More and more folks have leisure time and many of them have adopted the RV lifestyle. The downside? The Same. National, State, NFS and BLM lands are getting hit hard with use. Trending are 4x4 RVs from van sized, Jeeps with rooftop tents, to Super Cs These rigs sport large solar arrays, Lithium Ion battery banks, big tanks, and air suspension, so there is something for everyone. All with the same goal. Escape the maddening crowd in comfort. My favorites include: The Dynamax 28SS with the 4 season Explorer Package on a Dodge 500 Series chassis. 170K Winnebago REVEL van on a Sprinter chassis. 120K Ford F-250 Laredo big diesel with NuCamp Cirrus 820 on its back. 90K I like all of these for different reasons.
You and your Countrymen have developed great vehicles and equipment. We're always years behind Aussie gear.
None of my referenced vehicles above would I consider as "Overlanders". All of them could tow a Jeep Rubicon for example four wheels down extending the back country fun.
I am 20 years away from retiring if all goes well, but our (wife and I) plan is to run one of the van options like the Sprinter for a retirement rig. We currently own a Land Cruiser, 4runner, and Tacoma with a Roof top tent, but being self contained and not having to set up or break down at camp is what is drawing us to the van idea. This is my 3rd roof top tent and I have a love-hate relationship with them. I love the fact that I always have a place to sleep on my vehicle, but you are married to the site once you set up unless you want to break it down if you are wanting to do some exploring in your vehicle.
I've been looking at and driving some GM and Ford 2500/3500 cargo vans with the intent to use one for traveling and camping. Buy in is fairly cheap and it doesn't have to be a huge interior build for our needs, just some folding cots or a shelf we can put an inflatable mattress on at bed time. Otherwise it just needs to be able to hold our bikes and other gear. A small lift, good tires and a limited slip or selectable locker would get me most of the places I'd want to go. If one has the money a 4WD conversion and a full Sportsmobile type roof pop too camper would add versatility. I toyed with doing a similar thing with a JDM imported 4WD Mitsubishi or Toyota van but there are just too many compromises that would have to be made unless it was a third or fourth vehicle used for a specific task. I want to be able to daily drive whatever I get if needed. The Sprinters are great with all the interior space and room to stand up, but the roof height would be a big disadvantage on easter trails and I prefer a gas V8. We borrowed a RTT to try out and I hated it. I'd have to find somewhere else to carry stuff thy normally rides on top like the canoe or kayaks and I'd just as soon fold down the back seat and sleep in the car if I can't sleep outside on the ground or in a hammock.
I'll never forget seeing the big XL Earth Roamer sinking 6 inches over the course of a weekend at Expo East at Reeb Ranch. They made it out, but it blew my mind how much it went down into the mud.
Haha. Both, I guess. They crawled out of their spot, but it nuts to see how much it sank just sitting still due to the rains that weekend.
Some of those Earthroamers are just too big but they are beautiful. John Mayer uses one when he needs to be elsewhere for a little while.
We picked up a new tundra last February. We have 21K on it already. We really enjoy the AT Summit topper. The furnace makes it super comfy when it's cold out. R65
It's amazing the configurations that have evolved. Heres a small furnace someone developed for a camper top.