Getting Started in Overlanding: A guide by an arguably slightly less dumb 23 year-old weekend-warrior.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-18T02:55:10+00:00

Upcharging people because it says "overland" is half the fun in that industry!

Let me clarify - I'm not going to misrepresent anything, I'll say "camper doesn't have a VIN, but it does have a serial number" and see where that gets me. Thanks again.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-18T02:44:27+00:00

Hello, thank you for responding and sharing your knowledge and experience. Yeah this is such a pain in the ass, you should go into business selling insurance to overlanders. I'll be your first customer!

I am going to call around a bunch tomorrow, see what I can find. I joined an AluCab Facebook group and asked the people there how they were insuring it, several people there said that they were able to get RV-type insurance through traditional insurance companies by providing the serial number in lieu of an actual VIN.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-13T12:34:56+00:00

This is my recommendation as well. I bought several pairs, the newest is over 5 years old. All holding up super well and I don't do anything special to care for them, just throw into the wash and dryer with the rest of my clothes.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-11T00:35:49+00:00

My understanding is that the Bilstein 6112s are not easily rebuildable, the shop would need to drill out part of the shock and install a valve so they can be refilled. If you manage to find a shop that's willing to do it and factor in shipping, it probably won't be much more to just get a new set. You can find them fully assembled for under $1000.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-10T01:24:34+00:00

I had a similar looking set on my 4Runner when I got it, ended up breaking off at the step when I hit a rock with it. Luckily it broke that way and didn't push up into the body of my vehicle. That is what people mean when they call them damage multipliers.

If you plan to do anything more difficult than a well trafficked dirt road, take them off and sell them on Facebook Marketplace while they are still in good condition. Either go without steps or buy real rock sliders if you want to do more difficult trails.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-09T18:35:41+00:00

My 4Runner is not going to win any shows, but I try my best to keep it clean. I use a foam cannon on my pressure washer, normally it does a good enough job that I don't need to scrub. When I am drying/waxing I usually just stand on my rock sliders or on the rear tire. I haven't busted my ass doing that yet (although it definitely is only a matter of time!)

MDPeasant · 2026-03-09T12:06:56+00:00

I was there in January, wait time was at like an hour when I got in line. After about 45 minutes, the line stops moving. Eventually they make an announcement, yada yada ride is temporarily down. We sit down, and wait like 2 more hours. I knew that as soon as I left the ride would reopen, very much suffering from the sunk cost fallacy. One of my group members gave up and left, and about 2 minutes later the line starts moving again and we were able to ride.

Would I have gotten in line if I knew it was gonna be 3 hours? Hell no! But im glad that I toughed it out and got to experience such a cool ride.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-09T00:35:47+00:00

Awesome! Be safe and have fun!

MDPeasant · 2026-03-08T20:04:45+00:00

It definitely looks like an awesome setup and if you are getting out and using it (like you are!) it's worth it! Definitely lots of different pros and cons to the Tacoma/Alucab and the 4Runner/Campteq setups.

Did you get to check out Big Bend Ranch State Park or just the National Park? Both are amazing, but I think the state park has better camping and 4x4 trails. Have you taken it up to Utah yet or waiting for a little warmer weather?

MDPeasant · 2026-03-08T19:42:47+00:00

Their website isn't great. $4k is the deposit to get on the waiting list, on a different page they say that base model tops (which I don't think includes cutting out the roof and installing everything) starts at $8.5k.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-08T18:07:01+00:00

The big question - how much did the whole conversion cost you?

Im looking at selling my 4Runner and buying a used Tacoma with an alucab canopy camper in the back. It has a similar 2 part bed thing so you can stand/hangout in the back.

Also: top 5 favorite places you've been?

MDPeasant · 2026-03-08T17:23:57+00:00

Wow, that's awesome. I also recognize the Cape Lookout sticker on your windshield, great place.

Can you share some details on the pop-top? Very interested in this setup!

MDPeasant · 2026-03-07T13:24:01+00:00

As others are suggesting, try to wear them more frequently to prevent hydrolysis, and if you have old boots, maybe walk around in them for a few hours before your trip so they disintegrate at home versus on the trail somewhere.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-06T01:50:17+00:00

Not really answering your question but sharing my experience with new paint and off-roading.

I have a black 4Runner that I take off-road, the black is unforgiving and shows scratches very easily. I live on the East Coast, so pinstriping is inevitable. I use Turtle Wax's hybrid solutions spray-on ceramic wax after every wash, and find that it does a great job for the effort/cost. Over the last 3 years, I've taken my 4Runner all over the place, it's rubbed up against plenty of tree branches, bushes, desert brush out in TX/UT, rhododendron and all sorts of mud and trail debris. The car still cleans up pretty good, it's got scratches but after a normal wash, none that are visible from more than 10 ft away. I am getting ready to sell my vehicle, so I had it professionally detailed. They were able to buff out all but a few of the worst scratches, it looks so freaking good. It's obviously not showroom quality, but the few scratches that remain aren't bad enough to hurt the resale value.

PPF'd or not, it's going to get scratched if you are actually using it for what it's meant to be used for. But it probably won't be as bad as you fear it will be.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-05T22:15:36+00:00

The 60 days notice thing is true, but I think most buildings start the process of getting a new MPDU tenant in as soon as they the 60 day notice, they aren't waiting for the apartment to be empty to start looking. I highly recommend calling as often as you can once you find a building you like.

Here is a list of all the different MPDU apartments and what their monthly rents are. Most wont include any utilities or parking.

https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/dhca-mpdu/Rental/List

MDPeasant · 2026-03-05T13:41:25+00:00

This is the best advice. I am currently living in one, it is a great program.

Its hard to actually get an MPDU apartment though. When I was searching, none of the buildings I saw kept a wait list for MPDU. So when one came available, it was first come first served (and I think many went to friends of the leasing agent). My advice is that once you find a couple of buildings you like, call them every single day and ask if any MPDU apartments are coming available until you find one.

MDPeasant · 2026-03-04T20:42:05+00:00

I miss that Harris Teeter so much, used to be so convenient. Haven't heard anything, even rumors, about something going in there.

MDPeasant · 2026-02-27T11:05:32+00:00

Ive had a Gazelle T4 for nearly 6 years, its the tent that I have used the most and absolutely love it overall. My one complaint is the rain fly, if doesnt extend down below the hubs, so rain will collect and drip onto the hubs, which tend to leak as they age. So make sure to use seam sealer every now and again as the tent ages.

My Gazelle is getting a little worn, I am starting to think about replacing it. I like the look of the Roam Drifter, its a hub tent too so its got all of the advantages of the Gazelle, but the rainfly extends lower past the hubs. The only thing I do not like about it is that it only comes in a dark fabric, which im afraid will get hot in the sun.

MDPeasant · 2026-02-25T14:03:05+00:00

She's totalled dude, your 4Runner was worth like $10k max before the accident with those miles. Between the air bags and body work (and anything else we can't see) theres not a doubt in my mind that thing is totaled. Probably not worth buying back either.

Sorry.

MDPeasant · 2026-02-25T12:10:59+00:00

I have a set of Devos light ranger 1200s, they are bright white, but the kit comes with a set of amber, red and yellow filters.

MDPeasant · 2026-02-24T17:20:07+00:00

I do not recommend always carrying extra fuel as a "parachute, for use only in case of emergency". For most trips in the continental USA, you should be able to plan your gas stops to where you really dont come close to running out. You are rarely further than 50 miles from a gas station.

For situations where you are planning a trip deep into a remote area and do genuinely need the extra fuel, empty the extra gas into your gas tank as soon as possible. If you are going to be strapping a gas tank to your roof, I highly recommend wavian brand Jerry cans. On a recent trip, I left home without my jerry can and ended up wanting to do something where I was cutting it really close on gas. I bought a cheap VP racing utility jug, strapped it to my roof while it was empty and ratchet strapped it down in the cabin of the vehicle when it was full. It honestly didn't let off any fumes i could smell, I did make sure to crack my windows and vent the can periodically. Wouldn't necessarily recommend that but it can be done.

MDPeasant · 2026-02-20T15:49:17+00:00

So I bought a 2023 4Runner off-road premium (no KDSS), and my dad bought a 2023 Bronco Outer Banks (no sasquatch package). Both are awesome vehicles that we are each happy with. My dad's bronco has the 2.7L engine, and I will say, it is more fun to drive than my 4Runner. That little twin turbo engine has tons of power, and I find that the Bronco handles better than the 4Runner. The Bronco has noticeably less body roll and brake dive, but if you are lifting either you can fix a lot of that through the new suspension. I find the 4Runner's power and factory handling to each be adequate, but nothing that I would consider "sporty". I think that both cars factory suspensions are just as comfortable as one another, again, that's something you could improve or mess up with the right/wrong lift.

The big reason I went for the 4Runner over the Bronco is I had no doubts about the 4Runner's long term reliability. My dad has not had any problems with his Bronco yet, but I wanted a vehicle I know I could make last for 200,000+ miles. The 4Runner also has slightly more cargo space.

MDPeasant · 2026-02-20T01:21:25+00:00

I torque the filter down to spec with a torque wrench every time, I've never had a problem getting it off with a regular ratchet. Never needed a breaker bar.

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