My 2002 Ford Escape Overlanding rig.

[TheFutur]

Probably not the most common vehicle to overland in but it's what I got till I graduate!

It's a 2002 Escape XTL V6 with the 3.0L and 4x4. It surprisingly gets around well!

All I've really done to it is throw on some 235-70-r16 BFG AT KO's and removed the running boards.

^ Camp all set up (currently waiting for a ARB 2500 awning in the mail)

^ Towing the boat!

I'm planning a trip up to northern BC this august for 16 days with my girlfriend, we will be taking the rooftop tent, awning and towing the boat! Curious to see how my little Escape will handle all that!

For those interested in my trip here is the reddit thread on r/overlanding:

http://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding...ning_an_overlanding_trip_in_northern_british/

 

[digitaldelay]

Nice! Welcome to ExPo!

Jason

 

[TheFutur]

Thanks Jason! Looking forward to exploring this forum a bit more.

 

[32vsnake]

Cool escape..it should have no trouble with that northern route.

We did a northern trip last September and had a blast click here for the trip report

 

[Airmapper]

Probably not the most common vehicle to overland in but it's what I got till I graduate!

It's a 2002 Escape XTL V6 with the 3.0L and 4x4. It surprisingly gets around well!

All I've really done to it is throw on some 235-70-r16 BFG AT KO's and removed the running boards.

Nice, ain't nothing wrong with an Escape as an Overlander, I mean if people are doing it in Subaru's they got nothing on you.

I've been right there with you, I owned a 2001 for many years. It was a good vehicle and served me well on many adventures, on and off pavement. It was the first vehicle I owned, and it wet my appetite for 4x4's and the "Overland" idea, which I didn't know about at the time.

They do get around better than you would expect, and it will absolutely teach you to be a better off road driver, because if you don't pick a line carefully, you'll be stuck. (Ask me how I know...)

Nice pics. Have fun with it!

 

[TheFutur]

Cool escape..it should have no trouble with that northern route.

We did a northern trip last September and had a blast click here for the trip report

I actually read, well looked at your trip report earlier today! Was planning on showing my girlfriend it tomorrow to get her more excited! Great report by the way, as they say pictures say a thousand words!

Nice, ain't nothing wrong with an Escape as an Overlander, I mean if people are doing it in Subaru's they got nothing on you.

I've been right there with you, I owned a 2001 for many years. It was a good vehicle and served me well on many adventures, on and off pavement. It was the first vehicle I owned, and it wet my appetite for 4x4's and the "Overland" idea, which I didn't know about at the time.

They do get around better than you would expect, and it will absolutely teach you to be a better off road driver, because if you don't pick a line carefully, you'll be stuck. (Ask me how I know...)

Nice pics. Have fun with it!

Oh trust me ive been there too when it comes to picking bad lines...

this is actually my first vehicle as well and it too has introduced me to overlanding! Funny how that is haha

Funny story i actually once pulled a tacoma out of a mud puddle with my eescape, the driver was quite embarrassed haha

 

[AZJim]

Very cool! I like out of the ordinary vehicles. I'm a Jeep guy, but even I get bored with all the same run of the mill stuff. Nice to think outside the box. More of a challenge.

Jim

 

[TheFutur]

Very cool! I like out of the ordinary vehicles. I'm a Jeep guy, but even I get bored with all the same run of the mill stuff. Nice to think outside the box. More of a challenge.

Jim

Thanks! I'm hoping when I upgrade to an f-150 in the next few years my time driving the Escape will help improve my off road driving ability.

 

[justdirk]

What kind of roof bars did you use to get the tent up there? I have an Escape as well and have similar plans. How is the tent working out so far?
And why did you remove running boards? For better off road ability?

Cheers

 

[Raul B]

Looks great. I have a 2006 mariner hybrid and have been tempted to put my rtt on it and take it on smaller trips vs my f150. Would Def save a lot in fuel costs.

 

[zelseman]

Very cool use of an escape. My best friend has one and it gets around better than I thought it would. Any future plans for it?

 

[justdirk]

Great use of the vehicel! I have the same car and was also planning on using a roof top tent. Any tips on how to mount it? I assume the factory roof rack does not do the job? Why did you remove the running boards? Better offfroading?

Cheers