magazine usually has a good recipes section that's free to view online


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[Kotrin]

I skimmed through a lot of this post and all of my subscribed threads are vehicles either in similar design or concept of what I plan/do with my 4runner. I started with a 5th gen and switched to a 3rd gen. I miss my 5th gen, but every time I see my 3rd gen, or I do something to it, I'm happier with it and am not as concerned about the mileage aspect. After doing Route 3 in 2015 with my 5th gen and 2016 in my 3rd gen, I will take my third gen over the 5th gen every time. I won't lie the 5th gen with my suspension and kdss was smooth ride, but I can get the same with my 3rd, just need to change my suspension.

So back to overlanding/exploring. I used to do more hardcore offroading/rock crawling till my injury. I now exclusively do overland as I can't get out and do what I used to. My truck is my chair to get out there, see places that normally one couldn't see. If anyone in Oregon is interested (as I've seen a bunch) I go out once a month and have 3-4 overland trips planned for this summer. I had the chance to get a RTT and declined for two reasons, my first is due to medical issues, second is due to the space I lose and the top having a 'higher' area. So I'm currently looking at a Black Pine turbo tent (so i can set it up myself), a Cot for the ability of me to get up and down. I have the space as you can easily see in my build/adventure threads. My goal is to get out once a month minimum like I try due to my mental/depression. Versus using medicine to accomplish a fix, I do what I can versus always having to heavily dose..

My ultimate goal is to accomplish my next step - aka court date in 12 months. After that I am going to go to Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Canada, Washington, Alaska and spend a few weeks exploring and seeing everything I can. Currently as my father is retiring this year he and I have scheduled 2 almost 2 months long travels/adventures. One thing I would like to see this thread become is a link to maps and information on routes and such. I will provide all of mine via my maps or gpx downloads if you guys are interested in it? I'm currently trying to turn in cans...haha to get my caltopo paid subscription..but i love the program and with my nav & tablet couldn't be better.

 

[Cymon]

Old School Overlanding

Found this Pretty Cool Video, don't know if it's been posted before but worth the watch if you have 40 minutes to kill.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k75g0XuF36U&feature=youtu.be

 

[greatape]

Found this Pretty Cool Video, don't know if it's been posted before but worth the watch if you have 40 minutes to kill.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k75g0XuF36U&feature=youtu.be

Haven't seen it posted but this is a classic. Good watch and also book for those interested...

 

["krax"]

They did a showing of that film at Expo East a couple years ago. Good stuff.

 

[WallyT4R]

Took the M416 to the sandblasters...the build begins:smokin:

 

[Kotrin]

I've done a lot of re-search and am thinking that the next step is some-type of better cooler/refrigerator(freezer?) than a actual cooler. I would like to know what other items or options people have done to accomplish keeping refrigerated food cold for longer than 7 days. I'm struggling really hard to justify a portable fridge as I personally don't have that money and or wanting to take up the space for it. The space frustrating is the fact it has to be FIXED and not moveable. I want options of where I could put it...so what do you guys do?

 

[e60ral]

I've done a lot of re-search and am thinking that the next step is some-type of better cooler/refrigerator(freezer?) than a actual cooler. I would like to know what other items or options people have done to accomplish keeping refrigerated food cold for longer than 7 days. I'm struggling really hard to justify a portable fridge as I personally don't have that money and or wanting to take up the space for it. The space frustrating is the fact it has to be FIXED and not moveable. I want options of where I could put it...so what do you guys do?

Those thermoelectric coolers are power hungry and limited by how much they can drop the temp, don't bother. A good cooler is already at least half the cost of a real compressor driven fridge/freezer, so if a good cooler isn't enough go ahead and get a fridge.

I use mine daily, it just becomes so handy, it's not just for camping. I keep water and snacks in the fridge so I always have something for lunch at work, and usually keep a few beers in there too. I don't have kids yet, but all my friends with little kids are super jealous. Now that I have the fridge I do my grocery shopping at lunch so I can miss the after work rush. In the fall it gets used for tailgates. Heading to the beach for the day or on a quick trip? No need to worry about ice or any planning, just throw some beers in if they are not already there and you're ready to go.

Of the things I've done to the 4runner, a fridge was the most useful thing that gets used the most often.

I ran mine off the factory battery for about 5 months then switched to a singly 31m battery. The factory battery couldn't keep up, but with daily driving the 31m usually doesn't get lower than 70% charge

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[Kotrin]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A dual battery system is a game changer and highly recommended for powering accessories like a fridge to start. As far as refrigeration for me, you can't beat a fridge in your rig if you like to travel and you can setup a system that is modular thus moveable.

My setup works very well for me and modular too; If I wanted, I could revert back to a flat cargo area in 30 minutes if needed...

And it took a metric ton of cans...

This setup doesn't work for me due to the fact I own a slightly modded 4Runner is the main contender that I'm having with. I would need to install it inside my rear seats or install it on every trip. My dad is currently helping me build a new rear roll cage with a sealed cover like a canopy (mainly for dust during the long overland trips). We started it a week ago but taking awhile due to my growing limitations and his limited time frame.

I know that it has a lot of benefits and I would also need to look at my second battery setup, so all these are a ways down the line. The refrigerator's I find are close to 600+ USD and require a 10A 12V Circuit for the most part so with the dual batteries i'm looking at over 1,000USD. I really like the slide out draw and thats very similar to Expedition Overland and many others. I have played with removing all of my rear seats and building a complete flat type storage/draws there also. I do know that I would have to get a smaller fridge than normal to get it back there due to the doors not opening at 90Degrees.

Appreciate everyone's input and pictures. For the fridge owners do you just switch it on when planning to go, or is it on all the time?(as in when not using it)

 

[e60ral]

This setup doesn't work for me due to the fact I own a slightly modded 4Runner is the main contender that I'm having with. I would need to install it inside my rear seats or install it on every trip. My dad is currently helping me build a new rear roll cage with a sealed cover like a canopy (mainly for dust during the long overland trips). We started it a week ago but taking awhile due to my growing limitations and his limited time frame.

I know that it has a lot of benefits and I would also need to look at my second battery setup, so all these are a ways down the line. The refrigerator's I find are close to 600+ USD and require a 10A 12V Circuit for the most part so with the dual batteries i'm looking at over 1,000USD. I really like the slide out draw and thats very similar to Expedition Overland and many others. I have played with removing all of my rear seats and building a complete flat type storage/draws there also. I do know that I would have to get a smaller fridge than normal to get it back there due to the doors not opening at 90Degrees.

Appreciate everyone's input and pictures. For the fridge owners do you just switch it on when planning to go, or is it on all the time?(as in when not using it)

You can run it off a single battery

The main takeaway though is that there isn't really an in between solution, either get a good cooler or get a real fridge but don't waste money on those thermoelectric coolers

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[Kotrin]

You can run it off a single battery

The main takeaway though is that there isn't really an in between solution, either get a good cooler or get a real fridge but don't waste money on those thermoelectric coolers

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Thanks. I was actually looking at one of those as an alternative for costs. I need the dual battery setup anyways to quit carrying my current jumper I carry around. I also do want to do it for my winching and other Electrical (Fridge in the future??????).

Thank you for the information.

 

[AZBub]

Didn't even know this tread existed, another wealth of info to skim.

But I will have to agree a dual battery set up becomes more critical the longer you are "out". BUT. A dual battery system doesn't have to be National Luna or IBS. And your fridge doesn't have to be ARB or Engel. Most expensive part of what I am building will end up being the battery and the solar addition.

PS I got a Dometic CFX off of the major online seller website for roughly $440 because the "new" CFX are black and silver and have WiFi (who cares). I too use my fridge just about every day now.

 

[Riverfisher]

Fantastic thread! I want to share a few thoughts on gear. Most of us have limited resources, whether it be time or money. If you want to pour yourself and your resources into a vehicle designed to overland, that's awesome and the industry is definitely filling in the gear gaps pretty quickly. The issue I have is that I like to do lots of different things, most of which are outdoors. As a result I have invested in high quality gear that I can use for multiple activities. I have two tents, one is super lightweight and takes up very little space, the other is a canvas Springbar tent that I've owned for 30 years. It weighs a metric crap ton but can survive in nearly any weather. My wife and I love to ATV so my cooler, camp stove, and fuel storage all cross over from the ATVs to car camping, to my fishing trips. Do I own the 'best' cooking option for overlanding? Nope, but I do own one that works awesome on the ATV, the drift boat, in Moab, at a rest stop, and car camping.
My point is that sometimes we tend to be hyper focused on the gear for one activity and find that we've blown our cash on a very specialized choice and end up wanting for another activity. And to top it off, when someone picks something that'll work for them, people criticize. Now I'm just as guilty as anyone, my 40" LED light bar was expensive and will only be used on a very limited basis. Just my two cents.


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[greatape]

A few pics from the Expo...

 

[rbolden]

Help with Decision

Should I buy 1998 or 1999?

 

[el_kab0ng]

Should I buy 1998 or 1999?

Might want to post this in the general discussion outside of this thread.

 

[el_kab0ng]

To expand upon what has turned into an amazing thread on overlanding, I wonder if it's time to consider branching this out to include OL trips that are on the docket and open to community inclusion?

Summer is rapidly approaching and I'm sure there will be several of us taking extended trips into this great nation's parks.

Until recently (when I got laid off), I was working with a few folks outside the T4R forums on a 4-5 day trip into Big Bend over the 4th of July week. That MIGHT still happen, but it all depends on a few things on my side. We've agreed that this trip is about the journey and less about 'what can your ride do?', which is why people feel comfortable bringing trail capable, but not necessarily off-road capable vehicles to the party.

Any interest in such a trip?

 

[el_kab0ng]

Fantastic thread! I want to share a few thoughts on gear. Most of us have limited resources, whether it be time or money. If you want to pour yourself and your resources into a vehicle designed to overland, that's awesome and the industry is definitely filling in the gear gaps pretty quickly. The issue I have is that I like to do lots of different things, most of which are outdoors. As a result I have invested in high quality gear that I can use for multiple activities. I have two tents, one is super lightweight and takes up very little space, the other is a canvas Springbar tent that I've owned for 30 years. It weighs a metric crap ton but can survive in nearly any weather. My wife and I love to ATV so my cooler, camp stove, and fuel storage all cross over from the ATVs to car camping, to my fishing trips. Do I own the 'best' cooking option for overlanding? Nope, but I do own one that works awesome on the ATV, the drift boat, in Moab, at a rest stop, and car camping.
My point is that sometimes we tend to be hyper focused on the gear for one activity and find that we've blown our cash on a very specialized choice and end up wanting for another activity. And to top it off, when someone picks something that'll work for them, people criticize. Now I'm just as guilty as anyone, my 40" LED light bar was expensive and will only be used on a very limited basis. Just my two cents.


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I think American's are more guilty of this than other countries as we love to accessorize and are too concerned with self-image, even though most of the time it's unnecessary.

 

[AZBub]

OMG you hit the nail on the head. Overlanding has reached tacticool status. ahem KO2's and Gobi for days....


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