The Overlanding Rig No One Saw Coming - 95K miles - 15 Countries

Posted by everydaysandro@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 76 comments

Let’s be honest, the Tesla Model X engineers never initially designed their ultimate mum mobile to overland the Americas, or did they?

95K miles, 15 Countries, 4x4 routes, I really like to explore. So why a Tesla Model X?

Tesla has never paid me to promote their products, and that’s the way I want it to be. Independent and free, keeping things as simple as possible. Posting videos about whatever is on my mind! They have been supportive by answering my questions online!

Belugita is a 2023 Tesla Model X Long Range 5 Seater that I purchased used with 100miles on the odemeter in April 2023. My Model X is still mostly stock, besides 300 Watts of custom solar on the hood and 19” rims with Falken Wildpeaks 255/55/R19 A/T tires. On a 100% charge, I can get a solid 530km of range, even pulling over 560km range through the Andes once in Chile!

I love to drive, and when I get tired on long driving days, I turn on Full-Self Driving and sit back and enjoy the view. Feels weird to say, loving to drive but having your car drive for you…

The shear ride comfort, Tesla Supercharging, lack of regular maintenance, massive interior potential and camp mode baked into the software made roadtripping across the US and Canada so fun and a breeze. None of these comforts exist or work after leaving Mexico.

South America is where new charging puzzles began. Larger distances, bureaucracies and add little no information on charging, the first week entering a new country meant a large learning curve. I haven’t been left stranded because of a bad charger, as a regular outlet is a powerful backup!

I have driven across some of the most remote regions in the world, and most people driving the Americas do the same. Sure, charging sometimes is a bit of a puzzle, but the unique connections I have been able to make through the car is worthwhile for me.

Most vehicles overlanding the Americas are one offs, heavily modified rigs to roam into the unknown. I feel like my Model X fits right in, just in a different form, the one no one heard coming on the trial. :).

Many people have nicknamed me ‘El Chico de el futuro’, translating to, “The Boy from the Future’, which feels right in someway. I have seen cars here in the Americas that are way older than myself….so the nickname does feel fitting!

I am amazed on how well my Model X has held up…which just shows that the ultimate mum mobile is build tough by the engineers, doing things it might have never been designed for.

I also don’t carry a spare tire with me. The secret is to collect nails you find on the street and put them in a small ziplock and carry it around😉. We all have our own tolerance for risk right?

I am loving Reddit because I feel like my thoughts can come together and people can chime in. Comments, questions, concerns, write them below!

Sandro & Belugita 📍Argentina