The ESSENTIALS for Overlanding - what you really need to have a grand adventure!

[@55thFox]

You forgot the two most important things to take with you, patience and a sense of humour.

[@MountainRoots]

💯

[@veganpotterthevegan]

And a girlfriend or boyfriend to argue with the entire time

[@ethanwong9950]

Maybe a dash of humility

[@bates6713]

@@veganpotterthevegan LMFAO 100% what would happen 🤣

[@adelarsen9776]

Essentials : 1) Good and thorough first aid training. Competency, confidence and experience. 2) A first aid kit you put together yourself to match the environment 3) A tyre inflation compressor and tyre repair kit with spare plugs. 4) One or two dry powder fire extinguishers. 5) A wool blanket in a dry bag. For accidents and shock. 6) A couple of torches and spare batteries. 7) Note pad and multiple writing instruments. 8) Map and compass - Ensure compass is aligned for your corner of the globe. 9) Cigarettes and Alcohol to trade with new friends who just helped tow you 30 miles and repair your car. 10) As many have said already : A large bag of good attitude and good will. A big smile goes a long way as does an open-hand philosophy.

[@wunderlostbc]

100% agreed. Nowadays, many KZbin, Instagram accounts all seem to be one big sales pitch, with a little travel story thrown in, extolling the virtues of this product or that product as a requirement for adventure. Basic camping equipment will get the job done.For those that are nervous about getting out there, don't worry too much. More often than not, someone will come along to help you out of a jam or, at least, find someone for you who can. Do some prep and just go have fun!!!

[@GATORADDAM]

I love the saying..... The more you know - the less you need.

[@lesemaphorenomade8978]

I adhere to your minimalist approach. The main thing is to start and move on. For the rest, there will always be a solution. Hakuna Matata

[@ricoman7981]

The old adage was to take half as much stuff and twice as much money. I overlanded in Africa several times in the late 80’s/early 90’s and having a 12 volt compressor fridge would have been excellent. I don’t even remember if they were available back then. We didn’t have a cooler either, no real use as ice was hard to find. We would only buy freshly butchered meat from a market first thing in the morning, we put it in a stainless steel bowl covered with a wet towel so the evaporation of the moisture in the towel cooled the meat during the day and we cooked it that night. We cooled our water bottles the same way. If I was doing Africa today, I would splurge for a small compressor fridge and a small or adequate solar set up. As Dan said, you don’t need it but of all the goodies available today, it would be something I made room for.

[@toxophilite1953]

Your experience always bring us back to reality. We pack to much stuff and don’t need most of of it.

[@guidok3762]

Most people bring to much into their vehicle for overlanding, that’s because of all the nice you tube channels. Your channel is the only one I will trust !

[@DB-yj3qc]

When I was "over landing" in Europe my gear was just my regular camping gear, single burner stove like you have. tent, sleeping bag, cooler, and gear in my MJ bottle jack, spare tire, socket wrench set, box wrench's, a shovel, 2 gas cans and $1500-2000 in few different countries money.

[@tobypola4220]

You don't see many over landers these days carrying a backpack to go walking, most don't step a few meters from their 270degree awning. The spirit of adventure has changed a bit from the old days to the current 4x4 influencers. Its good to see backpacking\over landing ideas merge.

[@johnrand9799]

Great video! The only thing I would add is "basic" recovery gear - a shovel, a piece of plywood for a jack stand and tow strap. For anyone going off road, I would suggest a pressure gauge and a air compressor. If you air down your tires in snd you probably won't need the recovery gear.

[@kg0173]

What about mud? What is "basic" recovery gear for mud?

[@johnrand9799]

@@kg0173 For mud you could include some recovery boards like Maxtrax.

[@Shawn-ik6dr]

I think the further off the track you go, the more equipment you may want to think about taking. For example, you might be stuck in some mud for hours, while a set of MaxTrax would have gotten you out in minutes. Basically what I'm getting at is the further from help you are, the more self sufficient you need to be.

[@robertvoss9111]

Whenever I see these gigantic overland setups I like to think of the KZbinr spaghettiroad who drove from Denmark through the middle East to China in an old Peugeot coupé with a ground tent, whilst most of these giant trucks have never left the safety of home 🤷

[@ozarkoverlandoutfitters9218]

Your a great inspiration to us we are in process of selling everything we own but our land cruiser and heading out on the pan American highway

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

You are about to have an amazing adventure, have fun out there!!

[@DaciaProject]

I drove from Massachusetts to Alaska and back in summer 1998 in a 1990 VW petrol Jetta. 25,000 km. Was never stopped by the police and had no issues with the car whatsoever. Just changed the oil every 5000 km.

[@rolandklann6250]

Dan Love your common sense approach ! Totally agree with your choices. Although you might want to add a comment about GOOD QUALITY TIRES in there somewhere. (Thinking about your comments when you met the couple from Inuvik who spent the night on the pull out on the Dempster after losing several tires at once ) BTW your comments match the originally posted video of Sarah and Kevin from Lifestyle Overland when they started out 5 years ago or so . Go And get moving save your money for fuel and expenses and slowly build your knowledge and experience. Have a safe trip !

[@SmashTheNumbers]

I did not see the wooden snake on your list. I thought that was the most essential of the essential!

[@MountainRoots]

Dan I know when we first got into overlanding, we packed way too much stuff. But ya live and learn what's really important, and even come up with clever hacks to save space (or get proper/better gear). We're still refining our setup. Great video! 🤙-Josh

[@badfinger61]

Always solid, clear, and concise information and advice Dan. Much appreciated. I travel much the same way. I learned to pack light and pack smart from my very early backpacking and canoe trips as a teenager. Less is better and I often say that you can always buy something enroute if you find you really need it. *If you really need it* One of my mottos for travel is: Take half a much stuff and twice as much money. Can't go wrong there.

[@mikecorpus1267]

"I know that's true, because that's what I did!" Great videos. Thanks

[@VintageWanderer]

Awesome video ! I just bought a Vw bus that finished Argentina to Alaska its now in North Carolina and needs transmission and other refits. Cheers

[@squatch2461]

I love your videos and approach. The "no fancy recovery equipment" required advice in this one did initially surprise me. Then I reminded myself that imho your version of "Overlanding", especially in this video, is road tripping vs real boonies overlanding. You rightly point out in other videos that most places someone will come along and help you. The key point though is that you're on a road or track where that happens in a timely manner. I hope people listening to this will hear your advice on maintenance and preparation for emergencies as well as what they don't need to bring.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Keep in mind when you're roaming up into Alaska and the Yukon there really are only a handful of roads... there just are not that many, because of the permafrost.

[@project-overland]

You make a lot of sense and I’ve heard many many times people saying “can’t wait until I can get xxxxxx” so I can go overlanding.. Insert: 4x4 roof tent camper etc etc.. Your videos are generally speaking excellent!

[@P997C4S]

Great information worth its weight in gold from a guy who has actually done that. Well done!

[@HuntlelyScouting]

I think you are spot on. Basic needs get covered, basically needs vs wants. Gear adds weight, what if and or maybe needs add weight. Basic essentials are all you need for 90% or more of a trip. If you need all the fancy recovery gear maybe you are actually planning to get stuck.

[@henrycolestage4249]

Good First aid kit **and knowing how to use it**. Literally a life saver!

[@ZEROmg13]

...what you mentioned AND my reading glasses.......lol

[@anneli1735]

Very helpful aspects you are touching here! Appreciating your insight „shipping is a joke these days“ very much - making me rethink my plans and maybe just leave here by plane with my personal essentials 🤔

[@mark2073]

I have found that when the car isn't organized it really takes away the enjoyment of the trip so it's really worth it to build some organizing system. Inevitably you are going to have lots of stuff that you need to store. While your minimalistic advice is good for road tripping, if anyone plans to go off road at all I think they will need more tools and recovery gear. Also don't forget bug screen to go over your open windows. And a rain shield on the windows for when they are open at night for ventilation. I'd also bring some water purification system. Buying it locally produces lots of plastic garbage.

[@daveybernard1056]

5:25 Trangia sighting. I use that one, with a gas adapter.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Used it for the entire 2 year journey, it was perfect!

[@heathgabrysh4542]

As a backpacker I always say pack light and expect to lose everything!

[@richalina6583]

I think a power source for charging phones, headlamps, lanterns etc. a car jumper and tire inflater as well.

[@davehowell6453]

Cheers mate - very useful!

[@flatwaterflatlander5937]

Nah mate. Spot on. That's essentially how I made my half lap of Oz. 3 months of bliss on the cheap. Kimberley, Kakadu, out back and back again. No worries. But I definitely had to have an Esky for all those essential tins...

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Mate, you need a donk!

[@flatwaterflatlander5937]

@@TheRoadChoseMe "What's a Donk?"

[@Furniture121]

Awesome stuff as always. Though the following aren't kit/items, I'd argue that a good first aid course from a trusted source (St. John Ambulance, Red Cross, etc.), and fire extinguisher training are also good to have. The few seconds it takes to read the fire extinguisher instructions in a panic might be the few seconds you needed to get the fire extinguished before things get out of control.

[@jimstringer1733]

I might be cheating here, this is pretty much exactly what I was expecting you to say! But the cheating part is being a fan of your first book (haven't read the second yet) I had a pretty good idea of your views about how little you need to overland. But you did forget about buying high quality tires for your rig. I remember you talking about that after all the flats you had. As always you have great insights into overlanding!! Build what you need, not what someone else says you need.

[@yorkchris10]

Who was the guy with the elephants that crossed the mountains? - long time ago.

[@j.a.8970]

Dan, love the channel. I just wanted to ask you: would you consider a 4 ton come along manual winch (including an extended length cheater bar for cranking it at a safe distance, away from the danger zone in the event of a cable failure) with some snatch blocks a suitable and affordable alternative to a front bumper mounted warn winch or the like? I'm just thinking about having a little bit of extra insurence and peace of mind if i get stuck and I'm way out in remote region. Thanks again!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I once moved a 1,200lbs moose with a come along, and the amount of tension in that steel cable did not make me feel good. Keep in mind you'll also have to find somewhere to store all that gear you're talking about, even when it's covered in mud....

[@j.a.8970]

@@TheRoadChoseMe valid point! Maybe saving up a bit longer for an actual warn winch, although more expensive, would be the safer route. I guess some traction boards would go a long way as well. Thanks for your input, Dan. All the best!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Keep in mind, I had neither of those when I drove from Alaska to Argentina, and I didn't once want or need them.

[@Fe_lix]

Hotel and airbnb blurring the line of overlanding ? Is that true ? For a long time I didn't considered it as an option but since I saw Itchy Boots adventure, alone with her bike and staying only in hotels and hostels. What she did definitely register as an overlanding adventure to me. And actually this though made it easier for me to start, go in a trip only with hotels (preferably in a country where they are cheap...) and you almost need no gear. Then go in a trip and alternate bush camping and hotels, you will need a lot less confort gear and will be a lot easier. And considering the cost of some overlanding gear (RTT ?), you can pay for a LOT of hotels night in cheap countries.

[@d37tae]

This is a fantastic way to get started, BTW. Don't force yourself into somebody else's idea of traveling. Some people travel on $1 per day. Some on $300 per day. There is no one size fit's all. A hostel/hotel/campground once or twice a week is a great alternative to having a shower setup, carrying a lot of water, etc. I know of wayyy too many people that built out what they knew was the "right solution" according to media, only to sell it and start over once they got some experience under their belt and understood what worked for them. Start cheap, start simple, and spend more time traveling, and you will be able to answer your own questions using experience.

[@senditkevin]

I was curious how long a mention of Itchy Boots would take. Found her channel a few months ago and now all caught up with season 6, going to start with season 1 in between the new episodes. Found Dan's channel about 7 months ago and he inspired me to go up to Alaska, Noraly has inspired me to go down to the Southwest U.S and then maybe in a few years, mexico on a bike similar to hers. I live in Manitoba, Canada and have been camping a few times a year for the past 2 or 3 years with friends, even in winter. Also seeing how much riding there is in the southwest U.S, thinking about bringing my dirt bike down there about March next year, then turning around and heading to Alaska for the summer.

[@d37tae]

@@MrJedi5150 Great to hear! 2-weeks is perfect. It lets you get into a rhythm and you start to think about little things like "dang, my French Press is hard to clean out, maybe I should just use pour over filters to save a few minutes of cleaning every day", etc. To some extent lots of gear can also be replaced by skill and information, too. Cleaning dishes with tortillas first and doing "spa days" at public swimming pools (with water slides, saunas and hot tubs ideally) can reduce like 99% of your water usage. On my last big trip I ended up replacing my maxtrax(clones) with folding go-treads because 90% of the time I was using them for leveling at camp. Conversely I ended up replacing my small lightweight shovel with a full size long handled shovel just to make it easier to get snow or sand out from under the middle of the truck. (I also had the perfect place to store a long handled shovel, and no good place to put my maxtrax) You just gotta figure out for yourself what gear makes sense for your style of travel.

[@boringusername792]

Great video! However a shovel is something I’d consider essential!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

To be perfectly honest, I didn't have one when I drove from Alaska to Argentina.... and I never needed one.

[@georgesandoval1937]

Respeto y admiracion a tus opiniones e ideas; why it took me soo long to get to your channel 🤔

[@d37tae]

I think you are fighting the good fight by arguing that people can travel simply, and still call it overlanding. I really appreciate it. I think it is critical, and as a (usually) "backpacker" I can't agree more. The last time I "road tripped", I camped for 30 days straight out of 1971 BMW Bavaria. But I don't have the energy you do to try calling that "overlanding" in front of todays keyboard warriors. Sure, I traveled for 6 weeks straight, and didn't get my first hotel until the 31st night of the trip. Carried all our own food, drove on "Subaru" roads all the time, tent camped, carried our own water. But in todays environment, I can't call that anything except traveling or road tripping. Keep doing what you are doing, I love the message you are spreading, but you have a long hill to climb before you win back the term overlanding from what it has come to mean. ... Aside: I propose a we give up and come up with a new vehicle based adventure travel term, that is more travel focused, less vehicle modification focused. I am open to suggestions. I just call them "long road trips" now, but would love to find something catchy before I start my next, (hopefully) several year long road trip in December. :)

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

A friend calls it "Overland Travel"

[@Raymasseyus]

Watching other people's videos on this stuff, all I can think is what they're doing is light four-wheel driving and camping. Most of their travel is still on roads but they'll be an occasional series of rocks or challenge that only a four-wheel drive vehicle can make or so we are made to think. This is a great Channel thanks for doing what you're doing

[@johngarrett7050]

I can go along with you on this topic BUT!! Would need to add scotch and cigars! 😎

[@eagriggs1]

You need food, water, and shelter to survive. Add a mode of transportation and you've got overlanding. Everything else is about style and comfort.

[@markwyatt3088]

You really only need water to survive, you can live without food for at least 30 days. And assuming you're overlanding in a vehicle you've got a shelter.

[@ebikeengineer]

I was going to say there are 3 more things. 1) a positive attitude. 2) nav app like Gaia 3) told I need to keep my Jeep running!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

For my Alaska to Argentina trip I certainly didn't have any kind of nav app. Getting lost was part of the adventure!

[@ihmesekoilua]

Those were the exact things I expected you to bring up. Sorry, you're just that predictable :P I also agree wholeheartedly. This may be my Land Rover talking, but to the "obvious" items like water and clothing, I would add some very basic tools. A couple of screwdrivers, a set of pliers can be really handy, and one of those small sets with a 1/4" wrench, some sockets and torx bits. There's going to be some cover rattling loose or some clamp that needs tightening sooner or later. Overlanding is, after all, vehicle-dependent travel, so SOMETHING that will allow you to re-tighten the battery when the clamp comes off and you can't start it anymore. Ask me how I came to think of that one.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I personally agree on the tools, though I met people driving to Argentina who had never once opened their hood, had no idea how to change the oil and have never even changed a flat tire. They simply didn't care, and they just paid local mechanics to take care of their vehicle. So while you and I might think it's a good idea, it certainly isn't essential to have your own tools and know-how.

[@lsobrinho]

Water filtration system would be my must have gear. Specially in Central-South America. Tap water is not drinkable here.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I drove from Alaska to Argentina without any filtration ability - I always just bought 20l jugs or bought water from a filtration place - always just a couple of bucks.

[@kg0173]

@@TheRoadChoseMe What about Africa? Can you do the same there?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

It depends on which countries you're going to - remember, that is 54 countries you're ralking about!

[@kg0173]

@@TheRoadChoseMe I'm thinking Eastern Africa and Southern Africa. Probably it could be more expensive always buying bottles of water?

[@DannyK1992]

I would really like to see you on the Mongol Rally I think you would be the only one not to break down in Kazakhstan / Mongolia because you take care of your car religiously

[@markwyatt3088]

I'm surprised your rigs always include an air intake snorkel. Waste of money unless you plan on deep fords and you raise your 'diff vents, transmission vent, waterproof electronics and connections, etc. The factory Jeep Warranty says anything over 30" of water and the warranty is void. Anytime water is coming over your hood you've gone too far and a snorkel won't save you. The other thought about 'snorks is they cut down on dust ingestion. Yah, they might a little but they also are a a big restriction on intake air decreasing engine performance. If overlanding in superdusty conditions it's cheaper to just carry a few extra air filters and change them more often. I'd like to hear your reasoning why a snorkel is mandatory for overlanding.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I go into that topic in great detail here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6DYc2t6n7-mhpI

[@markwyatt3088]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Thanks for the link, it explains things really well.

[@rethasmit500]

Maxtrax and shovel

[@Onward4x4]

You mean I don’t have to have my inflatable King size mattress? Aghast!!!! 😅😅😅

[@tonyanderson191]

I thought you were going to include a shovel

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I drove AK to Argentina without one actually...

[@garyogreen6958]

Say what you want but if you traveling off road at all and especially if your going to be very remote then you better have the gear yo get yourself unstuck and back on the road again. Even a little side trip can turn into a nightmare in a quick hurry if no one is around and you get stuck bad. It's not if it's when if your spending anytime off road.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

And yet I drove from Alaska to Argentina trying as hard as possible to never be on a paved roads, picking the tiniest tracks I could find, and I never once had need of recovery gear.

[@garyogreen6958]

@@TheRoadChoseMe good deal. As I said if you spend enough time off road EVENTUALLY you will wish you had it. If you are TRULY remote it could kill you. To each their own. Wheel like you prefer I'm good with that. I have rarely needed my winch or gear myself but can think of twice that without it I would've been in much more than serious trouble.

[@doowael]

A friend of mine circumnavigated the United States on a bicycle.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Checkout Oliver who circumnavigated the entire continent of Africa on his bicycle! kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5yyZqKfr8SAfMk

[@NoMansOverland]

You forgot the most important thing: your common sense! Most disasters can be avoided by knowing the limits of your knowledge and equipment and being willing to turn back when things get too sketchy.

[@jobrand7852]

I do appreciate your advice on basic overlanding , however, you need to be mindful that not all people have logical and technical skills for this kind of travel. Suggesting that people could just pack clothes, a stove, a first aid kit and a small tent with no navigation devices or proper planning could be dangerous in my opinion. Yes, some people have done it, but what about the ones that had to turn around or get rescued/recovered at great cost because they thought it was a walk in the park. Overland advice should err on the prepared side.

[@Furniture121]

Planning is a process, not an item that you need. Also, if someone hops in a car with a sleeping bag, stove, and a first aid kit without planning first, it isn't because they watched this channel. If they watched this channel they would know that planning your route is done well before stepping off the line of departure.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

But even more-so, what people don't understand is there are perfectly good paved roads right up to and around Alaska with gas stations, supermarkets and campgrounds. You don't "need" to plan a route, you can be spontaneous and have a great time!

[@rtwbikerider]

1) An unlocked GSM quad-band mobile phone. 2) A credit card on a network like Cirrus, Plus or Maestro. That should get you out of most predicaments.

[@fjr2go]

money and a current passport....the rest is optional, obviously ...

[@williamwesley9745]

Don’t forget to bring gas money, lots of moneys for the gas pump so you can get home if you want to.

[@manimalworks7424]

Bring duct tape, that’s all you need