Entering the world of overlanding can often be overwhelming. Seasoned guidance goes a long way when you鈥檙e curious about how to start off-road touring adventures. It鈥檚 easy to find at Overland Expos, ideal gathering places to dream big and discover the ideas and equipment to fuel your next escape. At this across the country, Hankook Tire shares in the spirit of exploration, offering hands-on driving experiences and connecting with adventurers.
But don鈥檛 worry if you can鈥檛 make it to an Overland Expo stop. We鈥檝e captured the best moments from the series, plus outlined why to start (and how). A trio of expert overland adventurers provide all the inspiration and insight need to plan your trip, rig your ride, enjoy your camp, find your way, and upgrade your tires. Start here with some key, initial guidance from one of them鈥国产吃瓜黑料 contributor Bryan Rogala鈥攁nd then jump-start your next journey with .
Modifying Your Rig in 5 Stages
Stage 1: Get Gas and Go
Most pickups and SUVs that have true 4WD with low range are capable of doing way more than you think straight from the factory.
Stage 2: Upgrade Your Tires
Tires transfer your vehicle鈥檚 power to the ground and give you traction. Switching to an all-terrain tire, like Hankook鈥檚 , is the single best off-road performance upgrade you can make. (Check out the full Hankook designed for every off-road need.)
Stage 3: Camp Better
Ditch the ground tent and boost comfort. Options range from a simple sleeping platform inside your rig to adding a slide-in camper, a tow-behind, or building out the interior of a van.
Stage 4: Big Mods
If you want to get wild off-road, things like suspension lifts, steel bumpers, and winches are all good options to help you get even farther off the beaten path.
Stage 5: Bespoke Vehicles
If you鈥檙e planning to travel the world and unwilling to compromise on your rig, it might be time for a full-fledged expedition vehicle like a or .
How to Find a Killer Campsite
With a capable overland rig, you can get away from crowded campgrounds and claim the most amazing sites of your own.
- When planning your route, opt for BLM or Forest Service land. Both jurisdictions allow dispersed camping nearly anywhere there鈥檚 an established site or pullout, so you鈥檒l have the most options for finding cool (and usually free) campsites.
- A mapping app like can help you easily identify what type of public land you鈥檙e traveling through. BLM land, national forests, wilderness areas, state trust land, national parks and preserves, wildlife refuges, and more have their own color on the Public Lands layer in Gaia.
- Make sure you download maps for offline use onto your phone before you go.
- Apps and websites like , , and can help take some of the guesswork out of finding a campsite. They鈥檙e loaded with information about everything from established, reservation-only campgrounds to Forest Service roads with known sites along them.
- Use the satellite layer on Gaia GPS or Google Earth to e-scout for campsites before taking a rough road. The imagery is often good enough to tell whether the area has campsites.
Dynapro is a tire brand designed for SUV/Light Trucks with strong driving and braking performances on all terrains and through every type of weather, including on- and off-road conditions.