Luckily, I was sitting in an all-round truck with which I could master even the most dangerous situations despite my limited experience: a fully equipped GMC Canyon AT4X.
Photo: Nickolaus Hines
My test drive was scheduled in advance of the Mountain West event of the Overland Expo, August 23-25 in Loveland, Colorado. The Overland Expo hosts four regional events throughout the year, and these are the main events for anyone interested in self-drive travel to remote destinations that the average traveler can’t easily reach.
During the pandemic years, interest in overlanding has skyrocketed because it allows you to get far away from people while still carrying everything you need right in your vehicle. Attendance at the Overland Expo has increased from about 7,000 people annually in 2015 to over 70,000 in recent years.
However, it’s not exactly the easiest way to travel. The best vehicles are highly customized and feature everything from a winch for pulling through difficult terrain to rooftop tents, built-in cooking equipment, generators, solar panels, and even showers. Four-wheel drive and heavy-duty tires are a given. Experienced overlanders travel to remote locations around the world on trails rarely or never traveled. Every day, overlanders reach places closer to home, and some do so in stock vehicles. Yet a fully equipped vehicle opens the door to so much more. The Overland Expo is a place where both parties can find exactly what they need, and also test out gear they didn’t know they needed.
“While many people have been on the road long-term during the pandemic, I think even more have realized that with their current truck or SUV and a little extra gear, they can get to some beautiful and remote places and really enjoy their time there,” explains Rick Stowe, editorial director of Overland Expo, via email. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen a rise in 4WD and crossover vehicles and the gear they need to get deeper into the backcountry. This includes lightweight rooftop tents, modular drawer systems, air mattresses that make it easier to sleep in the vehicle, and more. The ‘soft roader’ is definitely on the rise. No matter what you drive, as long as you get out there, enjoy your time, and adventure responsibly, we don’t care.”
Overland Expo is more than just a series of events. The company has a magazine, produces videos and has a charitable arm called the Overland Expo Foundation, which funds projects each year such as veterans’ trips and a cleanup partnership with Tread Lightly! The foundation gets its funds in part through an annual auction of various Ultimate Overland Builds — a car and a motorcycle. The fully equipped GMC Canyon AT4X I tested will be auctioned off at bringatrailer.com in late October, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the foundation (those interested can stay up to date by signing up for the Overland Expo Foundation newsletter).
“I would say this truck is definitely our most practical build to date,” says Matt Feldermann, who has over 20 years of off-road and overlanding experience and is currently the Brand Marketing Director at Overland Expo. “Real-world drivability was the priority and the GMC Canyon AT4X is such a phenomenal platform out of the box that I only added components that served to further enhance the truck’s capability. We didn’t add anything just to add more ‘stuff’ and I really like that aspect of the build.”
Matt Feldermann’s overlanding essentials:
- Tires: Upgrading to a quality off-road tire (like the BFGoodrich tires on the Ultimate Build) is often the most significant upgrade you can make.
- Suspension: Look for a quality suspension system that increases the vehicle’s capabilities without compromising ride quality or handling. This will not only provide a more enjoyable off-road driving experience, but will also handle the extra weight of your gear with ease.
- First aid kit: Although it is often overlooked, a GOOD first aid kit is essential when traveling away from civilization.
- Rescue equipment: At least some basic rescue equipment can help you get out of a bad situation
- Sleep solution: Roof tents are great, but some people prefer ground tents or even sleep in their car.
- Cooking utensils: While a multi-burner stove is great for larger groups, when I’m alone I’m perfectly happy with a jet boil to make ramen noodles and oatmeal.
- Lighting: Additional lighting improves visibility in bad weather and when traveling through remote areas with active wildlife at night.
The driving event of my test drive was a fancy family dinner – a caviar dinner, to be precise – in a place that most people can’t get to. With the Ultimate Build, getting to that place was relatively easy. The same went for setting it up.
This year’s Ultimate Build was made in collaboration with Peak Suspension and features a Jetboil Flash Cooking System, coffee press, Project X 41-quart Blizzard Box cooler and 20-inch Blackstone camping griddle to meet all food needs. On one side of the truck is an awning that extends for shade, while on the other side is a water tank and on top is an AluCab Gen 3-R pop-up tent. An enclosed shower stall brings the comfort of the indoors outside.
The truck itself is spacious, with a large touchscreen information center in the center that I quickly connected to Apple CarPlay for directions (at least before reception dropped out). The dash makes it quick and easy to read the truck’s vitals at any time. The truck is surrounded by cameras, so even with all the gear and attachments, I didn’t lose my view. Power is a given in overlanding vehicles. Comfort, however, is not, although the midsize GMC truck has plenty to offer, with a Bose sound system and comfortable, heated and ventilated seats (ideal for sweating out tough terrain).
Reliability is the most important requirement for overlanding, and the Ultimate Build has everything you need. There’s a self-recovery winch, a Bluetti AC240 power station for charging, a radio and external speaker, skid plates, a snorkel, a long-life truck battery, additional driving lights, a ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator, and more. Built-in drawers pull out of the bed and hold military-grade tools from Forrest Tool Company. The WeBoost Drive Reach Overland extends phone coverage, and the wireless charger under the infotainment system is designed to keep your phone from sliding around, no matter how bumpy the road.
Photo: Nickolaus Hines
I finally abandoned Pennsylvania Gulch before it became too much for me and saved the whole route for another time. Preferably without a baby in the back seat and after I have gained a bit more experience. The great network, learning materials and stories and videos from the Overland Expo will certainly be helpful too.
But the trip made me instantly aware of why people are interested in overlanding, and I’ve already started planning the next adventure in a friend’s Bronco. Hopefully it will go wrong again (in the best way possible). 
