What constitutes an Overland Rack

[ldr01rl]

No really. It's not a work truck if it has one of "those" installed with a tent. So someone school me on this.

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[ldr01rl]

So you have to choose one not both?

 

[Deleted member 1634]

You don't think you can haul lumber or a ladder or any of that with an "overland" rack? Something like the Yakima for the sake of an example. I've seen some "overland" racks that can essentially carry 1000+ lbs (not the Yakima, but still), that's a heck of a lot of lumber and work.

 

[ldr01rl]

The Yakima OverHaul?
That's a standard and limited use rack. It takes accessories to make it useable beyond two cross bars. But still what makes a rack an Overland Rack?
Is it the stationary tent that's strapped to it?
The ability to carry plastic cases filled with spam above the bed?
Why isn't the bed used when overlanding?

 

[RoadBoss]

I'd say it just depends how you use it?

throw your camping gear on your lumber rack and it magically becomes an 'overland' rack.

throw some construction supplies up there and it's a work truck.

only real difference, something labelled as a lumber/ladder rack will probably be a lot more heavy duty than something that's designed more to just bolt on a roof tent and some max trax. depending on the specific piece of course.

Why isn't the bed used when overlanding?

it is. I think what you're probably seeing is people going on a weekend camping trip, or a single day 4wd trip with an empty bed, and hashtagging their photos 'overland' because the term is absurdly popular and overused/misunderstood right now, and everyone wants the most views?

If you're really going on an 'overland' trip, you're likely going to have several hundred pounds of gear, water jugs, food, camping gear, and everything else you could possibly need for a long distance, remote, vehicle based trip. whether it be built in to the bed or just a bunch of boxes of gear strapped in, you're certainly going to need that space.
And on those vehicles you're probably not going to see wide body kits, fancy wheels that poke out past the fenders, huge lift kits, etc.

(unpopular opinion alert): The aftermarket truck market in the USA has become a disgusting mix of high performance engine mods, long travel wide body suspension setups, expensive and too wide aluminum wheels that stick out like monster truck tires -and now that the term 'overland' has become so popular - bolt on a roof top tent, some max trax, and a couple of those weird 2 gallon fuel jugs.
Now you have a truck that is arguably much less usable and worse performing in many areas than when it was stock.

But I guess most people think it looks cool, and that means a lot.....?

to me, the real 'overland style' is the original LR camel trophy trucks.

and if you go off that, I guess the difference in the the rack would be that it's designed more as a basket to haul gear and easily strap stuff on that you need quick access to. A little bit different than a few heavy duty crossbars needed to haul lumber and ladders.

It's pretty easy to see how the inspiration from these purpose built trucks was adapted to the current market, but it's certainly a lot different (and worse, IMHO) now.

 

[Bart]

(unpopular opinion alert): The aftermarket truck market in the USA has become a disgusting mix of high performance engine mods, long travel wide body suspension setups, expensive and too wide aluminum wheels that stick out like monster truck tires -and now that the term 'overland' has become so popular - bolt on a roof top tent, some max trax, and a couple of those weird 2 gallon fuel jugs.
Now you have a truck that is arguably much less usable and worse performing in many areas than when it was stock.

You get it, "overlanding" is the most mis used word ever. Roto pax are stupid, useless tiny containers, agree there, if you have those on your truck, its almost guaranteed that you have no idea what you're doing. Car camping isn't overlanding. Traveling long distances, across borders, is. I like the term that aussies use, "Four wheel drive touring".

 

[Deleted member 1634]

The Yakima OverHaul?
That's a standard and limited use rack. It takes accessories to make it useable beyond two cross bars. But still what makes a rack an Overland Rack?
Is it the stationary tent that's strapped to it?
The ability to carry plastic cases filled with spam above the bed?
Why isn't the bed used when overlanding?

What makes a rack an "overland" rack is using it for overlanding. I don't think any rack out there, at least not that I've seen, is labeled specifically an overland rack. Anything can be an "overland" rack if you want it to be. A Ford Focus with stock crossbars can go overlanding if you want, so technically the rack on top of that is an "overland" rack since that's what it's being used for.

The Yakima Overhaul can be used for work as is. You can throw some lumber up there and strap it down no problem without accessories. It may not hold as much weight, but that's just how it was designed.

It sounds like you're maybe a little sour on overlanding. But I think you're maybe just sour on the poser overlanders who like to look the part but just go for weekend trips an hour into the woods, take a couple pictures, and head home to their bed and wifi to post about it. As @RoadBoss pointed out, that's not what overlanding is supposed to be. It's essentially just long term, in the wild, camping. A true dream of mine I might add.

I'm with you that the overland posers are stupid, and that bedracks seem quite useless and leave much to be desired storage wise. I thought about getting one once, for hauling kayaks and the like, but realized how much wasted space there was. So I got a topper instead. Now I accomplish the same goal of putting things above the bed, but I also get the added benefit of all that extra enclosed storage space that you don't get with a bedrack.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

You get it, "overlanding" is the most mis used word ever. Roto pax are stupid, useless tiny containers, agree there, if you have those on your truck, its almost guaranteed that you have no idea what you're doing. Car camping isn't overlanding. Traveling long distances, across borders, is. I like the term that aussies use, "Four wheel drive touring".

I didn't realize crossing borders was a required aspect of it. I guess it'll be awhile before that happens then. haha

How do you carry extra gas on an "overland" trip besides Rotopax? I agree they've been bastardized by the overland posers. But it seems like a handy way to carry extra fuel without it being inside the vehicle. I mean, it's essentially just a modern jerry can. I'd rather not have my bed smelling of fuel all the time and I know for some of the adventure I have in mind I'd feel better having some extra fuel just in case.

 

[mdfiasco]

I didn't realize crossing borders was a required aspect of it. I guess it'll be awhile before that happens then. haha

How do you carry extra gas on an "overland" trip besides Rotopax? I agree they've been bastardized by the overland posers. But it seems like a handy way to carry extra fuel without it being inside the vehicle. I mean, it's essentially just a modern jerry can. I'd rather not have my bed smelling of fuel all the time and I know for some of the adventure I have in mind I'd feel better having some extra fuel just in case.

Some of y'all sharpshooting each other know exactly what the others mean. Those roto-pax cans are silly unless you're using a weedwacker while "overlanding" (car camping) You all know it. If a person is carrying gas because they're concerned they'll be "out of range", then 2 gallons isn't a safety net and you all know that too. "Hey I'm going deeeeeep into the bush (in America) but don't worry, I've got two extra gallons of stale gas."

Racks are racks, unless you're camping with a rack top tent. I never understood that but whatever. Add 200 lbs to your rig instead of a 5lb ground tent. I dig the safari look though. Maybe that's the word we should use.

I'm not going overlanding guys, I'm going on safari...in Virginia.

 

[armoredpig]

200lb bed racks are the new brodozer accessory! They really do look cool, but I think a 40lb aluminum ladder rack would accomplish much of the same things despite looking like it belongs in a home depot parking lot ?

Hope this doesn't offend anyone! I'm just envious of what I can't afford.

 

[mdfiasco]

200lb bed racks are the new brodozer accessory! They really do look cool, but I think a 40lb aluminum ladder rack would accomplish much of the same things despite looking like it belongs in a home depot parking lot ?

Hope this doesn't offend anyone! I'm just envious of what I can't afford.

haha, brodozer. Exactly. Gonna need a punisher sticker too.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Some of y'all sharpshooting each other know exactly what the others mean. Those roto-pax cans are silly unless you're using a weedwacker while "overlanding" (car camping) You all know it. If a person is carrying gas because they're concerned they'll be "out of range", then 2 gallons isn't a safety net and you all know that too. "Hey I'm going deeeeeep into the bush (in America) but don't worry, I've got two extra gallons of stale gas."

I was just asking a legitimate question regarding carrying extra fuel. A topic I'm genuinely curious about, especially with how small the fuel tank is on this truck. If you perceived my inexperience and desire to learn more about a topic, from someone who clearly has an opinion on the subject, as anything malicious then I'm sorry I asked.

As far as the topic at hand, 2 gallons can get you, or at least me, ~40 miles. And you can carry multiple 2gal containers. So two 2 gal containers would net you an extra ~80 miles, give or take. That seems like a pretty good thing to have in your back pocket. Especially when we had to cut one of our trips short a little over a month ago and come home because I wouldn't have had enough fuel to make it to the next gas station if we hadn't. So instead of being able to do more miles of campsite hunting, we had to come home instead.

Maybe Rotopax isn't the best option for that. Maybe there's something better. That's why I asked.

 

[RoadBoss]

Maybe Rotopax isn't the best option for that. Maybe there's something better. That's why I asked.

I've typically just gone with the traditional steel 5 gallon jerry, maybe a couple depending on how remote I'm planning on being. With the pickup bed, I'll just strap it down in the back... Also the ranger was practically designed for them. 5 gallon cans fit perfectly on the sides of the bed between the two rear tie down hooks.

I used to throw them on the roof of my FJ cruiser, though now I usually try and keep heavier stuff off the roof, but it beats carrying fuel inside the cabin at least

As far as the 2 gallon roto jugs go, It is better than nothing, but I'd say far from ideal. Often, 2 gallons may be at least enough to get you to an area where you can call a tow truck, but it all depends on where you're traveling, and how well you know the area.
I'll typically plan on a gallon lasting 8-10 miles of rough dirt trail, though I've been averaging a little better than that in the ranger, but it could also be a lot worse if you get into a sticky situation or bad weather and have to spend time winching or getting yourself unstuck, so 2 gallons wouldn't really make me feel confident about being able to keep going.
I'd rather just strap two steel 5 gallon cans in the bed though, as I'd hate to ruin a trip by having to call a tow truck because I ran out of fuel, or have to turn back because I couldn't make a connection.
In all likelihood you will never use it, but I feel like with most things on remote travel, it's better to be prepared for the worst than to have to turn back, or be stranded.

Also the idea of carrying four or five 2 gallon jugs seems silly, especially with as expensive as they are, and that many would take up a lot of space to mount. But I suppose there are certain setups and situations where it may make more sense to do it that way.

With that said though, the united states is pretty densely populated, and realistically, it's fairly difficult to stay THAT far away from everything that you would really need a ton of extra fuel, unless you're really good at finding remote routes.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

I've typically just gone with the traditional steel 5 gallon jerry, maybe a couple depending on how remote I'm planning on being. With the pickup bed, I'll just strap it down in the back... Also the ranger was practically designed for them. 5 gallon cans fit perfectly on the sides of the bed between the two rear tie down hooks.

I used to throw them on the roof of my FJ cruiser, though now I usually try and keep heavier stuff off the roof, but it beats carrying fuel inside the cabin at least

As far as the 2 gallon roto jugs go, It is better than nothing, but I'd say far from ideal. Often, 2 gallons may be at least enough to get you to an area where you can call a tow truck, but it all depends on where you're traveling, and how well you know the area.
I'll typically plan on a gallon lasting 8-10 miles of rough dirt trail, though I've been averaging a little better than that in the ranger, but it could also be a lot worse if you get into a sticky situation or bad weather and have to spend time winching or getting yourself unstuck, so 2 gallons wouldn't really make me feel confident about being able to keep going.
I'd rather just strap two steel 5 gallon cans in the bed though, as I'd hate to ruin a trip by having to call a tow truck because I ran out of fuel, or have to turn back because I couldn't make a connection.
In all likelihood you will never use it, but I feel like with most things on remote travel, it's better to be prepared for the worst than to have to turn back, or be stranded.

Also the idea of carrying four or five 2 gallon jugs seems silly, especially with as expensive as they are, and that many would take up a lot of space to mount. But I suppose there are certain setups and situations where it may make more sense to do it that way.

With that said though, the united states is pretty densely populated, and realistically, it's fairly difficult to stay THAT far away from everything that you would really need a ton of extra fuel, unless you're really good at finding remote routes.

Thanks for the info!

The type of remote camp travelling we like to do involves bringing our off-road capable teardrop along, so making it fit in the bed isn't really a concern, though it is nice they fit well. I have the ability to mount things onto the camper. The reason the Rotopax came up is we could mount both water and fuel containers, or swap them out for whatever type of trip we're doing. With me, my wife, and our two dogs we go through a lot of water, especially in the summer when it gets hot (relatively), so it started as trying to find a nice way of bringing more water in an out of the way way. And since we had that trip I mentioned where we would've ran out of gas, I figured the Rotopax would be a good compromise to carry both efficiently. It is expensive, and that's why I haven't gotten it yet. I keep going back and forth between just getting another 5gal water jug and a simple jerry can, but then the part of me that likes everything to have its place wants something more organized. OCD isn't always fun and games. haha

As far as types of terrain, I don't plan on doing mud pits or rock crawling. Usually mostly just forest roads and some two-tracking. So even with the camper I can still get 17-20mpg doing that stuff. And an extra 4-5gals would give me that buffer. Especially when some weekends we go deep into the forest, it might take a third of a tank to get there, a third of a tank driving around doing things, and then we need at least a third of a tank to get back, and there are no gas stations along our usual route. And especially when we want to eventually travel out west and up to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean (all dreams of mine). But you're right about the foul weather and unexpected circumstances that could drastically ruin that mileage.

I'm definitely with you on the being prepared aspect of it. I'm the kind of guy who has a plan or piece of equipment with me to deal with almost any situation. Most of which I've never used and a lot of people say I'm over prepared. But I know people personally who have suffered and even died because they didn't have the things I have with me on my travels.

In the end I'll probably just get another blue 5gal water jug to haul in the bed of the truck and some jerry cans I can strap on the tongue of the camper.

Very insightful and made me think it through, that's really all I needed, so thanks!

Also, I'm sorry to OP for diverting the thread.

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