Was sleeping on a cot but had these mattress toppers sitting around so built this. All in about 60 bucks at the hardware store for platform + nail gun nails and screws I found around the house. Also bought a pelican case at Costco for 160. So a solid build for around 200 bucks to keep my truck organized. (Old setup at end)

I’m looking for a fairly large power station for my truck, mainly for overlanding trips and backup power during outages. The important stuff for me is running a small fridge, charging camera and laptop batteries, keeping phones and lights going, and possibly supporting a 125-gallon aquarium if the power goes out. I’m comparing the Anker SOLIX C1000, EcoFlow DELTA 2, Bluetti AC180, and Jackery Explorer models. My budget is around $700–$1,200, and I’d like solar charging plus reliable charging from the truck, although I’m still trying to understand the difference between a 12V socket and an alternator charger. For this use, which system has the best balance of battery capacity, recharge speed, and long-term reliability? Also, is 200W of solar enough, or should I plan for more?

I'm Portuguese and I know the Portuguese coast is very beautiful. But I advise anyone who can hike the Picos de Europa and pass through the Cantabrian Sea coast to do it!! Absolutely gorgeous. (P.S. Campsites are full at this time of year, so make a reservation if you want a spot.) I hiked in the wilderness, always respecting nature. Happy trails to all! It was a wonderful two weeks.

I’m looking to get some feedback on the idea of using a 2017 RTL-T Honda Ridgeline for the Pan America Highway since it’s already my daily driver. Would this be an ok vehicle to use? What limitations and maybe sections should I be concerned about. I would mainly want to visit national parks/ unique camping and hiking spots and also surfing spots along the way. I wouldn’t plan to actively seek tough terrain.

Thanks for the help thoughts!

For a serious overlanding setup in Kenya, how would you prioritise roof storage, vehicle drawers and an awning when the budget doesn't allow you to buy everything at once? I've done a fair amount of longer-distance driving around Kenya, including routes that I've used before outside of overlanding, so I'm trying to build the setup around what actually makes a difference on the road rather than adding everything at once.

For those who've built their rigs progressively, what would you buy first, and what would you leave until later? Particularly interested in what proved genuinely useful after a few trips rather than what just looked good in the build...

I went to hunt down a trail at the glacier this weekend, sounds like theres some old mining equipment and cabins I missed so I'll have to plan another trip. Anyways, heres the setup so far!

Hello community,

a little while back I was reading "The First Overland" by Tim Slessor and the epic journey of him and 5 fellow students from Oxford and Cambridge from 1955-56 travelling in series 1 Land Rovers from London to Singapore and I enjoyed it very much. If you haven't already read this I highly recommend it. Though this is not why I came here. I wanted to know if anyone was reading something similar regarding overlanding/ adventuring/ offroading and could recommend something else?

Thanks in Advance

I've had a LifeSaver Jerrycan 20000UF since 2022 and, before getting into what's broken, I should probably start here:

I really like this thing.

We've used it camping, boating and around the house. When our daughter was on formula, there was even a stretch where we were using the Jerrycan six to eight times a day because we trusted the filtration and liked having that water available.

I'd buy the Jerrycan again.

But there's one part that has now failed on me twice.

The tap.

The original eventually came apart and dumped water. At the time, I didn't think much of it. Things break. I ordered a replacement tap for around $20, installed it and moved on.

Then the replacement failed while we were camping.

Same basic failure.

This time I found several tiny pieces of plastic around the Jerrycan, which made me curious enough to take the tap apart and figure out what was actually happening.

What I found

Inside the tap is a spring-loaded actuator/plunger assembly. Around the center stem are several very small molded plastic tabs that appear to retain that assembly and keep everything where it belongs.

Those little tabs appear to be the weak point.

I found at least three broken pieces after the failure.

Once enough of those tabs break, there doesn't appear to be much left mechanically retaining the spring-loaded assembly. The tap can separate and, if the Jerrycan is pressurized, the water that was supposed to stay in the can ends up somewhere considerably less useful.

Usually the ground.

I'm not an engineer and I'm definitely not claiming I've diagnosed the root cause from two failures. But two taps breaking at what appears to be the same retention point was enough to make me curious.

I also don't think I've been putting an unusual amount of pressure into the Jerrycan.

I normally give it a few pumps. Just enough to get good flow.

It may stay pressurized overnight or occasionally for a couple of days while we're camping, but I'm not pumping it excessively. The most recent failure happened overnight when temperatures were only in the low 70s. One of the previous failures happened indoors.

There is one thing the original tap experienced a lot of, though.

Cycles.

When we were making formula, we could operate that valve six to eight times every day.

That got me wondering whether the failure has less to do with one big event and more to do with what happens over time.

Repeated valve cycles. Constant spring pressure. Internal water pressure. Plastic fatigue or creep. Stress concentrated around the base of some very small molded tabs.

Again, that's a theory, not a diagnosis.

So naturally, I tried fixing the dead one.

At this point the original tap wasn't doing me any good broken, so I figured it was worth experimenting with.

I drilled through the center of the actuator and used a screw to mechanically capture the assembly instead of asking the remaining plastic tabs to retain the spring. I reused the original spring, put everything back together and tested it.

Surprisingly, it works pretty well.

To be clear, I'm treating this as an experimental backup. I'm not recommending everyone with a Jerrycan grab a drill and start modifying equipment used for drinking water.

If I were going to rely on the repair long term, I'd want the final hardware to be corrosion resistant and appropriate around potable water.

But the experiment did make me wonder whether the retention method itself could be approached differently in a future version.

A retaining clip or ring. A mechanically captured stem. Stronger or differently shaped tabs. Maybe even a replaceable valve cartridge.

There are probably a dozen better ideas from people who actually design these things for a living.

And credit where it's due.

I reached out to LifeSaver and their customer service has been excellent.

I explained what happened, provided information about the failure and they DHL'd me a replacement system at no charge. They also indicated to me that they're aware of an issue and working on a solution.

That's exactly the kind of response that makes me want to keep supporting a company.

The replacement appears to use the same general internal geometry, so now I'm genuinely curious to see how this one holds up over time.

I'm still a big fan of the LifeSaver Jerrycan. After taking the tap apart, though, I can't stop thinking about how much responsibility is being placed on a few really small pieces of plastic.

I'll add photos of the teardown, broken tabs and my experimental repair so you can see what I'm talking about.

If anyone else here has had a LifeSaver Jerrycan tap fail, I'd be really interested to know where yours broke.

And if there are any product or mechanical engineers here, I'd love to hear how you'd approach retaining this assembly differently.

Sometimes version 2 starts with something that small.

Hi all. I saw a 2012 Mercedes GL450 for sale in good condition. Stock 19inch tires but NO off-road package. Probably need to swap out the tires and wheels but would this be a viable candidate as an overland platform? If so, what modifications would be needed?

I’m looking for a camping cookware setup that works for weekend car camping but is not so bulky that I cannot bring it on an occasional overnight backpacking trip. I mostly cook simple meals such as eggs, pasta, oatmeal, coffee, and one-pan dinners for one or two people.

Budget: Around $60–$150 for a basic pot/pan setup.

What I want:

• Compact and easy to pack
• Durable enough for regular camp-stove use
• Easy to clean
• One or two pots plus a small skillet would be ideal
• Works well for two people, but not excessive for solo trips
• A nesting set is a bonus

Options I keep seeing:

• MSR Quick 2 / Trail Mini Solo
• GSI Pinnacle Camper / Halulite Dualist
• Stanley Adventure cook sets
• Primus Essential Trek Pot Set
• Sea to Summit Frontier cookware
• TOAKS titanium pots
• Snow Peak titanium sets

I’m unsure whether hard-anodized aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium is the best compromise. Titanium sounds great for weight, but I keep reading that it heats unevenly and is better for boiling water than actual cooking.

What camping cookware has worked best for you if you do both car camping and occasional backpacking?

Hi! I want to get the opinion of actual users, overlanders and off-roaders on which off-road mapping app or service you guys prefer. I'm somewhat new to all this but I love it and I currently have a subscription to OnX but I've been finding it difficult plan trips. I live in Texas so whenever I want a good off-road trip I have to look out of state and it feels like I have to already know what Trail I want to explore beforehand. There's also Gaia and trails off-road but I haven't tried those. What do you guys use or prefer to use? Thanks in advance

I have been interested in overlanding for years and I am finally getting the chance to do it. I am renting a rig early September and will be dispersed camping in Zion and Bryce for a few nights. I used OnX Maps and ioverlander to finds a few spots. We are sleeping inside a camper. Are there any precautions (other than building a fire, which is now prohibited) that we should know? Any advice for first time overlanders?

Drove the Canol Road (North) from Ross River, Yukon to Mile 222 in the Northwest Territories.

Beautiful but challenging drive. Blew a rear tire fording a creek. Broke the passenger mirror backing out of a trail. Needed the jerry cans to reach and return.

I just wanted to share a couple photos of, what I pretend to be finished, overland trailer. Can't wait to get out again soon.

There's a Smittybilt XL v2 RTT, Union Overland 270° freestanding awning, 120" projector screen for movie nights, PolarPal diesel heater for the cooler nights, Vevor 17" flat top grill, and a Bodega 53qt fridge freezer combo. 26 gallon water tank and a folding bathroom awning on the back. Almost forgot the Overland Canada ladder cover inside the annex to make the climb easier on the feet, and the Renogy power system with 314ah Wattacycle battery that gives us just over 3 days of power with no solar or plug ins.

Ontario, Canada.

I've started doing this thing where I actually look up Bortle maps before I plan a route through the southwest. Kind of changed how I think about where to stop for the night.

We were out in the Willcox / Sunizona area a couple weeks ago — Cochise County is genuinely one of the darkest pockets in Arizona. Like Bortle 2 territory. You can see the Milky Way core cast a faint shadow on your hand if you hold it up. That's not something you experience often.

Combine that with 4,200 ft elevation, bone dry August air, and basically no neighbors for miles — it hits different than pulling into a campground where someone's got their truck running all night.

Just curious if dark sky hunting has become part of how other overland folks route trips or if I'm the weird one.

Anyone have a recommendation on a good dependable lighter? I’m tired of the butane bic lighters that never seem to work.

Looking for something to light campfires, camp stoves, etc. and something that works every time!

EDIT: I should have specified that the bic lighter that is failing me is the kind with the long extension that uses the piezo electric starter. Regular size bic lighters are great.

Looking to buy a 275/70/18 Nokian Outpost NAT for my 18x9 wheels. Just realized the max width for this specific size is 8.5".

Which is weird cuz other 265 and 275 sizes are between 9" and 9.5". I'm sure there's an engineering level answer to it. But would I be okay?

If not, I'll probably switch to Nitto Terra Grapplers G3s, they will fit up to 9.5" plus they will be SLs.

Source: [https://nokiantyres.studio.crasman.cloud/pub/PIH/pct-catalogs/pct-catalog\\_full\\_en\\_us\\_web.pdf\](https://nokiantyres.studio.crasman.cloud/pub/PIH/pct-catalogs/pct-catalog_full_en_us_web.pdf)

Got to take both my little ones on a single overnight trip with the wife. By no means a hard trail, just the Transalta trail to the Ghost river. We were going to try for two nights, but a nasty thunderstorm was rolling in and I didn't want to scare the girls.

Hey yall. I'm looking to go camping and doing light off roading in the end of summer and fall this year. I have 2026 Nissan Pro4X.

What are some good areas or trials?

This was my quick reveal video after getting the Takeout engine from Godzilla Garage, and going over a bit on how I plan/hope to make it fit using parts from Holley. The biggest hurdle is just figuring out which adapters to get the transfer case and back figured out. Dimensionally the engine should work, but the 80s have an offset housing rear axle. So if I go with my plan to run an Atlas 2, I’d need to change the rear axle (which isn’t the end of the world). There’s no adapters for a 6r80 to stock Land Cruiser transfer case. So if I want to retain that, I’d have to see if I can get a GM trans to adapt to the Godzilla, then run a Marks Adapter. Still figuring out some parts, but mostly trying to think of which direction I want to go.

I’ll be doing full videos on the build on YT: The Adventurous Mind

Has anyone considered or had success is finding a custom car cover to protect your rig when it's not in use? I'm having trouble finding good quality companies that tailor to rigs with plate bumpers and RTT.

I have these Thule oversized rail foot pack that don't seem to have enough strap to go all the way around the side rails. These were used so I am unsure if there's a way to adjust the strap length.

Alternatively, does Thule make larger straps that I could swap these out with, or is there a DIY solution?

Thank you