Overlanding/ 4WD Touring - What Is It? How to Get Started

What is Overlanding?

Wikipedia describes it as being Overlanding or 4WD touring. It's basically camping with a car or an off-roader truck or anything else like a bike or RV. Usually it refers to extended camping trips rather than just a quick weekend or 1 week out for the year type of trips. The word Overlanding itself is an Australian term.

Over the last few years you've likely seen people talking a lot about traveling with their van. If you do a search you'll see that the term "van life" has really taken off. It appeals to those on a limited budget or those who like to travel and work at the same time. Since the popularity has taken off manufacturers have taken notice and have started designing vehicles just for this purpose. They are properly equipped right from the show room sometimes. You can see it in the marketing campaigns as well. They are really showing alot of video and images with people living out of their vehicles in the ads. 

So now that you know what it is, lets get into the other details like how to plan for it. The overlanding gear, some of the best ways, or vehicles to use for this, and some of the accessories. 

Plan Your Next Overland Adventure

Its basically just off-road car camping. You don't have to splurge on expensive or latest gear. Just a few basics and essentials will do just fine. Of course that depends on the location, climate and length of your excursion. If you already have some car camping equipment, then its likely that you are good to go.

1)Where to go and location- You should take into account the weather conditions, if there is a washroom or showers near by may be a concern but when overloading it usually isn't taken into account. You can go to more established campground or just go completely off the grid. Safety is also a consideration you should take into account.  If you do go completely off grid just make sure to be respectful to the environment.  Properly dispose of waste. When you leave there should only be tire tracks and maybe a left over fire pit. You should check about forest fire potentials as well.

2)Should you join an off-road club?- If your new to this then joining a club might be the best way to start. You can get tips on gear and what to do and where the best places are to go. Facebook is a good place to find overlanding groups. 

3)What gear should i have ?-While a rooftop tent might seem like a good idea there can be some drawbacks. I would suggest trying out a rental unit before buying. Settling for a ground tent or even sleeping inside your vehicle are more budget-friendly alternatives worth considering. Usually water is a main priority. If you can get some form of portable filtration system as well that would be helpful. Personally i have found that a sun reflector/visor for your windshield is good for giving some privacy and keeping the vehicle cooler in the summer. A deep cycle battery can be useful for withstanding constant use and overuse and a small booster pack with cable to jump-start your battery if needed is worthwhile. When it comes to clothing, think about preparing for the most challenging weather conditions you might face and pack accordingly for a cozy stay. Don't forget to pay special attention to your choice of footwear; it might be wise to stow an extra set of hiking shoes beneath your driver's seat as a precautionary measure.

4)Safety and Preparedness- The more remote you travel the more you should be aware of potential dangers. This applies even more if you are going solo. Even if you do go off alone you should let people know where you are going and when you'll be back. Always bring a safety bag/ survival bag or a bug out bag with out. You may want to check if there is cell reception as well in that area or bring a booster with you. 

10 essential items for your survival/safety  bag at a minimum: I usually put them in a waterproof backpack

A headlamp/flashlight

Fire making kit

Signalling devices (e.g., a whistle and a mirror)

Extra food and water

Extra clothing

Navigation (e.g., a compass/GPS unit)

Communications

First aid kit

Emergency shelter

A knife

Additional safety gear like a fire extinguisher  could be handy in case a fire gets out of hand or even your vehicle goes on fire. 

5)Navigation

You might think that all you need is access to the internet and google maps to get around and sure that will be enough in most instances but oftentimes but if the internet goes down or you have no reception you need a backup plan. Paper maps are still useful because of this today along with a trusty compass.

Apps that are useful include Gaia GPS, which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The premium version comes with a Backroad Mapbooks layer, which is great when exploring Canada. Back-road Mapbooks also has digital and paper guidebooks that cover most of our country.

6)Best vehicles for overlanding

When it comes to vehicle there isn't a perfect one and really you can use anything. but that being said some are more suitable for this than others. Especially if you plan on travelling for awhile. If your vehicle has 4x4 system its an added bonus for off-roading. In most cases though AWD is all that's needed.

7)Vehicle Preparation and Recovery Gear

When it comes to enhancing your vehicle, prioritize upgrading the tires first. Tire failure is the leading cause of breakdowns for overlanders. If you drive a 4x4 pickup or SUV, consider opting for light-truck all-terrain tires. For an AWD vehicle, there are off-road-ready tire options designed for lighter vehicles. Ensure you have a spare tire and a functional vehicle jack. Also, bring along a tire repair kit, a tire pressure gauge, and an air compressor for handling flats while in remote areas. It's wise to have a booster pack and a basic tool kit on hand, just in case.

Venturing off the usual paths comes with the potential of getting stuck. When it comes to vehicle recovery, handling heavy vehicles involves various potential risks. It's crucial to use properly rated recovery points and gear and to receive training on safe equipment usage. While this article won't delve deeply into vehicle recovery techniques, I want to emphasize one critical point: Never attach a tow strap or recovery rope to a hitch ball, as it's not designed to withstand the force of a vehicle recovery. This could result in the hitch ball breaking off and becoming a dangerous projectile, potentially causing injuries or worse. If using a hitch receiver for vehicle recovery, you'll need a receiver shackle insert to attach a recovery strap/rope.

While a winch is a valuable piece of equipment, especially for solo travelers, it's not an absolute necessity. What I do consider essential is a dependable set of recovery boards, such as those produced by Maxtrax. Avoid purchasing cheap imitation recovery boards, as they're more likely to fail when you need them most. Using recovery boards along with a good shovel (a foldable one is acceptable) is one of the safest ways to extract a stuck vehicle, so I recommend starting with this method if it's suitable for the situation. Investing in the right recovery gear for your vehicle is crucial, and learning how to use it safely is equally important.

As you load your vehicle with gear, ensure everything is properly secured in place. Be cautious not to exceed your vehicle's maximum payload, which is indicated on the driver's side B-pillar (remember, it's called overlanding, not overloading).

Final Thoughts

Overlanding is an amazing experience and a personal favorite of mine. There are so many places to explore in Canada. We really are lucky here to have so much land to explore that is barely even touched. In future posts I will be going into specific areas I've traveled to and provide some maps to areas that are not on maps. 

I have found it useful and cost effective to start with areas closest to home and then expand form there. this also gives you the added benefit of testing equipment out to see if they meet your expectations you arent far from home. I know its tempting to want to get the best gear and upgrades I would really urge you not to. This will help you escape the rat race much faster by reigning in any spending.