You just bought your dream overlanding rig, but it’s bone stock and not quite ready to tackle that alt-terrain as safely and efficiently as you’d like. Getting your truck prepped and outfitted to conquer less-traveled roads can be intimidating. All those gizmos and modifications are tough to weed through when choosing overlanding gear that’ll work best for you and your rig. Plus, add-ons can require varying degrees of mechanical or technical know-how to install—upping the pre-departure fear factor. In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies
Good thing is most overlanding gear can be easily attached to your vehicle with minimal time or skill. Sure, it’s a good idea to have some general mechanical and electrical knowledge before heading too far off the grid. But the following key add-ons—from vital communication systems and lifesaver LED lighting to modular roof racks and handy portable pantries—are simple game-changers that will serve you very well off the beaten track.
Get Your Rig Up to Speed With This Rugged Overlanding Gear
Courtesy Image Wheels Just ask your local tire shop—one of the quickest and easiest overlanding gear upgrades is replacing those stock rims with some burly bruisers. Our choice: the Armory from Black Rhino. Inspired by military trucks, these alloy off-road wheels have a solid design with bolted accents that’ll butch up your ride and perform well in the dirt, mud, and sand—adorned with an extra deep lip for securing oversized tires. Sizes come in 16×8, 17×9.5, 18×9.5, 20×9.5, and 20×12. A pair of cool colors choices keeps it simple: Gunblack or Desert Sand. [From $262; blackrhinowheels.com] Get it
Road Ways: Northern Baja by Offroad Trailer
A group of San Diego locals escaped the crowds during a good swell and, instead, surfed nearly alone… Read article
Courtesy Image Tires You’ve got your new off-road wheels picked out. Now it’s time to match them with just the right grippy rubber. You can go all out and buy some super knobby mud terrain tires, but unless you’re a professional overlander they’re going to be loud on paved roads and will crater your gas mileage. These Toyo Open Country A/T III’s are the perfect dual-terrain answer. They get you serious trail performance with milder on-road manners. The new compound and tread design were specifically designed to give you better off-road handling—including reliable snow and rain performance—while reducing noise. The tread blocks are smartly spaced in the middle and staggered on the edges for increased traction on the trail. [From $139; toyotires.com] Get it
Courtesy Image LED Lights Who knows when a daylight jaunt could turn into a night’s rescue mission in tough, pitch-black terrain? That’s where bolting on some super-bright LED lights becomes essential. Bombing down backwoods trails in late hours with your convenient off-road pals lighting the way is always an illuminating option—which is why legendary 4×4 light mavens KC HiLites just released their Flex Era 4 2-Light System. Featuring a durable die-cast housing, machined orange bezel, these four powerful CREE LED bulbs push out almost 8,000 raw lumens per light in combo or spot configuration and will reliably brighten any off-road adventure. [$638; kchilites.com] Get it
Courtesy Image Rack Rugged roof racks run the gamut while serving the same basic function—to haul the overlanding gear that won’t fit anywhere else. None that we’ve seen offers quite the level of versatility and volume of add-ons as the Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack System. The South African-designed modular system lets you add or subtract crossbars depending on ever-changing needs—from a full rack to half to popping on side rails for extra cargo room. Setting it up and adjusting the system as you go is about as intimidating as playing with Legos. It’s that easy and (actually) enjoyable to use and modify. What can you store up here? Water, fuel, tents, tools, tires, propane tanks and virtually anything else your adventurous mind can dream up. [From $695; frontrunneroutfitters.com] Get it
5 Reasons Why the Baja 1000 Is the World’s Craziest Offroad Race
The 50th anniversary of the race kick starts this week. Read article
Courtesy Image Storage Off-roading trips in a new rig will always require some heavy-duty extra storage solutions. Food, first-aid supplies, bulky clothing, etc … Finding a durable box that will hold all this stuff while withstanding the weather is a must. Pelican’s newest release—its bomber roto-molded Cargo Case—fits the bill. With eight models, from a small cube-like BX50 (1.22 cu ft) to the massive BX255 (6.92 cu ft), there’s a size for your rig, whether you want to store them inside the cabin, outside on a rack or back in the truck bed. An optional mounting kit makes it a snap to attach to almost any configuration—and the quick-release design allows you to pop it back off just like that when need it at camp or for home storage. [From $250; pelican.com] Get it
Courtesy Image Dedicated overlanders and obsessively organized types will wonder what life would’ve been like without the Decked Drawer System. Topped with a waterproof deck that can shoulder an actual ton (yes, 2000 lbs) of weight over its two slide-out, bed-length drawers, the clever design is segmented for lots of thrilling organizational options with custom-fit dividers and boxes. Security of stowed goods is guaranteed when the tailgate is locked and closed. Proudly made in the U.S., the Decked system is easy to assemble at home and ships free. [From $1,350; decked.com] Get it
A Complete Guide to Car Camping on the Cheap
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Courtesy Image Sitting around a campfire at night while enjoying the kind of luxurious meal that noodle-slurping backpackers can only dream about—that’s an essential part of the whole rugged-but-rich overlanding experience. An ingenious way to transport, organize, and prepare your happy meals in the backcountry is to pop a pantry in the back of your rig. Handy and well thought out, the Clearview Pantry Kitchen and EasySlide is built from powder-coated aluminum panels and stainless steel parts with a foldout kitchen-in-a-box that provides ample storage and prep counter space along with a kitchen sink cutout, collapsible bowl, and lockable door. Go for the heavy-duty EasySlide, which pulls out and then drops down nearly a foot for waist-high access to your work surfaces, even in a lifted rig. [$600, Pantry, $720, EasySlide; roverparts.com] Get it
Courtesy Image Solar Installing a solar panel system on your vehicle can get technical and isn’t really needed for any rig doing double duty as a suburbia-mobile during the week. On the other hand, having the ability to harness the sun’s power while off the grid is ideal (perhaps essential) for overlanders. Enter a perfect comprise—the Goal Zero Boulder Briefcase Solar Charging Kit. Encased in a sturdy, foldable aluminum frame, the 200-watt, tempered glass solar panels are easy to pack and deploy, while the included 20-amp charge controller lets you juice up 12-volt batteries safely and securely, The kit also includes all the connectors needed to charge a multitude of batteries—portable and in-vehicle—along with a handy canvas carrying case to protect your powerful investment. [$650; goalzero.com] Get it
Courtesy Image Battery Venturing into the wild behind the wheel, it’s a good idea to pack an extra, super-reliable, strong-but-compact power source. This sleek unit from Raptic —The Titan—comes in two sizes (225- or 500-watt) and features a light, tough aluminum chassis with a rubber coating on the corners for extra protection. Capable of powering up numerous devices—a 12-volt car socket, one USB-C, three USB-A, and a 12-volt household AC outlet—the unit itself can be charged up by either a standard outlet, solar panel, or USB-C cable. There’s enough juice here to run a variety of devices under 200 watts, like lights, radios, laptops, and cameras. Just leave the microwave and hair dryer at home (file under unnecessary overlanding gear). [From $300; rapticstrong.com] Get it
Meet the Man Overlanding in a Classic Porsche
Matt Hummel taps rally tradition to fuel a passion for off-roading in a classic car. Read article
Courtesy Image Comms When taking to the trails in rough and rugged country, heading out with a friend or two in tow provides added security and peace of mind. Portable communication systems like walkie-talkies are handy, but their range can be limited. Adding distance with the Midland MicroMobile Bundle provides enough power to communicate up to 50 miles away, depending on environmental obstructions like trees or mountains. The powerful 15-watt radio uses a 3-dB antenna to double range for the kit’s 15 GMRS channels. Other features include silent option, channel scanner, mic extension cable, NOAA weather radio, and 142 privacy codes. [$220; midlandusa.com] Get it
Courtesy Image
Smartphones have become such an integral part of everyday life that they’re now must-haves when venturing out into the wilderness. Navigation, weather reports, tide tables, and flora and fauna identification are all added phone functions in the backcountry—even if we wisely choose to ignore the latest news updates. All of that, of course, is contingent on having a signal. Adding a cell booster to your rig is thus a no-brainer. The SureCall Fusion2Go Max offers the security of almost always being connected through its patented Extended Range Technology and 2XP tech that work together to boost signals and increase transmission power. It works with all North American carriers (4G LTE and 5G) and installs quickly with an antenna that has a super-strong magnetic base and will plug into any rig’s standard 12-volt auto outlet. [$500; surecall.com] Get it
Test Driving the Long-Awaited 2021 Bronco
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For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
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You just bought your dream overlanding rig, but it’s bone stock and not quite ready to tackle that alt-terrain as safely and efficiently as you’d like. Getting your truck prepped and outfitted to conquer less-traveled roads can be intimidating. All those gizmos and modifications are tough to weed through when choosing overlanding gear that’ll work best for you and your rig. Plus, add-ons can require varying degrees of mechanical or technical know-how to install—upping the pre-departure fear factor.
In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies
Good thing is most overlanding gear can be easily attached to your vehicle with minimal time or skill. Sure, it’s a good idea to have some general mechanical and electrical knowledge before heading too far off the grid. But the following key add-ons—from vital communication systems and lifesaver LED lighting to modular roof racks and handy portable pantries—are simple game-changers that will serve you very well off the beaten track.
Get Your Rig Up to Speed With This Rugged Overlanding Gear
Wheels
Just ask your local tire shop—one of the quickest and easiest overlanding gear upgrades is replacing those stock rims with some burly bruisers. Our choice: the Armory from Black Rhino. Inspired by military trucks, these alloy off-road wheels have a solid design with bolted accents that’ll butch up your ride and perform well in the dirt, mud, and sand—adorned with an extra deep lip for securing oversized tires. Sizes come in 16×8, 17×9.5, 18×9.5, 20×9.5, and 20×12. A pair of cool colors choices keeps it simple: Gunblack or Desert Sand.
[From $262; blackrhinowheels.com]
Road Ways: Northern Baja by Offroad Trailer
A group of San Diego locals escaped the crowds during a good swell and, instead, surfed nearly alone… Read article
Tires
You’ve got your new off-road wheels picked out. Now it’s time to match them with just the right grippy rubber. You can go all out and buy some super knobby mud terrain tires, but unless you’re a professional overlander they’re going to be loud on paved roads and will crater your gas mileage. These Toyo Open Country A/T III’s are the perfect dual-terrain answer. They get you serious trail performance with milder on-road manners. The new compound and tread design were specifically designed to give you better off-road handling—including reliable snow and rain performance—while reducing noise. The tread blocks are smartly spaced in the middle and staggered on the edges for increased traction on the trail.
Road Ways: Northern Baja by Offroad Trailer
A group of San Diego locals escaped the crowds during a good swell and, instead, surfed nearly alone… Read article
Road Ways: Northern Baja by Offroad Trailer
A group of San Diego locals escaped the crowds during a good swell and, instead, surfed nearly alone…
[From $139; toyotires.com]
LED Lights
Who knows when a daylight jaunt could turn into a night’s rescue mission in tough, pitch-black terrain? That’s where bolting on some super-bright LED lights becomes essential. Bombing down backwoods trails in late hours with your convenient off-road pals lighting the way is always an illuminating option—which is why legendary 4×4 light mavens KC HiLites just released their Flex Era 4 2-Light System. Featuring a durable die-cast housing, machined orange bezel, these four powerful CREE LED bulbs push out almost 8,000 raw lumens per light in combo or spot configuration and will reliably brighten any off-road adventure.
[$638; kchilites.com]
Rack
Rugged roof racks run the gamut while serving the same basic function—to haul the overlanding gear that won’t fit anywhere else. None that we’ve seen offers quite the level of versatility and volume of add-ons as the Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack System. The South African-designed modular system lets you add or subtract crossbars depending on ever-changing needs—from a full rack to half to popping on side rails for extra cargo room. Setting it up and adjusting the system as you go is about as intimidating as playing with Legos. It’s that easy and (actually) enjoyable to use and modify. What can you store up here? Water, fuel, tents, tools, tires, propane tanks and virtually anything else your adventurous mind can dream up.
[From $695; frontrunneroutfitters.com]
5 Reasons Why the Baja 1000 Is the World’s Craziest Offroad Race
The 50th anniversary of the race kick starts this week. Read article
5 Reasons Why the Baja 1000 Is the World’s Craziest Offroad Race
The 50th anniversary of the race kick starts this week. Read article
5 Reasons Why the Baja 1000 Is the World’s Craziest Offroad Race
The 50th anniversary of the race kick starts this week.
Storage
Off-roading trips in a new rig will always require some heavy-duty extra storage solutions. Food, first-aid supplies, bulky clothing, etc … Finding a durable box that will hold all this stuff while withstanding the weather is a must. Pelican’s newest release—its bomber roto-molded Cargo Case—fits the bill. With eight models, from a small cube-like BX50 (1.22 cu ft) to the massive BX255 (6.92 cu ft), there’s a size for your rig, whether you want to store them inside the cabin, outside on a rack or back in the truck bed. An optional mounting kit makes it a snap to attach to almost any configuration—and the quick-release design allows you to pop it back off just like that when need it at camp or for home storage.
[From $250; pelican.com]
Dedicated overlanders and obsessively organized types will wonder what life would’ve been like without the Decked Drawer System. Topped with a waterproof deck that can shoulder an actual ton (yes, 2000 lbs) of weight over its two slide-out, bed-length drawers, the clever design is segmented for lots of thrilling organizational options with custom-fit dividers and boxes. Security of stowed goods is guaranteed when the tailgate is locked and closed. Proudly made in the U.S., the Decked system is easy to assemble at home and ships free.
[From $1,350; decked.com]
A Complete Guide to Car Camping on the Cheap
Read article
A Complete Guide to Car Camping on the Cheap
Read article
A Complete Guide to Car Camping on the Cheap
Sitting around a campfire at night while enjoying the kind of luxurious meal that noodle-slurping backpackers can only dream about—that’s an essential part of the whole rugged-but-rich overlanding experience. An ingenious way to transport, organize, and prepare your happy meals in the backcountry is to pop a pantry in the back of your rig. Handy and well thought out, the Clearview Pantry Kitchen and EasySlide is built from powder-coated aluminum panels and stainless steel parts with a foldout kitchen-in-a-box that provides ample storage and prep counter space along with a kitchen sink cutout, collapsible bowl, and lockable door. Go for the heavy-duty EasySlide, which pulls out and then drops down nearly a foot for waist-high access to your work surfaces, even in a lifted rig.
[$600, Pantry, $720, EasySlide; roverparts.com]
Solar
Installing a solar panel system on your vehicle can get technical and isn’t really needed for any rig doing double duty as a suburbia-mobile during the week. On the other hand, having the ability to harness the sun’s power while off the grid is ideal (perhaps essential) for overlanders. Enter a perfect comprise—the Goal Zero Boulder Briefcase Solar Charging Kit. Encased in a sturdy, foldable aluminum frame, the 200-watt, tempered glass solar panels are easy to pack and deploy, while the included 20-amp charge controller lets you juice up 12-volt batteries safely and securely, The kit also includes all the connectors needed to charge a multitude of batteries—portable and in-vehicle—along with a handy canvas carrying case to protect your powerful investment.
[$650; goalzero.com]
Battery
Venturing into the wild behind the wheel, it’s a good idea to pack an extra, super-reliable, strong-but-compact power source. This sleek unit from Raptic —The Titan—comes in two sizes (225- or 500-watt) and features a light, tough aluminum chassis with a rubber coating on the corners for extra protection. Capable of powering up numerous devices—a 12-volt car socket, one USB-C, three USB-A, and a 12-volt household AC outlet—the unit itself can be charged up by either a standard outlet, solar panel, or USB-C cable. There’s enough juice here to run a variety of devices under 200 watts, like lights, radios, laptops, and cameras. Just leave the microwave and hair dryer at home (file under unnecessary overlanding gear).
[From $300; rapticstrong.com]
Meet the Man Overlanding in a Classic Porsche
Matt Hummel taps rally tradition to fuel a passion for off-roading in a classic car. Read article
Meet the Man Overlanding in a Classic Porsche
Matt Hummel taps rally tradition to fuel a passion for off-roading in a classic car. Read article
Meet the Man Overlanding in a Classic Porsche
Matt Hummel taps rally tradition to fuel a passion for off-roading in a classic car.
Comms
When taking to the trails in rough and rugged country, heading out with a friend or two in tow provides added security and peace of mind. Portable communication systems like walkie-talkies are handy, but their range can be limited. Adding distance with the Midland MicroMobile Bundle provides enough power to communicate up to 50 miles away, depending on environmental obstructions like trees or mountains. The powerful 15-watt radio uses a 3-dB antenna to double range for the kit’s 15 GMRS channels. Other features include silent option, channel scanner, mic extension cable, NOAA weather radio, and 142 privacy codes.
[$220; midlandusa.com]
Smartphones have become such an integral part of everyday life that they’re now must-haves when venturing out into the wilderness. Navigation, weather reports, tide tables, and flora and fauna identification are all added phone functions in the backcountry—even if we wisely choose to ignore the latest news updates. All of that, of course, is contingent on having a signal. Adding a cell booster to your rig is thus a no-brainer. The SureCall Fusion2Go Max offers the security of almost always being connected through its patented Extended Range Technology and 2XP tech that work together to boost signals and increase transmission power. It works with all North American carriers (4G LTE and 5G) and installs quickly with an antenna that has a super-strong magnetic base and will plug into any rig’s standard 12-volt auto outlet.
[$500; surecall.com]
Test Driving the Long-Awaited 2021 Bronco
Read article
Test Driving the Long-Awaited 2021 Bronco
Read article
Test Driving the Long-Awaited 2021 Bronco
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
More News
Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'
Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector
Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime
Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set
Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set
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More News
Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'
Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector
Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime
Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set
Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set
Dream Garage: The Car and Truck Auctions We'd Bid on Right Now
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More News
Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'
Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector
Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime
Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set
Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set
Dream Garage: The Car and Truck Auctions We'd Bid on Right Now
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
