JCliftonB
Active member
I'm new to posting on the forum, not reading it, or keeping up with the industry. I've spent months at a time traveling by vehicle in both North America and Europe. Like a slow tide sneaking up on you when you're camping on a beach, the "overland" industry seems to have shifted quite dramatically to gear-oriented consumerism rather than travel and exploration on land via two-wheeled, four-wheeled, or six-wheeled vehicle outfitted and curated carefully to accomplish the specific task of transporting its inhabitants and pilots to and fro.
Looking at Overland Expos and events, it seems to me that gear, sales, and "keeping up with the youtube influencer" has become the name of the game and if your rig is not pristine AND sitting on the biggest tires that a body-mount-chop can accommodate, then what are you even doing here?
I have always admired this forum, as well as Ih8, for how most of the users are DIY'ing roof racks, discussing mapping and logging info, figuring out the best way to defecate comfortably en route to their destination, etc.
Now before you think I am a relic on a soapbox, know that I understand the need and benefit for the community and lifestyle at large that said consumerism plays. I think what the industry does for forwarding innovation is great as a whole and love seeing new products and tactics for the job at hand.
So I am curious to hear others' opinions on the matter here specifically at EP. What is your opinion on the status of the overland industry? Is it the nature of the beast being general American "car-culture"? To those in different countries, are you seeing the same thing where you are or is travel still the name of the game?
Thanks for taking the time to discuss and maintain the civility that is great about EP's forum for discussion.
Looking at Overland Expos and events, it seems to me that gear, sales, and "keeping up with the youtube influencer" has become the name of the game and if your rig is not pristine AND sitting on the biggest tires that a body-mount-chop can accommodate, then what are you even doing here?
I have always admired this forum, as well as Ih8, for how most of the users are DIY'ing roof racks, discussing mapping and logging info, figuring out the best way to defecate comfortably en route to their destination, etc.
Now before you think I am a relic on a soapbox, know that I understand the need and benefit for the community and lifestyle at large that said consumerism plays. I think what the industry does for forwarding innovation is great as a whole and love seeing new products and tactics for the job at hand.
So I am curious to hear others' opinions on the matter here specifically at EP. What is your opinion on the status of the overland industry? Is it the nature of the beast being general American "car-culture"? To those in different countries, are you seeing the same thing where you are or is travel still the name of the game?
Thanks for taking the time to discuss and maintain the civility that is great about EP's forum for discussion.