Yahoo Autos 5 Tempting Adventure Vehicles from the Overland Expo
Some of the best travel Gear from the Overlanding Expo Mountain West
Overlanding, the passion for making self-reliant expeditions far into the lonely places of the world, has never been more popular. As a recreational pursuit it understandably exploded when pandemic rules meant people needed to avoid the crowds, and since then the social media feeds showing videos and photos of an idealized nomadic life have just stoked the flames. At this past weekend's Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado, thousands thronged to see lifted offroad exploration machines, and all the best gear for getting out there.
There are four Overland Expos held through the year, and last year's Mountain West event drew nearly 20,000 visitors. It's a great way to rub shoulders with other overlanding enthusiasts, see examples of customized builds, and even practice your offroad skills. This year's event featured offroad instruction in Ram pickups, backcountry navigation classes, and even a storytelling pavilion with lessons on how to capture all that in-nature content.
And, of course, there were demonstrations of all the high-tech, ultra-rugged gear that you can bolt onto, into, or on top of your dream offroad rig. Here's a look at some of the best new overlanding kit out there.
Airstream 19X LE Outland Edition
With nearly a century of tradition in helping America explore the planet (and beyond the planet, as it built the Apollo Mission quarantine capsule), Airstream got into the overlanding game a while back. Its latest offering takes the flexible, 19-foot-long 19X Class B RV, and turns it into an even more off-road-ready machine, with protective body cladding and a sun's worth of LED auxiliary lighting.
The 19X LE Outland is based on a Mercedes Sprinter van, and comes with some really interesting features, including a loft bed that slides out the rear so you can stargaze at night. There's a powered cooler, an induction cooking surface, an onboard bathroom, and yes, the proverbial kitchen sink. If that's not enough, it'll also tow 5000 lbs of your favorite off-road toys.
MSRP: $217,900
Goose Gear Land Cruiser 250 Storage Solutions
Goose Gear is a well-respected name in the overlanding community, known for their well-constructed storage solutions. Sliding racks, drawers, and modules let you organize all your gear to make the most of available storage space. Need to get a piece of little-used equipment out without unpacking your whole trunk? Just slide out the lower drawer and it's all there.
Rear-seat delete and other storage expansion offerings already existed for the Tacoma, a popular overlanding base rig, but at Mountain West, Goose Gear debuted its solution packages for the Land Cruiser 250. With an onboard camp kitchen, sliding fridge, or even a stowaway cutting board, Toyota's latest 4x4 model will be a better adventure companion than ever.
MSRP: $539-$2045
Bean Squared
Many overlanding builds can stretch the budget, especially for those who can only find time to get away for a few weeks a year, but one great solution is a durable travel trailer. Bean Trailers, based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, showed off their latest prototype offroad trailer at the Expo, a larger, family-oriented offering called the Bean Squared.
Built on the company's most rugged platform, the built-in-the-USA Squared is designed to take a kicking. It features 20 inches of ground clearance with Fox dampers and 30” offroad tires, with a powder-coated steel skeleton and full composite body to resist the elements. Pop the top and it's got an eight-foot ceiling, and is set up for both indoor and outdoor cooking. Despite a small footprint, it can sleep four adults, and Bean is currently taking orders for 2025 production.
MSRP: TBD
Ultimate Overland Build GMC AT4X
Part of the fun of creating an overlanding rig isn't buying something off the shelf, but tailoring a layout to fit your needs (and budget). Yet even overlanders are partial to a road map or two, and thus a demonstration build can show just what's possible, providing inspiration.
Officially debuting at an earlier expo but shown off at Mountain West this year was the Ultimate Overland Build, a project based on a 2023 GMC AT4X with all the goodies thrown at it. Given the AT4X's already potent offroad chops, upgrades amounted to a small lift to clear 35” BFGoodrich tires, full underbelly armor, a bed rack, winch, extra lighting, and a roof-mounted tent. Onboard amenities include a fridge, solar panels, a retractable awning for shade, satellite communicator, and even a shower.
If you'd like to get into overlanding in a turnkey package, this fully-equipped GMX is headed to Bring A Trailer for auction in October. All proceeds from this auction go towards the Overlanding Expo foundation, a charity which does trips for veterans and outdoor cleanup projects along with other efforts.
MSRP: TBD
Ember 221MSL Max Solar Package
Being off the grid means you need to rely on powering yourself. For Ember, a RV trailer manufacturer out of Indiana, that means the option of ticking the box on their just released Max Solar package.
For $6494, you get some 800W of roof-mounted solar panels, with a 270aH lithium-ion battery, upgraded inverter, and a DC direct battery charger. With so much charge onboard, you'll be able to run your fridge, A/C, and any other power-drawing conveniences for proper comfort despite being out in the middle of nowhere. Sure beats a canvas tent and an air mattress.
MSRP: $67,009
Airstream 19X Outland Edition
https://www.airstream.com/touring-coaches/interstate-19x-le-outland-edition/
Bean Squared Trailer
https://beantrailer.com/bean-squared-off-road-trailers/
Goose Gear Land Cruiser
Overland Ultimate Build GMC
https://www.overlandexpo.com/ultimate-overland-vehicle-2024/
Ember RV Trailer Max Solar
https://www.emberrv.com/rvs/overland-series/221msl/
Overlanding, the passion for making self-reliant expeditions far into the lonely places of the world, has never been more popular. As a recreational pursuit it understandably exploded when pandemic rules meant people needed to avoid the crowds, and since then the social media feeds showing videos and photos of an idealized nomadic life have just stoked the flames. At the Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado, thousands thronged to see lifted off-road exploration machines and all the latest gear for getting out there.
There are four Overland Expos held through the year, and last year's Mountain West event drew nearly 20,000 visitors. It's a great way to rub shoulders with other overlanding enthusiasts, see examples of customized builds, and even practice your off-road skills. This year's event featured off-road instruction in Ram pickups, backcountry navigation classes, and even a storytelling pavilion with lessons on how to capture all that in-nature content.
And, of course, there were demonstrations of all the high-tech, ultra-rugged gear that you can bolt onto, into, or on top of your dream off-road rig. Here's a look at some of the best new overlanding kit out there.
Airstream 19X LE Outland Edition
With nearly a century of tradition in helping America explore the planet (and beyond the planet, as it built the Apollo Mission quarantine capsule), Airstream got into the overlanding game a while back. Its latest offering takes the flexible, 19-foot-long 19X Class B RV and turns it into an even more off-road-ready machine, with protective body cladding and a sun's worth of LED auxiliary lighting.
The 19X LE Outland is based on a Mercedes Sprinter van and comes with some really interesting features, including a loft bed (pictured at top) that slides out the rear so you can stargaze at night. There's a powered cooler, an induction cooking surface, an onboard bathroom, and yes, the proverbial kitchen sink. If that's not enough, it'll also tow 5000 pounds of your favorite off-road toys.
Goose Gear Toyota Land Cruiser
Goose Gear is a well-respected name in the overlanding community, known for its well-constructed storage solutions. Sliding racks, drawers, and modules let you organize all your gear to make the most of available storage space. Need to get a piece of little-used equipment out without unpacking your whole trunk? Just slide out the lower drawer and it's all there.
https://www.overlandexpo.com/ultimate-overland-vehicle-2024/Ember RV Trailer Max Solarhttps://www.emberrv.com/rvs/overland-series/221msl/
Rear-seat delete and other storage expansion offerings already existed for the Toyota Tacoma, a popular overlanding base rig, but at Mountain West, Goose Gear debuted its solution packages for the Land Cruiser 250. With an onboard camp kitchen, sliding fridge, or even a stowaway cutting board, Toyota's latest 4x4 model will be a better adventure companion than ever.
2024 GMC Canyon AT4X Overland Build
Part of the fun of creating an overlanding rig isn't buying something off the shelf, but tailoring a layout to fit your needs (and budget). Yet even overlanders are partial to a road map or two, and thus a demonstration build can show just what's possible, providing inspiration.
Officially debuting at an earlier expo but shown off at Mountain West this year was the Ultimate Overland Build, a project based on a 2023 GMC AT4X with all the goodies thrown at it. Given the AT4X's already potent offroad chops, upgrades amounted to a small lift to clear 35” BFGoodrich tires, full underbelly armor, a bed rack, winch, extra lighting, and a roof-mounted tent. Onboard amenities include a fridge, solar panels, a retractable awning for shade, satellite communicator, and even a shower.
If you'd like to get into overlanding in a turnkey package, this fully equipped GMX is headed to Bring a Trailer for auction in October. All proceeds from this auction go toward the Overlanding Expo foundation, a charity which does trips for veterans and outdoor cleanup projects along with other efforts.
See the original post on Youtube
Bean Squared
Many overlanding builds can stretch the budget, especially for those who can only find time to get away for a few weeks a year, but one great solution is a durable travel trailer. Bean Trailers, based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, showed off their latest prototype off-road trailer at the Expo, a larger, family-oriented offering called the Bean Squared.
Built on the company's most rugged platform, the built-in-the-USA Squared is designed to take a kicking. It features 20 inches of ground clearance with Fox dampers and 30-inch off-road tires, with a powder-coated steel skeleton and a full composite body to resist the elements. Pop the top and it's got an eight-foot ceiling, and is set up for both indoor and outdoor cooking. Despite a small footprint, it can sleep four adults. Bean is currently taking orders for 2025 production.
Ember 221MSL Max Solar Package
Being off the grid means you need to rely on powering yourself. For Ember, a RV trailer manufacturer out of Indiana, that means the option of ticking the box for the Max Solar package.For $6494, you get some 800W of roof-mounted solar panels, with a 270aH lithium-ion battery, upgraded inverter, and a DC direct battery charger.
With so much charge onboard, you'll be able to run your fridge, A/C, and any other power-drawing conveniences for proper comfort despite being out in the middle of nowhere. Sure beats a canvas tent and an air mattress.
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