New to overlanding? Stop overbuying and read this
Posted by blackcoffeedrinker@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 97 comments
When I started overlanding, I packed like I was invading a small country. Three years later, here's what actually gets used every single trip:
Power matters more than you think:
- Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen2 - 50min recharge speed+ 10 ports
- Kitchen gear that doesn't waste space:
- Jetboil Flash - Because waiting 10 minutes for coffee when you're tired sucks
- RTIC 45 - Keeps meat frozen 4 days vs cheap coolers that quit after 1
- GSI Pinnacle - Fits everything including stove in one package
Sleep system that actually works:
- Coleman Dark Room - Waking up at 5am from sun exposure ruins your day
- REI Sleep System - Being cold at night makes you want to go home
- HEST Mattress - Bad sleep = dangerous driving next day
Recovery gear I've actually used:
- ARB Recovery Kit - Pulled 3 vehicles out including my own
- VIAIR 400P - Air down for sand, air up for pavement
- Maxtrax - Worth every penny when you're stuck alone
I'm still learning:p What's the gear that's actually earned its keep in your rig? Love to hear your opinions!
Monkeyinazuit@reddit
Step 1 find a local spot, throw your tent in and figure it out from there
Beanmachine314@reddit
Even if you don't think you have a "proper" vehicle. Get out and have fun. I've probably gone more places in a Ridgeline or Maverick than many people with lifted Tacomas and Wranglers. You just don't need 90% of all that heavy off road stuff.
icthruu74@reddit
I took a VW Jetta into some places it probably shouldn’t have gone. I’ve ridden with people who took stock trucks into places I would have never thought possible (and was lucky enough to learn from them). Learning how to drive off-road is a lot more important than adding a lift, lockers, or whatever. And if you get stuck, well that’s part of the learning curve.
J412h@reddit
I saw an IG post about a guy who is overlanding the world in his hemi Challenger!
Is there a more disadvantageous choice? Two door car, rear wheel drive, and minimal ground clearance
Plastic_Willow734@reddit
Goes to show that most cars are way more capable than people want to believe.
A good chunk of overlanders just want an excuse to buy a Rubicon/GX/Whatever expensive 4x4 when all they're going to be doing is spending tens of thousands on gear to hit some fire roads to a campsite-- stuff you can do in a Camry.
Not that you NEED to be rock climbing to get yourself a car you enjoy, but you don't need all the excuses for an emotional purchase.
J412h@reddit
found a Reddit post
autocol@reddit
This is it. Stop "planning" and "preparing" when you have zero experience. Just go camping for fuck's sake! Don't go anywhere you might get lost or stuck, and just get outside.
Half of the people who think of themselves as "overlanders" are actually just people who like buying shit.
The fun part shouldn't be in the acquisition of equipment, but in the use of it.
(Full disclosure: I was an acquirer for a while, so I'm not throwing shade at anyone more than myself).
TowelAcrobatic4478@reddit
Yeah, but equipment is a massive part of the fun too. Especially when you’re talking about people who go three hours out in the mountains out of cell phone service. you need equipment for every possible emergency scenario, especially spare parts and making sure to keep your internal organs new like your starter and your alternator, recovery equipment and things of that nature
autocol@reddit
Sure, but you learn all that as you go. For a newbie, the best thing to do to get started is GO CAMPING.
HondaDAD24@reddit
“Just buying shit” explains quite a few of these builds 😂
autocol@reddit
Yeah, well over half as another commenter said.
211logos@reddit
It is pretty amusing if you spend time with 4x4ers vs overlanders and camp with a variety of people doing a variety of activities. First thing you notice is how the branding affects costs, and second is that gear that can function in a multitude of environments is more efficient.
For example, tons of my offroading buddies use compressors they also use at work. Sure, one might need a Viair because more compact, but nice to have the duty cycle of a better compressor with tank.
SgtShuts@reddit
Way more than half.
Monkeyinazuit@reddit
Same! I feel this. Plan to make sure you’re good but just get out there.
GeoHog713@reddit
Amen!
Cornonzeecob@reddit
Fire maple > Jetboil
MBINMO@reddit
Ahhhhh........ the good old days when my overlanding gear consisted of a TNF sleeping bag, a tube tent, a blue foam sleeping pad from Kmart and a boy scout mess kit. All tossed in the back of my Toyota FJ40.
zoey_will@reddit
"Waking up at 5am from sun exposure ruins your day"
Thats like an alarm clock. You supposed to be up cooking breakfast or somethin'.
driftmunkey@reddit
Woo Woooo!
jr_73@reddit
Bubb Rubb!
ghouly-rudiani@reddit
Extra bottle jack and a plywood support. No way you're getting your maxtrax under your wheels in deep sand without getting the axle up.
charli862@reddit
I read that as an “extra bottle of Jack”. And was thinking “that’s exactly what I need to add to my kit!
Hey_cool_username@reddit
I ditch the plywood for a milk crate full of 2x firewood. You can build cribbing to get the height you need or use it for firewood. Just don’t get stuck on the way out lol.
ninjawinch@reddit
You can cheap out on virtually all the camping items. Don't cheap out on the recovery stuff.
And you need a small tool bag or tool roll. Missing something while camping is an annoyance. Getting stranded can be extremely expensive or lethal.
Stubby and long set of combo wrenches, about 8mm to 19mm
3/8 ratchet, extension, and deep socket set
1/2" breaker bar, 1/2 to 3/8 adapter, short 1/2 extension and a stout 1/2" socket for your lug size
needle nose pliers
small wire stripper/crimper/cutter
small bit set and 1/4 socket and driver handle
snap ring pliers
10" bungie (if you done calipers/pads, you know)
6-8" c-clamp (lots of uses including pressing u-joints with the sockets)
1 2" ratchet strap (can hold axle or suspension arm to the frame for various reasons)
a few brass brake line caps of the appropriate size/thread for your brake lines (you can cap one off if it's ripped off by a branch, etc, though I've also seen people try to c-clamp a hose)
rubber mallet, hammer, some sort of legit whacking tool
small pry bar
awl (pry rocks out of your treads/siping)
small plastic trim tool
extendable magnet, small magnetic parts tray
electrical tape
JB weld
a couple hose clamps
duct tape
fuse/relay assortment
$30 autel code reader
Anything you do on your vehicle, pull out this tool kit. You will learn real fast if you need to add something to it. As you do maintenance and mods you'll also come across various bits and bobs that you realize you'd be hosed if they fell off, or you were doing a trail repair and lost them... so you'll want to add a couple. Best to learn in the driveway, rather than at 2 AM in the middle of nowhere.
Top it off with a Haynes or Chilton manual.
You should also try to snag at least a cheap 12v compressor and a basic patch kit.
FitNFifty73@reddit
I’m so glad you just told me about everything I really needed after doing this for way longer than you. Thanks man, can’t wait to not buy any of that because… I’m not you
truthindata@reddit
Very similar to many other male hobbies, the "gearing up" part is half the fun for lots of people.
Photography. Audio. Cars. Firearms. Home theatre. Smart home. Guitar. Drums. Cooking/smoking/grilling. Brewing beer. Whiskey collecting. Etc... the list goes on and on.
Most enthusiasts will spend waaaaaaaaaaay more than is "needed".
For some reason, this concept is offensive in the overlanding community, lol.
akrafty1@reddit
Yep. It’s a hobby. Do it the way you want.
I can backpack for days in the winter with 35 pounds of gear and be happy as a clam or I can go camping and fishing in my LX470 and have all the comforts of home. I’m not going to rain on anyone’s parade. Playing with the gear and figuring it all out is half the fun.
Just get out there, be respectful of the land and nature, and have a blast.
Fun_Ice9530@reddit
Would love to see your load list for the LX. I'm realizing I'll likely never get that new F-250 w/FWC, so I'm relegated to either my LX or my built 4th gen 4Runner for the foreseeable future. Accumulated a fair amount of stuff over the past 20 yrs, just getting analysis paralysis and becoming obsessed about not overloading the LX's AHC. 3rd row folding seats have been out for awhile now.
truthindata@reddit
Amen. Lx470 ftw!
airmanparker34@reddit
First time camping at an RV park?
WombatMcGeez@reddit
WestCoastRadiation@reddit
If you have room there's no such thing as over packing
grecy@reddit
For what it's worth, I drove from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina over 2 years and I had less gear, and less expensive gear than that.
I did the whole thing in a $5k Jeep that I sold for $5k at the end.
If you want to take a big trip, you really don't need to spend much on gear.
cincydvp@reddit
How difficult was it to sell your vehicle (assuming) in Argentina? I am planning the trip starting in June 2027 in a 2004 Suburban 2500. I’m looking forward to digging into your link. Thanks for posting here!
grecy@reddit
It's extremely difficult to sell in Argentina. Importing it an marking it a local vehicle is extremely expensive and time prohibitive.
Given the right circumstances, you can sell to another foreigner who will continue to drive it as a foreign vehicle - either using a power of attorney with your registration, or, if possible, they can register it in their own name if that can be done without the vehicle present.
The answer is unfortunately, it depends.
There is a duty free zone in Chile where a lot of people sell.. or if it's worth a decent amount plenty of people ship it back and keep it.
Subject-Spinach-5801@reddit
Hell yeah dude I wanna hit a major road trip in my 2013 Subaru Outback this year.
I’ve picked up a few very simple things so far, now I just wanna get a legit sleep set up and a simple diesel heater before I go for it.
grecy@reddit
Depending on what time of year you're going you won't need that diesel heater.
Save the cash and spend it on gas in the tank so you can go for longer
DepartmentNatural@reddit
For under $100 & a dollar or two a night I think being warm all night is definitely money I'm glad I spent on my heater
grecy@reddit
Nice. I had no idea they were that cheap now. Can you share a link please, that is incredible & at that price I agree with you!
DepartmentNatural@reddit
https://youtu.be/tjxFOejWKmk?si=9jUK2lYv0YRcFBZQ
grecy@reddit
Oh wow, thanks. Crazy
Subject-Spinach-5801@reddit
That’s my perspective as well, just hoping a sub 200$ heater will last !
DepartmentNatural@reddit
I have about 75 nights on mine just this year and no problem at all
Subject-Spinach-5801@reddit
Drop me a link if you don’t mind?
DepartmentNatural@reddit
The video does & there's plenty of the same thing on Amazon and ebay you can find
No_Bat5297@reddit
How did you cross the Darian gap?
grecy@reddit
I shipped the Jeep inside a shipping container.
These days Overland Embassy is a company in Panama that helps people do it and pairs them up with others to save money. It's pretty straightforward these days.
gottaeatnow@reddit
Is this Dan Grec? You are a legend, mate. I’m a huge fan
grecy@reddit
Haha, thanks.
I'm just a guy. I decided I wanted to go for it, so I did.
I didn't speak Spanish or have any training or anything like that.
I worked and saved for years, then went for it.
I'm perfectly ordinary. If I can do it, you can too.
UCR998@reddit
Would love to see a list of the small items you used and loved if you can
grecy@reddit
This has a list of everything I took with me, along with a bag of clothes and a box of food.
It was everything I needed, and I never wanted anything more
UCR998@reddit
Sorry did you post it or did I miss it lol
grecy@reddit
ah, sorry
http://theroadchoseme.com/on-the-road
UCR998@reddit
Haha all good , I sent an email to the equivalent of my ceo and forgot the attachment and followed that up with “ah fuck my bad “ ☠️ so I promise it can always be worse
TheCarcissist@reddit
Facebook marketplace everything. There are so many people that got into overlanding and outdoor activities during covid and havent touched their stuff in years and they are getting rid of everything. 90% of everything I have i have gotten off marketplace
jwheel1970@reddit
I really fight the desire to have a second of everything. Years of Baja Mex travel have taught me that you’re always going to forget something and we survive. However, unique to Mex is, carrying extra 5 gal of fuel. Not sure if the little towns will have gas.
Devilfish11@reddit
The extra 5 gallons of fuel helps out in more places than just Baja. i remember cutting across Eastern Oregon one night, every single gas station was closed but I had 10 gallons of fuel in the boat I was towing with my FJ40. About 3 AM I'd used almost all of both containers, pulled into the next town, parked at the pumps and the attendant woke me up about 6 that morning. I think not being allowed to pump your own fuel is unique to Oregon? No attendant, no gas.......
bullcave@reddit
Now we can pump our own gas in Oregon...first it was the rural towns that allowed it for precisely that late night situation, now it's everywhere. Whether the tiny rural town has new gas pumps that take a card is a totally different concern...
Devilfish11@reddit
It wasn't a big deal even back then. I've always been an adventurer, take things like that in stride and try to look at the humorous aspect of it. It was actually Brothers, Oregon where I decided I'd better stop. Good thing too, since my FJ40 took 14.5 gallons in a 16 gallon tank. I used to regularly drive between NW Washington and Arizona and preferred the rural highways through Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
SirNerfsALot@reddit
New Jersey is the same. Oregon changed the rules a while back for rural areas for this exact reason. Even urban stations are at least 50/50 service vs self serve these days. Same price either way.
LiamLikeNeeson89@reddit
You’re forgetting the 300,000 other things I “might need if I don’t have it with me” items. Keep working on that list😂
trustifarian@reddit
And “2 is 1 and 1 is none” backups.
LiamLikeNeeson89@reddit
Fuses lol. I had a short that killed my lights at a nighttime snow run. Had to keep swapping fuses in to get off the trail with lights because every time I’d hit a bump a certain way they’d go out. Was able to find the issue the next day and fix it properly but I wasn’t about to do that in 20 degree weather in a snowstorm 💅🏼
Akalenedat@reddit
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it aaaaaaand I'm 500lbs over GVWR
JollyGreenGigantor@reddit
"What's GVWR" - sent from Toyota Tacoma
idk_wtf_im_hodling@reddit
Gross vehicle weight ratio
JollyGreenGigantor@reddit
Yes. My joke was about the amount of obviously overloaded Tacomas you see on the road.
Then again, a cooler of beer, a dog, couple friends, and a couple mountain bikes puts them at GVWR
_red-beard_@reddit
You must be related to my wife 😆
LiamLikeNeeson89@reddit
The problem is my gf and I are the same in always being over prepared 😂😂😂
curioustaking@reddit
The first thing anyone needs to do is go out a couple of times and then you'll figure out what you need.
Coolio_Simmer@reddit
I like waking up at 5:00 a.m.!
dadmantalking@reddit
Something to sleep in, sleep on, and sleep under. Everything else is just details.
T3stdrv3r@reddit
I brought 2 full Jerry cans to Colorado 2 days at a time out around several passes and some random detours along the way. Used them to fill up on the way home just to use it up. Make sure you have first aid and recovery stuff.. Everything else is a bonus.
JFFmoejoe@reddit
Drill batteries are my biggest recommendation, over a power bank because they are more versatile. I bring a couple on my travels, my truck has an outlet to recharge them as I drive and I have the following tools: -Power inverter: one plug and 2 USB ports, runs lights and charges phones at night. -tire pump: fixing flats and refill tires if I need to air them down for a trail -lantern -chainsaw: incase I need to clear a downed limb blocking a trail.
JimmyMcNultysWake@reddit
Shovel (D handle w/ full size head), rechargeable light, basic tool kit (I go a bit overboard here)
Hey_cool_username@reddit
D handle shovels are only really useful if you have to crawl under your rig to dig out. Anyone who has ever done any real digging would just throw a full size shovel in the back of the pickup. If you’re in a Jeep, sorry. Source: The world needs ditch diggers too…
JimmyMcNultysWake@reddit
Sure thing, super chief. Never had to dig out any tenderfeet out there on the trail or beach in the ol’ real world ha ha ha ha ha 🫡
giganticsquid@reddit
Massive agree for the Coleman darkroom, we've got a toddler that needs daytime naps and it even works for that
LittleBrother2459@reddit
A towel. Only thing better is two towels.
Any-Lingonberry-9132@reddit
Any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his towel is is clearly a man to be reckoned with.
NowFreeToMaim@reddit
Only yuppies overbuy.
Name_Groundbreaking@reddit
Absolute top of the list needs to be a full size spare and tools to change it
Wine-Master1978@reddit
What ever makes my partner feel comfortable, doing this without her would not be as good.
skinny_tom@reddit
Even that is too much. Who needs a power bank, or spare battery or whatever? Turn all the crap off and you don't need power. Need a light? get a headlamp and turn it to red. It won't ruin your night vision and you'll get used to seeing in low light.
A $100 igloo keeps your stuff cold for at least 3 days if you're smart about it and throw a little dry ice at the bottom.
If you're not out of bed when the sun comes up you've missed some of the best parts of being outside.
Find a sleeping bag that's warm enough and a pad that's soft (or firm) enough.
Don't fall into the brand name trap.
In other words, there's more than one way to skin a cat.
Get out there and do it.
OreRanger@reddit
We're so new to this all we have is a Tent Fridge 30 year old Colman 2 burner Cooking/eating utensils for 2 Power bank/DC to DC charging Maps, compass gps Tablet with OnX Offroad Recovery gear We are looking at a winch system. Just in case cause we're older now. Oh, the real important stuff! Fishing gear!!!
aNewLife_aNewAccount@reddit
This is me and I've been doing it for nearly 20 years. A dual fuel stove and lantern, a tote with dry foods, one that holds the cooking equipment, a big yeti for cold foods, tablet (route finding and whatnot), some comm devices, shovel, axe, hiking stick, farm jack and 20 gallons of water. We do sleep in a rtt that has insulation for cold weather. All motivated by a big ass locked 3/4 ton Suburban. We can get about 4 nights out with two adults, and two teens.
But...I would also like a winch lol
kingtuft@reddit
Speed bleeders for airing down… set them to 20psi once, screw on when you leave pavement, back in the case at your first viewpoint / beerstop.
ChibaCityFunk@reddit
We are currently 85 days in to our Africa crossing and at the edge of the Sahara desert, while still working remotely.
We even brought a laser printer to avoid problems with our papers being withheld by corrupt checkpoint personnel, for visa applications and other inevitable paperwork.
What’s your definition of overlanding?
cullen9@reddit
When I started I bought a stupid inflatable mattress, a dumb truck bed tent and a cheap Coleman cooler, a 20$buyer and stove from hmart, And a eno double nest hammock. Just started adding things as I needed.
namenotneeded@reddit
30 rack of beer and trade with people on the trail.
samchoi924@reddit
How long jetboil flash takes to boil water? As far as I know there is no temp control, so what if you need to brew at 195 vs 205?
UCR998@reddit
Love this post , do you use a heater / use that tent in 30s F temp ?
The_World_Is_A_Slum@reddit
Not the OP. We camp all winter long in TX, AR, OK, MO, TN and KY in a Wawona 6, temps in the teens at night sometimes. With a good base layer, good sleeping bag, a few wool blankets and quality sleeping pad, we’re just fine, although getting out of the bag in the morning takes a minute. The key is to stay out of the wind and stay dry. Rain can make it a bit of a grind.
UCR998@reddit
So I’ve got backpacking gear that I used on PCT and Cali mountains 3 season stuff so I’ve got some warm stuff . All season pad stuff like that but I wanna add to it .
The_World_Is_A_Slum@reddit
That’s valid. A friend of mine has a diesel heater for his hub tent, which keeps it toasty in there, although the ticking all night drives me nuts. He also has a canvas hot tent with a little wood stove that they have to tend throughout the night.
The small volume tents get damp inside from all of the condensation. When we’re in the swag, we keep the vents open even when it’s cold to keep it drier inside - we use a swag for one-nighters or traveling, the big tent for longer stays.
C_A_M_Overland@reddit
Less is more. My entire soapbox-when I’m not trolling pretentious people with is in the back yard with Mario kart- is you don’t need all that junk.
CafeRoaster@reddit
What do you use the power bank for? I only ever need to power my fridge, which I just keep plugged into the 12v and then it lasts for days with two batteries.
I don’t even need the fridge. When I go alone, I don’t bother cooking. The fridge is just for beer. 😆