Imagine being by the campfire, looking up at the sky and seeing more stars than you’ve ever seen, and hearing the calls of nature you would never hear in the city. Getting off-road, away from the crowds, and sleeping under the star-lit sky is very enticing. That’s the draw to Overlanding!
Before you hop in the vehicle and take off, there are several things you need to consider to make your adventure safe and enjoyable.
Get your vehicle off-road ready
First, your vehicle needs to have the equipment to drive safely off-road.
Do you have enough clearance underneath your vehicle for rocks or other obstacles so you don’t cause damage and risk getting stranded?
Do you have the right tires for the terrain you will be driving over?
Do you have skid plates to help protect the undercarriage of the vehicle?
Talk to a specialist at Bullhide 4×4 and share the type of terrain you plan on driving and the type of vehicle you are going to use. They can help you select the appropriate equipment to protect your vehicle and give you the ability to cross various types of terrain.
Have recovery gear in case something goes wrong
Expect the best, but ALWAYS plan for the worse. You don’t want to ruin a great adventure by becoming stranded with no cell service or way to get help.
It’s imperative to always carry recovery gear if you are Overlanding. You need a way to pull your vehicle out of a situation.
It’s a good idea to carry recovery TRED’s to help your tires get traction if faced with muddy or slippery conditions.
A must-have is recovery straps and a winch to get yourself unstuck or over obstacles.
When it comes to recovery, don’t overland alone, especially if you are traveling on very difficult terrain. Having at least one other vehicle in the group can keep you from being stranded and able to recover your vehicle.
Have the essentials
Always make sure you have enough food and water to cover the duration of your trip. It’s best to have enough to cover a few extra days in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit and bring extra clothing gear for unexpected weather changes.
You will also need essentials like recovery gear, cooking utensils, trash disposal, and at minimum a basic tool kit.
Yeti coolers can keep your food and drinks cold. They come in many sizes and will stay cold for many hours longer than a traditional cooler. Yeti mugs are perfect for hot or cold drinks.
Don’t forget to have a plan on how to dispose of bodily waste.
Before your trip, make a list of all the essential items you must take. This will help you determine your storage and organization needs.
Storage and organization
When Overlanding, you don’t have hotel rooms to store your belongings while exploring so you bring everything with you.
There are many options on the market from interior organization to exterior storage. Your space will be very limited, but you need a way to organize the essential gear, food, sleeping arrangements, clothing, etc., and be able to drive the vehicle safely.
Sleeping arrangements
Ah, sleeping under the stars! You want to enjoy nature safely and maybe have a few creature comforts.
Again, there are several options from rooftop tents, truck bed campers, to small pull-behind, off-road trailers.
Decide on the number of people who need sleeping arrangements for the majority of your trips, then determine the best options. Don’t try to plan for every scenario. Plan for the majority.
There is a lot to consider when you want to overland. We’re here to help you plan and prepare with safety top of mind. It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared!
Call us at 970.224.2288 or visit the Bullhide 4×4 shop at 5817 S. College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525, and bring your questions! Our specialists can help you determine the best equipment and accessories for your situation.
You can also visit us at the Overland Expo in Loveland, CO at The Ranch between August 27-29, 2021 at The Ranch. Come see us!