Does a Truck or SUV Make More Sense for Overlanding?

[@texlee1640]

I've owned multiples of both and they both have their pros and cons, many of which were covered here in this video. That said, for "overland/camping/off-road" I still prefer the SUV. They have better security for your gear, a clean environment for your gear, better weight distribution, cheaper to build out, etc. Usually SUV's have a better foot print for the majority of your trails as well. Trucks are "in" right now, especially the HD full-size flavors and they are usually better for towing with their higher payloads so that's a valid pro for the truck.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yeah, I waver back and forth all the time. I loved my Xterra and I love my Frontier, but there are definitely pros and cons to each so sometimes I'm really happy and sometimes I think I want an X again, :D.

[@MrShroomcloud]

I have both a first gen Xterra and a third gen Frontier. My xterra is my Overland vehicle. Sharper turning radius, shorter wheelbase, better departure angle. Sleep inside it on a platform. Have Transit cases on the roof rack, for storage. I'm usually traveling by myself, so it makes sense.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I loved my Xterra and kind of miss it from time to time. I do like my Frontier's and they have some advantages, but overall, I agree with you and kind of want an SUV again some day, :D.

[@richardtrowell8812]

Had a lifted suburban with 33's on it. Excellent for family outings. Plenty of room for all 6 of us and gear. Got about same gas mileage as a truck. Had overdrive on it. Makes a difference if you go that route.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Nice! I bet that's plenty capable for most stuff and the extra room is pretty nice too.

[@jwmmitch]

Lol, I just asked you a question about vehicles on an older video. And today KZbin recommended 2 of your videos taking about that

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Haha, sometimes the algorithm works!

[@gripzer0166]

Great video, I have a 05 GX470, can’t wait to start modding it.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Nice choice! I love 470's and 460's. Enjoy making it your own!

[@andrewortlieb3994]

i'm trying to get into overlanding, really trying to decide between SUV or pickup. for me, the biggest shortcoming, for the frontier specifically, is the 5ft bed. If it was a 6ft bed I could easily add a cheap bed cap and sleep in there, both for camping and stealth.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yep, that's a good point. Honestly, my favorite vehicle set up so far was my Xterra. The enclosed space with a built in drawer system was awesome and I could leave the vehicle if I needed to without worrying about anything walking away. I do like the extra payload of the trucks and the extra usefulness, but once you put in a drawer system and add a bed rack, most of that goes away. I honestly think that after my new truck wears out (which will be a long time) and once my kids are gone to college, haha, I'll probably just go to an SUV.

[@WildcatPhoto]

At times, think truck would be nice. But already had off-road Xterra, six speed. Adding off-road teardrop trailer is rather easy, but always could use more space. Dog takes backseat. The back has dog food, dog water, dog bed, dog feeding station, Luggable Loo, stovetop Dutch oven, propane tank, my food, table, tools. The teardrop has cooler on front rack and an Action Packer with a bit of gas, locks, etc. The galley has sink and stove and utensils and pots. I do have a roof basket on the trailer for whatever. Cabinets in trailer for clothes and miscellaneous. Loaded, the teardrop weighs maybe 1700 pounds, so the Xterra is fine for towing, as it is rated for pulling 5,000 pounds. 5,000 would be way too much. So, I get by, and I keep throwing out stuff I don't need. I am now going to carry along a Jetboil Genesis for when not wanting to cook messy stuff in the galley.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yep, that sounds like a great set up! And I love taking my dog, but it is basically like adding a kid to your set up, :D.

[@WildcatPhoto]

Yes, I'd have scads of room, but dog child goes with me everywhere; I don't trust anyone with him, and he's spoiled. He loves the teardrop bed.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@WildcatPhoto I bet! I love when my dog comes, but it's a totally different trip from going solo. Going to be bringing her more this year for sure though.

[@steverecknor7371]

Get a Chevy Avalanche. The mid gate and bed side storage compartments gives you so many options. It’s like the pros of the two with less con’s of either.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Definitely a good idea. Most of those around me are rusted out, but I'm in the midwest so that's most things, :D.

[@induction7895]

It's a shame that nobody makes midgates anymore.

[@markroman9007]

@@induction7895Chevy does now

[@midnightadventureswa]

It working for me

[@midnightadventureswa]

Great video like you said it hard to have a one and all set up it all depends on how many people are coming with you and what style of camping you are going to do end and what season is a big factor to

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Thanks! I change my setups multiple times per year, :D.

[@DocWrangler]

Great topic…definitely a tough call! How about both?! 😂

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I like where your head’s at! 😂

[@Klarpimier]

Intro music slaps bro

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Haha, thanks!

[@flyfisher530]

Nice video Fletch but we all know the Jeep is the King of Overlanding (ok you know I am just kidding right?).

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Haha, you got me there, :D. Jeeps are great, but I think people sleep on Nissans a lot!

[@Redneck_Wizard]

This video is good and gives some helpful information except one bit of information you gave was just plain false. You claimed that trucks were more capable of hardcore wheeling which is just objectively not true. I'm trying to decide between a Ford Bronco Badlands and a new Ranger Raptor and one major advantage of the Bronco is that it is much more capable of conquering rough trails due to the shorter wheelbase being less likely to either scrape the bottom of the vehicle or get stuck climbing rocky hills due to the breakover and departure angles of the vehicles. Yeah compared to something like a Chevy Suburban that you mentioned a Tacoma or Ranger will obviously be more capable on tough trails but no pickup truck can compete with a properly modified Wrangler, Bronco, Defender (old or new) 4runner, Grenadier etc. and that is just a stone cold fact. Yes I know most overlanders don't go on gnarly trails but my personal style is a more kind of hardcore overlanding where I try to get to a remote area where I don't have to see any Subarus camping near me. Still gave you a like and subscribe because this seems like an awesome channel and I'll always support the overlanding community I just want people reading to have a better idea of what to drop some major coin on.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Definitely appreciate the feedback! I don't remember specifically saying that trucks are better at hardcore wheeling, but maybe just have a heavier payload for carrying more gear? In the case of the Frontier and Xterra, they're basically built off of the same platform, but you're right that in the case of those two vehicles, the Xterra has shorter overhangs for sure. Again though, totally could have in all that talking so thanks for pointing it out! Totally agree with ya and thanks for subscribing. Look forward to chatting with you in the comments in the future!

[@jeffk464]

2 dr wrangler is by far the most capable off road street legal vehicle. The downside is it has very little storage, you're looking at two people and very efficiently packed gear.

[@AllOverOverland]

Video is having issues. Is anyone else having a black blank screen?

[@Juice421fs]

Not just you

[@iamdaviddoliver]

It's happened to me a few times. Not with his video though. I've realized it mostly when I attempt to watch the video in a browser vs the YT app. IDK if you're on a phone or not, but if that's your situation, you can try using the app and see if that takes care of it. Otherwise, try closing the browser window and opening again. I've had one time earlier today that no matter how many times I attempted to watch the same video in browser, it came up with a black screen, so if the problem persists, I'm not sure how to fix it beyond trying the app.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Good stuff. It's working for me, but that's great info to help others if they run into the issue!

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Huh, weird! hopefully the solution below helps?

[@AllOverOverland]

@@AllThingsOverlanding I could hear it still. Once I closed it and reopened the video it worked. Weird! Great stuff.

[@iceman-ko6xi]

Sooooo..... just use a vehicle that has 4 wheels. got it.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Nailed it.

[@SomeStrangemysterious]

Get a truck. Because it’s a truck

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Well that was easy.

[@woodly1069]

Dude loose the intro

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I’ll let it loose!