Top 5 Pieces of Overlanding Gear I Stopped Using After 5 Years

[@Adrian-jh5cr]

Interesting list I live by the beach and you definitely need a shovel and awning plus a recovery strap

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

👍

[@delvinmorales9458]

Out west we get a lot fire restrictions when it comes to camp fires. Propane fire pits are often exempt from the first stage of restrictions. Very situational. But you'll probably get more utility out of it, in California, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico or Arizona than the East Coast.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yep, definitely very location dependent on what makes sense or doesn't!

[@jamesjustus6568]

I don’t have a RTT, so when I have a need to level the Jeep it’s solely to make the fold down tailgate table level for setting the camp stove on. Got tired of looking for the perfect rock(s), so I emulated something my Dad did with the camper back in the ‘70’s. He used a 2x6 about 2’ long that was flush cut about 2” past center, then a couple strap hinges attached between the two lengths so that the shorter end will lay flat atop the longer. So around a foot long when folded. He cut a 30° or so bevel in the unhinged ends for ramping. Gross leveling 2-4” with the boards, fine leveling with the camper jacks. I did the same thing. Only went shorter on the length, used 2x4 and did the flush cut about an inch past center. About 10” when folded. Inexpensive, compact and if you drive off without or break one, no big deal. No futzing with the traction boards or carrying a bag of blocks. Personally, I always carry a shovel for a few reasons. One is we have dogs. Two is for around the campfire in season; we dutch oven cook if we’re base camping so it’s used for gathering coals and at the end of our stay when making sure that fire is dead out a shovel is good. Third reason is some people are nasty and inconsiderate. When you have to clean up after someone else’s mess at a campsite it comes in handy. I’ve yet to use a shovel for recovery, but for everything else it’s a great tool. I don’t use anything fancy, just a small “Jeep” shovel my kid got me a few years ago. Been pondering an Ignik for one of the reasons you don’t get much use from yours, and that’s the burn bans we have in the mountain west. Really on the fence about the cost vs how many times we’d use it. I can see using it if we’re base camping during fire season, but if we’re overlanding between camps each day it’s just one more thing to set up and break down. Plus there’s the added propane usage. Been on the fence long enough for squatters rights, 😂.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

That board idea is genius. The propane firepit is definitely more dependent on where you live. That's one of the few good things about the midwest. No fire bans and plentiful wood, :D.

[@ianlikesoutside]

The Kammok Crosswing awning is the best. It takes seconds to deploy and put away. This makes it worth deploying for just a few minutes or hours at camp.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I've seen those things. Pretty cool design!

[@eastALoverland]

I agree with the awning. I have used mine about three times the entire time I have had it. The mounted shower tent I have found I use a good bit for multiple purposes. I find it’s extremely easier to pack away than the awning as well.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I really thought I'd use the awning more, but I just don't. A shower would be awesome, but since most of my trips are 4-5 nights or less, I can usually get by without it or hit a campground midway or towards the end of a trip and get a shower there.

[@eastALoverland]

@@AllThingsOverlanding I really use it more for changing clothes and a restroom. 😂

[@bejwee]

I'm relatively new to overlanding and still assembling gear so this was a really awesome video to help keep my excitement in check and not buy stuff that I don't need. Living in Florida and camping in the South, the sun is pretty strong so I think an awning may be used more often in my case. Our rig that we are setting up is a Rivian SUV, and the air suspension self-levels in camp mode.. have to say it's pretty freaking amazing to pull up wherever you want and just hit the level vehicle button! Anyway thanks again

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Those Rivians are really cool! And an awning would make a lot more sense in FL for sure. Enjoy your truck and just keep getting out and exploring and you'll figure out the stuff you need as you go more!

[@billhoffmann9160]

Hey buddy mostly agree with you. In my case a shovel is used a lot to pick up after the dogs. I have a couple of leveling blocks because the traction boards are secured on the roof the leveling blocks are readily accessible. The fire can we have used inside our Kelty shelter winter camping.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Definitely different for everybody. The propane pit is nice when you need it!

[@jimandvalstravelchannel]

We planned on picking up a propane fire pit at the expo this year. But not much to look at this year. Saw wood fire pits though. Since there are not the same number of fire bans in the midwest as the out west, we figured most people were likely more interested in using wood. But we are going full-time, and will be all over the west as well as Canada. So propane makes more sense for us. We bought one on Amazon when we got back home.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Nice! I do like it when I need it. Just find that I don't use it nearly as much as I thought I would.

[@jmathre44]

Great video. Since I got into overlanding the past few mos, it's funny how we seem to want the new shiny toys we see that everyone else has. I just plan to use what I already have, and acquire things I think I might like/need.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

That's a great way to start. You'll really quickly start to see holes in your set up and then you can prioritize the things that will improve your trips without wasting money.

[@RyanBennett_Gpd605]

I used my 270 awning a few times. Learned the hard way to make sure you always steak down the poles lol! It deploys fairly easy so its not much of a hassle to put up or close up. But I agree with you. MOST of the gear all these KZbinrs say you need are seldom used and are only mentioned for sponsors.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I also am lazy and don't ever stake down my awning, but I've had to put it away a few times when it got really windy and I definitely could have had some damage.

[@frankmabry3641]

Certainly agree with you on the awning. To my list I'm also putting my shower cube. By the way, my shovel is from Lowes.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I had a regular old spade for a few years. I switched to my small REAPR shovel just because it's even smaller and since I barely use it, I didn't want it taking up my space.

[@Mallrunner]

Camped all over the place and I rarely ever need to level my rig. I found that airing or deflating my tire was the easiest way without carrying more equipment.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Me too. Deflating tires is a good idea if you're close and just need a slight adjustment. Especially if you've got an air source on your truck.

[@kyleseaverson5178]

When I bought my Awning for the Xterra the first few times I was happy to use it. Then realized that when it rained we just ended up standing under the rear hatch. So I will most likely put an awning on the Frontier build, but nothing extravagant. I carry water purification means as a survival option, so a single walled metal bottle I can boil water in, a Greyl filter bottle (the Titanium version brings both options), and water tablets. But that is included in my total survival kit.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Those grayls are super nice and since they're relatively small, they make sense. Loving watching the Frontier get built!

[@kyleseaverson5178]

@AllThingsOverlanding It's a fun but frustrating ride. Having problems with vendors sending all the parts, and I keep getting burnt starting a project and having to stop to wait. The truck is sitting idle because I've got the rear bumper off waiting for a part to arrive, and then I just found another piece missing...and trying to get some bolts I need from Nissan is like pulling teeth. 🙄 Hoping that this isn't normal for everyone.

[@newfoundoverland]

I gotta have my poop shovel with me at all times!

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I don't blame ya, :D

[@CurtinFortCollins]

You shoulda got the OVS270 awning. I use mine all the time. The BillieBar tailgate cover for my Frontier was an average buy. Drilled out the holes to use the original Nissan tailgate screws. Seems like they could have widened the holes for what they charge. Also, did not really like removing the metal piece under the original plastic Nissal tailgate cover. Interested to see if I get more water intrusion in the tailgate.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yeah, I had the 180 from when I had my Xterra (with the rear hatch, didn't need the extra coverage of the 270) so I've just moved it over. A 270 would be better, but then again, it's still work to set it up and unless it's raining or something, I just don't mess with it. For the tailgate, I agree. Wish it was cheaper for sure for how simple it is.

[@agrwave]

Thank you for sharing !

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Happy to!

[@WildcatPhoto]

Hmmm. I'm in the NW, but sold the ARB awning, it was a nuisance. I'm going to get an attached shower tent, ordered it, but no shower. Twice I used leveling blocks. I have a folding shovel that have not used. Once had a firepit, sold that--just hope it warms up soon--don't have room for it, but every summer, fires are banned for three months or so. Don't need fire in summer.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Funny how we think we’ll use something all the time but end up not!

[@WildcatPhoto]

Yes. I was over in the Wallowas in June (northeast Oregon). It poured buckets all day, so I thought I needed an awning. I couldn't stand under the opened back hatch because ground squirrels were into everything. But I think I can do with the Backroads awning in most cases. If it's too hot and dry for a fire, I don't want a propane fire either. I tried using a Clam Traveler shelter in rain, but that was a muddy mess, anything would be. When I watch videos of people setting up awnings or tents, they are doing it on a nice sunny day, on a green grass lawn, not very realistic in Oregon or Washington.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@WildcatPhoto Yep, makes sense. Rain is my least favorite weather already, let alone when it gets all my stuff wet/muddy, haha.

[@EndlessAdventuresinvanlife]

I never worry about leveling. lol 200 dollar shovel, I use an actual shovel 30 bucks at Home Depot. If you need to shovel you want an actual full size shovel.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

True. I just had a spade from Ace I think for a long while and it worked great.

[@EdJZatta]

Use my awning on every trip.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Good! You're better than me, :D.

[@Sergiop4x]

I have been debating removing 180 awning and kickass shower. Id save about 70lbs

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Weight is another good point that I didn't even touch on, but all this stuff is pretty heavy.

[@cedarspaw4180]

Sounds like when you started you were listening to a lot of gear reccomendations from the PNW. Out here it rains a lot. If you don't have an awning, you're gonna get quite soggy. If you dont have a propane firepit, you're not gonna be able to have a fire most of the summer due to burn bans and increased risk of forrest fire. It makes sense. So many Overland channels are based out of the PNW. The needs here are just different.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yeah, definitely highly dependent on where you are. I probably use things here in the midwest that you guys never use, haha.

[@midnightadventureswa]

I would agree and awning over in the Pacific Northwest in Washington is a must. I just used mine over the weekend and I agree a propane fire pit also when burning bands are going on but for a big shower system, I would look into the geyser system due to the factor that it uses 12 V system For the pump and the heating system less drain on your propane supply and for leveling blocks we always in the Pacific Northwest can fight rocks or wood and for a shovel. I just got a 3 foot shovel from Harbor Fright.😊

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@midnightadventureswa Definitely different based on where you live! Funny how different our experiences are based on where we live.

[@sportkiteflyer]

Nice video and informative but please…you need to look at the lens instead of the live screen when you’re presenting. It is very distracting to try to watch this. 🤦‍♂️

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

You’re one of like 3 people that has brought this up over the years so it’s a legitimate thing but it’s amazing how many people don’t notice it. Haha, thanks for the feedback!

[@hunterkurdziel2843]

I don’t use an awning. I also don’t have one

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Haha, well, that makes a difference.