How to Pick the Perfect Vehicle for Travel
Hello friends!
Finding the right vehicle for overlanding, vanlife, touring, or road trips of any kind can be a daunting task. There’s so much out there, it makes it hard to know where to start! Over time we’ve developed a technique to help bring focus to our search. We put together a video that takes you through how to evaluate your needs and set priorities to point you towards the right vehicle for you and your travels!
The Cliff Notes:
Important Questions
Here are some questions you should ask yourself because the answers will dictate a vehicle style that is right for you:
How many people are you traveling with?
How long do you plan to be on the road?
Do you prefer a modern or older vehicle?
Will you be working when on the road? If so, roughly how much will you be working?
What are your feelings on towing?
Will you be traveling internationally? What brand parts are available where you plan to travel? What type of fuel is available there, gas or diesel?
Is wheeling or driving hard trails a priority?
Are you wanting to use your vehicle as a tool to get to human-powered (away from vehicle) adventures?
Prioritize your needs
Spend some time brainstorming everything you could possibly want from a vehicle and the features you would like to include. Write them all down and then subdivide them into two categories: Necessities and Luxuries. Be VERY critical and realistic when you move into this phase.
For example here is our full list:
We also made a blank version of the chart for you can download, print, and use to subdivide your own priority list!
Setting a Budget
Setting a budget will bring focus to your search. It will also help you be realistic about what you’ll be able to include in your vehicle. When you find your budget we recommend you stick to it!
Research
Going to Events
Going to Expos and meetups can be a great way to see tons of vehicle options in person. Here is a list of some events you can check out:
Overland Expo - https://www.overlandexpo.com/
Northwest Overland Rally - http://www.nwoverlandrally.com/
Mid Atlantic Overland Festival - http://www.overlandfestival.com/
Descend on Bend - https://www.descendonbend.com/
Video Tours & Forums
Video tours and forums are a great way to see things that aren’t as easy to come by in person. YouTube is a great resource for finding rig tours and walk-arounds. One of our favorite go-to forums for everything vehicles (for travel) is Expedition Portal. If it exists, you can pretty much find it there!
Reach Out to Owners
Never hesitate to reach out to owners who have vehicles you’re interested in. It’s a great way to get first-hand feedback!
Renting
Companies such as Outdoorsy have made it easier than ever to try out various types of vehicles. Renting is an excellent way to try things on for size and figure out what does and doesn’t work for you! This is incredibly valuable information before you go out and invest a lot money in something!
What’s Out There:
Here’s a list of things that we really like, find interesting, and think are great options for any type of travel you may be preparing for. This list should at least get you started down the rabbit hole!
Wedge Campers:
Vagabond Campers (our personal fav) - www.vagabondoutdoors.com
AT Overland - www.atoverland.com
Go Fast Campers - www.gofastcampers.com
Snap - www.snapoutfitters.com
Vans:
Agile Offroad - https://agileoffroad.com/
Outside Vans - https://www.outsidevan.com/
TouRig - https://mytourig.com/
Sportsmobile - https://sportsmobile.com/
Our first vehicle for life on the road was this Honda Element and a ground tent.
SUVs:
Subaru Outback Build - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzG5mkcqC4E
XTerra Build - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndwBEtsLRTo
Our friends the Everlanders with their incredibly thought out and hand made F550 rig.
DIY Campers:
Custom F550 Everlanders - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYI2FKiD4Ms
Mercedes 508 D Fire - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g99bchUaRrY&t=1s
Toyota Tacoma - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yOEPeYByYk
Aidan and his custom 70 series Landcruiser from Austria
Full Custom Builds:
70 Series Landcruiser - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjl3tPeyALE&t=247s
JEEP & AEV Custom Chassi Camper. Swoon.
Four Wheel Camper slide in camper
Slide-In Campers:
Four Wheel Campers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnFqFmTTzbo
Oliver and his wonderful Disco with a Roof Top Tent
So wonderful you get a second angle
Rooftop Tents:
Roof Nest - https://roofnest.com/
iKamper - https://www.ikamper.com/
Tepui - https://tepui.com/
James Baroud - https://www.jamesbaroud.com/en/
Ground Tents:
There are so many to choose from. They’re a great, cost effective way of getting out there without having to do much upfront purchasing. We like to call this the “roll with what you got” method! It’s how we got started on the road. We love anything from Big Agnes - https://bit.ly/2Bad3eq
Tow Behinds/Trailers:
Turtle Back Trailers - https://turtlebacktrailers.com/
Bruder - https://bruderx.com/
Patriot Campers - https://www.patriotcampers.com.au/
Taxa Outdoor - https://taxaoutdoors.com/habitats/cricket/
Vorsheer - https://www.vorsheershop.com/xoc?utm_source=Expedition%20Portal
Luxury Expedition Vehicles:
Earth Cruiser - https://earthcruiser.com/
Maltec - https://www.maltec.org/
Earth Roamer - https://earthroamer.com/
Drawer Systems:
Front Runner - https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/
Decked - https://decked.com/
DIY Drawers - https://youtu.be/Id6zkp1aeuY
That just about covers it! We hope that this can provide a little bit of help as you get started in your quest for the right home on wheels for you! Remember to download the blank sheet that we included to write down and organize your priorities and tag us in them if you post them! Thank you all so much for watching/reading!
Love,
MAK
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