How to Start Overlanding: A Beginner’s Guide to Basics So You Can Start to Overland TODAY 

You don't need a bunch of gear or a fancy new 4Runtacomadiatoronco to just go overlanding. Get started TODAY with the basics! Links for stuff in the video are in the description above. Thanks for watching! See more here ru-vid.com/group/PLmzj4XGk6kUgT54Wolz0uKM7PE8rZe-6j

So refreshing to see someone talk about “overlanding” and not spend 5 min discussing tactical knives while fully decked out in 5-11 gear. Also, I spent 20 yrs in the military and you nailed the mission planning mindset. Planning to get in is only 1/3 the planning. Ya also gotta get out and ya got get thru an emergency(unexpected weather, gear/vehicle failure, injury/sickness). Nice!

As someone who's interested in starting with overlanding, this vid is really inspiring. Not busting dreams with "you need a 80k vehicle, and 10k gear!!" Just honest to the point information and advice 🙏

I did a 2 month overlanding trip in 2019 from the east to the Canadian Rockies and Badlands, Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I did that one with an AWD Lexus RX 350 pulling a little teardrop trailer and could go anywhere I wanted. But when planning a 2 month trip this year to Colorado, Utah and Arizona, there were so many places I wanted to go but couldn't without a legitimate high clearance 4WD vehicle that I bought a 4WD Toyota 4Runner and sold the Lexus and the trailer. I am converting to tent camping (including a collapsible cot because I'm too old to sleep on the ground) and since I'm making the trip on my own and use the 4Runner as my everyday driver, I'm going to keep everything inside the vehicle. No roof rack, external mounts, etc. that I won't need or use 90% of the time, that cost a lot of money, and that will decrease gas mileage and potentially make the inside of the vehicle noisier on the road. Now that I got rid of the trailer and will have everything inside the vehicle, I can go anywhere the vehicle is capable of going instead of having to leave the trailer somewhere and go back and get it. No backtracking. I can travel point to point and if I see somewhere I want to stop to hike or photograph along the way, I don't have to worry about how much room I need to park and maneuver because of a trailer. I pretty much have all my gear at this point and am going to pack everything like I'm leaving to see if I can create enough space to sleep inside the vehicle when I'm only going to be somewhere for a night or two and don't want to set up the tent. I think I should be able to do it. I have several 3 to 5 night camping trips scheduled for close to home ahead of my big trip so I can see if I'm missing anything important, figure out how to pack the vehicle to quickly access the things I use the most, to get quicker at setting up and breaking down a campsite, etc. One place where I've gone against what most people do is in the area of cooking. I am not comfortable carrying a propane tank inside my vehicle and am not going to spend the money required to safely mount one outside the vehicle. I'm going with a one burner induction cooktop that I can power with a Jackery. At its peak setting, the induction cooktop will draw a lot more power than the Jackery can put out on a sustained basis. But I've tested the induction cooktop with the Jackery and it does fine up to medium heat, which is good for 90% of my home cooking - pretty much everything other than searing meat. Induction cooking seems to be pretty common for overlanders in Australia based on videos, but I see very few Americans doing it. I can supplement the induction cooktop by cooking on grills at campsites when fires are allowed. I have a little JetBoil and a couple of small butane canisters like backpackers use so I can quickly make coffee or hot tea without dragging out the portable kitchen and induction cooktop and opening up the back of the vehicle. I've ditched a Yeti cooler for a 45 liter portable refrigerator that has much more effective capacity (since it doesn't have to be 2/3 loaded with ice) and will run off the Jackery,. The Jackery can be recharged via an AC outlet in the vehicle in a couple of hours and it can power the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Thanks for taking the time to make your videos. Yours and others like them have helped me look at different approaches and figure out what gear I need to overland the way I want to do it. If we don't have another Covid outbreak and my health stays good, I plan to spend a couple of months a year taking overlanding trips; it will be 2 season stuff where I can get mostly reasonable temperatures based on where I'm going. I'm not going to hike in 100 degree temperatures and if it's 20 degrees and snowing I'm going to be in a hotel, not a tent. I may do some winter trips where I stay in a centrally located hotel or cabin or two for a month and leave most of the overlanding gear at home. Also, I appreciate your videos on dealing with depression. I went through a very rough 2 year period with debilitating depression, in large part due to health issues, but I have been clear of it for over 10 years now. Keep plugging and ask for help when you need it, and hopefully it will lift for you like it did for me.

Firearm for two legged critters.

This video makes me so happy. Best “start overlanding” video that has literally ever been created or will ever be created. Ever. Simple, but crazy informative with practical tips and info, and friggin hilarious. And as a many many years overlander and bushcrafter I fully admit that feed container had never occurred to me 🤯

The is the first video I have found with actual useful and practical information.

The way that you explain, made me feel calm! Thanks for sharing!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! BACK TO BASICS FOR OVERLANDING. START SMALL THEN GROW FROM THERE.

Good job . Overlanding is kinda a new term . Lol . I'm 60. So we just called it camping . I have vehical camped from Maine to Alaska. But I am building a 95 ram short bed single cab 4x4 with a campershell for an overland retirement adventure . She's already looking rad , got the big mud tires , chopped fenders and bumpers Bajaj style . I live offgrid near a natinal park and national forest lands. So we get to have fun . Peace.

Overlanding 101! LIVE IT!!! Just getting started, and finally someone who understands the NewB!!!

Very refreshing to see a video so packed full of information! A lot of channels just dribble on for 10 minutes without saying anything of value!! Great job and well done!!!

Loved the “pick-a-nic” basket reference. Absolutely fantastic video. Thanks for the quick, concise, and detailed information!

OVERLANDING 101. A MUST WATCH.

Hey, I use a Zodi Extreme as my hot shower. Water gets hot by placing the entire fire extinguisher looking unit over a fire of the stove. It has colored decals similar to what is used on fish tanks to display temps. It's mechanically pressurized so you can have a pressure shower. Not many overlanders know about this. Such a great device. No complicated set ups from the on demand hot water units.

KISS, you hit it on the spot. Don't make it difficult. Excellent video to keep this form of traveling in perspective.

So thankful to find someone who includes more people in the description.

13:00 - Thank you for mentioning training. There are far too many people who buy a first-aid kit(usually the cheapest one they can find), but have no idea how to apply it. You can take a one-day basic first-aid course on a weekend for pretty reasonable prices. You don't need to be a seasoned paramedic(although it doesn't hurt), but taking a wilderness first-aid course is a worthy investment. Really, any time you buy a piece of gear, you should consider the training required to use it. I took a winch and recovery course, and in eight hours, I learned an unbelievable amount of stuff. Training is just as important as gear, and often more so. Remember, a lot of places won't have signal to let you watch a RU-vid tutorial.

Wow - what an amazing video and I very much love your humor! You spoke like a normal person, not down to someone who just wants to get started. I just started getting interested in overloading for me and my family and you really helped with answering all but one question. The only question I had was how to connect with others on trails or guides.

Wow, 2.42 subs in just three months, must be a record. I know how much time is spent in composing an outstanding video like yours....very helpful and impressive. Great advice for beginners and those of us who have done some Overlanding. Thumbs up and new sub. Also you have great presentation skills. Now off to see more of your videos.

Loved this video.. watched it twice.. i know im over thinking it..this just talked me off the ledge. 🤗

Hey man 👋 I just watched your video for the first time and I'm loving it. I've had my Jeep JKU for a few years, and I'm a huge camping fan. Well...overlanding it is! I'm digging your information and I love your sense of humor. THANK YOU!!!

Thanks for taking the time and sharing.

I’m from Redding, CA so true NorCal. There are actually a lot of opportunities for campfire cooking in California, but it depends on the time of year. I just went last weekend and had a great time cooking over the campfire. From about mid July through Sep, you can depend on fire restrictions. Outside those times, you can totally enjoy campfire cooking. Just check with the ranger district or BLM office you’re planning on adventuring in to get current fire restrictions - and make sure to obtain a campfire permit!

I am certainly that guy that watched a bunch of RU-vid videos…I purchased a Cherokee xj for the purpose of eventually overlanding…this is by far the best video I have seen on the subject for beginners..very entertaining, straight forward, was comedic without being corny…thanks for this..I have subscribed

As an old river rafter (now more on land) I have been using different fire pans for many years and have come up with a great,inexpensive system that I now use when taking our trailer out boondocking. Lots of (now called fire pits) fancy, trick, folding units hitting the market and that's good to see more folks using them instead of nasty rock fire rings but there is a very simple compact way that I show in my vids. The advantages are many and to "leave no trace" is just a bonus.

Very informative and very naturally entertaining. Thanks from Oz 😊

Didn't expect like it s much! You are an awesome entertainer and I got to learn some useful things too! Thank you ☺

Dialed in 100% here, all good info-and true! Take a First Aid class based on wilderness; get bear spray in many places in Canada and Alaska the local fire station has bear spray to loan out. Also appreciate your humor and excellent editing. Nice work. 😊

You cover everything that everyone forgets about, all the other over-landing videos I see are always all about showing off how much money they spent on those refrigerators and rooftop tents, you covered everything that should be commonsense, thanks man I appreciate it all that was recommended and made two new things on my check list, that would be specially the soap and the fire extinguisher

Okay this was super helpful thank you so much.

Thank you , I just got into overlanding and I needed this how to start vid

You mean a stock 4Runner can get me out there? Awesome video, Thank You

Very nice. Positive and straightforward.

Finally something that made sense! Thank you for breaking this down so simply - it was also hilarious!

This activity can seriously throw you down the rabbit hole of gadgets and gear. You definitely hit on some of the most important ones. Maybe do a video on Comms…GMRS. Some friends and I are about to do our 2nd annual Death Valley trip….and there’s always new gear needed.

Great vid!! Love the humor! Definitely subscribing!!

Awesome video! Aim for at least 8.5-8.8 inches of minimum ground clearance for intermediate over landing, good all terrain tires and at least a limited slip differential or locker if you don’t have 4WD. 4WD is not always a must, 2WD pickups or SUVs can be capable with the right gear and recovery equipment.

I'm looking forward to my first time in September!

Thank you so much for this simple but helpful video. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the gear, and technical details of hitting the road. Looking forward to visiting local trails and campsites to being. Safe travels.

Thank you. This is SO helpful!

Dude, that was a good vid! Genuinely enjoyed it!

Your presentation is highly entertaining but is greatly educational and inspiring. On point but hilarious! Thank you for making this!

This video was super helpful. Alot of common sense/not so common sense things that people typically overlook were covered here, and I think you definitely nailed it. Awesome video look forward for the gear vid !

This is a great video. Thank you for making it.

Awesome! Straight to the point and a whole lot more!

Omg, you are fantastic. Great video and I’m looking forward to watching more. I hope to run into you on the trail.

Best video of it's kind

Great video, so many people already covered what i would say. Your approach is great, and nit being all tactic-bro'd out. In terms of thos fire extinguishers, definitely look up more test videos, sometimes they work and othe times they don't. Could be a good supliment. We carry one if the aerosol cans in the kitchen kit and its always ready to go when cooking and everyone knows where it is. And an normal abc fire extinguisher, kitchen size or a touch larger.

This video was very helpful. I’m planning on some short trips with my husband. Thank you!

Great video

Excellent information. Thank you.

I'm planning mooving to perth Australia and Ive been literally dozens of videos about off-road and defenetly your videos are in top 3 quality I've seen till now...liked and subscribed Congratulations

Thank you for this video! It's super helpful. I just got a 2019 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 and I want to start Overlanding. I'm in college and worried it wouldn't work for me because of the costs but this helped show me that it's possible to do it on a budget. I subscribed as soon as the video was over.

Amazing job man for making this informative video fun to watch

Nice video. No overlander purist bs. Gotta have this gotta have that. Nope just the minimum.

DUDE!!?!!! Do u hav TWO 4Runners!!?? SO RAD!!!!!!!!!

best video i’ve seen, thanks for doing it!

Great info and entertainment 😂

OMG. LOL. Finally an overlanding video that is also entertaining. You should be a comedian or comedy writer. Thanks for the info.

❤️ this video. Interesting, informative & entertaining. Your Best Practices make too much sense! 👍

This is the most practical, realistic overview I've seen! Thanks for the info. :)

Man I just picked up my 3rd gen 4runner and plan to start overlanding and I love all this content. Thanks man 👍

The only frustrating thing about all of these offroad style videos.. There's no place to go anymore. I'm in New England and the pickins are slim at best. Most places have bans of 4x4s and only allow dirtbikes

Ok, your videos are awesome, and they are getting better as you go. This is the first one that I watched and got me to like and subscribe. Thanks for speaking on mental health! I’m a vet and fight those same battles. Not sure if you ever sold enclosed utility trailers, but if so, I bought one from you!!! At that time I had a lime green wrangler. Anyway, look forward to more vids. I too live in the Bay Area. Morgan Hill

This content is extremely well done. Thank you for creating and sharing this content. Very entertaining AND educational! Subscribed!

If you're getting a new 20 lb. propane tank, Costco gets them in every spring, less than $30 and has a built in gauge. It you have a stove that takes 1 lb. green canisters, get an adapter and any size refillable tank, no throw away canisters and much lower cost.

Earned a subscribe harcore with this video. Awesome. We just did our first ground tent, overland trip and my wife loved it. Dont need to be decked out to go have fun in the woods. We also had a racoon in our camp one night. So good trash tips ;)

Thank you for this video. It had helped a whole bunch. It's so discouraging seeing these guys that have rigs that cost more then my house

Great informative video.

Great video!

Kudos to the creators for capturing the essence of adventure.

Only thing you truly need is that 3rdGen !!!

Bears can absolutely open the vittles vault. Be safe 💕

Bro! Phenomenal video. Thanks for putting this out. Subbed!

I don’t know if you need to hear it one more time but will say it anyway; That was a great video ! Seriously, great job of breaking down what Overlanding is at its basics. I have done a fair amount of backpacking and camping on the past and consider myself fairly knowledgeable about these type of outdoor adventure activities, but wasn’t sure if overlanding was something you could do without a custom built $150,000 vehicle and an Australian accent! Hope to explore the national forest in Michigan this summer a bit to see what the wife thinks of it. Bought a truck tent for our Ford super duty 4 WD . Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks again! New subscriber.

Thank you so much for this. I love this so much and I subscribed :D

Excellent info! Thanks for posting this! I’m new and heading out to the upper peninsula in Michigan and the Dakotas in June in my Nissan Titan Pro 4X. 👍👍👍Looking very forward to this!

Great video! Good basic info with a taste of additional things to add. I enjoy your style of video. Glad the wife and dogs were on the check list... easy to forget those... "Why is it so quiet...?.... Oh SHiiiiiiiiiiiiii. Oh well"... I have not gone yet... but I think I have the itch now!

One thing to note: I work in fire safety and, regarding fire extinguishers, 2.5lb extinguishers aren't much good for more than a tiny little fire. If you're not getting the more advanced stuff like the Element extinguishers, buy a 5lb ABC extinguisher and make sure it's properly mounted somewhere, preferably a 3A40BC rated one. It'll make a massive difference in an emergency.

Nicely done sir, I overland year round and love it. Your expedient conversation is appreciated and yes I subscribed!

Great stuff man!Love the 4 runner and thanks for sharing your knowledge..your video are extremely well done

Nice. 2:30 BINGO! So many people are selling their rooftop tents here in Texas and cant say I have ever seen anyone actually use that ladder on the back of their vehicles. The pose is real. Subbed.

So it’s just camping from the sound of it. Great vid. I been wanting to go camping especially now that my son is 10. He can enjoy it. I just ordered all the essentials for camping two days ago. Washington national parks here I come this weekend. Love the vid. U got a sub and hope to watch more insightful ones. Ty. 👍

This was great! Where I live it’s not allowed to go offroad. So my van will be enough. Will do a trip this summer after this video 👌🏻

Great video man. I've got a good rig I've went trailing and camping with every now and then. It's better to do with other people 100%.

Luv the Gen X vibes.. Keep up with the adventures!

you are a good dude. i hope 2023 is full of awesome adventures for you!

I know i bought the right car when this guy has 2 4runners. Mines even that beautiful jade green

So useful. Thank you!

Thanks.. Love the humor.

Wow, excellent content, thank you for sharing this information.

Stumbled upon your channel and love it bro! Let me know if you ever want to hit the trails or need help filming it’s what I do professionally!

Awesome video! Thanks for all the info

This is an awesome intro. Thanks

Awesome video sir. I feel good that I’ve done some of these things, these extra tips are a big help. Thank you.

EXCELENT CONTENT VIDEO. I LOVE YOURS 4RUNNERS. THIS IS THE BEST GEN

New watcher. I loved your approach. Thanks for the video.

It is not complicated to overland- I started with what I had at the time, Suzuki Station wagon, took it on long desert roads, sandy roads- all over the California deserts. Basics, food, ice chest, sleeping bags. Best fun ever, eventually received a hand-me down late 80's Toyota 4×4 truck, stocked. Added a bunch of stuff I thought I needed. Ended up getting rid of a lot of stuff and keep it basic. Still driving the same rig-but with better tires that's it! Just get out and have fun...and learn.

I haven't laughed out loud watching an overlanding vid in a long time...but did during yours! Great information and very well presented! Looking forward to your upcoming Gaia use video!