Overlanding and Offroad articles

Quick Facts: Product: Sterling Adventure Co Basin (hybrid hardshell rooftop tent) Weight: 132 lb Open size: 94.5 x 74.8 in, with 53 in peak height Closed profile: 7.1 in Setup: Under 60 seconds on gas struts Sleeps: 2 adults (Sterling-rated); family-friendly size Price: $2,795 on sale (MSRP $3,295) Best...

  Quick Facts: Product: Kimbo truck camper (Kimbo 6 and Kimbo 8) Kimbo 6 dry weight: 830 lb, configured to about 1,200 lb Kimbo 8 dry weight: 1,125 to 1,660 lb Kimbo 6 fit: midsize trucks, Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, Gladiator Kimbo 8 fit: full-size, Tundra, F-150, Silverado, Sierra, Ram Bed...

Quick Verdict: Dutch oven mac and cheese feeds 6 overlanders with elbow macaroni, sharp cheddar, gruyere, a butter-flour roux, and evaporated milk. First, boil the pasta, then build the roux in the hot Dutch oven. Next, add evaporated milk and cheese for a silky sauce. Finally, bake with buttered...

Quick Facts: Topic: Free dispersed camping in Oregon Spots covered: 13 (Cascades, high desert, coast range, Blue Mountains) Land managers: U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and Oregon Department of Forestry Typical cost: $0 to camp (Oregon has no Discover Pass) Passes: Northwest Forest Pass covers fee trailhead parking, never the...

Quick Facts: Topic: Starlink Mini power consumption and off-grid setup Average draw: 20-40 W active, around 15 W idle Startup surge: up to 60 W for a few seconds Input: 110V AC or 12-48V DC, 60 W maximum USB-C PD: 100 W recommended, 65 W minimum Daily energy: roughly...

Quick Facts: Vehicle: 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ with Modellista kit Modellista kit price: ¥965,800 (about $6,100) FJ base price: ¥4,500,100 (about $28,500) Engine: 2.7L four-cylinder, 161 hp, 181 lb-ft Wheels: Matte Olive 18-inch seven-spoke alloys Drivetrain: Part-time 4WD, 6-speed automatic Seating: 5 Availability: Japan only (no US, no...

Quick Facts: Topic: Reading a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) to find legal dispersed campsites Skill level: Beginner to intermediate overlander or camper Time to learn: About 30 minutes to read a map confidently Tools needed: Free MVUM PDF, a phone app like Avenza or onX, a backup paper...

Quick Facts: What it is: Dispersed camping on public land, outside developed campgrounds Best for: Overlanders and vehicle-based campers who want solitude and freedom Cost: Free on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land Typical stay limit: Often 14 days per 28-day period, though it varies locally Main land...

Quick Facts: Topic: Free dispersed camping in Washington Spots covered: 13 (Cascades, Olympics, and the dry east) Land managers: U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and Washington DNR Typical cost: $0 to camp (parking sometimes needs a pass) Passes: Northwest Forest Pass for fee trailheads; Discover Pass ($45/yr) for DNR Stay...

Quick Verdict: Dutch oven cowboy beans feeds 8 overlanders with 6 strips of bacon, 1 pound of ground beef, diced onion, 4 types of beans (kidney, pinto, navy, black), BBQ sauce, and brown sugar. First, render the bacon and brown the beef. Next, simmer with beans and BBQ sauce....