At Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, we spend so much time talking about off-roading in terms of rock crawling and examining new trails that we sometimes forget that overlanding is a thing. The key difference between overlanding and off-roading is that overlanding rigs are custom-built to accommodate living and self-sufficiency on a trip while off-roaders are built to take the punishment of obstacles and rugged terrain.
While you can make your overlander as basic or luxurious as you’d like, there are some factors you need to take into account. These include:
How you’ll be using the vehicle
Before converting your custom truck or Jeep to an overlander, you need to consider how you’ll be using it. Will you be taking it on the occasional camping trip or will your overlanding trip last for months at a time? Will you stick to paved surfaces or go off-road? What driving conditions will you subject it to -mud, sand, or grassy forest roads? Deciding this beforehand will help you decide which mods and upgrades you’ll need for your custom build.
The tires and wheels
Deciding where you’ll be doing most of your driving will help you settle on the right tires. While stock tires can get the job done, you may need to upgrade to off-roading tires or all-terrains for better traction and fuel efficiency.
The suspension
Your overlander’s suspension will not only need to absorb the impact of your travel but also carry the weight of whatever is in and on the vehicle. When modifying the suspension, you need to have an idea of any future modifications you’ll need so that everything ties in together. Adding a lift kit will make the vehicle sway and rock as you drive so you’ll also need to add some safety and comfort controls.
The weight of the vehicle
You’ll need to consider your rig’s weight when making your custom overlanding build. This includes you and your passengers’ weight as well as the weight of any camping, cooking, safety and repair gear and fuel you’ll be taking along on your excursion. Increased weight affects fuel mileage and vehicle stability so ensure that you keep the center of gravity as low as possible and spread the weight evenly between the axles and suspension.
Extra fuel tanks
If you’re planning a trip to some scenic but remote location, you’ll need to consider whether you’ll have enough fuel to make it there and back again. It can be disastrous having your fuel run out where there’s no gas station for miles and no cell service coverage. To avoid this, you can choose to either mount auxiliary fuel tanks to your rig or increase the size of your vehicle’s fuel tanks.
Other things to consider include whether or not to install a snorkel, putting in security features as well as a roof rack or storage boxes and shelves for extra space to stow your gear.
Contact us if you’re looking to design a custom overlanding build and we’ll help make your dreams a reality.
