First overland build

[Duskfeller]

Not sure where to start. Looking for a vehicle that I can use as soon as I buy it and be able to build up. The only requirement I have is being able to tow a patriot x3 camper at some point down the line. I’m mostly going to be doing stuff around Ohio for now but plan on doing stuff all over the US and maybe Canada once the borders open.

 

[leeloo]

know what you want to take with you and to what level to take it ( want to be able to do moderate trails maximum while having induction cooking ? ) and chose the vehicle to suit and can take the load. You will not get it right the first time, unless you are at Confucius level of self knowledge. But you will refine it in time so leave yourself room to maneuver. So a Jeep or a pick up stock is very capable out of the box, so are some other vehicles like Lexus GX, Landcruiser, LR Defender etc..
Do you want new ? Second hand ?

 

[Duskfeller]

Most of the stuff would be in the trailer which the trailer is 3500lb max. Just trying to make sure what I choose can handle hauling it off-road in pretty much any conditions im more worried about the vehicle than the trailer it can get through almost anything. As for new or used I doesn’t really matter. It’s also going to be my only vehicle I own
I looked at Jeep’s but they end up being to much and everything else other than a Tacoma seems to not have the right tow rating.

 

[tjZ06]

Most of the stuff would be in the trailer which the trailer is 3500lb max. Just trying to make sure what I choose can handle hauling it off-road in pretty much any conditions. As for new or used I doesn’t really matter. It’s also going to be my only vehicle I own
I looked at Jeep’s but they end up being to much and everything else other than a Tacoma seems to not have the right tow rating.

What is "too much"? Give us a budget to work with.

A new diesel Gladiator sounds like the best vehicle, since the trailer you have planned is right at the exact max for a 4-door Wrangler (and 1k past a 2-door's rating). If you're comfortable being at the max, I'd say a diesel JLUR might be the ticket. But I assume both of those options are "too much"? You might want to look at a Colorado ZR2 diesel if that's the case. More capable and better for towing than a Tacoma, IMHO (diesel for towing, and front and rear lockers vs. rear only).

Still, there are ton of other interesting options. Without knowing more of what you need/want, it's pretty hard to give good advice. What is your budget? Do you want a truck, or SUV? It will be your only vehicle, so what does "daily driving" consist of for you? Does fuel mileage matter to you? Do you have a family/pets etc. where you need a certain number of seats and interior space? When you say the rig needs to be capable of hauling the trailer off road, what exactly do you mean? A lot of people say "off road" but actually mean "off pavement" and just do "soft roading" on groomed forest service or other dirt/gravel roads. Others say "off road" and they mean they run the Rubicon trail for a warmup.

In short, give us a better idea of your budget and use case, and I imagine we'll be able to help more...

-TJ