Thanks for the great conversation my friend 🙌 It's always a pleasure getting to hit the trails with you

Interesting discussion...as a photographer we often have a similar discussion about gear, dslr, mirrorless, full-frame. But in the end, the most important thing we can do is just get outside and enjoy our hobbies with the tools we have

the best overlanding vehicle is what you have. Get out and enjoy, learn and slowly upgrade along the way to what fits you. 2 of my favorite channels coming together

Love that term "rocklander". That is exactly the direction we are going with our '71 J4000 restomod.

Two of my favorite KZfaqrs. Welcome to Washington Brad!

Great honest conversation about rigs! I really appreciate Nate's 'against the grain' approach with the liberty and rover, where most people would just walk away from it or talk trash he actually uses it and shows people that there is room for diversity of rigs on the trail 🙌

OK BRAD, I'm going NUTS! Can you PLEASE do a walk around of Josh's Al-U-Cab? The Blue Gladiator is the exact vehicle I want. I've been going back and forth between the Al-U-Cab and the 4x4 pop-up that you have. I like the ability to take it on and off. Again, PLEASE give us a look at Josh's rig!

This is a helpful discussion. My wife and I have been having the same one. I’ve had nothing but wranglers for 10 years and love them. I’m wanting a Gladiator. But now that we have 2 kids under 2, and want a third, the Ram just seems to make more sense for the room.

There is a point where wants and practicality have to connect, you can absolutely get started with your basic awd or even 2wd vehicle, but after a while you’re more invested in the hobby, you’ll need to eventually get into something more practical for the hobby, like a jeep or something 4wd and more capable. I think the best choices to start though are generally good starter friendly vehicles like jeeps and toyotas because they have so much aftermarket support.

Great conversation Brad & Nate. I bought my first 4x4 in 1976, a F150 with manual transmission. My wife & I took it on a camping trip up to the White Mountains of northern eastern Arizona. I drove up a really rocky, steep forest road & peaked out at the highest point on the mountain thinking I had really accomplished something only to find a '60's Volkswagen beetle parked also at the top. Took my 1994 F-150 4x4 last year up the notorious backroad from Lake Pleasant to Crown King, My son-in-law & I both have a 2003 Land Rover Discovery. We have made numerous trips in them from Phoenix to Prescott, Payson & Flagstaff areas, as well as Bloody Basin & Table Mesa Roads in our "unreliable" Land Rovers! Proper maintenance, preparation & sensible driving skills go a long ways!

Good to see you two doing a segment together again. Great interactive discussion.

Dirt lifestyle collab is my favorite!!! So...which is it, gas or diesel?

This video reminded me of the time that I took our 2006 Honda Odyssey on the Skyline Trail in Central Utah. I was able to go everywhere the 4x4's went. I did pay for it in the end when I had to replace the motor mounts but it was fun anyway.

I have a 4runner and love it. Only thing is mpg/gas when going on long trips. I get about 280-300 miles on a full tank. It Cost a fortune. I sleep in the back and I'm making a canopy with canopy fittings to make a screen room for my back hatch.

Love my diesel 17 Land Rover Discovery with TuffAnt off road 18' wheels and AT tires, Warn winch and my Black Bean trailer. Tough enough to overland but a super comfortable ride and night sleep. Many great (memories) days and nights with that combination!

Nates spot on with the reliability comment. So many things I was worried about when buying my Jeep when it came to reliability and I've owned it for over a year and a half and had absolutely zero problems with it so far. And that's just it. As the years go on it's hard to say that reliability hasn't begun to equalize between the manufacturers. A good friend of mine sold his Toyota Tacoma because of just how many problems he had with it, and the I turn around and another friend is super pleased with his Toyotas reliability. It's just not as simple as Toyotas are more reliable than Jeeps or vica versa. And I think that's what is supported by many recent studies but perhaps I'm just mistaken.

Great video. I have 4 long legged kids plus my wife who all REALLY enjoy camping. When we had to replace our previous family vehicle, a Ford Expedition, I was able to stumble upon a replacement, except this one is 4wd. We target camp sites that are further out than most weekenders are wanting to venture to. No difficult rock crawling, but North GA mountains and creeks and stream are common. We have room for the fridge and I am about to toss on some slightly larger tires. The next step will be a roof rack and I will be completely set (except for the never ending tweaking). Maybe when the older two move out, we can get something more nimble, but for now, the larger vehicle's size and comfort is the best fit. Both of you ... keep up the great videos.

two of my fav content creators together....awesome

So glad to hear these ideas spoken out loud. So true that everyone has different goals for the platform that works in those situations!!! Thanks again.

Those are a lot of the things I have considered. In the end you always wind up with some compromise. Great discussion!

The thing about the crossover style vehicle that seems cool is that it will make "easy" trails fun & challenging. In the same way that stuff that's easy for your JLU on 37s would be a challenge for my stockish 4Runner, stuff that's easy for my 4R would be a challenge for these crossovers. So if you don't have good trails near you, you can still go out and have a good time off-roading and work on your basic driving skills. Also, if you have a lot of pavement miles in between, you can't beat the fuel economy that some of them are capable of.

Great vid. My wife Amy and I just purchased a 2017 Subaru Outback and we outfitted it with the Nomad kitchen and a Thule. Not quite the rockcrawler but we’ve had her(SCOUT17) all over Big Bear on roads we never would have taken our sedans plus just got back from Spirit Lake north of Vernal Utah and had a blast softroading through Ashley National Forest. I say make it happen and get out there with whatever you can do

Great conversation! As an X-Infantry soldier, now retired, I know the difficulties and suffering, when going out to the woods unprepared. My two cents, particularly when dragging the family along for the fun, it seems to me, rule 1; do not forget anything! Your plan should read like an operation’s order, together with mission essentials and considerations for a safe, secure, fun, round trip. Get in and get out. Just thinking, as I learn from you. Thank you!

Good stuff! I remember floating around in mud with my 4x2 Ford Explorer that had a truck frame with my son. Fully capable in most situations, but crossing a shallow river bed, got stuck twice in a small hole with mossy rocks. I wasn’t far off-road in my mother in-laws backyard, but making out of so many places, it really gives you a false sense of security.

I have an F250, a necessity for me because I tow a lot. Tacomas and Jeeps are under powered and need too many mods. With add-a-leaf and airlift bags in my front springs + Wildpeak AT4W, I could not be happier

Again, as I've said on Dirt Lifestyle's channel, some of my two favorite KZfaqrs! And also, thank you on this topic! I just recently took my Mazda 3 out on a trail, albeit an easy trail, up to a point. And with my buddy and my camping gear! Yes, I would love an overlander vehicle that has more capabilities, but at least I was able to get out there camping! It's all about what you can do with the vehicle and where you want to go, and do it! Thank you!

How true our needs change in life so does our overland ingenuity with our rigs and gear to obtain our goals out on the trails. Only answer I have found is to build your rid for your needs and goals.

Great conversation! Go with what ya got and evolve. My wife prefers having a house and eating everyday so I have a budget. Right now I drive a T100 and I love it. Do I wish I had a $60k vehicle with $20k in mods, sure. I still have a great time though.

I agree I went out the first time to Colorado in a 2004 Jeep TJ. The past 2 weeks. 3 coolers, a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, cooking gear, and Harley. It was crammed. I have a 2008 F150. I think it’s a lot better for overlanding I’m 600 miles from Colorado. I’m going to trailer the Jeep next time with the pick up.

I completely agree with overbuilt cause you never know what you’ll need! Few weeks back during that heatwave, a couple buddies and I went to Van Epps in Cle Elum WA, it’s a mild trail. We all have well built wheeler/overlander s but if we didn’t have a winch we wouldn’t have made it! Even though it was dead summer and the hottest point at that, there was still hard pack slushy snow that we had to winch across so for anyone who thinks bare minimum is ok, think again!

I always loved your silver jeep so much that I made my own build on that same style! Keep it up Brad!

For me as a weekend warrior my 2 door Jeep jk works so well for me. And yes storage is challenging, but it's a thing that I get to work on and do exactly how I want. For me the amount of aftermarket support it has, for the performance it has, I can't think of any other platform for me. But I do lots of rock crawling(We go to Moab more than once every six months) and wheeling. Camping is in many ways the secondary part of my experience. I ground camp and pack a simple cooler for food. But that's just the spectrum of Off-Roading for you. Are you only wheeling? Are you going on extended trips? Are you young, don't care so much about comfort? Are you older and wanting more creature comforts? To answer the question, what's the best overland vehicle platform? Well that depends on your needs, who you are, and how much your willing to work on you vehicle to make it yours. It's really that simple I think.

Thanks for the video learning so much keep up the great work

I am going to keep driving my 95 Tacoma XC because it's paid for, reliable, will take me any place I care to go. I've had it for 26 years and have invested a good sum to build it out over the years and can not think of any other 4WD vehicle I would rather have. Now that I"m an O'l Retired Gray Haired Fart I find it difficult to climb in and out of the camper shell to sleep when camping. So I am researching pop up campers and find the costs rather staggering plus the long wait times. Time will tell if I take the plunge and get one as know the comfort level and storage space would be much better. Awesome video y'all!

Speaking of Comfort... One of the best upgrades I did to my '06 TJ was to upgrade the Seats. The OEM seats offered almost no support and at the end of the day, you would feel like someone had beat you with a bat. Now, the new seats support and hold you in place. No more beat feeling at the end of the day. Well worth the cost!

A component for deciding if you need a winch, traction boards, and other gear is to ask yourself if you are willing to pay the recovery cost if you get stuck without those items. They will all pay for themselves the first time you need them.

I love the conversation.!.!.! It hits so close to home, I try to tell people the more/better you wheel on 32’s the more fun it is on 40’s later! And…anyone familiar with Hollister hills SVRA… we went up to Hector Heights for lunch, bunch of Jeep’s on 37’s + …then what pulls up…a Subaru…😂

I have a small & light SUV. I don't want to do the Rubicon with it, just some backcountry discovery routes. I have a blast because I drive roads that it can do, but also push its capabilities. Its the same principal that is more fun to drive a slow car, fast... I have fun driving a moderately capable vehicle on moderately difficult roads. If it gets too challenging, I turn around and enjoy how far I made it.

You guys pretty much covered everything !👍🏻 but at the end of the day it comes down to your needs and wants! I really wanted a 4Runner, Tacoma or jeep JL but didn’t go that route since I need a higher tow capacity and payload ! Ended up with a double cab GMC Sierra 1500 v8 and it gets the job done so easy! Good mpgs on the highway as well on 35’s ! Rides smooth and handles great offroad with fox suspension! And still tows 9k .

I believe the best 4x4 overlander is the one you can afford. I swap alot, now i ride a 2022 VW taos daily and looking into a Toyota Highlander (1990-2003 models) for overlanding

As a WA native now living in NorCal for the last 10yrs, a Jeep JT Gladiatior Diesel for my "Rocklanding" vehicle. 6" LIft on 37's, no need to regear makes the diesel a great rig for this application. Mine is a Rubi, so we only occasionally need rear lockers, and its very rare when we are fully locked....the Rubicon Trail is one of the times, Have you tried to steer a fully lock Rubi up switchbacks? It doesn't. A bit of rear locker will get most rigs over 99% of things., including the Rubicon. We have a bed rack, RTT, bumpers, winch, tools, recovery gear, refer, etc...then load it with camping gear. + diesel, she's a heavy girl, and runs what are considered the "hard" trails without any drama. I love my JT, but if it weren't for regular life, I would have bought a JL Wrangler. Homeowners, we need one truck, period. Mine flexes like crazy with a MetalCloak Lift and Evo Offroad 4.5" springs/spacers that are diesel specific. Full tire stuff into the fenders in extreme flex, love it. With long shocks, it droops out a crazy amount, but that is how we run her, hard.

Truck Camper and Power Wagon my choice of vehicle since the mid 70's. Boondock much of the time. Very versatile for travel or recreation. Just need to be aware of it's size limitations and what trails it can travel.

Okay I’m kind of confused Brad in a tshirt and Nate in a fall jacket

On PBS, Car Talk was once ask what vehicle to overland from Canada to the tip of South America.... they picked a Land Rover only because in every remote country you can find parts. I would still take a Jeep Wrangler but was a point worth thinking about. I love them both but have owned 10 jeeps and no Land Rovers. Dirt's channel makes me think if I make that trip... ?!?!

Thanks for this conversation!!!

I watched a new power wagon have it’s bedsides absolutely trashed on slickrock trail and that was before the new harder section of trail. Lol. He made it out though.

Great info! I'm new to this and trying to learn as much as I can

Good discssion, the factors are on point. I used to have a JK and an FJC. Both were MORE capable in technical spots than my current Raptor. *BUT* I've got the ability to carry WAY more gear, my range is stupid high (500-600 miles to a 36 gallon tank!), the truck is mega capable as long as things aren't too tight and the COMFORT beats anything else I've been in. For my needs here in the sierra it's a no brainer to stick with a fullsize rig. I may even go bigger at some point with an HD platform and slide in like Brad has!

Great talk and info for people to consider. I just got a 2020 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk yesterday and that is going to be my overlanding vehicle for a few years. My wife has a new JLU Rubicon but we live in different states for a while but we will alternate depending on where we are going once we are living together again.

I have a 2018 Toyota Tundra... my "Wide Hip'd Girl".... gotta be willing to accept lots of Texas Pin-striping if you off-road a full size truck!! :O

Great vid gents. Thanks. 👍🏼

What an awesome collab!!!! Love you guys!!!

Awesome discussion video! Thank you. It is a dream to go out west and run those roads and trails!

Great video, Brad! It's ALL about compromise. What do you want to do most, and what can you make work to tick most of the boxes? I started off with a CJ2 and a ground tent many years ago. Now I have a similar FWC Hawk on an F150 4x4. It doesn't go anywhere near the off road trails I did in the CJ, but I'm taking it to Alaska soon, and have taken it to many of the same desert locations you did this spring (Mojave Preserve, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley) although not the hardest trails in DV. It's not a Jeep, but the wife has her shower, and I have a full kitchen and comfortable bed inside. I camp on the trail, AND Walmart parking lots after a 900 mile day, and the 36 gallon tank gives me great range! It makes a great base camp for hiking or fishing trips, and I can pack a lunch and break camp in 15 minutes.

Loved, loved, loved offroading our Liberty. We miss her a little.

Great discussion to watch! THANKS. Enjoyed all of it!!

Good discussion and for me, its all about where you want to go and then match the rig to be able to go to those places safely and comfortably. I currently have a Ford F350 which carries a Northern Lite 8.11. I am seriously considering a Four Wheel Camper Hawk like you have on your Power Wagon just so I can get a little further back off the trail. But, my Northern Lite sure is comfortable!

Great video as always.

Great video thanks for sharing your thoughts, although I did not hear either one mention the number one factor in my opinion is BUDGET!! My thoughts are get what you can in YOUR BUDGET and make it work the best you can!!

Awesome info as usual

Awesome video, love these collaborations!! Great topic!! Lots of options!

Love this conversation i have a 06 jeep commander i have the 3.7l v6 rwd. its a 7 passengers but with it just being me and my wife i can throw the seats down or take them out and carry 1200lb with the seats in and 1500-1600lb with the seats out mpg 14 city 20 highway i can still tow 3500lb with the added weight but full tow and loaded maybe 7 mpg

Great topic hits.

I can't afford a separate vehicle for towing, camping, utility, and daily drive. I don't want absolute overlanding, but I like comfort, ability to haul stuff if needed, camp or get away if SHTF, and still be relatively economical for daily drive. I don't think they make a vehicle that checks all those boxes. :(

We are taking an Amtrak to Washington and renting a Tacoma. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of extra time to explore but I would love to spend a week or two exploring beautiful Washington state. Great video.

Right now my biggest trouble with my Jeep JLU Rubicon diesel build is trying to get the parts needed to build it out. I have the front and rear AEV bumpers, AEV lights, 10-gallon fuel caddy, Warn winch, AEV lift kit, and wheels. That's all I have currently done for my build.

Great information from two great guys! I love the Bate and Brad episodes!

wagon types 4runner short wb .sleep inside , tahoe take out the seats nice if there was a pop top , trucks tacoma acess cab 6.5 box with acu cab lots of stand up ,sleeping room

I enjoyed the convo guys, and fun to see you in my home state

I would say first before deciding on a vehicle - win the lottery first. I love the channel and the vehicles but they are all out of most people's budgets.

Brad, there are plenty of options for extended range fuel tanks for that power wagon. Awesome collaboration from you both.

I think a decent consideration for most people is the fact that your rig is also your daily driver.

People seem to skip the Xterra for some reason. They're very reliable lots of upgrades available and affordable.

Excellent and helpful video. Thanks for making it!

Good information, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience… More of these talks please.

Yay! Great conversation. Skill level and knowing your level.

I rented a Jeep in Colorado to drive on some off-road trails last week and saw like 10 UTV’s for every Jeep I saw.

My overlanding vehicle is a Ford 2002 Ford F150. As of now it has a 2.5 inch lift on it that was a total mistake. My advise to anyone that may be beginning to build a vehicle is to research and find a lift that is engineered properly. I am now saving money to lift my truck again. When I could have purchased a better engineered lift in the first place. I am physically challenged and was wanting to leave my truck as low as I could and also get larger tires on it for a little more clearance. I will be going to a 4 inch lift in the future, and possibly with 35 inch tires with a lower gear ratio in the differentials. With the lift I currently have I am unable to trust my rig on little more than a paved road.

Welcome to Washington! Glad to see you on the WABDR! Hope you stopped for photos at Bethel Ridge and Lion Rock! Hope you make it up to the North Cascades and the Olympics as well!

Thanks to both of you. Great episode that was very informative.

Good points , well said , that Tacoma looks sweet can’t wait to see what lift & tire/wheel combo he does to it .......

My experience with my own 03 Jeep Liberty I agree full size is the way to go if it's more than an overnight trip and is the reason why I have a 02 Toyota Sequoia

Alright, why is the San Diego guy in a t-shirt and the WA guy is in a heavy coat? Usually those CA guys are freezing at 50°F. 😄

Don't discount the Tiguans, the first gens are off road beats with center locking diff and height adjustable suspension. Very capable.

You are a brave man I would bet you $1 million you would not choose a Land Rover if you had to take it to Africa or the Pan-American highway. Have you ever considered a Lexus 460 GX? I am boggled that you actually use a Land Rover for anything other than driving around San Diego. Wonderful video by the way thank you

This was fantastic. watched guys from Nee Zealand. they had a bunch of stuff even battery chain saw. and knowing what to bring for food. :-)

Brad, you say (if I remember correctly) that you are going to go to Alaska some time ahead. Which vehicle are you going to take? The Diesel Jeep with a trailer or the Power-wagon? That's probably going to a be a whole separate video.

Great conversation, great channels, thanks guys

Brad, Now you've got the nice overland vehicle... Four Wheel Campers pop up!!!

Good stuff! A washingtonian here, awesome to see you exploring the state!

Brad, hope you tossed those stock FWC turnbuckles… BTW, the factory tie-downs on a PW are more than enough for a Hawk. Ask me how I know. 😎

talked about everything except that cozy lookin chair you're lounging in... info? great discussion

Great topic Brad. Always good content.

Can we see more about the blue gladiator truck set up?

Just get some Nato jerry cans and secure them. Highly doubtful they'll leak, they hold 5 gallons, and good durable steel. I carry two in the back of my rig one on each side of my spare tire that I secure to the back of my bed so I have more bed space in my truck.

My 22 Bronco Badsquatch seems to check ALL of theee boxes EXCEPT that I still don't have a hardtop. :(

I saw you both coming down the hill towards Mazama Campground at Crater Lake a few days ago 👍

Growing up we used camp with a station wagon….lol!! The options today are so wide reaching there is no reason to not go enjoy the country.

For me I’m interested in the truck and camper. I can’t afford to buy a dedicated off road vehicle. But I could use a truck most of the time, then attach the camper when needed. But how hard is it to install and uninstall the camper from the truck?

The problem with "nubes" getting a very capable vehicle right away, is that that they then really over estimate their abilities! Not a bad thing to start out in a simple, crossover or light SUV.