10 Ways To Ruin Your Overland Trip
There are a lot of different aspects of overland travel that make it very appealing from leaving traffic and the urban sprawl behind, to accessing beautiful locations and exploring new places. There are some things that can ruin your own expedition though, and some things that you might do that could ruin the experience of others.
Remember, just because you like to crank Taylor Swift at max volume or rolling into camp at midnight with all of your LED lights on, doesn’t mean that everyone else will appreciate it. Follow the Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do to you” when you are overlanding. Here are ten tips to ensure your next expedition goes exactly as planned.
10. Bring Enough Fuel
Before heading out into uncharted territory, have an idea of how big your fuel tank is and what your typical mileage is to determine your vehicle’s range. It’s common to go travel hundreds of miles between fuel stops when overlanding, so research your route to determine how far it will be between gas stations and, if necessary, carry spare fuel.
Remember to avoid carrying fuel inside an SUV or the cab of a truck. Ideally fuel cans should be securely mounted in the bed (or spare tire rack) and out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
9. Stay Hydrated
Running out of food can put a damper on your trip, but running out of water can potentially be deadly, particularly in the desert. We recommend bringing at least one gallon of drinking water per person, per day. Generally, it saves space to bring one, two, or five-gallon jugs of water and refill your water bottle rather than individual plastic bottles.
Dometic’s GO Hydration Faucet is our personal favorite. Consider additional water for things like bathing and cleaning dishes as well.
8. Bury Your Poop
As the saying goes, “everyone poops,” but there aren’t always toilets in the backcountry. Human feces has resulted in closures at popular locations such as Alabama Hills, so plan to bring Waste Alleviation and Gelling (WAG) Bags (https://cleanwaste.com/product/the-original-wag-bag/) or a similar product to pack out what you pack in.
If you are going to more remote locations, burying your poop may be an option as well. Remember to dig a hole that is at least six inches deep and at least 200 feet from any water source, and put your toilet paper in a Ziploc bag to toss in the trash when you get home.
7. Stay Charged Up
Popular overland accessories such as freezer fridges, LED light bars, and HAM radios all draw a significant amount of power. When your vehicle is running, the alternator can often keep up with these demands, but if you leave your lights on to set up camp at night or have your fridge running for days in the desert, it can drain your battery.
Dual batteries with an isolator to allow the starting battery to stay charged is a worthwhile and inexpensive upgrade. Carrying a lithium jump box is another good idea, and these can even be used to charge your phone and other devices when in the wild.
6. Flat Tire
One of the ways to guarantee you are setting up camp in the dark is to have to change a tire on the trail. As we add rooftop tents, winches, bumpers, and other heavy accessories, our tires need to be rated to match the increased weight. They also need to be properly inflated for freeway speeds to ensure they do not get overly hot and delaminate due to excessive rolling resistance.
In the dirt, we recommend cutting your air pressure in half to allow the tire to conform to terrain. So, if you normally run 40 psi on the street, you can air down to 20 psi. Note that the tread is the strongest part of the tire, and the sidewall is the most vulnerable. If you can avoid rubbing or sliding into sharp objects, you have a much better chance of avoiding a flat tire.
5. Check The Weather
Weather can make an otherwise enjoyable trip into a nightmare, and not just because you might get wet. Extreme heat can lead to heat stroke, and flash floods can wash away roads and leave you trapped.
It is wise to check the weather before your trip and know what to expect with regards to temperatures and precipitation. Pack accordingly and dress in layers so you can easily adapt as the weather changes.
4. Medical Emergency
When you are overlanding, a hospital or ambulance can be hours away. It is wise to carry a fully stocked first aid kit, as well and take a basic first responder course at the bare minimum. These classes are available online from the American Red Cross for a minimal cost.
If you do use items out of first aid kit, such as aspirin, bandages, or antihistamine, we recommend keeping the packaging in your pocket as a reminder to refill your first aid kit when you return home. And if you have a first aid kit you have been carrying for a few years, it is worthwhile to check the expiration date of the contents and replace them as necessary.
3. Let Someone Know Where You Are Going
Regardless of whether you are going on a quick overnight jaunt or an extended expedition, it is wise to let a loved one or close friend know what your plans are. Include where you are planning to go, who you are traveling with, and when you plan to return. If there are any issues, that person will have an idea of when and where to start looking for you.
Satellite phones and messaging are the most reliable form of communication we have found when travelling to remote locations, and they can be literally lifesaving if you have a medical emergency that is beyond your first aid kit’s use. The Garmin InReach is a favorite when travelling overseas, as it allows you to send personalized text messages from all over the globe.
2. Leave No Trace
Suquamish leader Chief Seattle is credited with saying “Take only memories, leave only footprints.” Or in our case, tire tracks. It is critical to stay on existing trails, pack out your trash, and limit your impact on the land. Ideally, you want the next overlander who visits to experience the same breathtaking landscapes that drew you to your destination.
Before building a campfire, check local restrictions to ensure that they are allowed. Using existing campfire rings and make sure that your fire is completely out and cool to the touch before breaking camp.
1. Don’t Be In A Hurry
Our number one recommendation to ensure you don’t ruin your overland trip is to just slow down. Don’t be in a rush, don’t try to pack too many activities into a limited amount of time. From driving while fatigued to going too fast in technical terrain, being in a hurry is one of the surefire ways to increase your chances of misfortune.
The goal of overland travel is to experience new locations and cultures, and the only way to do that is to immerse yourself in them rather than just rushing by at 60 mph.
