A Complete Guide About Overlanding You Should Know

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Getting outdoors and exploring trails and rocky terrain is common today. If you do off-roading, you’ve probably heard of Overlanding. Now the real thing is what is Overlanding. Overlanding has become more popular recently, and its origins extend to cattle drivers crossing the Australian outback in the early 20th century. Overlanding covers a wide array of mechanized off-road and on-road travel. Ready to add. The reality is that the experience of the journey is more important than the destination.

Basically, Overlanding is predicated on your experience of travel and land adventures more than the final destination. While some argue that for your trip to be considered “Overlanding truly,” you must cross the border(s) of other countries, the reality is that as Overlanding becomes more central and Streamlined, its definition has become a bit more fluid. Overlanding today is more loosely a combination of long-distance travel and camping.

Overlanding Vs. Off-Roading

Let’s first know what the difference is between Overlanding and off-roading. These two terms are often used interchangeably but should be distinguished. Overlanding involves off-roading, while off-roading does not always involve Overlanding.

Off-roading is defined as any driving activity that takes a vehicle over uneven roads or natural terrain. Overlanding is technically a form of off-roading because you always go on uneven roads. However, the main purpose of Overlanding is to travel long distances, and it is important to have a vehicle that can last you the entire length of the journey. Because Overlanding is usually done over several days, and you need more equipment in different environments.

Selection of Overlanding Vehicles

An Overlanding vehicle is your vehicle for overland adventures or an automotive vehicle. You can usually use lifted trucks with attractive finishes like black, blue chrome and Red Rims that can handle off-road for Overlanding. Thousands of people worldwide have taken their 2WD cars, trucks, cans, motorcycles, and even bicycles to places most wouldn’t even dream of taking their top-dollar, fully cut-out Overlanding rigs. But they also had possibly the best experience!

However, having a properly equipped four-wheel-drive overland vehicle can make your overland adventures much more flexible. You can go to the places you want to travel more deeply, freely, and safely – provided you learn it first.

Mastering off-road driving requires a lot of practice and skill, and you must have some special safety equipment. So if you are new to Overlanding and off-road driving, you need to consider the above tips before doing overland driving.

Difference Between Overlanding and Camping

“What’s the difference between Overlanding and camping?”

This question comes to mind a lot when we talk about Overlanding. As the concept of Overlanding has become increasingly popular, it has become very difficult to distinguish between the two.

Below is a simple way to differentiate between traditional vehicle-based camping and Overlanding.

  • Travel Distance – How far will you travel?
  • Travel Duration – How long will you travel?
  • Destination – Where are you going?
  • Difficulty – How difficult is it to get there?
  • Generally falling under the category of “Overlanding” for travel are:
  • Over 1,000 miles
  • More than seven days
  • Outside of your usual geographic area
  • It would be best if you had a lot of effort, self-reliance, and skill to navigate and drive.

So if you’re planning to go camping in your state’s national forest on vacation and are less than 100 miles from your home, that would generally be considered “camping.”

If you’re planning a trip along a mostly off-highway route that will take several weeks or more, cover a few thousand miles, spanning several states, provinces, or countries. Your trip will be considered an “overland” adventure if you do.

Defining the line between hiking and backpacking is a hotly debated topic, but a helpful analogy might be to compare how you define the two terms. The two are very different things and mean different purposes, just as “Overlanding” and “camping” are very different things with very different purposes. Neither is wrong – neither intrinsically nor extrinsically superior to the other, and both ultimately aim to make exploring and appreciating this incredible world more enjoyable.

Is Overlanding the same as car camping?

Yes, Overlanding is sometimes referred to as “car camping,” but it goes much deeper than that. Overlanding is built upon the spirit of adventure and self-reliance—the idea of traveling into the wilderness, carrying only the essential gear for whatever you expect to encounter.

What is the Best Off-Road Vehicle for Overlanding?

Most of today’s vehicles are originally built with off-road intent and can be adapted to a solid Overlanding ride. Popular choices include trucks and SUVs like the Toyota Tacoma, Land Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee XJ, the Chevy Colorado, and Nissan. There are a lot of motorcyclists who are into Overlanding as well.

Generally, overland vehicles are trucks and 4x4s. Most overlanders require Off Road Wheels vehicles that can travel remote trails and have a low probability of getting stuck or breaking down. Capability and the vehicle’s ability to handle all terrains are something to keep in mind.

What is the best Land Rover for Overlanding?

While the Land Rover Discovery 3 & 4 are also good picks, the Land Rover LR4 is more recent and relevant in the overland world. This Land Rover model is reliable and capable of maneuvering over difficult terrain. The LR4 is an excellent vehicle, but it will likely require modifications to fit your specific Overlanding needs.

What is an Overlanding Trip?

An overland trip might be a simple off-the-grid weekend or a months-long excursion to a remote destination. But perhaps what truly separates Overlanding from camping is your transportation’s role in the adventure. Hannibal had his elephants, Lewis and Clark had their canoes, and NASA had its Saturn V.

Are Roof Top Tents Good for Overlanding?

Many overlanders like Roof Top Tents because the setup is quick, and you can store blankets, pillows, and mattresses within the enclosed setup. I’ve yet to try an RTT since I usually sleep in the truck’s bed for short quick stays. A good overland trip will consist mostly of dirt roads where it’s not easy to access.

Conclusion

Overlanding is a way of life that emphasizes independence and self-reliance when traveling. In contrast to camping, the purpose of an Overlanding journey is not to spend time resting at a solitary camp for some nights but rather to cover as much terrain as possible.

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