Am I a "overlander"?

[Dunnage Garage]

Growing up my step dad took me on overlanding type trips in Arizona. Then when I joined the Navy I had my gear packed and was off the ship and on adventures every chance I had. Recently I built a overland trailer, took it on a week trip, and really wasn't that comfortable. Took a tent on the following trip and was miserable.
So now I tend to agree with the wife, if a hotel isn't included with the itenery I'm not to incline to go. My passion falls more with vehicles setups and usefulness. Going on offroad trips with a base hotel to back to...which is going to make the TAT difficult lol.
So with that in mind, am I considered a overlander? Should I join the ranks? Or just contribute to the vehicle side, and admire from afar.

 

[pl626]

Perhaps you may want to try Glamping?High-end hotel level comfort, yet still outdoors?
But seriously, overlanding is about the adventure by vehicle, not so much where you sleep. BTW, have you considered an adventure vehicles like Earthroamers or Tiger Adventure?

 

[Dunnage Garage]

I like the adventure by vehicle idea. If I ever hit the lottery I would consider looking at earthroamer type vehicles. For me, I want to cram as much adventure that I can into my TJ.

 

[mylilpwny]

I have asked a similar question myself. For me with bad back and shoulder the last few times we tent camped it did not end well for me lol. We decided to go with a trailer but due to family interest we went with a Fleetwood evo2. Much more comfort and convenient then tent set up but that comes with a drawback. I can not take it just anywhere the truck will go. We just got it a few weeks ago and have not taken it on a trip but I have done a driveway overnighter in it and did not have the pain problems with our tent setup since it has a 6 inch mattress

 

[RedRob]

This community isn’t about definitions. If you have something to contribute or something to gain please join us. You are welcome here if you abide by the core principles, whether you sleep under the stars or not.

 

[Smileyshaun]

air mattress queen size cot, super thick sleeping bag and a couple adult beverages and a large tent and hotels will be a thing of the past . But honestly it doesn't matter if you go out for day Trips multi-day Trips year whatever just get out of explore and not worry about titles and names of what your travels are considered.

 

[Lindenwood]

"Vehicle-Dependent Travel" is I think the tagline, and getting involved with the outdoors is the underlying intent. So, while you dont sleep in or on your vehicle, I think you absolutely fall under the same umbrella.

There are plenty of "Overlanders" who haul huge camper trailers only along paved roads, and then use either the tow vehicle or other means of transport (a little Samurai, bicycles, or even feet) to enjoy the outdoors when they get to their destination(s). Not a whole lot different, IMO.

 

[Todd & Meg]

Growing up my step dad took me on overlanding type trips in Arizona. Then when I joined the Navy I had my gear packed and was off the ship and on adventures every chance I had. Recently I built a overland trailer, took it on a week trip, and really wasn't that comfortable. Took a tent on the following trip and was miserable.
So now I tend to agree with the wife, if a hotel isn't included with the itenery I'm not to incline to go. My passion falls more with vehicles setups and usefulness. Going on offroad trips with a base hotel to back to...which is going to make the TAT difficult lol.
So with that in mind, am I considered a overlander? Should I join the ranks? Or just contribute to the vehicle side, and admire from afar.

I don't like seeing post like this, Or the one "can you overland on a budget". Call yourself what ever you want. I have an adventure motorcycle my wife and I will pack our camping gear and go out for a few day to a week. Or pack the Jeep and head out for a few days to a week camping. I don't call myself an Overlander. In fact I'm probably more of a anti-overlander. I don't do Twitter, I don't post videos to youtube, I could care less if anyone follows me on social media. We just like to get out away from life and see cool stuff. I do post on Facebook so family and real friends can see where we have been.

If you like building your Jeep out have at it. Nothing wrong with that. Don't like tent camping, thats okay. You didn't say what kind of trailer you build. We are getting where tent camping has been getting tougher. But we have good Exped sleeping pads and a two person sleeping bag. When we get the pads just right it's just as comfortable as out sleep number bed at home. I am building a offload teardrop just to make things easier to make quick trips easier. We will have an 8" memory foam mattress in it. Still not as convenient as a motel room. But should be better than a tent. I think I would miss all the things that camping remote has to offer like waking up on the edge of the Grand Canyon, watching the stars in the middle of the nigh at Death Valley in the middle of nowhere. Hearing the sound of a creek up in the mountains. of Colorado. Things you miss in a hotel. But if the hotel works for you have at it. I'm sure you can plan some great trips around motels, bed and breakfasts, even resort towns in the mountains.

Todd

 

[john casson]

Growing up my step dad took me on overlanding type trips in Arizona. Then when I joined the Navy I had my gear packed and was off the ship and on adventures every chance I had. Recently I built a overland trailer, took it on a week trip, and really wasn't that comfortable. Took a tent on the following trip and was miserable.
So now I tend to agree with the wife, if a hotel isn't included with the itenery I'm not to incline to go. My passion falls more with vehicles setups and usefulness. Going on offroad trips with a base hotel to back to...which is going to make the TAT difficult lol.
So with that in mind, am I considered a overlander? Should I join the ranks? Or just contribute to the vehicle side, and admire from afar.

Do what you enjoy

 

[Sidetrekked Overland]

Rent a cabin so it sounds more "outdoorsy". Seriously though I agree with the comments above. Create your own definition of overlanding or adventure travel or whatever. Do whatever you want not what some stranger on the internet says is the right thing to do.

It's about vehicle dependent travel not vehicle dependent sleeping quarters. I have major back and neck issues but I sleep great on my rooftop tent's memory foam mattress. Maybe that could be an option for you. Either way just get out and explore.

 

[Dunnage Garage]

Thanks for all the positive responses. You are right the title doesn't make the man or the trip. I was only asking because some forums are so restrictive as to who is welcome. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't in the wrong forum...
After a long while of searching for the answer, I posted up, only to find a post on this very topic under bootcamp, then a video was also posted "what is overlanding" lol

 

[Ben Cleveland]

Thanks for all the positive responses. You are right the title doesn't make the man or the trip. I was only asking because some forums are so restrictive as to who is welcome. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't in the wrong forum...
After a long while of searching for the answer, I posted up, only to find a post on this very topic under bootcamp, then a video was also posted "what is overlanding" lol

I've always been an "enthusiast" for whatever vehicle I owned and drove. And I've always used forums for my research. I totally get your concern. That said, this forum is not like any other forum I've been involved in. The people here are friendly, and deal with each other as actual people. I haven't really found "keyboard warriors" hanging out here. If you like this stuff, or some part of it, then lurk, read and learn or get involved and be a part of the community, whatever you like! We all enjoy being outdoors and getting out there whenever possible. Adventure, exploration, whatever you call it, we all have our own versions of it. But everybody will tell you what you've already heard, don't worry about definitions, just get out there and do your own version of it. Can't go wrong with spending more time outside in nature.

 

[Trbanks]

Here’s my two cents. I have a slightly built four wheel drive truck. That is to say it has a small lift and mud tires. As it sits it will get me most anywhere I would like to go. Including some of the less intense trails in Moab. Behind my truck I pull a Rockwood, extreme sport package pop up trailer. This thing has mud tires and a higher ride height for some off road use. Now it’s not going rock crawling but it will get me off the beaten path and into the great wide open. I’m a big fan of the comfortable bed, refrigerator, and air conditioning. Especially down here in Florida. Some call it “glamping”. I call it fun in the outdoors.

It really doesn’t matter how you do it or what equipment you have, or how big and bad your rig is. Just go out and have fun. Take a quick look at michaels video on you tube about “what is an overlander in under 2 minutes”. He really hits the nail on the head. Go out and enjoy..

HAPPY TRAILS......

 

[Anak]

Put me in the camp that says define overlanding however it fits for you. Just get out there and see the outdoors.

Who says "overlanding" has to be vehicle dependent travel? Where the explorers and trappers who forged paths through the wilderness of this country not qualified to be overlanders because they didn't have Jeeps or Toyotas or Land Rovers?

I would say the more independent you are the better. But if you need to depend on a hotel in order to get out and see the world, so be it. That is what works for you. Don't give up on going out and seeing things though.

And if there is anyone who thinks you don't qualify because you haven't achieved their level of independence, just ask them if they have achieved this level of independence:

 

[pl626]

...And if there is anyone who thinks you don't qualify because you haven't achieved their level of independence, just ask them if they have achieved this level of independence:

Fell out of my chair laughing at that one. I’d be afraid of the furry tp biting my boys...

 

[slomatt]

"Am I a "overlander"?"

Yes, if you want to be. Welcome to the forum!