Enthusiast III
Overland Vehicle Types & Assignments
- Thread starter smplone
- Start date
Is "Swiss Army Knife" a specific setup?
I found overspecialization can be problematic since it means you are unequipped to deal with some conditions or challenges. Since I don't have a set team I go out with every time, I have to be somewhat self sufficient. Sometimes I'm the most capable vehicle in the group, sometimes I'm the least capable. Sometimes I'm the best equipped, sometimes I'm not.
I'd love to build an overland-specific rig that just goes out for trips, but my vehicle also has to get me to and from work, pick up the shopping, and make the Home Depot/Costco run. I am not the best at any of those things, but I can do all of them effectively enough.
I found overspecialization can be problematic since it means you are unequipped to deal with some conditions or challenges. Since I don't have a set team I go out with every time, I have to be somewhat self sufficient. Sometimes I'm the most capable vehicle in the group, sometimes I'm the least capable. Sometimes I'm the best equipped, sometimes I'm not.
I'd love to build an overland-specific rig that just goes out for trips, but my vehicle also has to get me to and from work, pick up the shopping, and make the Home Depot/Costco run. I am not the best at any of those things, but I can do all of them effectively enough.
Member III
The best advice I have heard on this topic so far is from Andrew St. Pier White (Check out his you tube channel 4xOverlnd). To paraphrase: Everyone in the group should be completely self sufficient and have vehicles that are capable of handling the track you are on. I agree with this completely.
Off-Road Ranger I
I saw this thread and thought exactly of that Andrew SPW quote! Think it's from one of his recent videos on when Overlanding goes wrong or something similar.
if i ever have a brazillion dollars i will have a truck for every occasion. until then, i'm driving a rock crawling, overlanding, grocery getter, commuter.
Traveler III
When I go out alone (which is most of the time) I need to be self reliant. When in a group, it isn't always the same group and even if the same group, not always the same participants. Having assigned load outs would be confusing and counter-productive to being self-sufficient.
Off-Road Ranger I
I get your point smplone and It's good to have people to have key skills identified that they are best at but I still think that the main emphasis should always be on ensuring that every vehicle is able to sustain itself as much as is possible.
It should be able to leave the convoy at any point and get back home without assistance should it be needed, it needs to be able to feed itself and get itself out of the most common sticky situations.
That doesn't mean there can't be a recovery specialist who carries their heavy recovery stuff in their truck for multi vehicle coordinated recoveries or one vehicle with a huge camp kitchen for cooking for everyone or whatever but first and foremost people need to be self reliant or they are, at best, a liability.
If you're in a convoy where you know everybody, your goals are all the same and you're all starting and finishing at the same location and will stick together no matter what then it might be a bit different but with todays pressures and outside influences on those of us who do this for fun when can that really be the case?
A good thought provoking conversation though, thanks for bringing it up for discussion!
It should be able to leave the convoy at any point and get back home without assistance should it be needed, it needs to be able to feed itself and get itself out of the most common sticky situations.
That doesn't mean there can't be a recovery specialist who carries their heavy recovery stuff in their truck for multi vehicle coordinated recoveries or one vehicle with a huge camp kitchen for cooking for everyone or whatever but first and foremost people need to be self reliant or they are, at best, a liability.
If you're in a convoy where you know everybody, your goals are all the same and you're all starting and finishing at the same location and will stick together no matter what then it might be a bit different but with todays pressures and outside influences on those of us who do this for fun when can that really be the case?
A good thought provoking conversation though, thanks for bringing it up for discussion!
Member III
Most certainly. I think this is a great topic to discuss.
Being self reliant doesn’t necessarily equal completely self capable. On a run I did with a group in Colorado a Jeep started to slide off the road. It didn’t fortunately. But, he used his own winch to pull himself out, and another Jeep and a Tacoma used their winches to lash on to his drivers side rock sliders to make sure he didn’t go over any farther. It was quite a complex and amazing setup, and it worked out in the end. Took several hours of slow careful work. I don’t think that would have been possible if any of the other vehicles were less equipped, and I still don’t fully understand how he got his Jeep in that predicament. I figured he was embarrassed enough to just let it go. As a side note, I actually had the least capable rig there as I was only one without a winch and I had the smallest tires (31”), but my Tacoma did make a great anchor for the other Tacoma. ;)
Benefactor
Over the years, my role has become more of a trip planner, Trail Leader and Recovery Guy, all rolled into one. On a recent excursion out to Nevada, with just one other vehicle, I commented many times what a nice change of pace it was to not have the extra responsibilities. I did however plan and lead the trip, but it was much different than a trip with 15+ rigs. No pressure, just get out and enjoy the vastness of the desert and the quiet that follows such remote camping:)
Coordinating with a group is critical though. As a Trip Leader, you want to be sure everything is covered, and that people are as self sufficient as they can be. The same people may not be on the next trip. A mechanical issue can popup and you might lose a piece of equipment, assuming it can't just be tossed in the back, or strapped down to a roof rack. So it's good to have everything YOU need to have fun and get home.
That being said, on a snow run one year, I was the only person who brought a shovel. As the trip planner, I made the wrong assumption that others would bring a shovel too. That mistake hasn't happened since.
Coordinating with a group is critical though. As a Trip Leader, you want to be sure everything is covered, and that people are as self sufficient as they can be. The same people may not be on the next trip. A mechanical issue can popup and you might lose a piece of equipment, assuming it can't just be tossed in the back, or strapped down to a roof rack. So it's good to have everything YOU need to have fun and get home.
That being said, on a snow run one year, I was the only person who brought a shovel. As the trip planner, I made the wrong assumption that others would bring a shovel too. That mistake hasn't happened since.
Member III
There is a story in there somewhere ;) probably for another thread, but it sounds like it may be a good one. :D
Member III
There is absolutely nothing wrong filling a role you are suited to, and may even enjoy doing. Yes, before the trip starts there should definitely be some communications between participants. Things like, who is group leader, order of march, planned route, etc.., should all be handled before you you even start engines. However, not everyone will find themselves in the same position on every trip, especially as people, equipment, vehicles and such change over time.
I usually end up somewhere middle rear. That position allows me to keep an eye on the middle vehicles that don’t have radios in the vehicle as well as relay information to the rear if needed. Yes it happens, a lot. It also means I eat a lot of trail dust on occasion, but it is what it is. Those on the middle are also (generally) the least experienced or have the least capable load outs.
As for things like fire wood, it depends on the group. Some people like a collection of independent camps, while others like a larger group setup. Again, it depends on the group.
I guess my point is, don’t pigeon whole yourself into a role. Be adaptable and ready for change, because change is the only thing that is certain.
I usually end up somewhere middle rear. That position allows me to keep an eye on the middle vehicles that don’t have radios in the vehicle as well as relay information to the rear if needed. Yes it happens, a lot. It also means I eat a lot of trail dust on occasion, but it is what it is. Those on the middle are also (generally) the least experienced or have the least capable load outs.
As for things like fire wood, it depends on the group. Some people like a collection of independent camps, while others like a larger group setup. Again, it depends on the group.
I guess my point is, don’t pigeon whole yourself into a role. Be adaptable and ready for change, because change is the only thing that is certain.
