Overlanding and Offroad articles

Every year at overland expos I watch buyers walk up to a shiny trailer with knobby tires. Then they ask if it will handle real off-road duty. After decades of overlanding across the American West as the founder of 4WDTalk, I've learned the honest answer is usually no. A true...

Quick Facts: Topic: Powering a 12V diesel air heater off-grid Startup draw: roughly 7 to 18 amps, depending on the unit Running draw: 1.25 to 2.45 amps on OEM units Typical power station 12V port: 10 amps maximum Common failure: the port shuts off during the glow-plug cycle Fixes:...

Quick Facts: Case: Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Forest Service Judge: Ann Aiken, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon Order filed: August 10, 2026 Areas closed: Banshee Hill and the southwestern edge of the Umpqua Dunes Curfew: 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the North Riding...

Quick Facts: Topic: Veteran-owned overlanding gear brands Brands covered: 10 Categories: Solar, recovery rope, knives, vans, bedrolls, build shops, mattresses, guided trips, retail, storage Branches represented: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force Price range: $28 pouches to $127,395 van builds Prices checked: 11 August 2026, direct from each brand ...

Quick Facts: Short answer: Safe while you are awake and ventilating. Never while you sleep. Topic: Buddy heater in tent use, checked against the manual and the code. Manufacturer position: Tents are listed as an approved enclosure. Same manual, in capitals: "NEVER OPERATE THE HEATER WHILE SLEEPING!" Oxygen sensor:...

  Quick Facts: Offer: Free Starlink Mini kit rental for Residential Max subscribers Required plan: Residential Max, $130 per month Roam discount: 50% off eligible Roam service plans Where: United States and Canada Hardware fee: $0 per month while Residential Max stays active Return window: 30 days after leaving Residential...

  Quick Facts: The matchup: Land Cruiser vs Bronco Raptor over a quarter mile Who ran it: The Fast Lane Car, published August 7, 2026 Winner: Bronco Raptor, 15.24 seconds Runner-up: Land Cruiser, 17.12 seconds, 9.74 seconds to 60 mph Margin: 1.88 seconds Conditions: Roughly 5,280 feet of elevation, near...

Quick Verdict: This foil packet grilled asparagus recipe cooks trimmed asparagus spears with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, and parmesan in one flat-packed packet. It goes straight over coals next to whatever protein is already cooking. Flat-pack fold it and drop it on medium coals. The spears turn...

  Quick Facts: Question: Is bear spray legal in California? Statewide answer: Yes, under Penal Code 22810 Inside national parks: No, all 9 California units Legal basis: Federal rule 36 CFR 1.4, not state law Bears present: Black bears only, no grizzlies since the 1920s Penalty risk: Federal misdemeanor plus...

There's a moment that happens to almost every cold-weather camper at least once: you're zipped into a sleeping bag rated for temperatures you're experiencing, wearing every layer you brought, and you're still not warm. The tent wall is dripping condensation. Your gear smells like damp dog. And somewhere outside,...