NitroExpress
Observer
What everyone is telling you is true - Get out there and use it. There is no perfect vehicle. People circumnavigate the world in motorcycles, trucks, vans, station wagons, 2WD, 4WD, large heavy duty commercial trucks, etc.
New to Overlanding...Will This Truck Be a Suitable Platform?
- Thread starter TXBoots
- Start date
GR8ADV
Explorer
Wow...this has been some incredibly useful information guys. Sincerely appreciate the feedback. I'm looking for options to possibly mitigate some of the 'pinstriping' concerns maybe using something like Flight Shield coating. I'd be lying if I said it didn't matter to me if the paint on a new truck was completely destroyed, haha. That said I think the comment about the number of forest roads and backcountry roads that yield incredible places to camp is likely spot on. My main thing is I'd like to get active with an overland club or two (nice to see someone from the Texas Overland group!) and want to have something I can take on those trips without being a hindrance to the group or tearing up a truck because of size/capability restrictions.
Maybe the answer is to just start a full-size overlanding group here in my area, haha.
On equipment...appreciate the insight. I've looked at ARE...agree those prices are pretty steep though it'd be nice to get the install of a cap done with the boxes and other bed items installed at the same time.
Thank you again everyone...will continue to read input---it's all super helpful to someone just getting started.
Best,
TXBoots
Maybe the answer is to just start a full-size overlanding group here in my area, haha.
On equipment...appreciate the insight. I've looked at ARE...agree those prices are pretty steep though it'd be nice to get the install of a cap done with the boxes and other bed items installed at the same time.
Thank you again everyone...will continue to read input---it's all super helpful to someone just getting started.
Best,
TXBoots
upcruiser
Perpetual Transient
Yeah, as stated above, overland can refer to a pretty wide swath. People traveling and living out of a clapped out 2wd van to folks driving rigs equipped to tackle the Rubicon. If your goal is to travel, get into the back country and see remote, beautiful areas most stock 4wd vehicles will suit you. If your goal is to Car camp while attempting 4wd trails then more gear, and vehicle technical capacity is needed. People find all sorts of excuses to spend an obscene amount of money on truck mods and gear in here. Don't feel like that is what you need to have to do this. Some of my best experiences "overlanding" were in a cheap $1,000 Trooper or in a rented Chevy Luv 2wd. No matter what you drive you can have a proper adventure if that is your goal. So in a round about answer to your question, yeah your truck is probably fine, if not over built a bit. It all just depends on where you want to go and what you want to bring. I have a built Land Cruiser and a pretty stock Suburban and I find us using the Suburban a lot more than the Land Cruiser just because it rides nicer and covers more ground easier. Sometimes less is more.
I'm in a Ram Cummins 3500 CCSB 4X4 with 295/70/18's(34X12) and go everywhere in it. I've taken it to PINS numerous times, Arkansas, Colorado, and New Mexico and never had to turn around from fear of my vehicle being too big. Only time I turned around was because I didn't have bigger tires/clearance and the boulders were getting much bigger when I was on a Jeep trail in Pagosa Springs, Co. The Texas Overland Group meet up quite a bit and they have guys on there with fullsize trucks and Expeditions. I think they're doing another PINS run soon. There's also DFW Overland that do meet ups as well.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
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It would probably help to cast a wider net. If you're willing to drive a few hours (road trip!) you can likely find a used topper for a good price. A 500 mile round trip will cost you a day of your time and maybe 45 gallons of gas (worst case), that's still only a few hundred bucks compared to a couple thousand for a brand new topper.
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There's a tool called SearchTempest that will let you search all the CL listings within a specific radius from a given zip code.
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http://www.searchtempest.com
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There also is (or was) a similar search engine called Statewide list (http://www.statewidelist.com) that would let you search all the CL listings within a given state.
I have a 2014 Silverado Z71 that i have been using as my camping/overland rig for 2 years now. It has been places that I never would have imagined it could get. All it takes is a comfortable driver and a good friend/spotter to make it some remarkable places with these trucks. I have a set of cross rails on the box for mounting my RTT which still leaves plenty of space in the box for coolers and storage.
Depending on how hard you plan on wheeling the truck you should be more than capable of going anywhere you want to expolre. I'm not too familiar with the terrain down in Texas, but with everything mine has put up with here in Alberta, I'm sure you will be thoroughly enjoy Overlanding in your Silverado!
Depending on how hard you plan on wheeling the truck you should be more than capable of going anywhere you want to expolre. I'm not too familiar with the terrain down in Texas, but with everything mine has put up with here in Alberta, I'm sure you will be thoroughly enjoy Overlanding in your Silverado!
'round n' back again
Explorer
that's a gorgeous pickup
"Run whatcha brung". there is no "one" perfect vehicle. Many run certain vehicle because there is a lot of support for them. As long as you understand that vehicle dings, scratches,damage can happen, you will be fine. I choose not to do many mods to my truck. If I break down, parts are readily available. I still use a cooler. I put ice in freezer bags and use the water as it melts. Dry Ice keeps thinks cold too.
Go out and start exploring.
Go out and start exploring.
Stryder106
Explorer
Welcome!!!! Nice to see another full size Chevy doing this. As others have said, get out there and use it, then start figuring out what you need to do to it. I would put recovery gear at the top of the list however. Also, be prepared for some OMG/Boo/Yay moments: OMG - that is a REALLY cool piece of kit for Overlanding / BOO they only make it for Toyota/Jeep/Land Rover / YAY I have a buddy with a welder and some skill and we can make it ourselves. Lots of those moments with a full size Chevy - ask me how I know.................
justbecause
perpetually lost
86 those step bars. If you drop it on a rock you will be into some serious $$ to fix the rocker panel.
rayra
Expedition Leader
OP all about the Gear, nothing about the kind of usage he intends. It's a great base for a lot of things. Don't just bolt **** on like fashion accessories. How do you actually intend to use it, let that drive your next choices of equipment. But before that, start drivign it, learn what you adn yoru vehicle can do, so you learn the abilites AND the deficiencies.
'round n' back again
Explorer
we males tend to get caught up in the gear'; of course thats half the fun-until it 'aint. ******& t breaks and we lose it or it wears out.
Any rig will be just fine if it can get you into a space that calms the mind, gladdens the heart, fulfills fantasies, and empties your wallet.
ive used a dually flatbed ranch truck, (my favorite) montero, toyota pick up, and in a pinch a tercel. that was 25 years ago. just go come back a better man.
its all a state of mind.
if your state of mind requires you to have the most precious and highly sought after or maybe you have a yen for a clunker; maybe style is/is not your thing. whatever.
its a good recommendation that someone made to: "run what you brung".
Any rig will be just fine if it can get you into a space that calms the mind, gladdens the heart, fulfills fantasies, and empties your wallet.
ive used a dually flatbed ranch truck, (my favorite) montero, toyota pick up, and in a pinch a tercel. that was 25 years ago. just go come back a better man.
its all a state of mind.
if your state of mind requires you to have the most precious and highly sought after or maybe you have a yen for a clunker; maybe style is/is not your thing. whatever.
its a good recommendation that someone made to: "run what you brung".