matt marquardt
Adventurer
Ho,
You have zen wisdom.
You have zen wisdom.
Searching for the "just right" size for an overlanding vehicle
- Thread starter haven
- Start date
Iain_U1250
Explorer
Going back to the OP original definitions of "Overlanding" - which I think is more like straightforward camping, I went with a basically stock 110 Land Rover Defender, roll cage, 33" mud terrain tyres and using either a roof top tent - or a normal tent, add a full length roof rack, a long range fuel tank, water tanks, solar panels, fridge some awnings and a decent storage system. My wife and I have travelled about 12,000km and stayed for a week or so in remote areas, completely self sufficient. The Land Rover is to me, the best all compromise, being great off road even in stock form, it's big enough for two people with all the equipment you need for comfortable camping.
For real "overlanding" - I bought a Unimog
For real "overlanding" - I bought a Unimog
Scrapdaddy
Adventurer
I've just read through all of the posts and sorry, but I have to say, It's not the size that counts, but how you use it!
We're fixing up an old FJ55 to explore the country, nothing fancy.
We're fixing up an old FJ55 to explore the country, nothing fancy.
LukeH
Adventurer
Well this debate opened with some quite controversial and categorical statements:
Too big,
Too small
I was relieved to see that these statements were qualified later, by explaining for what usage.
It still boils down to what you like driving . The guy that owns a Cayenne with some camping gear is never going to tolerate pottering down the highway in an old U1300, and the owner of the latter is really really pleased that he doesn’t have a fragile vehicle, and that at the end of the long, noisy, slow drive he’ll be able to have his shower in his camper much much further away from the beaten track.
I’m joining in the debate because of the “too big for forest trails” categorical judgement.
Sure there will always be tracks too small to get this or that truck down, but the great majority of forestry tracks are made for and by forestry extraction equipment, which is pretty large. Most of the too big thing is about how scared you are of scratches, or in fact how scared you are in general.
Last summer I finally got my double cab conversion welded up enough to take the truck out for a play. I just couldn’t resist the temptation and didn’t take the time to put the windows in or mudguards on. There is some nice forest behind the workshop:
and the larger trails are almost like (steep) freeways:
so it's good to look for something more interesting:
off we go:
It fits!
Bare chassis weight about 7 tonnes, 210hp, almost bald 365/85/20 XZLs Wheelbase 4m, overall length 8m, width 2.5m.
Rear underrun bar still original and really in the way, but surprisingly not as much of a problem as I expected.
I'll be exploring the same trail when (if ever) I get the box mounted.
So if you're thinking that it's a tad too tight/scratchy for your F250/Cayenne/whatever domestic pickup, think of how lucky you are to be there to be there with a finished rig, and make me jealous by posting pics. Or I could come over and open the trail up a bit with my not so little truck (in my dreams).
Well I'm pleased I found an excuse to post my playing pictures, thank you. Now we can go back to the domestic one-week-a-year-escape-from-the-rat-race expo use discussions ;-p
Too big,
Too small
I was relieved to see that these statements were qualified later, by explaining for what usage.
It still boils down to what you like driving . The guy that owns a Cayenne with some camping gear is never going to tolerate pottering down the highway in an old U1300, and the owner of the latter is really really pleased that he doesn’t have a fragile vehicle, and that at the end of the long, noisy, slow drive he’ll be able to have his shower in his camper much much further away from the beaten track.
I’m joining in the debate because of the “too big for forest trails” categorical judgement.
Sure there will always be tracks too small to get this or that truck down, but the great majority of forestry tracks are made for and by forestry extraction equipment, which is pretty large. Most of the too big thing is about how scared you are of scratches, or in fact how scared you are in general.
Last summer I finally got my double cab conversion welded up enough to take the truck out for a play. I just couldn’t resist the temptation and didn’t take the time to put the windows in or mudguards on. There is some nice forest behind the workshop:
and the larger trails are almost like (steep) freeways:
so it's good to look for something more interesting:
off we go:
It fits!
Bare chassis weight about 7 tonnes, 210hp, almost bald 365/85/20 XZLs Wheelbase 4m, overall length 8m, width 2.5m.
Rear underrun bar still original and really in the way, but surprisingly not as much of a problem as I expected.
I'll be exploring the same trail when (if ever) I get the box mounted.
So if you're thinking that it's a tad too tight/scratchy for your F250/Cayenne/whatever domestic pickup, think of how lucky you are to be there to be there with a finished rig, and make me jealous by posting pics. Or I could come over and open the trail up a bit with my not so little truck (in my dreams).
Well I'm pleased I found an excuse to post my playing pictures, thank you. Now we can go back to the domestic one-week-a-year-escape-from-the-rat-race expo use discussions ;-p
loren85022
Explorer
Until you get the box, mount a flatbed with some AstroTurf. You'll have the perfect campsite every night.
LukeH
Adventurer
LOL!
I asked my the same question last year. What size will fit?
And i endet up with my Land Cruiser 200, for sleeping inside for 1-2 persons - and is also usable as daily driver.
In Laos and Thailand i explore many destinations by 4x4, which we would call single-trails - to meet hill tribes and so on. We had there Toyota Fortuner, and Ford Ranger/Hilux rentals, who brings us there we wants (unfortunately without sleeping option). I`m shure i can take this off road passages with the land cruiser 200, meaning an car with 2m width and 2m height and 5m length.
With a bigger truck, i had need a chainsaw several times, and had to go back several times.
But not anyone wants to find the smallest hill tribe village, where never a tourist was before ;-)
With sleeping inside, i like the option of hidden camping too, no police will wake me up, other than with a tent...
Anyway, this is a very individual decision... The important thing is - to travel.
What you choose only give you more or less comfort, you need more ore less help from locals - but you can travel with every car you want.
choose and travel ;-) And look that your car decision allows you afterwards to travel, and not running out of money.
And i endet up with my Land Cruiser 200, for sleeping inside for 1-2 persons - and is also usable as daily driver.
In Laos and Thailand i explore many destinations by 4x4, which we would call single-trails - to meet hill tribes and so on. We had there Toyota Fortuner, and Ford Ranger/Hilux rentals, who brings us there we wants (unfortunately without sleeping option). I`m shure i can take this off road passages with the land cruiser 200, meaning an car with 2m width and 2m height and 5m length.
With a bigger truck, i had need a chainsaw several times, and had to go back several times.
But not anyone wants to find the smallest hill tribe village, where never a tourist was before ;-)
With sleeping inside, i like the option of hidden camping too, no police will wake me up, other than with a tent...
Anyway, this is a very individual decision... The important thing is - to travel.
What you choose only give you more or less comfort, you need more ore less help from locals - but you can travel with every car you want.
choose and travel ;-) And look that your car decision allows you afterwards to travel, and not running out of money.
LukeH
Adventurer
Wise words indeed!
Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
dhally
Hammerhead
It is interesting that my E250 "almost" fits into these guidelines
If it only had 4x4...
If it only had 4x4...