Overlanding is Dead! Is it? Finally!!

[BroncoChallenger]

I remember the days before it was called 'overlanding.' I guess that means I'm old.

The single best trip was with my dad and a group of his friends deep into the Bob Marshal Wilderness in Montana. We were going elk hunting, and we drove his truck until there was no more road and the truck and trailer wouldn't fit between any more trees. At that point, we grabbed our gear and hiked along a mountain stream until about dinner time, and we set up camp for two weeks.

It's something I've wanted to do with the Bronco. Not sure if I ever will - just too darn busy.

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[SierraBronco]

Hahaha that’s me thanks for sharing the video!

Obviously, this was very opinionated. But I’m respectful of everyone’s thoughts, and genuinely curious of your experiences.

Just watched the video. Had no idea “Nitto Pit Crew” existed until about eight minutes ago. Hopefully this isn’t one of those random facts that my brain decides is necessary to retain.

Good video though. Agreed on all points especially the fahking rooftop tents. Things are so ridiculous. Can’t remember who it was but a guy on the forum made a video on how his bronco kinda started on fire but didn’t but also didn’t know if it was going to happen again as it was on the fuel tank skid. I believe he didn’t feel comfortable driving back in to town, understandably, so decided to camp for the night. But…rooftop tent. Attached to the top of the thing that might start on fire. Wifey and I had a good laugh on that one.

 

[Montana Bronco]

Both my summer and winter jobs up here in Montana involve working with tourists, so I am very much a “jaded local”. I live year-round 16 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

I run into a large number of tourists who claim they are “overlanding”, and every single one of them is a brain-dead idiot. I was going to put 99.9 percent are idiots, but I honestly cannot think of a single person I have met with with all their gear strapped on the outside of their vehicle who I do not consider a brain-dead idiot.

I talk to so many overlanding tourists around here who say they need a roof-top tent because of the grizzly bears. What a joke.

I charge $2500 per person per day to teach billionaires how to fish. Think about that.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Interesting topic! The more I watch this video the more I see it's just a puff piece to make himself feel good. Sorry @Desertchief. I think the presenter has a somewhat narrow perspective. While I agree that spotting fully loaded overland rigs stuck in LA traffic is always amusing, I see their real value in international travel or truly remote expeditions. In those cases, an overland rig isn’t just for show—it’s a necessity. From my own travels with this Bronco over the past few years, I’ve realized that in the U.S., truly remote places are rare. Fuel, water, and food are generally easy to find no matter where I go, thus negating the need for the overland rig for my travels.

He claims overlanding is “dying” but offers zero evidence—just points to Facebook Marketplace as proof. Real proof would be sales figures from the industry or an article with actual data, not a gut feeling based on fewer rooftop tents on the freeway that he didn't see. That said, yes, the COVID-era boom is slowing down—just like it did for every recreational sector that blew up during the pandemic.

He also blames overlanders for leaving trash and needing assistance on the trails, but let’s be real—that’s not exclusive to overlanders. I’ve seen plenty of people in non-overland rigs trashing trails and being unprepared. So have you. If the goal is to keep trails reserved for “real off-roaders,” maybe petition for a licensing program like they do for motorcycles.

And honestly, what even is a “real off-roader”? Do you have to compete in KOH to qualify? Who sits around declaring themselves the real deal? If anything, he’s just another influencer complaining about influencers—except, well… he is one.

TL;DR: Narrow-minded gatekeeping, hating on newcomers for doing things differently, and making claims without proof beyond “trust me, bro.” I’m no diehard fan of overland rigs and think they can become silly, but I’m also not a fan of haters.

Besides that @Desertchief your other content i've watched in the past is pretty solid. Just not this one. Cheers.

KT, @Desertchief wasn't releasing a scientific research paper or article for a peer review journal; it's a YouTube video and this is "social"media; it's all opinions.

Only when someone is discussing something that is full on mechanical is additional evidence necessary or expected here and this is not that, it's just an observational YouTube video for discussion and debate, which is exactly what I'd hoped we could have here.

Calling it "hating" is also YOUR opinion and isn't supported by any evidence or factual data for analysis. Heck, I thought science was dead these days, no?

The dismissal comment of calling someone a gatekeeper is an over simplification; that's my opinion.

But here are some facts. Overuse and abuse of trails leads to closed trails and that has been a well documented fact by the Park Service, Forest Service, BLM, and the various state parks nationwide. Tread Lightly isn't a suggestion, it's a necessity for those of us who enjoy this lifestyle beyond the trendiness.

I'm not an overlander and don't bolt on a bunch of crap that I don't know how to use or ever have on my Bronco, but I am indeed surrounded by guys here in Atlanta who do and they are everywhere and in builds that have never seen dirt, nor intend to. What this effect does for the rest of us is make gear more expensive and hard to find, so yes, it does impact people beyond the poser. I'm a wheeler and hiker who camps as well, not much rock crawling, but also don't think this is a pissing contest, just enjoy the nature fellas.

Matt knew people would come for him for making the video, but I respect that he had the courage to do so anyway and concrete facts notwithstanding, these shifts in behavior are observable for anyone who takes the time to venture outside over the past 5 years, which I do, regularly.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

That’s where it started, and where whoever coined the current usage appropriated it from—technically, back in the pre-modern era, it meant that part of any expedition that had to be done not on plane, boat or road.

In the current era, I’ve always thought it meant a camping-like excursion where the getting there is as important and as fun as the being there. So this means the drive should be an exploration in and of itself, and the adventure begins before you get to your first campsite.

So this means you might need a different vehicle than dad’s station wagon, and you might spend more time behind the wheel than in your tent. It’s like inverting the driving vs. hanging out time ratio of a typical camping trip, and having the drive be more fun than chore.

But, as a poster said above—a lot of the overload is silly. Few of us are going to the Antarctic or the Sahara. There’s a gas station at the off ramp and burgers in town, you don’t have to hunt a squirrel.

But fewer people doing what I want to do is almost always a plus in my book, so I hope @Desertchief is right.

Love this comment. Very succinct and better than I could state it.

Overlanding in the US I think was just a catch all that sounded cool. What Andrew Saint Pierre White does in Australia and used to through Africa is overloading, where there may be an abundance of danger and far less access to supplies which requires self sustainability is to me what overloading is and done for the thrill of exploration and soaking up the feeling of the environment, culture, and elements. Wish I had more time to do it.

 

[Cobrafang]

I think the pandemic did create a pop in this space. And I also believe some of that pop is "dying". I have always been a watcher and I am just now working myself into putting something of a "rig" together. I liked the video...just another opinion...not really in any position to criticize anyways. But it does make sense. I used to really like camping, then I had to do it for my job in the Army. Well that kinda ruined me. I lost interest in it. I am trying to resurrect those cool feelings from high school in boy scouts as a 50 year old with 4 almost all grown kids....read get the wife out of the house and have some rugged fun. Maybe we will "quit" rugged camping as well...and opt for cabins on a campground....but I will get to the outdoors! I truly admire some of the guys who post on this forum. They have some great shots of just going somewhere....usually with a dog....setting up at a remote site and making some cool dinner then heading back. Fun to watch. Someday when I am done figuring things out like what my old body can sleep on maybe I will post something. In the mean time...enjoy the outdoors...it is for us to take care of.

 

[Smocaine]

I like overlanders. I wouldn't load my truck down with all that stuff, but it's hard to argue with the results at the campsite. I've had a lot of free beers from a lot of trunk fridges, sitting under a lot of rooftop awnings.

 

[broadicustomworks]

I charge $2500 per person per day to teach billionaires how to fish. Think about that.

Are you looking to hire some help?! Man, what a life to be in that part of the country and do a job you love.
Awesome!

 

[11811]

Look at all that gear. What a bunch of posers!

 

[Steve B]

I don't call what we do "overlanding". I don't live in Australia or Africa. I call it...get ready... "camping" or "backwoods camping". We love going to the woods and rivers. The rooftop tent just keeps us dry and off of the ground when it is bed time. I lived on a tank for 15 years, so I will sleep in a RTT on a mattress any day over being miserable. These guys that make these videos collected a lot of sponsors/money and followers by pushing this type of lifestyle in the past few years. I don't see it as a bad thing. Look at all of the new gear that has been created because of the opportunity for companies to expand and make more money. (hopefully they didn't acquire too much debt in expanding their business though)

A lot of people tried it, some will stick with it. Most will eventually sell their stuff because it is not a normal vacation for most folks. We will all be able to get some deals on lightly used gear.

And my RTT hangs in a car port that I have in my back yard until time to go to the woods again along with all of the other gear. I don't look like a mall crawler when I am in town. I already get bad enough fuel economy in the Bronco.

 

[userdude]

Hot takes on hot takes on hot takes on hot takes on hot takes on hot takes...

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

The thing is, for the amount of money one spends on a RTT and a fridge and all the other hoohah, you can go shop top of the line regular old camping gear at Columbia, North Face, even Snowpeak. There’s a lot of food one can pack and cook without needing a fridge. There’s no need for a zillion hours of battery power if you’re not making drone videos and trying to charge 4 cameras. Drive somewhere. Get out and get your 10000 steps. Go in decent weather. Pitch a nice tent before dark. Invest in a good sleeping pad and bag. Maybe a rack and some rooftop gear straps are useful depending on the size of your party and your vehicle (I’m a 2DR). When you get home, unload it all for next time.

 

[KT_bronco]

Hot takes on hot takes on hot takes on hot takes on hot takes on hot takes...

Indeed, but it's fun so we do it.

Both my summer and winter jobs up here in Montana involve working with tourists, so I am very much a “jaded local”. I live year-round 16 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

I run into a large number of tourists who claim they are “overlanding”, and every single one of them is a brain-dead idiot. I was going to put 99.9 percent are idiots, but I honestly cannot think of a single person I have met with with all their gear strapped on the outside of their vehicle who I do not consider a brain-dead idiot.

I talk to so many overlanding tourists around here who say they need a roof-top tent because of the grizzly bears. What a joke.

I charge $2500 per person per day to teach billionaires how to fish. Think about that.

Love it, wish you could charge more.

KT, @Desertchief wasn't releasing a scientific research paper or article for a peer review journal; it's a YouTube video and this is "social"media; it's all opinions.

You are right, it's not a research paper, but it took 2 second for him and me to do some cursory searches on google to get results back. It would have helped his argument and his publication 'driving line'.

Calling it "hating" is also YOUR opinion

Fair point, but he did disparaged dudes with crap on their trucks who don't know how to wheel, thats literally "hating". But he also mentioned later he has beginner videos which is great! So we can call that a draw.

i'm indeed surrounded by guys here in Atlanta who do and they are everywhere and in builds that have never seen dirt, nor intend to.

This is great news, they are off the trails and out of your way! And those dudes buying gear doesn't make it more expensive for you. Only during covid did it do that because of very unique set of circumstances, but in the normal course of economics, more production leads to lower prices and more importantly more choice for you and me to pick from.

But here are some facts. Overuse and abuse of trails leads to closed trails and that has been a well documented fact by the Park Service, Forest Service, BLM, and the various state parks nationwide. Tread Lightly isn't a suggestion, it's a necessity for those of us who enjoy this lifestyle beyond the trendiness.

This is indeed an issue, one which I think can be resolved by opening more trails not less. Concentrating more drivers in less trails isn't going to help the situation. I also think off-roading has never really been a thing that local governments care about or even want very much in their districts. It's always an uphill battle to get much done about overused or damaged trails.

 

[userdude]

Indeed, but it's fun so we do it.

If you say so.

 

[EquusBronsis]

A boomer here

A while back I was out mountain biking and came across a 30 something runner wearing speciality socks, a water belt, some type of vest and of course technical clothes. As a former runner, bad knees now, I kinda chuckled to myself. Not five minutes later I came across another runner, older guy, just shorts and running shoes. That to me represents Overland vs car camping. A lot of stuff for looks but really not needed. I would spend weeks out in the wilds doing mapping and field work and never needed half the stuff found on these trucks.

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