Innehållsförteckning för Gear Guide 2012 från Overland Journal

Starting Early This is my son, Levi, in front of his toolbox-inspired dresser (note the Overland Journal sticker). Even before he was born (in my wife’s belly) he has been enjoying the outdoors with us. We make our adventures a family affair; as aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents all join in the fun. Our family stable of overland vehicles has grown lately, including additions of a D90, RRC, and a Disco; we even have an Xterra and a Jeep in the group. Thanks for putting out such a quality publication and keep up the great work. Ian Lorenzana 1995 Range Rover Classic Isla de Pascua Just wanted to send a photo of your magazine at one of the more remote places that I have had the opportunity to be lately.…

I’ve been attending the SEMA show for a number of years, the first time in 1994. It is the central gathering of all things automotive, a who’s who for aftermarket manufacturers, OEMs, and wholesale buyers from around the world. Though I’ve always had a raised level of excitement when I walk into the stadium-sized South Hall on the first day, industry trends of the previous decades were losing ground for serious overland enthusiasts. Not being the type that gets excited about 21-inch diamond-studded wheels, multiple big-screen monitors mounted in…uh…the bed of a truck (?), or non-functional bling, day-glow valve stems and under-body LED disco lights were ebbing my faith. Fortunately, the past five years have brought change to SEMA’s skyline. Namely, there are a lot more roof racks, roof top…

Warn has expanded their Ultimate Performance Series with the new 9.5cti. It has a single-line rating of 9,500 pounds, cadmium-plated copper contacts, and fully sealed electronics. The motor-mounted thermometric sensor provides feedback to an indicator lamp on the redesigned pistol grip control, the spool is wrapped with 125 feet of 5/16-inch wire rope, and the heavy-duty cast aluminum case is finished with a chip-resistant powder coating. warn.com, 800-543-9276…

Coming to the roof top tent scene in 2012 will be Wild Boar’s clamshell style abode, the Boar’s Den. With a fiberglass shell, weatherproof nylon enclosure, and memory foam mattress, the unit will weigh in at 150 pounds. Dimensions are 58 x 84 inches, the base unit will retail for $1,695, and it will be made in the USA, per the manufacturer. (Note: We’ve yet to take one on the trail. When we do, we’ll give you the lowdown on this new entry to the sector.) wildboarproducts.com, 888-998-1980…

The Saint Minimus is identical to SureFire’s revolutionary Saint headlamp, but without the remote battery pack and cables. The slick thing about the Minimus, in addition to producing 100 lumens, is the ease of use. A fluid-like dial allows for smooth adjusting between zero and 100 percent power. The body and dial are constructed from hard-anodized, aerospace-grade aluminum, the moisture-wicking band is Breathe-O-Preme®, and the unit is submersible to three feet for 30 minutes. (CC) surefire.com, 800-828-8809…

If you’ve been reading Overland Journal for awhile, you know that securing loads, as well as their placement, receives plenty of attention. When piloting a motor vehicle, we are operating a powerful, dangerous machine. Anything that significantly alters vehicle dynamics or interferes with its control during emergency maneuvers must be carefully considered. I learned some of these physics lessons the hard way, in my youth, as a tow-truck driver in San Francisco. Most cargo drawers are installed in the rear of utility wagons, which can add significant weight behind the rear axle. This concern aside, they can also add safety and comfort to your travels by organizing and securing cargo. Having to repeatedly unlash and unpack layers of gear becomes a chore for any trip lasting more than a few…

Australia is an ancient place isolated for millennia and weathered by the passage of time. It is considered the planet’s oldest continent, smoothed by the wind, flattened and worn, most of the fertile soil displaced by sand and dust and rock. As adventurers, we are drawn to this place—the remoteness, the harshness, the dangers, and ultimately the stark beauty. It is because of, not in spite of these challenges that we venture to the great deserts of this world. It is because we know that a desert creates a filter against the masses, lays itself bare, and invites us in for a glimpse of what it feels like to travel in the footsteps of the ancients. Australia’s decade-long drought was terminating in violent fashion right before me. My trip started…

If there is one thing I have learned it is that an expedition vehicle should be as simple as possible, while still getting the needed job done. We were on the Mojave Road on the eleventh day of a three-week tour through Utah, Nevada, and California (on as much dirt as possible), when I reflected that we had experienced no vehicle problems so far. Any Land Rover owner knows that such thoughts just beg a major disaster on the following day: timing belt failure, exploding differential, or seizing power steering pump—something major. I’ve set up a lot of vehicles for extended overland travel, mostly Land Rovers of various descriptions. What I have found is that there are key items that need to be addressed to tease greater reliability out of…

We love innovative, well-engineered homegrown products, and MAXTRAX is a great example. In just five years they have transformed the world’s opinion of traction mats as recovery devices. At a filmmaker’s request for units that would hold up to the Siberian winter, MAXTRAX developed the Extreme Arctic. Molded from a special blend of low-temp nylon, they are rated at -60 ° C (tested on a 10-inch step under the weight of a 4-ton forklift). maxtrax.com.au, U.S., Viking Offroad: 818-506-9789, Sierra Expeditions: 866-507-4254…

From across the other big pond (Austria) comes one of the most functional slide-in Jeep campers we’ve seen, the Action Camper. This spacious abode features 63 inches of headroom, a potty, shower, three-burner stove, sink with on-demand water, 40L WAECO top-loading fridge, and a king-size bed. The two-piece fiberglass shell is ridged and well sealed, and the roof area, which can be accessed via a large skylight, is sturdy enough to walk on or use as a photo platform. With the original hardtop, tailgate and rear doors removed, the net increase to GVW is only 440 pounds. U.S. distribution is expected in 2012. actioncamper.com, +43 664-4658065…

I’ve been wearing Teva sandals for years; they are comfortable, durable, and seem to last forever. However, I had no idea that they also made hiking boots. I recently picked up a pair of Raith Leather Mid WP light hikers for some work in Arizona and British Columbia. The Spider365 rubber sole and nylon shank provide good traction and positive control. Teva implemented a Mush® infused insole (from their flip-flops) and Shoc Pad™ heel, which have kept my feet comfortable during extended use. The waterproof full-leather exterior encapsulates a layer of Teva’s T.I.D.E. membrane to keep feet dry. It also has speed laces, which I prefer to traditional eyelets, and a one-year warranty. (CC) teva.com, 800-367-8382…

If a bear tore through the door of your tent, would it be better to whack it with your machete, or blind it with SureFire’s new M6LT Guardian? This was our team’s discussion after we each had a stint with this retina-burning torch; by far the most powerful flashlight (and priciest) any of us have used. A 2.5-inch Turbohead TRI lens concentrates the resources of six 123A batteries into a 900-lumen beam that will far outreach the auxiliary lights on your rig. The machined aerospace aluminum housing is Mil-spec hard anodized, has an excellent grip, and the hi-output LED is nearly indestructible. All this in a package that weighs in at a scant 17.1 ounces, and is a compact 8.2 inches long. Designed for military and law enforcement applications, actuation…

Dave lived life to the fullest, and if there is one thing we can take from this tragic event, it is to embrace each day. The overlanding community lost one of our own recently. His name was David Caouette—father of three, husband, and avid adventurer. In early October, he was sitting in his Land Rover Discovery in the parking lot of one his favorite lunch spots, Patty’s Place in Seal Beach, California. Little did he know that in the hair salon next door, an incensed ex-husband would open fire on his estranged wife and her co-workers. Moments later, in a random act by the gunman, Dave’s life came to a tragic end. A no-nonsense guy, Dave was a leader in the local four-wheel-drive community and active member of the Southern…

Good design is honest Unfortunately, most of the products we encounter as consumers today are dishonest—they are faux. From Hummer H2s built on light-duty Chevy Tahoe chassis, to chromed-out Harleys that are neither fast in a curve nor a straight line, many vehicles have favored the appearance of performance over delivery. Fortunately, there are still a few manufacturers that endeavor to make a vehicle look great and work great. Good design is innovative In 2003, a few rogue engineers at Jeep spent their off time building the first Rubicon Wrangler concept; and ultimately put their jobs on the line to prove people would buy it. The Jeep marketing team estimated that only 3,000 Rubicons would be sold, and only for one year of production. When the model was…

Iconic.Definitive. The BMW GS is this and much more, and it’s recognized the world over as the Land Cruiser of the motorcycling world. Travel and exploration are part of the very soul of all motorcycles, but for 30 years the heartbeat of adventure touring on motorbikes has thrived with the rhythmic pulses in every GS cylinder. With over 100,000 miles on boxer BMWs, 40,000 of it on my R1150GS, I still get a thrill from hitting the starter, engaging the clutch, and riding country roads. The future for BMW motorcycles, however, was not always so bright. The 1950s and 1960s, with declining sales and popularity, were difficult years for the breed. BMW bounced back in 1970 with a major redesign of the horizontally opposed, flat-twin boxer engine in the new…

The rain was driving hard against the windscreen, the storm rocking the ferry to starboard, rotating it with the wind and current. The operator was yelling now, his voice barely audible against the squall as the loading ramp slammed into a sand beach on Fraser Island, Australia. A 200 Series Land Cruiser was off the ship first but quickly bogged, blocking my exit. After a few tries, the Cruiser climbed to the tree line and opened my chance at the beach. I locked the front differential and engaged low range. When my tires transitioned to the sand, I rolled into the throttle; the diesel motor providing just enough torque to maintain forward momentum up the slope. In one smooth motion, the truck pulled away from the ferry, through the ruts…

Each year, the SEMA Award Team reviews each of the new offerings from the auto industry. The one that applies to overlanding is the Best 4x4/SUV award and Jeep was in the running with their introduction of the new Wrangler. I worked with Mopar CEO Pietro Gorlier last year in Moab, Utah, and his personal enthusiasm for the breed is reflected in significant improvements to the JK’s powertrain. He and his team were rewarded with the honor of SEMA’s Best 4x4/SUV—the 2012 Pentastar-powered Jeep Wrangler JK.…

The Turtle Expedition is synonymous with overland travel. Gary and Monika Wescott have been roaming the planet since the 1970s. Their early days found them behind the wheel of La Tortuga Azul (Turtle I), a 1967 Land Rover 109. Their current vehicle, the Turtle V, is based on a Ford F-550, powered by a Power Stroke turbo-diesel. Upcoming plans for the Wescotts and Turtle V: a five-year trek (yes, five years on the road) through the Middle East, the Silk Road, and Russia’s Road of Bones. turtleexpedition.com…

Multi-tools have assumed a permanent position on most overlanders’ belts or in their duffel bags, and Gerber offers a wide range of options. The Grappler’s special talent is its Vice-Grip-style locking pliers. A threaded screw inside the handle allows for adjustment of its stainless steel jaws, which provides a death grip on up to a 5/8-inch nut or bolt. It also features a locking, partially serrated blade, file, wire cutter/stripper, combination pry bar/ nail puller, and smooth one-handed operation. The plier tool, when not in use, slips into the Grappler’s handle. (CC) gerbergear.com, 800-950-6161…

I first used a Spork last year during a two-week trek in the Australian Outback—and loved it. Little did I know that the company also offers complete serving sets. The MealKit, which is made of BPA-free polypropylene, includes large and small bowls with lids, mini cutting board, a waterproof container, and a Spork. It all stacks inside itself and weighs just 11 ounces. This lightweight piece of kit is perfect for backpacking, kayaking, adventure riding, or 4WD. (CC) industrialrev.com, 888-297-6062…

The hardtop, as is the bed, is crafted from multiple layers of carbon fiber and S Glass fiber cloth over a honeycomb core. The result is virtually corrosion proof, stronger and more damage-resistant than the OE material. AEV’s owner, Dave Harriton, is the type of guy that is obsessed with details, and it shows at every angle, at every weld, and at every hose clamp and wiring connection. Each November while I’m perusing the aisles of the SEMA show, there are usually at least one or two vehicles that induce a pause, a raised brow…and maybe a little drool. Such was the case when I stopped in to see the guys at American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) and set my eyes on their new four-door…pickup? Over the last month…

I don’t usually do this, but I am going to give you the coordinates of a magnificent campsite: 23.9008°N by 15.7875°W. It is on a beach at the head of a small bay off the Atlantic coast of Western Sahara. The waters are crystal clear, the sand is soft and warm, and the steady breeze is perfect for parasailing (go on, have a look on Google Earth). With a hill to the back of your campsite, fishermen will be trying to sell you their daily catch. Your only other interruption will be the steady stream of campers and overlanders heading south. And therein lies the problem. With no facilities available when nature calls, your natural tendency will be to wander up the hill, with shovel in hand, looking for a…

“Está cerrado, señora,” said a teenager sitting on the ground next to the immigration shack. In English, his words translated to “It is closed, ma’am” and the “it” was the Honduran border. We had arrived five minutes late; the border official had punched out and was already sitting in the local bar, downing his first beer. It appeared that we were now stranded in Guatemala for the night. It was dark and quiet, save for a few dogs howling and the rustle of the banana plants blowing in the warm breeze. Nice, but not where I wanted to sleep. We left our Land Rover Defender 90 on the Guatemalan side and walked across the border to Honduras. A few simple houses cluttered around a cantina with a bare dirt floor…