Budget VS. Expensive Overland Gear - Where To Spend and Where to Go Cheap

Expensive definitely does not mean the best nowadays. A lot of things are overpriced yet still crap. Just do some research and you'll find what to buy.

Ozzie here. No mention of swags. Strange that. Some Ozzie like RTTs but RTTs are generally used recreation here in Oz. People working in the outback nearly 100% use swags. The roof of your car is for other things. And, If you carry a kayak on ypur roof, as I do, then a swag is the go.

The most important pieces are those that allow you to get out and be happy. If you are like me and need to be super organized, then that is gear storage and accessibility. If you are a chef, it might be a kitchen set up. Spend where you get the biggest reward. Just don't cheap on the safety issue items.

I imagine its much like high priced tools vs the local autoparts.
You can get 80% of the product for 20% of the price.
Somtimes that last 20 percent of functionality may be worth it to you. Ive taken the long way i buy cheap break purchase next tool 15% more.

Great video.
I continue to be surprised by how many people think that all overlanding needs to be approached like an expedition to the south pole.
My wife and I drove from USA to Panama and back in a stock pickup truck with no traction boards, winch, lights, or shackles. We had a tow strap and a shovel. 1000s of miles of off pavement driving and we really didn't need or want any of that stuff. We also didn't go out of our way looking for the most difficult way to get places. To each their own.

$1300 is ridiculous for a propane fire pit. I get that there are places that don't permit open pit fires, but $1300 is absolutely bonkers. I'll be that one guy that disagrees with you on the fire thing. I love having a campfire, so much so that it's a must for me when I go camping. Thats my therapy when camping is sitting by the fire, hearing it crackle and feeling the warmth of a real fire, and I actually enjoy the task of building a fire. It's usually one of the first things I do when I set up camp, after the tent of course, and not just some heat source on a cold night. I think that the SoloStove fire pits are the best compromise for people like me that want a wood fire but may not be able to have an open pit fire, with the added benefit of not having to carry around propane tanks, especially the big 20lb bottles or a dozen 1lb bottles, extra hoses and fittings and the like. Plus, you can cook over the SoloStove firepits.

Great video! I had to choose between alu cab 270 and quickpitch 270 awning. Went for quickpitch beacause it's a lot bigger where it matters and price is the same.

I used the gator boards mainly. They are cheap, good flex and don't have the tire shredding metal
cleates. At the end of the day they are all garbage. I now use usaf metal runway pieces. They are stainless weigh about twice of maxtrax and never break, if they did, I still have more that I paid $150 for the giant 2000lb piece.
I use a 11,000lb winch, my truck (Bronco, 37"tires) weighs 6,000 lbs its fine because a bigger winch wont fit.

ugh, I think he gets caught up with trying to upgrade everything in this video. I've camped for 10 years and the only thing that matters is that you go. Most people will fall for the materialism trap and not think about how often they will actually use these items.

I can vouch for the harbor freight compressor. Used it a good few times and for the price it's great

I have both high end and lower end lighting, condensation with both, high end slightly brighter. Good sleeping bag is a must I think. Suspension components should be the best you can find, the best is not always the most expensive. Don't cheap out on frig or power stations. Winch and recovery gear needs to be good quality, generally better is more expensive.

Very well put together and informative video with someone with real world knowledge. Definitely spot on with the iKamper quality. It’s hard to explain if you have used one.

If you need to regularly remove your drawers for daily drive use, the deeper red Milwaukee drawers work well and lock into place if needed and stack. Also light weight.

I saved money by purchasing some gear from overseas. Aussies price things better, plus no GST!

Wonderful, common sense and grounded reviews. Just the best. Thank you so much.

No talk / Mentioned of underbody armor? CBI, RCI, Slee-offroad? Would nice to have some unbiased review? Steel vs Aluminum , What Material are you running on your specific Tundra? I'building a 2024 Tundra .. Mostly dirt and light trail roads around Colorado.. Some overnight camping beach in Baja. Thank you..

hot take not caring about a fire. That's my favorite part of camping. Goes to show everyone has different priorities

In regards to winches, what about winches that go into a hitch reciever?

Solid video 👍🏽

Great video, specific where it needed to be and general with advice otherwise…. One key thing that was missing is bathroom activity, sure you can dig a poop hole, but do you have something you recommend to sit on?

Well... Everything depends on your environment when overlading, but I would say Jerry cans with fuel is up there with tires for me.

In a place where the next fuel station may be 200 miles, I want two large Jerry cans with premium on the back.

the anti fire comment blew my mind..................... granted i heat with a wood stove so there is no real cost for me to pack up some fire wood

Love these videos that try to say what to buy, yours is not too bad, spend what you want and if you are happy with the results then it a win, don't be sucked in to buying expensive accessories just to look the part or because the You Tube crown promotes the heck out of them. Most of these "Overlander" have equipment better than the military and do not need it.

Over-landers are gear sluts, they will shell out for the latest awesome accessory or bolt on. You absolutely do not need to buy god tier gear to go out and have fun. Spend the money on gas and going out and having a good time. The mid tier or even bottom of the barrel tier gear is often good enough. Spend money on good tires, suspension, lockers but only if you need them; Not on looks and posing as an over-lander. The best recovery kit you can have is a second vehicle in your party. Going alone is ok but always more risky.

Final hot take, you never need max tracks or sand ladders if you have proper tires properly deflated and a vehicle that doesn't weigh 7000lbs. Stop building overweight over landing vehicles for the mall parking lot shows.

Excuse me sir. I am a Chinese factory that makes off-road vehicle, luggage rack, tray, and climbing board. I saw you using these products. Is there any opportunity for cooperation? Can you leave me your contact information?

Great info! I tend to go with mid grade items since I’m overlanding in the same vehicle I drive the kids to school in I’m not doing anything wild. I agree that quality coms is important but can’t say I totally agree about the boofwang radio being garbage after watching notarubicon’s channel and grabbing some on his tests and recommendations. That being said I also run a midland MXT 275 in my Tacoma. I am enjoying your content immensely and really appreciate your insight and reviews!!!

I'm VERY new to overlanding and just purchased my first jeep. I've been on sales for many years now and absolutely love your unbiased approach to your reviews. Most importantly, this video helped me to understand the importance and need ir lack of it for so many items. Great job, and I'll be watching more of your posts.

I dont know about all this "stuff." Just get yourself a good air compressor, tent, sleeping bag, and a cooler (with ice).

Who wheels at night?

Whatever you do.. Don't skimp on Dual Snorkels. It is all the rage in Europe and especially in Bavaria.

Just my personal experience with winches, I have never had a failure with my Badlands winch, had two 15000-pound winches and both failed due to the brushes sticking in the brackets, and losing connection. I'm not telling anyone what to buy, just sharing my experience.

nylon and polyester are synthetic materials. what definition are you using for 'synthetic'?

This is why I always look at all the flaws and gimmicky features to see if they're worth the asking price tag. You'll know right away when you see the flaws.

Thanks for share!!

What makes the iceco jp50 pro fridge terrible. I'm asking because I've been struggling to choose between that and the APL55 by ICECO

I don't usually recommend gear, but the "Clip and Camp" tents from Walmart have held up for several years now. We use them at least 45 nights a year, and have had zero problems. Super quick and easy to set up, and no leaks. We bought these when we forgot to pack our more expensive tents one trip, and found them much easier to use. The best tents for the money. And we don't have to climb a ladder getting in and out of them. 🙂 $39 for the 4 man, and 79 for the 6 man. And you can even stand up in the 6 man. It's a nice size for two people to spread out. The 4 man is about the size of a rooftop tent. We love the ICECO too. A 100 amp hour LiTime battery will power it for a week with no solar. Indefinitely with a solar panel.

Over the years I have been stuck in the snow so many times. I have learned that a standard #2 shovel it worthless for digging under a high centered rig. I have now look for a shovel with a handle that is long enough to reach under a rig and a blade that is parallel to the handle. A standard garden shovel the blade is angled with limits digging under a rig.
I live in Central Oregon and camp in very remote locations the year around. It seems as if nearly all the 4WD rigs I see in town have a roof top tent and snorkel. I understand that roof top tents tend to be make a lot of noise in the wind. We get a lot of wind in Central Oregon. I also understand that a roof top tent needs to be stored dry not wet. To keep my wife happy I travel with a true off road travel trailer, Imperial Outdoors X 195. It does limit some of the locations I can travel. Sharpe switch backs and very narrow trails are my limiting factors. On the other had it is designed to be used at -30 degrees F and has 12 Volt AC. .

EVERYBODY needs a nice fan that blows really well for only $65, making overlanding significantly more enjoyable, guaranteed 😎

Get a normal 4x4, sleeping bag & mat, a big knife, cooking pots, dry foods(rice, cereals, pulses, flour etc) a raincoat, stove, tarp, tent and lighter. The rest is for show off.

I saw on one of your last videos, you’re carrying a bag on top of your spare tire. Is that water or fuel?

You got me good with the "wish traction boards"❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Wow, that guy said he has "Well over 5000 Hard Pulls on his winch" That works out to a hard pull every day for 14 years, or maybe he just got unstuck twice a day for 7 years? ....... exaggerate much 😂

So everything is expensive

“…fits in my drawers” 😂

I'm 40yrs old. What everyone calls "over landing" we always just called camping. The BEST piece of "gear" you can have is a common sense. People have over complicated the hell out of this and spend WAY too much money on it all. It doesn't take a $50,000+ rig and $10,000+ of gear to do this stuff.

I'll make it simple....
1. Decide what you want to be able to do and where you want to go.
2. Take whatever vehicle you have and test it out somewhere. Find it's weak points and it's strengths. Compare to step 1.
3. LEARN HOW YOUR VEHICLE WORKS AND HOW TO REPAIR IT.
4. Make the required "adjustments."
5. Bring GOOD communication and basic survival gear that you know how to use.
6. Go have fun.....and don't leave trash please.

I went with Thor's lighting air system so far it's a beast!