5 Overland "Essentials" I DON'T HAVE!

[@JonathanSias]

I keep a small inverter in the truck. I've never used it. I keep a 6 gallon jerry can in the truck. I've never needed it, but I use it about twice a year to help someone else. I have a roof rack. I use it twice a year to move a canoe or something big, otherwise it just ruins my gas mileage. I have a CB radio. I live in the mountains, and never get to talk to anyone. I built a custom 12v air compressor and 4 gallon tank to air tires and tools. I've done tire repair on the side of the road - on other people's cars. ... Am I an overlander yet?

[@andyrichardson7558]

Overlanding videos on KZbin are generally about buying stuff. Sponsored stuff, in many cases.

[@bmonck5110]

Couldn’t agree more. Everyone trying to buy everything they can, often without thinking for themselves. This is the most pragmatic advice available on you tube !

[@edwhite4992]

Refreshing to hear a realistic (non sales) approach to overlanding. Not all of us have sponsors or unlimited funds.

[@overnighter]

Ah, those "essential" myths (and fake gurus). Much appreciated Dan

[@GentleGiantFan]

Great video. When it seems there's a certain shared viewpoint among the offroading community, there's Dan with the "Nope, not necessarily" point of view. The roof rack is about the only thing I "disagree" with. For me, I still want one for my Jeep as my family is getting more into camping. A family of four is going to have a lot more gear than a single person. A roof rack will free up some cargo space and is the perfect place for the lighter gear and/or the gear that gets dirty. Plus they look cool. Look forward to seeing your next expedition Dan!

[@rocklander.project]

I was with you on all of them except the Satellite Communication device. I do 5,6, or 7 day trips with kids and the last thing I’m going to rely on in an emergency is hoping someone else comes down the road. Otherwise this is a fantastic list!

[@explor360]

Agree with most of the comments (as usual) but politely disagree with the fuel carrying comments. Dan you shot yourself in the foot by admitting that you do have a built in spare gas container. On my Gladiator build I have just installed a Long Range America 17 gallon fuel tank that is installed under the vehicle so it doesn’t take up any valuable space. We have been in several remote places (like the forbidden zone along the Namibian Coast which required each of us to carry 7, 20l fuel tanks in our 79 Series that already had the extended factory fuel tank. I to usually run around with the LRA tank empty but when I know that I’ll be going into a place with high fuel costs like Death Valley, the Haul road up to Deadhorse you can save a bunch of money by minimizing the fuel you buy in those areas. This alone will pay for the cost over time. Please keep on posting . Love the content!

[@resolutejku]

I've got the same tire pressure gauge! Father gave it to me 12 years ago, still works great!

[@kg0173]

I like these videos, the best thing is that they encourage more thinking.

[@ceal2656]

A couple of years ago, I went to Death Valley and took a jerry can full of gas to driving around the national park. The reason was, that the gas price was almost double in the park. So I did it to save some money... not for the range. :)

[@henrycolestage7650]

I did the same travelling across Syria northwards into Turkey. Diesel was ridiculously cheap in Syria so filled up before I crossed over. Saved a bunch!

[@adamghahate3323]

I do the same with two 5 gallon cans every time I drive out from ANY major CA city to a remote CA destination or every time I drive from outside CA into CA. The price of gas in remote places is just insane sometimes.

[@henrycolestage7650]

@@adamghahate3323 Even in not too remote of places. I used to visit my mother in Yuma (just across the Arizona state line from California) and the price of petrol dropped a dollar per gallon after you crossed the Colorado River! I always made sure my tank was almost empty when I arrived and filled up before I left. A couple of jerry cans in the back just for good measure as well ;-)

[@jacktyler7599]

Dan, I noticed one missed opportunity in this commentary. In an earlier video, when describing your Rubicon's many mods that proved successful, you nevertheless acknowledged that one of its liabilities is its significant weight. So...you carried none of these 'essentials', you've previously identified lots of additional 'must haves' you didn't carry, and yet you still had a hefty vehicle which you'd wished would have been lighter. I can personally confess that it is sooo easy - with RV's of all sizes, personal aircraft, cruising sailboats and general travel vehicles - to use all kinds of criteria for what to carry while forgetting that the weight is always the enemy.

[@senditkevin]

Yes. Weight is the enemy especially in hills. Driving semi truck I have noticed on flat ground wind resistance is the biggest factor.

[@firebir11]

😂😂😂”Outfit an expedition to Mars”....

[@keys-bw9bc]

Just found your channel by accident. Really great information, I'm hooked. One thing I always wanted to do was to drive the Pan American highway.

[@xmacleod]

Regarding 9:30 and airing down the tires: Many (most?) valve stem caps have a little nib on the end. Just flip the cap around 180º and use that to release air.

[@amaclach]

100% with you on the inverter. I have a couple of inverters in their original packaging, but actively decided against one. Everything of mine that needs plugging in or charging is either 12v or USB-A or USB-C. I have a roof rack, but only light stuff (light bar, shovel, maxtrax). I do have sat comms - inreach mini. 100% with you on the digital pressure gauge I lost my simple mechanical gauge and replaced it with a digital gauge - it was horrible. I do have one of the rapid deflators but I dont like the fact that it removes the valve core. I can see roo much going wrong there in the middle of nowhere like stripping threads in the valve body. I still have it, but use an indeflate now, which I like. I keep the ARB hose, the indeflate, and a tire plug kit in the original indeflate bag. This all reminds me that I need ro buy a mechanical pressure gauge just for quick pressure checks when not inflating or deflating.

[@shakes00lude]

The only thing I would argue with you on is the satellite phone / messenger. No you don't NEED it, but I think for most people thats peace of mind for the family and friends back at home and enables people to get out more. Last time I went camping in a spot with no cell service my toddler, who was at home with my wife, ended up getting admitted to the hospital for a respiratory issue. I would have LOVED to have gotten a call to come home instead of hearing about it a day later.

[@Miner49er1]

When I go out exploring abandoned mines, I end up roaming around back roads in the middle of the desert. For this reason (just for the sake of the chance I might get lost) I have a few 2 gal tanks on my jeep. Two are for fuel, and one is for water. I also have a roof rack, but it is because I go to the lake with a couple kayaks. For most of the year, however, that rack is empty, as are the tanks (except the water...that I keep full). You're absolutely right. Too often, we get caught up in what "looks cool" rather than what is rational. If the equipment is needed, use it. If it's not, loose it. Great video, as always. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@markyeadon7271]

The key phrase is “think where you’re going” ! I’m off to Kgalagadi ( SW Botswana) next month. Extra spare on a roof rack.Jerry cans in the load bed and a satphone. But !! It’s one of the remotest areas of Southern Africa. Thick sand, no fuel stations for 200 miles and I’m alone. Twice a day messages home to confirm I’m ok ( no cell coverage) Oh, and there big lions roaming everywhere ( even in camp)

[@mikehagan4320]

Another Good One! Nothing Like the Voice of Experience. Best Wishes! M.H.

[@VintageWanderer]

Nice realistic thoughts. Good stuff

[@stoventures1770]

As always your spot on. I will say each situation is different. For me, I carry 4 people sometimes and this changes everything. Weight goes up fuel economy goes down and the the need for fuel goes up. No way I’m taking other people off grid without a way to call for help. If it was just me I 100% agree with your mindset.

[@Leon-lp9fl]

Marketing guys might not like your free speech but it so true every time I watch you, you know the real truths about over landing on a budget.

[@MrWinger1951]

Personally, and I travel quite a bit, I bring extra fuel in a jerry can, extra water (especially when in the Southwest) and I am a firm believer in a truck bed rack for keeping my camping essentials which are to be unloaded/loaded quickly (tent, sleeping bags, cot, pad, etc). The truck bed is then loaded with all the other camping/exploring items. I use a set of Coyote Enterprises deflators, very reliable. I started using the Coyote deflators as more of a convenience rather than for saving time. And my truck has an onboard OEM inverter.

[@malcolmx2461]

Those overland outfitters must hate you! Haha. Thanks as always for helping dispel some of the sales nonsense!

[@undergroundblu]

Thanks for sharing! I respect your approach, commonsense and practical. Happy travels!

[@k53847]

Serious off-road greatly reduces mileage. I lose >60% of mileage doing trips where I'm crawling up dry waterfalls, etc. Ronny Dahl had a recent epiphany about roof racks. Read the fire print and know what your truck OEM says is the max roof load.

[@travelingwithjoe216]

Thank you! I keep seeing all these fully kitted vehicles and wonder how necessary they are.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Totally agree Dan! Doing my lean, lightweight build on my Tacoma now, and I won’t have any of these five things either for roaming Colorado and the West US.

[@philiphannum4211]

Have you covered what tires and wheels to have on your rig? I am sure you have, but if you haven't, could you cover them? Keep up the good work and I can't wait to find out where you are going next.

[@samjohnson9894]

I'm with you on thinking through everything you do to an overland rig. However..lol there is precedent for prudence. Primarily fuel and communications.

[@rickgermain7802]

Exactly the reason I subscribe to Dan on YT and support his books...

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

I have Staun deflators, which are actually pretty damn simple, cheap and don't take up any room. They are helpful when it is blistering hot, or the mosquitos are out in full force. However, I have found that the schrader connection on the end of my ARB hose, when disconnected, is great for lowering pressure quickly and effortlessly. Just remove it from the hose and clamp it on the valve. It really free flows better than anything.

[@adelarsen9776]

1) Essentials : Driver training education, First Aid training and education, A wool blanket in a dry bag, An air compressor 2) On the issue of fuel - For most circumstances the presenter is spot on however if you're travelling from Russia into The Nordics then it's a good idea to have bigger reserves so you can travel further on cheaper fuel. Once you go from Russia into Norway the price of fuel goes up 3 or 4 times. Long range tankage allows return trips for cheaper fuel in many neighbouring countries. Over a period of 2-3 years it sure saves you a lot of money. 3) George Carlin spoke about Stuff. Everyone should know who George Carlin was and what he said. Especially about STUFF. 4) Airing Down ? Many folk line the pockets of the Chinese trinket makers. I just use a screw driver or a stick. I have had a manual analogue tyre pressure gauge for 30 years. 5) A Sat phone or radio is a waste of money. You don't need either. I also wouldn't want to worry about the theft. Nuh, not needed. * Another common sense video that debunks the myths and makes the glampers look like the morons that they are.

[@senditkevin]

3. Life is about finding a place for your stuff...

[@adelarsen9776]

@@senditkevin Your house is just a place to store your stuff with a roof.

[@senditkevin]

@@adelarsen9776 Then if you go somewhere you have to lock your stuff in there so no one will take it. And bring with you a smaller version of your stuff.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@senditkevin Yes, that is right. Before you know it you've got stuff all over the world.

[@senditkevin]

@@adelarsen9776 yeah and you get invited to a freinds while your traveling and gotta bring another version or your stuff. Haha. He definitely knows how to get people to laugh and say what a lot of people are thinking. And some of it even borders on comedy and is just fact, lol.

[@metaxaanabeer]

We live on northern Vancouver Island and our road trip jam is northern BC, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. While not hard core rock crawling offroad enthusiasts we certainly do a lot of rugged roads. One thing I often wonder about is what do the folks in the $100,000 adventure vans or built Jeeps or whatever think when a local blasts past them in a 10 year old Corolla.

[@connick0]

While I agree with most of these points, I do bring a Garmin InReach with me when I go out because while it won’t allow me to make calls, the ability to communicate via text with friends and family can be relieving for them if you get stuck for a day or things aren’t going to plan. Also the emergency feature is nice and could save you. I also have a ham radio because I tend to travel with others and using ham is (in my opinion) far better than CB or GMRS.

[@kiplambel4052]

I carry InReach because my 87 mother insists I text her every Sunday, no matter where I am.

[@Defender110SLO]

I do use roof rack but just for aditional lights wafleboards and radio antena. 🍻 cheers

[@kevinblackshow]

Your presentation is practical and valuable

[@Furniture121]

I never really thought about the inverter thing before, but it makes perfect sense. Why drag around a bunch of kit that needs AC power when you're living in a vehicle? Do you have any thoughts on the "solar generators" like Jackery? They seem to be a reasonable reasonable dual battery replacement for weekend warriors, and come with an inverter built in.

[@amioverlandingyet_4058]

Ok Dan I know this might be a hard video for you to make lol but what about a video on things you would WANT not NEED assuming that you could still easily afford your adventure etc if you got them. Kind of a dream list, even if it’s just updating gear you currently have. I think that would be a very interesting video from you. Love your channel man!!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I'll give it some thought... but to be honest nothing comes to mind

[@richardweerasinghe3296]

Sensible video. Agree with most of it. But sat comms is cheap insurance if you ever need it. I would class it as an “essential,” unless you are always within comms range.

[@NoMansOverland]

Completely agree on most of these! We’re always laughing at people’s ‘essential’ gear.

[@wolfgangwust5883]

I disagree with roofracks. As my vehicle is not equipped with a pop-up roof I do have to install my solar panels somewhere. Additionally, I store very light items (outdoor shower, winter jacket, blanket etc) in a top box.

[@daveybernard1056]

I can really see the case for a roof rack, if solar panels or Thule boxes are mounted.

[@amaclach]

Why do you need to have permanently mounted solar? I fell into that trap, but have removed my permanent panel because all it did was take up space and make noise. When the engine is running, I'm charging the batteries at 350w, and if I camp for more than 3 or 4 days, I have folding panels that take about 2 minutes to deploy. Sure if you have a hard shell RTT like Dan's then some panels on top of that makes sense, but you don't need to buy a rack to mount panels. Better to spend the money on lithium batteries and folding panels.

[@daveybernard1056]

@@amaclach It's food for thought. Solar can certainly be done wrong.

[@1FiftyOverland]

This is the great thing about my f150, it has 2 110v plugs built in.

[@erichughes9098]

Thank you for the video Dan😎👍

[@JustcallmeJayrot]

Not to speak for him, but it seems that Dan ISN'T saying "Don't bring extra gas". What he's saying is (in most situations) "Don't bring more than 300 miles of gas". Having a safety buffer is OF COURSE a good idea. But in all likelihood that safety buffer fits just fine in your vehicles main gas tank.

[@calsurflance5598]

Another great video from the voice of experience! Not sure if your year has this feature, however my 2018 JKU has a 3 prong 115 volt 150watt plug on the front of the center console.

[@solooverland3666]

My 2018 4Runner comes stock with a 110V 400W inverter. Am I a super-overlander?!? 🤷😜

[@briannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

Cool...sometimes overlanding can be a matter of having it and not needing it, rather than needing it and not having it. For that case, I disagree on the CB radio, and extra fuel. But definitely, if you aren't going some absolutely remote place (less than 2 cars each hour), then you might not need it.

[@gzahnd]

Great ideas, Dan. My petrol Land Cruiser 200 might not cross that 300 mile mark. Haha

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Ouch! - that's the *only* downside I see to the LC's available in North America - they just drink gas.

[@ThePyleDriver]

Once again - words of wisdom! Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesdevries4863]

Hi Dan. Love your channel. I have watched every video i think you have put out. I have liked watching what you do, where you've been and always look forward to your next video. Also, I have bought and read both of your TRCM books Vol 1 & 2. I thoroughly enjoyed both. But Dan, I've been doing some thinking about your Africa trip. To go down the west spine of Africa from Rabat, Morocco to Cape Town, South Africa and back up the east spine from Cape Town, S.A. to Cairo, Egypt is only about 23-25,000 (KMS) or about 15,000 miles (roughly). How is it that you say you drove 54,000 MILES around Africa ??? Are you saying you did almost 40,000 MILES more in side trips than it took for you to almost circumnavigate the continent ?? Seems like a excessive number on the mileage. I too have been to Africa about 22 years ago. Drove from Cape Town to Nairobi. Please help. I'm confused. greetings from Calgary

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Hi James, thanks for all the kind words and the support, I really appreciate it! Absolutely, I do an ENORMOUS amount of side-trips, back tracking and loops on my drives, because the whole point is to explore. In many countries I did 5 times or 10 times the "minimum" distance. For example I drove the length of Togo twice, which would have been about 10x more than just cutting across it. Same for the Rep. Congo, same for so, so many other countries. On this page I have the mileage for every country, and you can re-create my routes if you read through my website and look at the hood map growing and the mentions of how many miles I've done per country. It was a lot! theroadchoseme.com/africa-expedition-overview

[@fiestavikings761]

Got pulled over in Beijing without the guide with me. But that wasn't the issue. Problem was the 20 l jerrycan on the roof and where I got the fuel. They had a hard time understanding it was from Romania😀

[@AdilKhan-sh9fv]

yep, no roof racks until I've completely exhausted the interior space.

[@amaclach]

And on the spare tire. You can put a trasharoo or similar on that for carrying all sorts of stuff, or you can mount your maxtrax on it.

[@sebastienbernard6629]

Thank you Dan for these very, very good advices ( like always ).

[@mikehzz9848]

Pat Callinan in Australia built an Amarok with ute canopy that had a beer keg with chiller and a latte making machine. Plus he had a home theatre screen inside the roof of his roof tent. Can people actually do without those things? 😄

[@gaj5701]

What? You don't have a 2000W inverter for your induction hob cooker?! 🤣

[@amando96]

Mad lad

[@Jazz3006]

The one thing that seems odd to give up for me... Any sort of emergency comms. Maybe a radio isn't as useful as a sat phone and a sat phone is overkill. However, I would definitely have something like a spot beacon or the like in case of emergency. Never know what could happen in the middle of nowhere.

[@henrycolestage7650]

I agree buuuut...the DC voltage converter is still a single point of failure for your laptop. Also, some electronics (computers, cameras, etc.) need pure sine wave power to charge. That is just a factor to consider in the planning stages. If you need it, take it. If you don't, leave it.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Pure sine wave is the type of conversion to AC the inverter is doing.. if you stay with DC, there is no "Wave", because the current is just constant (not flipping back and forth i.e. AC). As for the laptop, if the DC voltage converter dies, you're right I can't charge the laptop from the Jeep, but it would ONLY be the laptop, not everything I would otherwise be using the Inverter for. Also I do carry the regular wall charger for my laptop, so I can charge it from any outlet.

[@amaclach]

@@TheRoadChoseMe whenever you replace your laptop get one that uses USB-C PD. Even more flexible. I have a couple of cig lighter plugs that will give me 60w of USB-C output, and that way I can use either the alternator or house battery. A lot of stuff charges off USB-C now anyway. Phones, gopro, all sorts.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Absolutely, USB-C is the future! Though I kept my last laptop until it was 8 years old, and I bought my current one used and it's only 5 years old.. so there's a few more years to go yet!

[@amaclach]

Inverters are larger, and need more air flow. If he had an inverter, then he'd also be tempted to bring other crap as well. A blender? Microwave? Induction hob? I'd say he's made the better choice there.

[@OldBlue560]

Trying to drive my Mustang from NC to the Dalton. I’m just laughing as I had Jerry cans, A CB, and a Garmin Montana 700i and now I’m rethinking all of that. The main reason that I was concerned about gas was COVID. The border may not be open anyway when I get ready to roll in May. If not this year, the next!

[@gavinwilliamson3944]

Hi Dan, Sat Phones or Radio are the law in some Australian National Parks. Eg The Simpson ect. You are supposed to carry a sat phone or HF Radio when in desert. If you don't wish to purchase expensive items for one of trips. You can hire a Satellite Emergency Device at the Ranger stations when entering and return it when leaving(Does not have to be same station of obvious reasons). UHF is essential to call a warning, that you are going to attempt to crest a dune. For oncoming traffic. There is normally only one line on each side. Accidents are common. Each Park has big sighs saying what channel to use. You call every 10 min so. For example saying "Two vehicles west bound French Line creasting dune". Anyone close to you will hear a strong signal and start looking for you and return your call. My biggest HATE!!!!. Take some cheap UHF radios when driving in a convoy. You know the ones you buy in a blister pack 2 for $50. They work well go like 2km all your buddies can hear you. Put them on another channel to talk among yourselves. The channel becomes full of useless chatter of, pothole by pothole commentary. Which drowns out all the safety calls.

[@undergroundexplorersoverland]

Interesting. We agree with a lot of your advice but not totally in this case. We know you've been in Death Valley and on Lippincott Mine Road to or from Saline Valley. If you start at the south end of Saline Valley and go all around exploring (say Hunter Mountain to Teakettle Junction, the to the Racetrack and down Lippincott Mine Road to Saline Valley Road, north to the Springs, out Steel Pass and around into Marble Canyon for example) you're likely to need gas unless you have a big tank or a very fuel efficient vehicle. Several vehicles in our group typically need gas out there and in other places like Nevada where you can do more than 300 miles without hitting pavement or a town. It all depends on your route but saying gas cans aren't needed seems to much of a blanket statement. On the subject of a satellite phone or satellite communication, there are many places in North America alone where you might not see another vehicle for days or weeks. We've been in areas around Saline Valley where we didn't see a single person for more than a week. For those who are brave (actually foolish) enough to be in places like Death Valley during the summer, any breakdown is instantly a survival situation. Satellite communications are inexpensive and great insurance and can be the difference between life and death. They're also awesome for communicating back home and to other similarly equipped vehicles in a group if people get separated. The same goes for a radio. If you travel alone you really don't need one but they're indispensable for group travel.

[@undergroundexplorersoverland]

Forgot to mention the irony of this video now that Dan has a roof rack and auxiliary fuel tank in the Gladiator!

[@cameronwood1994]

Interesting video Dan, so much so I'm going to share my thoughts and experiences. On how much fuel you need, unfortunately my Land Rover only gets on average 225 km (140 miles) per tank, because it only averages 20 litres/100 km (14.1 mpg UK; 11.7 mpg US) and it only has as standard a 45 litre (10 gal. UK; 12 gal US) fuel tank, so I needed to fit the factory auxiliary fuel tank. Such pitiful range is enough of an issue in the UK sometimes! Secondly, and this relates to roof racks, many European countries prohibit the carriage of fuel inside the passenger compartment, even in jerricans, so fuel has to be stored in extra tanks or on the roof rack. In fact, some countries prohibit the carriage of extra fuel, full stop. On point four, I feel radios are a complete no-no for African travel in particular. So many countries have banned even the importation of CB radios (Morocco being one) and if you're caught with one in your possession, chances are that you'll be spending the next few years in a free hotel. This is because they're often either seen as spying equipment, or used by smugglers and bandits. Satellite phones really depend on how the border guard/police officer perceives it. Most will see it for what it is, a safety device, but again it may be perceived as spying equipment.

[@12321bennyg]

20L per hundred? 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

@Yer M8 - I agree so much!!! I can't even understand how he can afford to drive it!

[@cameronwood1994]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Insurance and parts are cheap, that I will say!

[@cameronwood1994]

@@12321bennyg Yes it does like a drink, even though it only has 51.5 kW (69 bhp)! The worst I've ever had is 50 litres/100 km (5.6 mpg UK; 4.7 mpg US), but that was pretty exceptional. I'd probably say on soft sand it's more like 35 litres/100 km (8.1 mpg UK; 6.7 mpg US) and on general bush tracks 25 litres/100 km (11.3 mpg UK; 9.4 mpg US). The best I've ever got out of it was 12 litres/100 km (23.5 mpg UK; 19.6 mpg US), but again that was a pretty exceptional event.

[@jreeder3]

interesting. I like having fuel range period. It’s my favorite modification purely for convenience.

[@robertsegura6451]

I still don't understand what overlanding is, I just go camping or a long road trip with camping in the mix.

[@abidnessman]

How many miles in a day do you drive? If you been thru a gas crunch we had in 70s plus latest uncertainties, peace of mind having 5 gal of fuel feels better as insurance. Re satellite ph, only essential if off Alcan you go solo in isolation.

[@samv.7594]

Thanks Dan! Inspirational!

[@patrickmahan351]

One day when the border opens I’m gonna drive the Trans-Labrador, the James Bay Road, and the Trans-Taiga. (Not in the same trip). For that I’ll be bringing a 2nd spare, and 1 jerry can (may need more for the trans-taiga..) . But I don’t normally carry that. I see guys with all these gas cans and I’m like “where are you going?

[@Jacobbunt]

if it opens up in the next 6 months you could join me on the trans Labrador. Im planning to do it this coming September

[@patrickmahan351]

@@Jacobbunt awesome, thanks for reaching out. I’ll be going to KOAR in Michigan in Sept so that won’t work for me. But have an awesome trip, if you get to go

[@Jacobbunt]

@@patrickmahan351 thanks bud, I just googled KOAR and that sounds like an awesome trip. Haven’t heard of it before but I’m definitely adding it to the list of future trips

[@IowaLR4]

I figured one would be "A starter motor". I mean, they are pretty heavy and you can just bump start it right? Maybe you need a crank start handle on the front. If you are willing to use sticks to air down, then that shouldn't be any harder. :P

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I met locals in the Congo who had been driving around for years without a starter. They sold it, and just push started their vehicle everywhere!

[@russjowett2137]

@@TheRoadChoseMe that’s awesome lol

[@kg0173]

No problem if you always park it on the slope.

[@IowaLR4]

@@TheRoadChoseMe yep, you can take the general gear contrarian argument as far as you like. i generally agree with your points but at the same time i think you focus on this way too much. Gear can be fun too.

[@Sufludi]

Great video ! totally agree with you!

[@eastcoastoverlandadventure3961]

"If your vehicle gets less than 300 miles a tank..." I feel attacked. LoL

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Really man? The little TJ I drove to Argentina had a the 19 gal tank and it got 19mpg all day long, so right around 350 every single tank. I did 375 in the Yukon/AK when I wasn't planning very well!

[@eastcoastoverlandadventure3961]

@@TheRoadChoseMe The 4.0 with 42rle 33's and 4.88 gears in the '04 was giving me 12-14 on average... but towing the trailer was between 8-10 on the highway. So yeah, reasons why I have a 31 gallon tank and am doing the LS swap. LoL... also reasons why the '06 is staying STOCK. Sounds like something to talk about next week on the podcast. LoL

[@SamCarleton]

As always, another GREAT video. Generally speaking I agree 100%! For the last option I was excepting you to say, big tires:) Is my impression correct that you would approve of a roof rack if it was for a roof top tent, or would you discourage the roof top tent because of how top heavy that would make the rig?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I approve of racks for the that - and solar, surfboards, etc. etc. They certainly are useful and can be great, BUT if a spare tire, fuel or water is going up there then I seriously recommend re-thinking the packing strategy!

[@i4nic256]

I also disagree on the SAT phone. Not everybody you come across in rural areas is a friendly, being self sufficient and prepared for even unlikely situations is prudent. Relying on the kindness of strangers should be a LAST resort not something you roll into your adventure equation. Bad people don't just live in cities, I've come across a few space cadets on my back country adventure bike trips.

[@eddie1v]

I was stationed in Tanzania for a year and a half. How were you able to handle the hot humid nights when it was time to sleep.

[@eddie1v]

@Charles Taylor I suppose the body has to get used to not having AC. I just remember sweating my azz day and night. Never got used to the humidity.

[@wildandliving]

Radio works if you have a game license you can talk to people on the other side of the planet

[@sidewithwerewolves]

I just stick my air chuck from my compressor and leave it on the valve for a while and a pen air gauge to get my pressures

[@greggpurviance7252]

Your computer charger is an inverter, just a specific one as is your battery charger. But certainly get the point

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

No it's not. Input voltage is 12V DC, output voltage is 19.2V DC. It's a DC voltage step-up. It does not go DC-AC. It is not an inverter. (Laptops charge off DC)

[@greggpurviance7252]

Yes, you are correct. I was wrong on the terminology. The point is everyone who uses electronics is going to use some type of transformer, step up, step down, inverter etc. Any can go out. An inverter is not essential obviously. I suppose being as minimal as possible for one's own purpose & comfort is good. I have to admit over landing is not my deal, although I have traveled in Africa. Do enjoy you videos.

[@SC-fk9nc]

Great advice thx!

[@michaelm4514]

Air down I got $5 thing that screws on the tire and I use the gauge that pops up from pressure to find out how much air I have in tire. $15total

[@Sufludi]

you forgot the warm shower ;)

[@riptide19011]

Dan isn't your power converter that you use for your laptop charging, essentially an inverter by another name? It's still a single point of failure.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

@Jordan Rivest - it's not an inverter, just a DC voltage converter, so much simpler. No fan, nothing complicated inside. Also note, it's only a single point of failure for may laptop - even if it dies, I can still charge everything else and use all my other electronic devices. Where-as if I were using an inverter for multiple things, all of them would be useless. (And note, I still carry the wall (AC) charger for my laptop, so I can charge it when I'm at a building with mains power.)

[@nategcole]

Slight disagree on the roof rack - not all of us travel in 4 door LWB vehicles. 2-door Wranglers benefit enormously with a well-packed (not too high) rack.

[@RetreatHacker]

Where'd you get the water tank behind the spare?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

It's a gas tank, made by AEV

[@overnighter]

It's always better to save on fuel (diesel for me), rather than throwing money on "essentials"

[@teundrumhead]

appreciate this so much!

[@rambling4x4adventures92]

Hey, different question. I just got my J30. Did you upgrade your auto insurance to cover the Ursa Minor in case of and accident? Thanks I’m advance!!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I did not, because I was going to Africa :)

[@7nilgames274]

do you think a land cruiser fj60 is a good vehicle for taking on a trip like you did?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Absolutely! My buddy drove one right around Africa right after me. With the diesel they're awesome.

[@7nilgames274]

nice! i would love to something like that. love your videos mate!

[@sylvanbowyer341]

Same. Loading your vehicle up with squillions of bolt ons and extra gear will just make it top heavy, slow, hard to brake and basically just super sketch to drive

[@carghai9235]

Hey why on KZbin people say "NO JEEP, JEEP BAD" but when I go off-road I only see jeeps and maybe the occasional 4runner or Tacoma? People also say "jeeps are Karen mobiles they cannot go off-road" but I mostly see 4runners(including mine) being winched.

[@yepitsme431]

As you can imagine, in the off-road world theory can be far away/the opposite from the practice and real life.. sorry for my English =)

[@GATORADDAM]

Nothing can compete with a jeep offroad. That being said, Nothing can compete with the reliability of a Toyota, anywhere! So take your pick.

[@carghai9235]

@@GATORADDAM I choose both.(I own a 4Runner and a Jeep)

[@yepitsme431]

@@GATORADDAM debatable.. i personally know a lot of very reliable jeeps and at the same time unreliable toyotas (hilux, land cruiser, etc) so its all relative; 1 more thing its that toyotas offroad performance its behind jeep in suspension articulation, total weight and distribution, angles, COG.. again talking about land cruisers (40/60/70s and 80s too) and hilux =)

[@carghai9235]

Wow I put this question in tfl off-road and got answers like “Jeep trash Toyota better” but here I get good advice.

[@leeloo21231234]

I see almost no use case for roof racks. Specially stupid for me is to have an RTT on top of a roof rack. So you have 22 kg of roof rack, and because of the RTT nothing else fits, + 50-60 kg of RTT when you can have 2-3 roof bars 1 kg each instead. Let's say you have a roof rack to keep stuff. Standard pick up truck roof can take 75 kg. Very few cars can do more than 100 kg. That means you subtract already the weight of it from the total, so it is actually means you can take less stuff, not more., Is it not better to have a couple of load bars and some kind of Thule box, much lighter ? Your stuff inside, out the rain and dust. It is lockable by key, that means you can leave the car parked for longer and go visit places, or spend the night in a hotel if you feel like it with no worries. Roof racks just look cool, that is about it... not to mention the big extra cost for good one..

[@nategcole]

Except for short wheel'ed vehicles. Obviously no RTT but where space is limited a roof rack can be really useful.

[@ebikeengineer]

So you won't have an inverter, but you will have a voltage converter? The only difference being the diode bridge of the inverter, which is a solid state device. I fail to see why one is ok but the other isn't.

[@undergroundexplorersoverland]

A DC to DC converter is much more efficient than an inverter. Not to mention people running laptops using their AC power supply so they're going from DC to AC and back to DC.

[@ebikeengineer]

@@undergroundexplorersoverland efficiency really isn't the issue, there are some devices/tools that need the AC and this the inverter

[@undergroundexplorersoverland]

@@ebikeengineer What do you run on an inverter?

[@ebikeengineer]

@@undergroundexplorersoverland power tools currently.

[@undergroundexplorersoverland]

@@ebikeengineer Not sure what to say. We have plenty of power tools for the trail but they're all battery powered.

[@i4nic256]

I disagree on the fuel tip. I know of 2 occasions off hand where people have gotten into trouble for not carrying extra fuel. 1. person lost their bearings and headed off on the wrong trail in snowy rural Canada where gas stations are far and few...by the time they realized their mistake they had (just) enough fuel to limp to a gas station. 2. Stuck in the snow in the Montana back country and burning fuel to get back to maintained roads(lots of winching and shoveling). Better to have and not need.......rather than need and not have because of unforeseen circumstances....when adventuring unforeseen circumstances are part of the package. No one plans on getting stuck or lost.....it just happens...prepared or not.

[@Bfalco71]

So we're all just going to ignore the groundhog in the top left corner at 7:45?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

HA! I didn't know those little guys had come out of winter hiding! I filmed this on Wednesday and it was the first "hot" day of spring, so suddenly everything is coming back!

[@Onward4x4]

"Moar Fuel"? Is that Aussie for "More"? :P Also, agree again, with everything you said. Only things essential are things you actually need ad going to use.

[@solooverland3666]

Eh, pretty good stuff, but I disagree with a couple things. I always travel solo and my whole point is to get as far away from people and man-made things. So I carry a Garmin InReach+ (I don’t think anyone carries a sat phone anymore). I go deep into Grand Staircase-Escalante NM or Canyonlands’ Maze District or White Rim, and I’m planning Alaska and Labrador - sat comms are essential and affordable insurance. Roof rack - I have it for my solar panel, 4 TRED Pros, awning, and a Plano-like case. Therefore essential... My 2018 4Runner comes with a built-in 400W inverter. Also, I get 17.9mpg and range of 375mi (603km), so... What I think is non-essential is that heavy, expensive, cumbersome rear bumper 🤷

[@yorkchris10]

12V , pen cells and USB are still universal. I got annoyed when I had to find dîme cell for watch.

[@RobertVinet]

Subaru?

[@carghai9235]

yes

[@Rob-tl9md]

I am guessing he is a pastrana fan.

[@GATORADDAM]

One other thing I see that you don't carry...... A hairbrush. Hahahaha. Lookin' a bit rough dude.

[@drcav_photo]

Broverlanders prepare to be triggered!

[@georgejulien3286]

I gotta disagree on the fuel point... I’ve never used my insurance either but my vehicle still has it.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Of course you fill the main tank and bring a bit more than you need... but there's just no point bringing heavy stuff that you will never need.

[@georgejulien3286]

@@TheRoadChoseMe I’m a wheeler and sometimes overlander and truck driver. I never let my fuel get below half a tank, shit gets dicey here in BC and having more fuel than you normally would need could save your life in case of a rock slide, washout or avalanche.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@georgejulien3286 In cold weather a full tank is better than an empty tank. It won't freeze and retains its body of warmth.

[@georgejulien3286]

@@adelarsen9776 much more than that, the empty walls of the fuel tank won’t condensate and add water to your fuel.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@georgejulien3286 Good point George. You are right. Keeping your tanks full keeps away water.

[@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080]

"MOAR Fuel" you mean "MORE" or is that an engineering term?

[@lumikarhu]

it's an internet joke