A complete Guide To Overlanding and How To Get Started
Overlanding is a phenomenon that has taken over the aftermarket automotive industry within the past decade and continues to grow in popularity. But if you have never heard of Overlanding or don’t know much about it, we are here to help.
A simple definition of Overlanding is a self reliant form of camping with vehicle based adventure travel. Most, but not all, Overlanding vehicles are off-road capable and are usually 4WD as the goal is to journey to a remote location and have everything necessary in your vehicle to lodge and survive for a span of time.
Below is a list of the top 10 vehicles that are typically used for Overlanding due to their off-road capabilities and size.
- Jeep Wrangler
- Jeep Gladiator
- Toyota Tacoma
- Toyota 4-Runner
- Ford Bronco
- Chevy Colorado
- Land Rover Defender
- Subaru Outback
- Ram PowerWagon
- Ford Transit
Equipment Needed For Overlanding:
In order to journey on the road less traveled you will need to make sure that your vehicle is equipped with the right components for safety, comfort, and better capabilities. Some of those components include suspension and steering upgrades as well as bigger wheels and tires which are designed for rough terrains. You will also need some camping equipment in order to lodge and camp wherever you end up. Lastly, some exterior upgrades are highly recommended when overloading and off-roading to your destination like lights, bumpers, racks, rock sliders and skid plates.
- Suspension & Steering Upgrades: Lift Kit, Shocks/Coil-overs, Control Arms, Track-bars, Steering Stabilizer, Tie Rods, Drag Links & more.
- Wheels & Tires: Bigger All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain tires, Beadlock wheels, Wider/bigger and stronger built wheels for longevity and suspension clearance.
- Bumpers & Armor: Front bumper, grill guard, rear bumper, fenders, rock sliders, side steps, skid plates.
- Roof Rack, Bed Rack & Roof top tent: Hard shell or soft shell pop up tents. Some racks & tents include a latter, you can also include an awning.
- Recovery Gear: Winch, Traction Recovery Boards, Air Compressor, Aftermarket Jack, Shovel, Gas Tanks.
- Lighting & Electric: Off-road light bars, light pods, rock lights, storage lighting, LED fog lights, Control Panels, Battery Management Systems, Solar Panels, Lithium Batteries, Fridges, CB Radio, Aftermarket Head-Unit (Off-road navigation).
- Storage & Accessories: Storage Compartments, Interior Shelves, Molle Panels, Fire extinguisher, First Aid Kits, Portable Stove, Tables & Chairs, Hammocks, Cooler, Water Storage/Shower, Bike/Kayak Racks, Sleeping Bags, Blankets/Pillows, Strap Downs & Ratchet Straps.
Overlanding Brands
Here at CTM Customs we are highly informed on any and all trends within the automotive aftermarket industry and Overlanding is no exception to our expertise. Over the years we have become a dealer for most of the major brands that sell Overlanding parts & accessories. Listed below are some of our favorite brands with the best quality products that we sell here at CTM for your Overlanding build:
- Frontrunner Outfitters
- OVS (Overland Vehicle Systems)
- ARB 4×4
- CBI Off-road Fab
- Prinsu Racks
- JCR Off-road
- Dobinsons
- ICON Vehicle Dynamics
- FabTech
- AEV Conversions
- Redarc Electronics
- Stinger Electronics
- Warn Industries
- JKS Manufacturing
- Baja Designs
- Rigid Industries
- Oracle Lighting
- Cali Raised LED
- IKamper
- Gear America
- Backwoods Adventure Mods
- Decked
- Road Armor
- Go Rhino
- Smittybilt
- FabFours
- Leitner Designs
- Thule
- RCI Off-Road
- Addictive Desert Designs
- Westin Automotive
- DeeZee
- Fishbone Off-road
- KC HiLites
- Rock Slide Engineering
- TuffStuff Overland
- Body Armor 4×4
- Rough Country
- C4 Fabrication
- Rugged Ridge
- Ranch Hand
- Dissent Off-road
- AMP Research
- SPod
- Synergy
- Teraflex
- KMC Wheels
- Black Rhino Wheels
- Method Race Wheels
- Toyo Tires
- Nitto Tires
- Mickey Thompson Tires
- & hundreds more
The Overland Experience:
“It’s more about the journey than the destination”. We are honored to be known as the shop to trust for many Overlanding enthusiasts in Florida. We are privileged to have built not just their vehicles but also long-lasting relationships. Because of these relationships we will continue to advance in knowledge, skilled labor, and quality service for the Overlanding Community.
Testimonial
“I actually got into Overlanding by accident. Just happened to buy a Toyota 4Runner because I liked the vehicle itself. Little did I know that this would start me on a journey that continues to be what I consider a healthy addiction to this day. A friend of mine saw that I had a 4Runner and turned me onto a video series called X-Overland & the rest is history. That began my obsession with Overlanding, and camping off the grid. It’s been three years now and I’m still traveling and learning. Probably the most important thing to do before you get into it is to do your research, and then, when you think you’ve discovered all you need to know, do some more research. The Overlanding scene right now is constantly changing. New and better mods are constantly coming out by aftermarket brands & companies. It is wise to spend your money on the most important things first, save a little extra to get a quality tent & talk to the CTM experts about the right suspension for what you want to do with your vehicle. I’m a firm believer in “buy once, cry once” so if the suspension you want for your vehicle is a little bit expensive, be patient, save that money and buy it when you can so that you’ll have the confidence when you’re out on the trail in the middle of nowhere that it’s not going to break down on you. The same goes with any other equipment you’re using for Overlanding. It’s not fun if you’re breaking down all the time. All of this also comes in to play with the shop that you have installing these modifications. CTM Customs has been my go to shop for all of my Overlanding and modifications needs. I know when they install something that I can trust that it’s been done right the first time. Their customer service is second to none & after they do install something they don’t just disappear on you. They check in to make sure everything is still the way it should be after the install. I’m happy to have a found a shop that suits all of my vehicle & Overlanding needs and it feels like a family too. So get outside and enjoy everything that Mother Earth has to offer!
– Sean Migone
Instagram: @mig_rnr
