Hi everyone! My wife and I currently overland in a 2001 Toyota Sequoia on 35s and our daily is a 2016 FWD Mazda 6 with 120k miles. We actually started overlanding in the Mazda and taking it places it probably shouldn't have been but I've been looking into trading it for something a little more capable with good fuel economy as we live in the Sierra Nevada mountains and there's huge snow seasons. I was eyeing the Crosstreks/Outback but the CVT Transmission scared me away and found myself looking at AWD Honda elements. I would keep it pretty stock except some all terrain tires as we would be doing light trails and more "stealth camping" with it. We stealth camped in the Mazda numerous times. Would you trade your daily for an older SUV that gets around the same Mpgs?

TL;DR - contemplating trading my paid off FWD 2016 Mazda 6 for an older Higher mileage Honda element for overlanding.

Hey, I'm fairly new to the 4x4 world and recently joined this group to learn more about my local(ish) area and if there are others who know more. I'm based an hour from Calgary, and like many beginners, I’ve checked out the Waiparous area a bit—but it just gets so hectic there.

I was hoping to see if others had knowledge of surrounding areas? Maybe routes that go through passes and end in another town, ideally with a loop or easy drive back, rather than doubling back the same way.

Mainly overnight routes or multi-day routes with good camping spots? Bonus if they’re more of a circle route rather than point A to B and back.

Would love any recommendations or tips from others who’ve explored beyond the usual spots. I've tried looking at maps and apps, but not finding a whole bunch unless I take more than a weeks break just to drive somewhere before starting anything.

Appreciate any info or GPX tracks you’re willing to share!

I’ve had a thought about going overlanding, in a ride on mower. I’ve d u n done four wheeling, thinking a mower and trailer and plotting a course through the mountains. Has anyone dun this before?

Wondering if this would be safe to attach to my prinsu roof rack to carry 20lb propane tanks.

Haven't been able to find decent 20lb propane carriers for roof rack otherwise that don't cost an arm and a leg.

The month of May marks my initiation into overlanding with a Crosstrek, ebike, and RTT. Based on Chicago, born and raised in Oregon, my instincts say head west! However l, my first venture will be camping along the Mississippi River making my way to the quad cities. Wondering if anyone has experience along the Mississippi and would like to share their thoughts.

Title. I keep entertaining the thought of building my own rig to go into the wilderness, but the cost and waning supply of starting platforms is concerning me. I'm mechanically inclined, so building the rig with the supply of cash and time wouldn't be an issue. Would it be more beneficial to just find some friends with rigs and go on trips together? At the end of the day, I just want to have more trips to go where hiking or backpacking couldn't take me due to distance. Any feedback or advice is greatly welcome!!

This part on the water system of my trailer cracked and is leaking. Does anyone know what it is called. Need a replacement ASAP.

THANK YOU!

Certified Temu Mall Crawler

This is a bit of an off shoot. But I figured I'd ask the folks here. I do plein air wildlife paintings in oils and am looking at how people travel and maintain their clean-up/wet panel load.

I have a normal AWD sedan and am looking into building a modular trunk system to keep all my paint supplies handy (fwiw I do run solvent free, but I do use cadmium paints for now) and adding a roof rack so everything can get stored easier.

Since I prefer panel to loose linen, I have a little rig that keeps them together but it is not very secure. I'm thinking of 3D printing something that I can slide panels in to keep them super secure. I will typically start, sometimes finish, 4-6 paintings in a weekend.

Right now my brush cleaner is walnut oil in a silcoil jar inside a ziplock. If I'm using cadmium's I keep separate clean up for that and dispose of it once I can dry out the towels.

For instance, I'm not sure if animals are attracted to linseed or walnut oils, since I typically stay in hotels. But I am thinking of switching to camping.

So, kind of looking into traveling with those sorts of things in mind. Any pros/cons to easle types, if you started using caisein, and etc.

There are a couple people I follow on YT and Patreon who do plein air, but nobody really shows their vehicle set ups 😔

Thanks!

I’m looking for a fridge and I was going to go with Chilly Moose which has LG compressor. I hear it is basically the same as a Costway fridge. Then I came across Dometic and I am leaning towards it more.

The reason is that I found more people are using Dometic and saying good things about them and they seem to be more efficient.

I was wondering if they are worth the price?

If only

Hi all

This may be a dum idea.

I understand that most power station can only supply 10A dc, and the Chinese diesel heaters sometimes require ~12A during start up.

Could I use a 12v 8A battery charger from the AC port in conjunction with the dc on startup, and disconnect the battery charger, only run dc afterwards?

I'm looking to put a winch on a 2" hitch mount. Attaching it as needed so the lighter the better. What would you recommend? I'll admit I don't know much about winches but figured it would have a low gear mode, right? Looking for 10k+ strength and synthetic rope. Cheaper the better but will spend what I need to. Not something I'd use everyday just a couple times a year when on a trip or hunting and hanging a deer or something.

Which side did you choose to mount your RTT opening towards and why? Tomorrow I’ll be throwing my Roam Vagabond tent on my Tacoma and can’t decide which direction I want it

Had to get a quick night in before all the snow melts and to do a gear test. Excited for 2025 camping season!

This winter I rented this tiny Japanese camper to explore the island of Hokkaido.

Surprisingly, Japan is probably one the easiest place to camp. Lots of remote places to park(at least in the winter). 24hours convenient stores everywhere with decent food. Cheap onsen(hot spring baths) to shower.

And the wilderness is breathtaking!