New To Overlanding and Where to Start

[Nolafly17]

(Previous post from my introduction looking to go full time) So I don't sound like a complete idiot not knowing what I'm getting into (lol), I am single with 2 large dogs traveling with me. I grew up as a kid in Alaska and spent the last 5 years living in Puerto Rico before moving to Baton Rouge last year to finish my Geography degree at LSU. I am well traveled as a retired Coast Guard Aviator with previous positions as a Firefighter, Emergency Management Planner, Law Enforcement , Search and Rescue and an Aircraft Mechanic. I feel completely confident from a safety standpoint to venture into full time overlanding but have zero experience in off-road travel. What I am looking for in choosing the right vehicle is something that will carry my toys [10' fishing kayak, mountain bike, hiking, hunting, fishing gear, two pets and full time living gear (food, 4 seasons clothing, safety equipment, electronics, etc)]. and still be able to travel down that remote trail. I would think I would need a 3/4 ton 4x4 truck with a diesel engine to accommodate all my crap but then there is the size and weight issues. Trying to find that happy medium as this will be a long term experience... I'm leaning toward an overland trailer with a smaller vehicle...any thoughts or recommendations? This will be an 18 month prep before hitting the road.

 

[Nolafly17]

The hardest part for me so far starting out is the downsizing. One year ago I had two 3000 sq ft homes and have downsized to a 35' 5th wheel after getting rid of both homes. Now I'm trying to downsize again but I don't want to rush this process as I want to be comfortable as well as get the most out of my experiences without limiting myself to what I can do. The goal is to be able to go anywhere and do anything while making new friends in the process.

 

[David C Gibbs]

Welcome to OB,
Welcome to overlanding, off-highway travel and a change of culture. You are actually closer than you think. Describe your current 5th Wheel tow-vehicle? What do you like, dislike? So that you are in the information loop, a couple weeks ago 50,000+ Like-minded folks met in Flagstaff, for the 2018 Overland Expo West. In the fall there will be an East Coast version, near Ashville, NC. I highly encourage you to visit there, ask lots of questions. Part of the transition is the de-cluttering of the stuff, we don't really need. "Do I really need 20 Polo's? 17 pair of Slacks? 7 pair of loafers, tennis shoes, etc... You get the point. The Mrs & I thought we knew where we headed - but after Overland Expo West, we have decided to take a "Near Term." "Mid Term" and post Retirement process. We are in the process of deciding "Do we sell the 88 62 Series LandCruiser and buy a 100, to tow a trailer?" Or do we bite the Bullet and buy a Class C, and have it beefed up for Off-highway travel. The Quigley's now have a 4 Wheel Kit for the Transit Van. The Eco-boast Twin-turbo has lots of power to pass. It's not too late to travel to the Northwest Overland Rally at the end of the month, it's 2 hours East of Seattle. It would get you exposed to the Vendors, and make new friends.
David

 

[Nolafly17]

I would like to travel towards the northwest from Louisiana up to Arizona, Utah and Colorado eventually getting up to Alaska again for the summer then heading back down south. I would like to follow the 75 degree weather but that usually brings with it severe storms at times and I will need to be able to weather them if I get stuck in one. I have flown over those areas but never driven through them on backroads so I'm not familiar with what the trails will be like as far as how much overgrowth and how many low hanging branches etc there will be. I know there are so many different options to choose from vehicle wise. A few options I'm starting to research all have pros and cons to me. For example, I would love a Power Wagon but they may be too big for the trails and they have garbage gas mileage. The Raptor would be fun to drive but I think they would be too wide, crap fuel economy and I think the turbos would cause a lower life expectancy on the engine. I think the Tacoma may be the most practical but they have a low payload capacity (which is a good and bad thing). I don't know much about the Colorado/Canyons with the diesel engines but they sound intriguing. I am not brand loyal and currently own a Titan XD with a Cummins but its 2wd so it has to go. The toughest thing for me losing the 5th wheel at this point would be not having the washer/dryer and plenty of hot water and storage as well as being able to control the temperature while I sleep down here in the south.

 

[Thelgord]

Welcome to OB!

I have grown up caping, hunting, fishing, hiking, and the like. I am now in the Army and I find I miss being able to go out as often as I would like. As my wife would say, “If it is important, you make time”. She is smart like that. :) The people here are amazing! Very encouraging and supportive. The two, mottos I guess? That I have taken from this group are, “Adventure is necessary” and “It doesn’t matter what you drive”. Both are true.

It is also true, as David said, you don’t really need a lot of “stuff”. In fact, it would surprise most people how little you actually need. Do you need a 12V fridge? No. While nice to have, they are not necessary. Do you need a roof top tent? No, not at all. Most sites, and even the Expo’s showcase the latest and greatest offering for those seeking offroad adventure. Honestly, most of it is completely optional.

The real question you need to ask, is how comfortable do you want to be when you are adventuring? The great thing about OB is that it doesn’t matter. You can go glamping with all the greatest toys, or you can be a minimalist. This site supports everyone.

Once again, welcome to OB, and to the addiction ;)

 

[Lindenwood]

Just to be clear, are you looking to ditch the trailer and travel / live exclusively with a large vehicle?

 

[chuckoverland]

We are in love with our new tacoma, just throwing that out there. Crawl control and factory rear diff lock on the off road and pro models.

 

[Nolafly17]

Just to be clear, are you looking to ditch the trailer and travel / live exclusively with a large vehicle?

I haven't made any set in stone decisions yet and I'm still in the early stages of researching everything. I am leaning towards ditching the 5th wheel and living full time out of the truck as I want to explore places the 5th wheel can't get me to. I also think I could save quite a bit of money by getting rid of the RV so I'm not paying to park it all the time. One of the main concerns right now would be the winters. It's one thing to go camping for a winter weekend getaway and another to do it full time. I'm sure a lot of people on here are already aware the 4 keys to survival are; water, food, shelter, and play. I want to be able to maximize and sustain those things for as long as possible without having to replenish every couple days. I would like to complete a trailer build that will be used to a carry a 50 gallon potable water tank, 100 lbs of propane bottles (for heat and cooking) and my toys but still go off road, complete water crossings, etc. In the truck, I would like to add an extended 40 gallon fuel tank, another water tank, fridge and rooftop tent. The issue obviously is size and weight of everything and the handling characteristics and capabilities of driving offroad with all that as well as being able to simply maneuver a small trail.

I'm going off what my 5th wheel can carry, water, food and propane wise which lasts me about two weeks. This may be a bit much to hall around with me everywhere especially if I go with a midsize truck but I really want to be able to venture out to those hard to get to places that not many people get to experience. Not sure if a full size truck would allow me to do that. Ideally I want to find that happy medium between driving capabilities and payload capacity.

On a side note, I want to do this as safely possible and stay within legal parameters of the vehicles capabilities.

 

[craigR]

Sounds like an awesome adventure, and I look forward to watching.

My initial thoughts... Basically, everything is a compromise.

I know you realize this, but maybe it will help to read it from someone else. You're not going to carry a 5th wheel's worth of provisions and creature comforts in a vehicle that can "venture to those hard to reach places" with excellent off-road prowess and a notable margin of safety left in it's capabilities.

I think the quandary, defining conflict if you will, that requires the most critical thinking is off-road capabilities vs full-time living requirements. Both are generally associated with and dependent on size/weight, but on opposite ends of the spectrum. I suggest making a master list of your goals for the next few years, then prioritize those goals. Next would be meticulously defining wants and needs, and your best guesstimate on what that would weigh. That should at least give you an idea.

Additionally, one thing that may help is deciding how you will be traveling most often. If it's on highways from state to state and staying in National/State Parks, then maybe a full-size truck (Tundra) and camper top since it can accommodate more provisions for full-time living. If you're really going to focus on staying off the beaten path and seeing back-country, then a mid-size truck (Tacoma). The bigger the vehicle, the more likely one is to get stuck.

There are a lot of ways to "get stuck", whether that's high-centered on a ledge, breaking a drivetrain part, or getting into a position where you can't move forward or back safely after trying to "fit" the big guy where big guys don't normally go. There is a "margin of safety" to consider there as well, since you'll be rolling solo. Lot's to consider here, and as excited as I am to think about such a venture, I don't envy your need to make some complicated decisions right now.

So much of this is subjective, in terms of wants vs needs and risk aversion, which only you can answer. Remember, our friend @Jake Wettern | iamjake does this out of a Jeep, which could give some perspective as well. Maybe he can chime in, as he has a considerable amount of salient experience at this point.

 

[Beer Hounds]

4Runner. But I am biased....

 

[Joey83]

Like a 4Runner/Tacoma with a Turtleback trailer? :P

 

[craigR]

Like a 4Runner/Tacoma with a Turtleback trailer? :P

Based on my own daydreaming about doing the same thing, a 4Runner and a Turtleback would be my personal choice, without question. @Lifestyle Overland could also bring some excellent insight into this discussion.

 

[4wheelspulling]

Welcome to this great group of people! Couple of thoughts and questions reading this so far. Is your 5Th. Wheel a toy hauler? You really do have a great truck already, to start with. You could put a selectable locker in the rear axle, and a winch up front, and go many places safely. Have a UTV in the Toy hauler to use as need for harder trails. Look into a pop up slide in camper. I have 2 rigs I play with. I have a 95’ Jeep Cherokee as one. Next, is my 99’ Dodge 2500 Cummins, 4x4 truck with an Alaskan pop up slide in camper. The camper is old, 65’ but still works great. As mentioned already, I think you are closer to off-road travel utopia , than you think. I am looking forward to what you decide to do. And don’t be surprised if you change plans a few time as you go along. You did not learn all your skills of life you have now over night, same with Overlanding lifestyle. The more you get out taking trips, study, learn on this site and talk with other like minded people, the faster you will be helping the next person wanting to do the same! See you out there! Thank you for your service!!! Benz.