Overlanding vs. Van Life
Posted by Just_Demand_7197@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 19 comments
Honest question: what’s the real difference now?
In my brain, overlanding = “take the rig somewhere gnarly for a finite mission.” (i.e. you are not living in your rig)
Vanlife = “my vehicle is basically an apartment that happens to have wheels.”
Are these two totally separate things with their own little worlds and nuances? What actually separates them these days.... mindset, gear, length of trip, lifestyle? Or is it just two sides of the same coin?
ValorVixen@reddit
To me, there is quite a bit of crossover - but what distinguishes overlanding from van life is: 1. crossing borders, usually multiple countries 2. more risk/unknown - long sections of potentially unpaved roads, or fewer guaranteed gas stations and resupplies along the route, or perhaps in a country you’ve never been before and don’t speak the language, or maybe just a really technical forest service road 3 hours from your town
leonme21@reddit
That’s what it meant a while ago, today every other post on here is about a weekend trip to some state park 3 hours away
ValorVixen@reddit
It’s definitely developed a broader definition that means some sort of combination of off-roading and car camping.
Still, an Aussie doesn’t have borders to cross in their rig, but they can do weeks long trips in very remote places. Very hard to nail down a strict definition, and I don’t really feel it’s necessary for what most ppl do with the hobby.
tea_and_biology@reddit
I think that reflects more an American definition of what 'overlanding' is; in Europe, overlanding still reflects long-distance adventure travel, living in and relying on your vehicle to get by.
I'd consider most of the US content on here just, like, weekend camping, or occasional greenlaning, or whatever.
fifteenW40@reddit
Look, there's no hard-and-fast definition. Both are kind of catch-alls. Most people who actually travel for extended periods of time spend periods on- and off-road. Many will visit organized campgrounds to clean up. Some will even [GASP] get a hotel/Airbnb.
Frankly, I don't think there's a need to separate/categorize it. There's no handbook. There's an exception to every rule. If you're into traveling, do it. Enjoy it. Don't worry about the definition.
fractal_disarray@reddit
Van life is when you poop in a bucket in your van. Overlanding going off-roading while pooping in between the bushes.
Accurate-Panic7606@reddit
You can be both van life and overlanding. Or just van life of just overlanding.
To be both you need a van capable of living somewhat out of it but also able to leave at least the pavement. To overland you don't need a van nor live in thr vehicle but it needs to at least get off the pavement.
Unfortunately weekend trips is what most of the USA is confined to - we don't get much PTO in a year so can't be for to long and have any sort of a life outside of overlanding.
Myself i would say light overlander. Family is fully self contained in my Yukon xl but requires opening the rtt at least so no parking lot sleeping for us. I find as remote as I can which sometimes requires 4x4 but so far never the traction boards or winch. Don't own a van yet.
External-Voice3516@reddit
You can live a van life and never overland. Just stay in Walmart parking lots, regular camp grounds, etc, and you are typically self contained (meaning you sleep in the van).
Overloading you are going off-road and typically not staying in traditional locations. Usually more isolated. May or may not sleep in your vehicle, can sleep in ground tent, hammock, etc. Vehicle can be whatever you want it to be as long as it is capable of going off-road.
Just_Demand_7197@reddit (OP)
right so it's more of a hobby than a lifestyle....? right?
PonyThug@reddit
It’s my hobby that I do 40-50 nights a year. Some would say I’m casual, some would say I’m obsessed. I think it’s kinda a lifestyle if you want it to be, or it can just be some shit you bought to put on your truck to look cool in your work parking lot.
I have 4 neighbors that have built out vans as well as another 4 with built out trucks like raptors or new tundras in their driveways. I rarely see the vans move. Maybe 3 times a year, and they are never dirty at all. The raptors are almost never dirty. Maybe they wash them before getting home, but I’ve literally never seen even a little dust or mud.
I don’t care, just something I’ve noticed as a guy who is returning with a dirty truck every other weekend on average….
Peg_Leg_Vet@reddit
Overlanding can definitely be a lifestyle. There are quite a few people who live full time out of their trucks in a slide-in camper or a customized topper.
RedfernsOutpost@reddit
Overlanding is typically seen as a hobby, at least here in WA state
Pandazoic@reddit
Both could be a hobby or lifestyle, but I would say overlanding trips generally have a fixed duration and destination in mind. Like you cross some sort of vast wilderness and have to car camp at three or four different spots along the way.
OnceUponTheYonder@reddit
Well stated! We're currently trying to combine the vanlife/overlanding thing (even though I'm not a fan of either label) with 2 adults starting to live full time out of a 4runner with no set end in sight. It's taken years of dialing everything in and a lot of sacrifice due to space. We do look at it a lot like backpacking in a vehicle.
FrogFlavor@reddit
What is the difference between a hobby and a lifestyle anyway. Some people (not many) overland full time so can learn and share in both that community and van life.
As far as finite time frame, apartments give you a finite time frame and make you pay again, even sign a new contract. No housing is infinite. Like I can live with parents “forever” - until they’re dead. Even the royal family can get kicked out of royal digs. And of course homeowners have to keep paying taxes or will get evicted. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
polomasta@reddit
Who cares… define it however you want and do whatever you want. Overlanding used to mean long-term international vehicle based travel and now it means pics of your mods in your driveway.
jgross1@reddit
Exactly,,,, just go do your thing
Just_Demand_7197@reddit (OP)
it's more out of curiosity than anything :)
gabergum@reddit
Over landing is specifically off-road. So it's the capabilities of the vehicle and what you are doing to it.
What's the difference between backwoods backpacking or even just camping and being homeless living in a tent? Or back country backpacking and like, European gap hear hostel backpacking?
The gear can be similar at a glance. Some people absolutely are living in Walmart parking lots in lifted 4wheel drive sprinters and never take them on a dirt road. Those are what we call posers.
But if you are setting up to travel on highways and sleep in towns, there is no good way to justify the expense of an overlanding rig.
Also overlanding rigs don't necessarily need to be set up for long term comfort. It's usually a weekend affair for most people who do it, so it's more like a car camping setup than a full time 'van life' setup. You can get away with a lot less interior space if you don't need privacy inside an urban setting or any indoor utilities. Just an SUV or pickup truck, or even a little Subaru hatchback. Just ground clearance, traction and some storage.