Hello! I'm an American expat that has been living in the UK and exploring the world from here for 25 years now. I grew up in the West, camping, exploring, and hunting. My first vehicle was a 47' flat fender Willys. So I grew up exploring and playing in the vast American southwest. But my overlanding experience changed dramatically over here. The number one piece of kit you need (anywhere outside of America) is a valid passport! Remember that it is only 20.5 miles across the Channel from the UK to France. Now I go to the Sahara for my deep desert fixes. Spain and Portugal for warm weather, decent food, and off roading. In 2026 my wife and I are shipping our Land Rover Defender Roadster (custom build) and an Aussie forward fold camper trailer in a container to Capetown, South Africa to spend a year exploring SA, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Losotho, and Eswatani. It's exactly what you do and what I grew up with, just on a much more vast scale. Overlanding in the rest of the world requires more language skills, paperwork, currencies, patience, and time. I'm not saying that it is better or worse, just different. I truly miss being able to jump in my old JK and head off for a couple of weeks to Arizona, Utah, Johnson Valley, Or Baja. It is far easier to get away from it all for you as every square inch of this sceptered isle has been owned by some lord or another since day dot. But the reward for having to go through the mission planning to get your expedition to another continent is interacting with cultures that are light years from you own, exotic landscapes, and animals that have Ph.D's in "people pounding". ;-) But the process of building your rig out, improving it, making it more reliable, more comfortable, etc. is exactly the same. And, honestly, that is 3/4's of the fun! Cheers from over here!!
“Wow, brother, you really make me appreciate how much freedom we have here in the States to travel so easily. I feel like I’ve got that part covered, but hearing about overlanding overseas-navigating the logistics of passports, crossing borders, dealing with different governments, rulers, military elements, and customs-definitely puts it into perspective. That kind of global adventure is something I’m preparing for in my retirement. I plan to overland around the world and maybe even settle down in Portugal one day. Cheers, brother, I appreciate the comment and your support. Thanks for inspiring me to think bigger!”
This video explains exactly what I feel about Overlanding here in the southern states, I’m from Georgia and have traveled from here to New York Overlanding back country trails and I’ve seen many of trails and mountains along the way. I’m 61 years of age and couldn’t find a better way to explain how it makes me feel. Thank you for this amazing well spoken video, and for my favorite piece of equipment it would have to be my rooftop tent, because there’s nothing like being able to rest well after a long day or night of off road travel. Thanks again, be safe and leave no trace my friend!
“You’re absolutely right-a good night’s sleep in the backcountry makes all the difference. Staying comfortable really helps you extend your time out there and fully experience what it’s all about. Thanks so much for the support; I really appreciate your comment. The East Coast has some incredible backcountry gems-enjoy your adventures, travel safe, and always leave no trace!”
This video perfectly captures the true essence of overlanding - the adventure, self-reliance, and connection to nature. It's not just about the destination but the journey itself. Well done Paul, this is the definition of what overlanding means to me! Greatings, David, South Africa!
Sure! Here’s a revised version: “Thanks, brother! South Africa sounds incredible-definitely some epic country for overlanding. Hopefully, I can make it out there someday. Happy trails, and enjoy your adventures!”
Nice video Paul! My rig and camping equipment has definitely changed over time and I am sure will continue to do so as I find better or more convenient ways of doing things. I am so thankful to have a vehicle that can take me just about anywhere, anytime. Looking forward to getting together in 2025!
Definitely Mike…2025 is going to be a fun one brother. Because we will make it so…😂😂😂. I’m definitely always tweaking on the rig as well. You have way more experience than me, so feel free to give the pointers when you see fit.🙏
You nailed it. My rig is a built-out 4x4 Sprinter 2500 on AT tires, but everything you said still applies 100%. Having everything I need and nothing I don't. Getting to where I want to go. Staying if I want to stay or moving if I don't. Setup is quick, and teardown is just as fast. Sometimes, I stay a week; other times, I park after dark and leave shortly after sunrise. It's the Freedom, the journey, the adventure, the people and places I see. All of the dots on the maps. The smells and sounds.
Thanks for sharing that! The journey of becoming an overlander really is something special, and it’s easy to overlook just how rewarding the process can be. Before you know it, you’ve figured out what works for you and what you truly enjoy. It’s different for everyone, which makes it so unique. Take your time, enjoy the progression, and don’t feel the need to do everything all at once. Just make the time to get out there as much as you can, even with a busy schedule. Stay safe, and cheers to all the adventures ahead!
No problem! I just wanted to share something on TH-cam that really captures what overland adventure is all about and what it’s meant to represent. Thanks for checking it out!💯👍
Love this video! I've started to learn working on my truck is just as much a part of it all, but my essentials are my two kids, bringing them along to learn and grow with me, that's the one thing i can't leave home without! Everything else stays in the truck hahaha
Totally agreed. I literally took my kids out so much they got spoiled from it. Now they are wrapped up in other things. Just me and the wife now. Enjoy the time with them, it’s extremely valuable.💯👊
@@joshuawadsworth5050 Thanks! I’ve set it up for long journeys, figuring out what works best for me. My favorite part is the separate 200 amp lithium battery bank for house power-it meets all my media and device needs without touching the vehicle’s system. It charges while driving, so I can stay out for weeks without worrying about power, even without solar.
@@Sea2overland mind if I pick your brain on that power set up? I'm about to start building out my Rincon and I'm undecided on how to do it but was looking at 200ah Li battery and solar.
@ For a solid overlanding power setup, I recommend the Victron Orion Smart Charger paired with a 200Ah lithium-ion battery. The cheaper lithium brands (like Ampertime) work great now, especially if they’re self-heating-important for camping in temps below 35°F, as cold charging can damage batteries. The Orion Smart Charger is easy to install: run cables from your vehicle battery to the Orion, and it charges your house battery while keeping them isolated so you don’t accidentally drain your starter battery. Add a Victron solar charger to keep your system topped off, and you’ve got a reliable, compact power setup. Victron components are top-notch with Bluetooth monitoring via their app-better than RedArc in my opinion.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink-just like overlanding. You can show someone the beauty of the journey, but they have to find their own thirst for adventure. 😂😂😂😂😂👍💯🫡
I'm planning on going the opposite direction with my Overlanding. Over Christmas break I've been watching backpacking videos. My goal now is to reduce things down to a backpack and toss this into my Jeep. I can either overland with it, or go for a hike when I get somewhere. (keeping my Iceco Apl35 though. 😊. I also want to learn to dehydrate food for 2025. Suppliment cooking with quick meals when needed.
@ yep that’s phasing yourself with nature. I’ve lived out of my pack many times, packing about 60 lbs of gear, including optics. There’s really nothing like it. Definitely a must do for anyone. It will change you in many ways. Cheers, 😉 enjoy. Thanks for the comment as well.!
Hello! I'm an American expat that has been living in the UK and exploring the world from here for 25 years now. I grew up in the West, camping, exploring, and hunting. My first vehicle was a 47' flat fender Willys. So I grew up exploring and playing in the vast American southwest. But my overlanding experience changed dramatically over here. The number one piece of kit you need (anywhere outside of America) is a valid passport! Remember that it is only 20.5 miles across the Channel from the UK to France. Now I go to the Sahara for my deep desert fixes. Spain and Portugal for warm weather, decent food, and off roading. In 2026 my wife and I are shipping our Land Rover Defender Roadster (custom build) and an Aussie forward fold camper trailer in a container to Capetown, South Africa to spend a year exploring SA, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Losotho, and Eswatani. It's exactly what you do and what I grew up with, just on a much more vast scale. Overlanding in the rest of the world requires more language skills, paperwork, currencies, patience, and time. I'm not saying that it is better or worse, just different. I truly miss being able to jump in my old JK and head off for a couple of weeks to Arizona, Utah, Johnson Valley, Or Baja. It is far easier to get away from it all for you as every square inch of this sceptered isle has been owned by some lord or another since day dot. But the reward for having to go through the mission planning to get your expedition to another continent is interacting with cultures that are light years from you own, exotic landscapes, and animals that have Ph.D's in "people pounding". ;-) But the process of building your rig out, improving it, making it more reliable, more comfortable, etc. is exactly the same. And, honestly, that is 3/4's of the fun! Cheers from over here!!
“Wow, brother, you really make me appreciate how much freedom we have here in the States to travel so easily. I feel like I’ve got that part covered, but hearing about overlanding overseas-navigating the logistics of passports, crossing borders, dealing with different governments, rulers, military elements, and customs-definitely puts it into perspective. That kind of global adventure is something I’m preparing for in my retirement. I plan to overland around the world and maybe even settle down in Portugal one day. Cheers, brother, I appreciate the comment and your support. Thanks for inspiring me to think bigger!”
This video explains exactly what I feel about Overlanding here in the southern states, I’m from Georgia and have traveled from here to New York Overlanding back country trails and I’ve seen many of trails and mountains along the way. I’m 61 years of age and couldn’t find a better way to explain how it makes me feel. Thank you for this amazing well spoken video, and for my favorite piece of equipment it would have to be my rooftop tent, because there’s nothing like being able to rest well after a long day or night of off road travel. Thanks again, be safe and leave no trace my friend!
“You’re absolutely right-a good night’s sleep in the backcountry makes all the difference. Staying comfortable really helps you extend your time out there and fully experience what it’s all about. Thanks so much for the support; I really appreciate your comment. The East Coast has some incredible backcountry gems-enjoy your adventures, travel safe, and always leave no trace!”
@ Just subscribed !!! So glad I found your channel and keep up the amazing work!!
@ Thanks for the kind words. And support, it really is truly appreciated.
This video perfectly captures the true essence of overlanding - the adventure, self-reliance, and connection to nature. It's not just about the destination but the journey itself.
Well done Paul, this is the definition of what overlanding means to me!
Greatings, David, South Africa!
Sure! Here’s a revised version:
“Thanks, brother! South Africa sounds incredible-definitely some epic country for overlanding. Hopefully, I can make it out there someday. Happy trails, and enjoy your adventures!”
Nice video Paul! My rig and camping equipment has definitely changed over time and I am sure will continue to do so as I find better or more convenient ways of doing things. I am so thankful to have a vehicle that can take me just about anywhere, anytime. Looking forward to getting together in 2025!
Definitely Mike…2025 is going to be a fun one brother. Because we will make it so…😂😂😂. I’m definitely always tweaking on the rig as well. You have way more experience than me, so feel free to give the pointers when you see fit.🙏
You nailed it. My rig is a built-out 4x4 Sprinter 2500 on AT tires, but everything you said still applies 100%. Having everything I need and nothing I don't. Getting to where I want to go. Staying if I want to stay or moving if I don't. Setup is quick, and teardown is just as fast. Sometimes, I stay a week; other times, I park after dark and leave shortly after sunrise. It's the Freedom, the journey, the adventure, the people and places I see. All of the dots on the maps. The smells and sounds.
The true essence of freedom lies in travel like this-thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Nice video man. Great drone footage
I appreciate it. I’m starting to get decent with the drone. 2025 should hold some good captures to be had. 🙏💯🫡
@ you bet. I like all the different and varying landscapes that you showed. It added to the story
I thought it would, that’s one of my favorite things. Switching environments like that.
Wow, what a great video! I’ve just started on this journey myself, and you were a bolt of inspiration. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing that! The journey of becoming an overlander really is something special, and it’s easy to overlook just how rewarding the process can be. Before you know it, you’ve figured out what works for you and what you truly enjoy. It’s different for everyone, which makes it so unique. Take your time, enjoy the progression, and don’t feel the need to do everything all at once. Just make the time to get out there as much as you can, even with a busy schedule. Stay safe, and cheers to all the adventures ahead!
Great video!!👍👍
Appreciate it! 💯
Great words.. thank you for sharing.. my views, my feelings.. and my rig..
No problem! I just wanted to share something on TH-cam that really captures what overland adventure is all about and what it’s meant to represent. Thanks for checking it out!💯👍
Love this video! I've started to learn working on my truck is just as much a part of it all, but my essentials are my two kids, bringing them along to learn and grow with me, that's the one thing i can't leave home without! Everything else stays in the truck hahaha
Totally agreed. I literally took my kids out so much they got spoiled from it. Now they are wrapped up in other things. Just me and the wife now. Enjoy the time with them, it’s extremely valuable.💯👊
@Sea2overland love your set up as well!
@@joshuawadsworth5050 Thanks! I’ve set it up for long journeys, figuring out what works best for me. My favorite part is the separate 200 amp lithium battery bank for house power-it meets all my media and device needs without touching the vehicle’s system. It charges while driving, so I can stay out for weeks without worrying about power, even without solar.
@@Sea2overland mind if I pick your brain on that power set up? I'm about to start building out my Rincon and I'm undecided on how to do it but was looking at 200ah Li battery and solar.
@ For a solid overlanding power setup, I recommend the Victron Orion Smart Charger paired with a 200Ah lithium-ion battery. The cheaper lithium brands (like Ampertime) work great now, especially if they’re self-heating-important for camping in temps below 35°F, as cold charging can damage batteries. The Orion Smart Charger is easy to install: run cables from your vehicle battery to the Orion, and it charges your house battery while keeping them isolated so you don’t accidentally drain your starter battery. Add a Victron solar charger to keep your system topped off, and you’ve got a reliable, compact power setup. Victron components are top-notch with Bluetooth monitoring via their app-better than RedArc in my opinion.
Couldn’t agree more with your commentary. Thanks for the video!
Thanks brotha, I'm glad you liked it. 💯
Beautifully said 😊
Thanks 🙏. I’m glad I’m not the only one brotha. I appreciate your time.💯
Great video❤❤❤
Thank you. I appreciate you.
A comfortable bed
A good night’s sleep can truly make all the difference. It’s definitely one of those big-ticket essentials to have dialed in. Great point!
Been saying this for awhile. Always someone who argues that it's just car camping, but it's not.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink-just like overlanding. You can show someone the beauty of the journey, but they have to find their own thirst for adventure.
😂😂😂😂😂👍💯🫡
Definitely cannot leave home without recovery gear and a 12v fridge!
Gotta love the creature comforts on the road. 👊
I'm planning on going the opposite direction with my Overlanding. Over Christmas break I've been watching backpacking videos. My goal now is to reduce things down to a backpack and toss this into my Jeep. I can either overland with it, or go for a hike when I get somewhere. (keeping my Iceco Apl35 though. 😊. I also want to learn to dehydrate food for 2025. Suppliment cooking with quick meals when needed.
@ yep that’s phasing yourself with nature. I’ve lived out of my pack many times, packing about 60 lbs of gear, including optics. There’s really nothing like it. Definitely a must do for anyone. It will change you in many ways. Cheers, 😉 enjoy. Thanks for the comment as well.!
well done Sir !!!!!
Thanks so much for your support and taking the time to share your kind words.
LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS IN HERE, LOAD OUTS AND ESSENTIALS.
Overlanding isn't camping. It's driving around 365 days per year with ten grand worth of shit bolted to your truck that you use four days per year
That might be the case for most people, more like 100 days a year for me. 😂😂🥂👍