Overlanding and Offroad articles

Quick Facts: Vehicle: Ford Ranger Super Duty (toughest factory Ranger) Engine: Retuned 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, 10-speed automatic Traction: Locking front and rear diffs, two-speed transfer case Ground clearance: Almost 300 mm (about 11.8 inches) Wading depth: 850 mm (about 33.5 inches) Fuel tank: 130 liters standard (about 34 gallons) ...

Quick Facts: Topic: Removing ticks and preventing bites on the trail Removal tool: Fine-tipped tweezers, no folk remedies Method: Grasp at the skin, pull straight up, steady pressure Lyme window: Most cases need a tick attached more than 24 hours (CDC) Most dangerous stage: Nymphs, poppy-seed size, peak April...

Quick Facts: Comparison: Rooftop tent vs ground tent Rooftop tent is best for: Frequent overlanders who value fast setup Ground tent is best for: Budget campers, families, and base-camp trips Rooftop cost (full setup): $2,500 to $7,500 Ground tent cost: Under $500 for budget models; about $1,650 to $2,800...

Quick Facts: Topic: Planning a lighter overland build Skill level: Beginner to intermediate Core principle: The more you know, the less you carry Main constraint: Vehicle payload (GVWR minus curb weight) Typical payload range: 1,100 to 1,700 lbs on many midsize rigs Time to audit your load: 1 to...

Quick Facts: Topic: Identifying poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac on the trail Golden rule: "Leaves of three, let it be" (poison ivy and poison oak) Sumac tell: 7 to 13 smooth leaflets, reddish stems, wet ground only Where they grow: Lower 48 states; ivy nearly everywhere, oak...

The true overland setup cost surprises almost everyone who starts pricing a rig. For years I have tested overlanding setups throughout California and the West, and the spreadsheet always runs longer than the daydream. Some gear earns every dollar. However, other gear drains your budget and gets ripped out...

Quick Facts: Vehicle: 2026 Shelby Baja Raptor (Shelby F-150 Baja Raptor) Power: 555 hp EcoBoost V6 or 1,000+ hp supercharged V8 Tires: 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud-terrains on 18-inch wheels Spares: Two full-size spare wheels and tires, included Lighting: Vision X LED bars front, rear, and on the chase rack ...

Quick Facts: Vehicle: Slate Truck, a two-seat electric pickup Starting price: $24,950 before taxes and fees Range: 205 miles, estimated Battery: 65 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate pack Motor: Single rear motor, 181 hp, 195 lb-ft Payload: 1,550 pounds Towing: 2,000 pounds Length: 174.6 inches, about 14.5 feet Warranty: 10-year, 110,000-mile battery...

Quick Facts: Roundup: The best hot tents for 2026, eight four-season picks Form factors covered: Dome, canvas bell, canvas wall, insulated inflatable Top pick: Bereg UP-7 (4.9/5) Best value: Stout 16 ft bell tent (4.6/5) Most compact: Davis 10x10 Go Tent wall tent (4.7/5) Price range: Roughly $640 to...

Most gear lists treat tent camping upgrades like a shopping cart problem: add more, spend more, sleep better. After decades of camping and overlanding across the American West, I have found the opposite is closer to the truth. The upgrades worth making are few, specific, and not always expensive....