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Vehicle-borne travel is growing by leaps and bounds, geared toward adventurous souls, truck nerds, and families who like to connect over campfires. So what is overlanding all about? Let’s find out.
What is Overlanding?
Overlanding is a type of self-reliant, off-grid adventure travel that involves exploring remote destinations using a vehicle, often a 4×4 truck or van, with travellers typically carrying all the needed gear and supplies for camping, cooking, and survival. Most overlanders customize their vehicles with rooftop tents, camper shells, and/or specialized gear to enhance comfort and self-sufficiency.
It’s essentially a mix of road-tripping, camping, and off-roading, with the focus being on the journey itself rather than the destination. Overlanding trips can last for days, weeks (or even months!), often traversing more rugged terrain and less touristic environments.
Where Can I Overland?
With the increased demand for ‘staycations’ and vehicle-borne travel, better-known destinations are quickly finding themselves booked to capacity. That’s why we like to seek out the lesser-known destinations, from off the beaten path towns to smaller parks and campgrounds to accessible roads on Queen’s land. It’s a big country, and there are a lot of incredible locales for off- and shoulder-season adventures.
If your rig is totally self-contained (meaning you have water, an inside toilet, and a tank to collect wastewater), you can also take advantage of the awesome networks of unique host parking spots like farms, breweries, wineries, and golf courses. A couple of options we like are Terego and Harvest Hosts.
If you’re not self-contained, Hip Camp offers lesser-known tent and glamping sites and sweet road trip options for planning stays along your route.
What Vehicle Do I Need?
Every adventure begins with a platform vehicle for exploring, and there are plenty of options depending on your style and needs. Here’s a laid-back rundown:
- Pickup Trucks: These are popular for their rugged durability and high payload capacity. Think of models like the Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Gladiator, or Ford F-150. They’re great if you need space for gear and a solid off-road ride.
- SUVs: Vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and Land Cruiser are classic overlanding choices. They offer a blend of comfort, off-road prowess, and enough room to store gear.
- Modified Vans: Some adventurers convert vans (like the Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit) into mobile homes. These are perfect if you’re planning to spend nights in your vehicle with all the comforts of a tiny (tiny!) home.
- Camper Trailers: While not exactly “vehicles” you drive, many overlanders attach camper trailers to their trucks or SUVs. These trailers offer a home-like setup and are a great option if you don’t want to modify your main vehicle.
- Motorcycles and Dual-Sport Bikes: For those who prefer a lighter, more nimble ride, some overlanders opt for bikes. They’re easier to navigate through narrow trails but obviously offer less storage space compared to four-wheeled options.
Each type has its perks, so your choice might come down to whether you value off-road capability, storage space, budget, and/or living comfy-cozy on long trips.
What About Cargo (Essential Gear)?
Besides the vehicle, our favourite part! Imagine gearing up for your overlanding adventure with all the essentials you need to live comfortably off-grid. Picture a sturdy rooftop tent that transforms your vehicle into a cozy sleeping space paired with a smart kitchen setup complete with a portable stove, compact fridge, and all the cooking tools to whip up delicious meals under the stars.
Throw in some solar panels to keep your devices charged, a reliable water storage system, and maybe even a satellite communication device for those remote trips. It’s all about creating a self-sufficient little world on wheels that makes every journey an adventure in comfort and style. Here are our top picks road-tested by the crew at Wander North.
Rooftop Tent
If you’re looking for a rooftop tent that won’t weigh you down, the Trek from Go Overland Canada is a game-changer. Weighing just 85 lbs, it’s the lightest rooftop tent in Canada—making it ideal for adventurers who value efficiency without compromising comfort. When closed, it measures only 4 inches in height, keeping it aerodynamic and reducing drag on the road.
Built from high-quality, waterproof materials, the Trek rooftop tent is designed to be easily mounted on any roof rack and can handle all weather conditions. Its multiple windows and mesh panels provide great airflow, and you can soak in those epic views while staying bug-free. Plus, with its sleek, modern design, it’s just as stylish as it is functional. Whether you’re on a weekend getaway or a cross-country expedition, this tent is ready for the ride.
Camp Kitchen
Sure, fully installed overland kitchens are great, but we prefer a modular setup that lets us use our vehicle’s space flexibly when we’re not on the road. Our go-to gear includes:
- YETI Tundra Hard Cooler – Keeps everything ice-cold for days, even in the summer heat.
- YETI GoBox Gear Case – Perfect for stashing utensils, plates, and all the little essentials.
- Coleman Camp Stove – A tried-and-true classic that never lets us down.
- Collapsible Sink & Cutting Boards – Easy to pack and essential for prepping meals.
- WOODS Cast Iron Pan – For the best heat distribution and retention, and lasts forever.
This setup gives us the freedom to cook up a storm anywhere—without taking up too much room.
Roof Rack
For mounting our rooftop tent, we swear by the Overland Bed Racks from Oro Racks. They offer rock-solid durability and plenty of mounting points for extra gear. Whether it’s a rooftop tent, recovery boards, or extra storage, these racks can handle whatever we throw at them.
Power
Reliable power is a must when you’re off-grid, and the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station paired with solar panels keeps all our gadgets running smoothly. It charges quickly, has enough juice for everything from laptops to fridges, and gives us the flexibility to go off-grid longer without worrying about running out of power.
Water
Staying hydrated in the wild is key, and our setup includes:
- Lifesaver Jerry Can – A built-in filtration system makes it easy to turn lake or river water into safe drinking water.
- Dometic Hydration Water Jug – A durable, portable water storage solution that’s easy to refill and dispense.
- Camp Shower – Because a quick rinse after a dusty trail is always a good idea.
Safety
Overlanding isn’t just about comfort—it’s about being prepared. Our must-have safety gear includes:
- Maxtrax Recovery Boards – A lifesaver when you get stuck in sand, snow, or mud, along with
- Afraid Knot Ropes Recovery Kit – Designed in Canada for our climate with heavy-duty kinetic ropes.
- Garmin Handheld GPS – Compact satellite communicators for emergencies.
- Duct Aid Kit – Because you never know when you’ll need it.
- Air Compressor & Tire Repair Kit – Essential for adjusting tire pressure and handling unexpected flats.
This setup keeps us comfortable, safe, and self-sufficient, ready for any adventure the road (or lack of road) throws our way.
Wander With Us: Overlanding “Lite”
While we love overlanding, spending long days on the road and camping can start to feel a little tedious. That’s why we’re big fans of what we like to call the “blended road trip”—the idea of mixing in more luxurious experiences like spa days and lodge stays along the way. It’s a chance to put our feet up, enjoy being cooked for, and get a little pampering between the more rugged stretches. Stay tuned for some great stories from the road!