Complicated overlanding.

[GH]

Are we not in a fashion of over complicating overlanding and camping for ourselves?

When I did my first trip, I had a single Engel fridge, a roof rack with a rooftop tent, camping chairs a galvanized bucket with a little 12 volt shower and some lamps. Nice and simple back then.

Now, it's huge caravans, up to three fridges with a huge power system and putting out solar panels at each stop. Very overloaded vehciles with camper conversions, stoves, ovens, fancy coffee makers, showers, and everything one can possible fit in. Part of travelling now is stressing about all the kit working correctly. Unpacking and packing up at each stop consists of a lot of items.

Or does the new way actually make overlanding less stessful and easier?

[Half-Pint]

Each to their own.

If you feel like towing your very own Nkandla setup complete with firepool then great.

If you feel like doing a trip where you use dust to shower and eat grasshoppers off a twig equally great.

[Swede]

Vehicles with ovens, air fryers and coffee machines all a bit confusing...but each to their own!

[Viertrek]

Are we not in a fashion of over complicating overlanding and camping for ourselves?

When I did my first trip, I had a single Engel fridge, a roof rack with a rooftop tent, camping chairs a galvanized bucket with a little 12 volt shower and some lamps. Nice and simple back then.

Now, it's huge caravans, up to three fridges with a huge power system and putting out solar panels at each stop. Very overloaded vehciles with camper conversions, stoves, ovens, fancy coffee makers, showers, and everything one can possible fit in. Part of travelling now is stressing about all the kit working correctly. Unpacking and packing up at each stop consists of a lot of items.

Or does the new way actually make overlanding less stessful and easier?

As a minimalistic camper I have noticed this as well. Glad you have asked the question.

[pjf110]

I think the amount of marketing and awareness of gadgets takes its toll. Especially for newbies, they assume they need all the gear because thats all they see.

You actually figure out what you need after a few trips and not before. Overlanding vs base camping makes a big difference. Also dependent on how far off the beaten track you are willing to venture.

Trailers and caravans are great but when you have a 2ton anchor stuck in sand its no fun. Also manoeuvring in tight tracks becomes a hassle.

If you have the means your gear will vary on the trip you intend to do. A two week kruger trip with few camp relocations, then a caravan or big trailer would be great. A bundu bashing Hunters road trip with packing up daily then a Roof Top tent would be best.

On balance a light weight trailer with tent would be a good compromise.

Edit: I find that people want to pack the whole trips food/drink/water/fuel supplies from departure. This is a mistake and leads to overloading imho.

[Tony Weaver]

When I did my first trip, I had a single Engel fridge, a roof rack with a rooftop tent, camping chairs a galvanized bucket with a little 12 volt shower and some lamps. Nice and simple back then.

Why did you need a fridge?
Or a 12V shower, for that matter.

[Peter1949]

Why did you need a fridge?
Or a 12V shower, for that matter.

TONY !!!!
The fridge is for the BEER. (Eish!)

[Dan2]

i think one of the reasons why i dont overland is because i am ****scared of being in the middle of nowhere, and needing something that i dont have.

as for kettles/air fryers/inverters for hairdryers and tv.... ya i dont get it. rather stay home if you want all that.

i am getting more into my camping (1 weekend away) and also starting to realise that i really dont need much . I could even get away with just 1 change of clothes.... but im not single anymore so i have to smell semi-decent before going to bed

but i suppose 2 days without certain things are bareable, maybe a few weeks or months changes things

[clivemd]

Each person to there own needs and what makes them comfy
Having certain amount of power is great to have and having my REDARC system is very very nice no more need for gas lamps like the old days, having to replace lamp wicks braking the glass carrying out empty gas canisters , and a good fridge makes it just that better, rest what carry is the bare minimum

[PJ SA]

Each to their own SWAMBO.....Whatever it takes to get the yes nod

Jokes aside, I like to camp with relatively little getting back to basics away from the comforts of home.....that being said people can do whatever they like.

What I'll never understand is travelling solo with abakkie or large SUV but still needing a trailer but I'm ok with never understanding it.

[LandyLove]

Each person to there own needs and what makes them comfy
Having certain amount of power is great to have and having my REDARC system is very very nice no more need for gas lamps like the old days, having to replace lamp wicks braking the glass carrying out empty gas canisters , and a good fridge makes it just that better, rest what carry is the bare minimum

I agree with a good 12v system for fridge and lights. And to charge cameras etc. Personally I dont get the coffee machine idea, but I don’t like coffee. I like cold stuff, so I have carried 3 fridges before. 1 in the car, 2 fridges at camp in the trailer. One fridge and the other freezer. I am trying to size my fridges better.

Besides a good 12v system, a good packing system is essential. Drawers for food and gear. And then a properly set up kitchen.

I care more about a neat and tidy setup, rather than all the gadgets setup.

[GH]

Why did you need a fridge?
Or a 12V shower, for that matter.

I like fresh meat. I like G&T and Brandy & Coke which all need ice. I like beer a lot.

12 V shower, it's simple and I like getting into bed clean.

[River Rat]

Our trick is to differentiate between want and need, in the latter category we start with what we call mission critical first in terms of keeping the vehicle going fuel, spare tyre, tyre repairs, recovery kit etc no compromise. Then what would you need if you were stranded, we use 3 days as our parameter this is where water, food and communication devices emerge. From here on you are into the want category and it's really up to you and what the vehicle can carry safely as to what to include. Generally we set ourselves up to be self sufficient for a 10 day stretch. A RTT and awning is more than enough for our needs so no trailer required.

Our luxuries are good chairs, trail cam, a portable weber braai, 12v shower, one fridge on freeze (for ice), console drinks fridge and icebox. This is what makes things comfortable and I honestly can't think of what we are missing or would like to add.

[Peter Connan]

Each to their own SWAMBO.....Whatever it takes to get the yes nod

Jokes aside, I like to camp with relatively little getting back to basics away from the comforts of home.....that being said people can do whatever they like.

What I'll never understand is travelling solo with abakkie or large SUV but still needing a trailer but I'm ok with never understanding it.

If it just me, I take a fridge, a groundsheet, a mattress and a sleeping bag.

If Swambo comes a long, it's tbe trailer and the kitchen sink.
Strangely, that's not because she insists...

[Francois Theron]

We went full circle. From the bare necessities to a trailer full of gadgets back to only the essentials. One thing I do not compromise on is to sleep well. No point in being on holiday if I don't sleep well. All other things can be compromised on.

[Damdan]

Jip
A good bed and the best chair money can buy.

[PsyPhin]

However far as I need to take it to make family comfy enough to be excited for next trip.

If they moan about food/drink temp, elements, boredom, ease of meal prep etc they wont want to join me next time. I dont want to have to drag them with.

Having a fridge with ice, beer, lollies and yogurt is a start, then that needs power, then that needs a way to charge, a tent, some self inflating mattresses comes next, a kitchen area, changing station and and and.

When they get to 5Yrs old I will start dropping the nice to haves one by one until we in a hammock with only MREs and tablet purified river water

[GH]

However far as I need to take it to make family comfy enough to be excited for next trip.

If they moan about food/drink temp, elements, boredom, ease of meal prep etc they wont want to join me next time. I dont want to have to drag them with.

Having a fridge with ice, beer, lollies and yogurt is a start, then that needs power, then that needs a way to charge, a tent, some self inflating mattresses comes next, a kitchen area, changing station and and and.

When they get to 5Yrs old I will start dropping the nice to haves one by one until we in a hammock with only MREs and tablet purified river water

You're right about making it comfortable for your family but there comes a point where it's great for everyone else and you're the one missioning around with all the comforts and spending a heck of a lot of money.

[Hedgehog]

Friday threads on Mondays is a red ticket..

[GH]

Friday threads on Mondays is a red ticket..

Haha it's not a Friday thread. It's a genuine thought of mine. I am going to try simplify my rig a bit and make it less battery power dependent with less stuff to worry about.