Nothing spells stress relief quite like striking out for points unknown behind the wheel of your Jeep. Some might characterize this as off-roading with an eventual destination in mind, while others might refer to it as the ultimate form of rugged freedom. For most, however, this form of automotive expedition is known simply as overlanding.
Overlanding, as a whole, is growing significantly in popularity with every passing year. Entire groups of overland dedicated enthusiasts, or overlanders as many prefer to be called, are springing up all over the world.
What is Overlanding?
Overlanding is most adequately defined as an activity that is equal parts camping and off-road excursion that sees participants strike out into the world’s wildlands in a completely self-sufficient manner, while at the helm of their 4WD vehicle. Most overlanders pride themselves in going where few have and taking in breathtaking sights that many could only imagine.
A single overlanding excursion can be as simple as a weekend getaway in the wild right outside your backdoor or as adventurous as a multistage, month-long trek to various scenic destinations. No matter how such a trip is structured, overlanding is truly a man and machine versus nature sort of affair.
A number of vehicles have been sourced for use as overland vehicles, including but not limited to: Toyota Tacomas, 4-Runners, and Land Cruisers; Chevy Colorado pickups; and Nissan Xterra SUVs. However, few overland vehicles have gained such a devout following as the Jeep. The average offlander's affinity for the Jeep tends to be far reaching, as virtually every model of the famed off-road line is used for such endeavors. The Jeep Wrangler JL/JK, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Jeep Gladiator all tend to rank highly upon the list of popular overlanding vehicles.
History of Overlanding
Overlanding has seen exponential growth in the past decade in the continental United States. In fact, to many Americans, overlanding remained a relatively obscure activity up until the past few years. However, this form of off-road adventure has remained quite popular elsewhere for a lengthy period of time.
Many believe that overland travel originated in Australia, initially out of pure necessity. In the days of old, intracontinental travel was conducted by any means necessary, and routes were scarcely defined. Initial travel is believed to have been conducted on horseback and later modernized with the implementation of railway travel. Finally, the advent of personal motorized transportation made this same early route of travel feasible for the common citizen.
Today, overland expeditions are conducted primarily for recreational purposes. Participants come from all walks of life, and many seek to escape the world’s day-to-day stresses. Luckily, there are few ways to accomplish this readily as traveling well off of the beaten path in search of any adventure that awaits.
How to Get Started Overlanding?
Perhaps the most wonderful characteristic of overlanding is that anyone can partake in the sport. If you have a Jeep, enough gear/provisions to see you through your trip, and an adventurous spirit, you are ready to hit the trail.
To delve deeper into what is required in order to take up overland expedition, let us take a further look at each of the abovementioned needs.
4WD Vehicle
The truth is, if you are already the owner of a Jeep, you are a step ahead in the realm of preparing yourself for a future as an overlander. Jeeps are known for their go anywhere and do anything range of abilities, and that is precisely what is required of any vehicle that is to journey far off the beaten path. From the Jeep’s earliest Willys rendition, rugged reliability has been a cornerstone.
Before taking up the trail, you must first consider if your Jeep is trail ready. Is your Jeep in excellent mechanical shape? Are there any underlying mechanical issues that could cause you trouble while on the trail? Prior to striking out for adventure, an honest assessment of this nature must be made. Twenty miles or more from the nearest paved road is no place to realize that you put too much faith in an aging wheel bearing or that a worn u-joint was not as viable as you might have previously thought.
As with any off-road adventure, the trail will test your Jeep's merit. Either you will conquer the trail, or the trail will conquer you. By taking adequate stock of your Jeep, you will prevent mechanical weak points from being exposed when you least expect it.
Gear/Provisions
When setting out for an overland excursion, you must pack adequately for the journey ahead. Just as you would gather all necessary supplies when going camping, you will need to ensure that everything required is accounted for and loaded into your Jeep. However, when overlanding, you must also ensure that all automotive-based provisions are accounted for as well.
Aside from enough food, water, and clothing to see you through your trip, you will need to have at least a spare tire, hi-lift jack, tire patch/plug kit, compressor, extra fluids (oil, coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid), and a work light on hand. As previously mentioned, the trail can and will expose your Jeep’s mechanical weak points. Do not be caught without proper equipment for a quick fix.
A Sense Of Adventure
Living in your Jeep for a period of days or weeks is not what many would refer to as the glamorous life, but it is certainly a worthwhile adventure all the same. Before heading out in search of this adventure, you should have a firm understanding of what lies ahead. Mechanical breakdowns are always a possibility, 5-star dining will be left behind upon leaving the blacktop, and hot showers are not likely to occur.
However, if you are the type that can immerse yourself in your surroundings and remain as rugged as the landscape which you traverse, then overland expedition is an activity which you will most certainly find favor in.
If you already enjoy camping and are somewhat handy with a wrench, your fascination with overlanding will only continue to grow with every trip. In many ways, overland expeditions are similar in nature to the horseback explorations of yesteryear. However, when overlanding, your Jeep is your trusty steed.
Overland Expedition Checklist
Before blazing a trail, it is wise to ensure that you are properly supplied for what lies ahead. After all, you are highly unlikely to encounter a 7-Eleven while taking the road less traveled. If one finds that they have packed less than what is needed for their trip, an early return to civilization might become necessary.
The following is a checklist of essential items that will assist you in making sure that your every need is met.
- Fuel
- Hand Tools
- Hi-lift Jack
- Spare Tire
- Patch/Plug Set
- Air Compressor
- Spare Fluids
- Quick Set Epoxy
- Super Glue
- Knife
- Multi-tool
- Penetrating Oil
- Winch/Winch Accessories (straps, shackles, D-rings, etc.)
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Machete or Ax
- Wash Cloths
- Towels
- Wet Wipes
- Garbage Bags
- GPS
- Compass
- Maps
- Solar Panel/Generator
- High Lumen Flashlight
- Ponchos
- Fire Starter
- Blankets
- Jumper Cables
- Emergency Flares
- Lighter
- Extra Automotive Battery
- Batteries For Flashlight
- Weather Radio
- Fire Extinguisher
- Ample Food
- Water
- Emergency Water Purification Device
- Cooler
- Cooking Utensils
- Small Grill or Fire Grate
- Pop-Up/ Rooftop Tent
- Sleeping Bags
- Chairs
- Extra Clothing
- An Extra Pair Of Shoes
- Personal Care Items
- All Medications
How To Find Overland Trails
After prepping your Jeep and all provisions, the only item of business that remains is that of locating a suitable trail to tackle. For many, this in itself can lead to a number of questions. Is there a way to find a list of overland trails? Are there groups dedicated to overland trail expeditions? Luckily, the answer to both of these questions is a resounding YES!
Today, a near-endless number of overland groups and organizations exist. Of these groups, some specialize in overland travels the world over, while others are regional in nature. Perhaps the quickest way to get up to speed on everything one might wish to know about overland travel is to join one or more of these dedicated organizations. In many cases, these groups can provide new overlanders with information regarding various routes as well as what to expect along the way.
Many of these overland groups also conduct yearly trail rides. Joining in on such an event can be a wonderful way to discover new trails that you might not have previously been aware of. This is also an excellent way of meeting fellow overlanders with whom you can share experiences and exchange information regarding different trails.
Additionally, any interested overlander, whether new or experienced, can find virtually anything they wish to know pertaining to trail locations through a quick Internet search. Many overlanders consult GIS maps as well as Google Earth to locate landscape features such as public logging and fire roads. There are also a number of overlander internet communities that provide free downloadable trail maps for use.
Overland Jeep Modifications
In many cases, overland Jeeps are modified with aftermarket components to better meet the needs of their owners. The list of components that are often installed on overland Jeeps is quite extensive, but some of the most popular items typically include aftermarket skid plates, brush guards, front bumpers/rear bumpers, tire carriers, roof racks, light bars, fenders, snorkels, and high-quality winches.
The following rundown will depict the value added by several of these commonly installed or upgraded components.
Winches
If you plan to spend much time off-road, the installation of a quality winch is an absolute necessity. The day's events do not always go in our favor when trail riding, and we can quickly find ourselves in a sticky situation. A winch is your insurance policy against such occurrences, as it facilitates recovery efforts should the need arise.
Whether you attempt to traverse a ditch line that proves to be steeper than first anticipated or take a turn a little quicker than intended, a properly sized winch can bring your excursion back from the point of no return. Winches come in both hydraulic and electric forms and use mechanical force applied to a recovery cable, in order to pull you out of whatever predicament you might find yourself in.
A number of quality winches are offered for purchase on today's market and come in an array of sizes as well as operational capacity ratings. Some of the industry's top brands include Warn, Smittybilt, Superwinch, and Rugged Ridge.
Light Bars
Light bars and other forms of auxiliary lighting are another must-have when striking out for an overland adventure. You never know what the trail ahead or mother nature will throw your way. The last thing that any overlander wants to face is an absence of light when attempting to get from point A to point B, especially when encountering obstacles that have the potential to damage tires or drivetrain components.
Even if you do not intend to travel under the cover of darkness, there are times when the use of a light bar will pay dividends. If mechanical troubles materialize or winch recovery becomes necessary, it can be quite difficult to maintain the timeline which you were intent upon. This can force travel past the point of nightfall, during which standard headlight operation might be inadequate for confident operation.
A light bar can also be worth its weight in gold when the sun begins to set before you have situated your camp for the evening. When this occurs, simply fire up your light bar, aim your Jeep in the direction where light is needed, and carry on as normal.
Protective Equipment (Brush Guards, Skid Plates, Bumpers)
Life on the trail is full of unforeseen hazards, many of which can put an early end to your excursion and leave you stranded far from rescue. Luckily, a near-infinite number of aftermarket accessories are offered to prevent such occurrences. Brush guards, skid plates, and aftermarket bumpers all play a role in bullet-proofing your trail warrior.
The installation of an aftermarket brush guard or bumper can be a lifesaver when an inadvertent instance of oversteer sends you barreling off of the trail and into rocks, trees, or other organic matter. In many cases, the use of such equipment will be the only thing standing between you and a busted radiator.
Likewise, aftermarket skid plates can prevent undercarriage to ground contact, which can be potentially devastating to your Jeep’s oil pan or transmission fluid pan. While many Jeeps employ the use of a stock skid plate, they are not always up to the task of shielding your undercarriage from direct blows that occur when straddling basketball-sized rocks along the trail.
Snorkels and Aftermarket Breather Assemblies
At times, the trail ahead does not always stay on high ground. It is quite common to encounter creek crossings or low water fords along the path, and those who are ill-prepared are presented with two options -- carry forward and risk stalling their engine or turn back without a further thought.
The use of a snorkel or raised intake assembly presents overlanders with a third option -- soldier on without fear. An assembly of this nature pulls fresh intake flow at a point that is high enough in the air that any risk of water encroachment can be minimized. This is of immense value, as a water-logged engine will almost certainly stall. Furthermore, as water floods into a cylinder’s open intake valves, it is possible for an engine to hydro lock, risking severe internal damage.
Even if your intended route of travel does not intersect a creek crossing, water-related issues can arise. Heavy seasonal rains can wash out gullies or other low points in a matter of hours, leaving you in a desperate situation should you become trapped on the other side of these rising waters. The use of a snorkel or raised intake assembly can allow safe passage back across still waters of moderate depth.