If you’re like us, overlanding has always been a dream of yours. There’s just something about exploring the great outdoors in your own vehicle that is so appealing. But where do you start? Who are the top overland truck builders in America? What is overlanding, anyway? In this blog post, we will answer all of those questions and more. We’ll also introduce you to some of the top overland truck builders who can help turn your expedition dreams into reality.
What is Overlanding?
Overlanding is a term used to describe a type of adventure travel that involves overlanding vehicles such as trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs. These vehicles are specially outfitted and modified for off-road use, and overlanding trips often take explorers to some of the most rugged and remote areas of the world.
How Do You Get Started in Overlanding?
If you’re interested in getting started in overlanding, there are a few things you need to know. First, overlanding is not simply driving around in your vehicle. It’s an adventure sport that involves a lot of planning and preparation. You’ll need to carefully choose your route, pack the right gear, and make sure your vehicle is ready for the challenge.
Who are the Top Overland Truck Builders in America?
Overlanding is one of the fastest-growing hobbies in America. And with a growing industry comes countless companies providing services ranging from full suspension kit builds with armor to simple accessories like truck camping cusions.
For this post, we are going to focus on 10 expedition truck builders who can outfit your vehicle with equipment that will transform your vehicle into a full off-roading machine that can take you just about anywhere.
1. Tactical Application Vehicles (TAV)
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, TAV specializes in overland vehicle builds that focus on customization and performance. They offer a full range of overlanding services including suspension lifts, drivetrain upgrades, custom bumpers, roof racks, and more. They also offer a variety of off-road accessories like recovery gear and camping equipment.
TAV was initially focused on Toyota Trucks and Jeeps as their overlanding build platforms, but over the years has expanded to other makes and models. They offer three basic packages on which to build your platform: Stage 1, Stage 2, & Stage 3.
TAV Stage Two Tundra
2. Earthroamer
If you have an unlimited budget for overlanding, then Earthroamer is your go-to overland truck builder. They are well known for their luxurious overland vehicles that come with every option you could imagine and more. Their rigs have a spacious interiors, full kitchens, and bathrooms making it perfect for extended trips over the backroads of America. For those seeking a more personalized overland truck, Earthroamer offers custom builds with unique designs and features that will turn heads at any overlanding campground.
Earthroamers are perfect for off-grid camping but they are limited by size and weight. Rock crawling is out of the question but they will get you to some amazingly remote locations where there will not be another soul in sight. America’s fire roads and public lands have plenty of trails that can accommodate such a vehicle.
3. Sportsmobile
Since 1961, Sportsmobile has been outfitting overlanders with their custom van builds. Their designs range from small campervans to large 4×4 overlanding vans. These rigs are built for overlanding and they can tackle some of the toughest off-road terain in the country. Every build is customized to meet your exact specs on several platforms including Ram Promaster, Ford’s F series, Mercedes, and more.
4. C4 Fabrication
For the DIY community, C4 Fabrication is a great choice. They manufacture overland truck kits that include all the necessary components to transform your regular pickup truck into an overlanding machine. Everything from bumpers, racks, and skid plates can be found in their overland kit. They even offer a full overland building service if you don’t have the time or skill to build one yourself.
Their finished trucks have been featured at SEMA and are both stunning to look at and extremely capable off-road. They even offer a build sheet list to get you started.
5. CBI Offroad
CBI Offroad is another fabricator of overland truck parts. From bumpers, racks, and sliders to light bars and rock sliders, this company has been creating overlanding gear since 1999. Their overland trucks are built for durability and functionality without compromising style.
For those looking for a more affordable overland build, CBI Offroad offers several kits that include everything you need to get started. They also have a full overland build service and they can custom design your overland rig to meet any specifications you may have.
6. American Expedition Vehicles (AEV)
American Expedition Vehicles build amazing offroad vehicles on the Jeep and RAM Truck platforms. AEV has over 20 years of overlanding experience and their overland trucks have a level of detail that sets them apart from the rest. From custom interiors to off-road suspension systems, they can build an overland truck that will not only look amazing but perform beyond expectations over any terrain.
7. Overland Explorer Vehicles (OEV)
The folks at OEV (overlandex.com) have been overlanding for over 30 years and have used every bit of their experience in developing their truckbed campers and aluminum trays. Though they are not the first to the market with this style of overlanding campers, they are at the top of the list for functionality and design.
Their campers offer incredible spacial features and fit on a range of flatbed trays from 6.75′ to 9′ in length. OEV is perfect for campers who want the ability to go just about anywhere without having to rough it!
8. All Seasons 4×4
If you are in Colorado, All Seasons 4×4 is a great resource for all things off-road and overlanding. They can handle everything from basic maintenance to custom builds and everything in between. They have built some epic Jeeps and trucks. In Jeeps, they’ll even swap the factory motor for a Hemi or the “Hellephant” keeping “compatibility with the remaining factory Jeep components.”
But the DNA of All Seasons 4×4 is, or course, building killer 4×4 Jeeps and overland trucks. Based on your appetite for adventure, they will customize a package for you including lift height, suspension, re-gearing (underrated), armor, and more.
9. Juniper Overland
Juniper Overland is another adventure vehicle outfitter located in Colorado. They offer a variety of upgrades to help your rig perform better both on and off road. Their builds include components from all the major manufacturers but they also custom fabricate, particularly if you have a vehicle without a large supporting aftermarket.
Their turnkey outfitting services includes suspension upgrades, bumpers and armor, wheels and tires, wiring and power, racks and shelter, interior layout, design and planning, and a warranty.
10. Earthcruiser
Perhaps the most unique of all overland outfitters, Earthcruiser takes design, engineering, and capability to the extreme. Built on the Isuzu NPR chassis, the Earthcruiser features General Motor’s latest power-train technology.
The unmistakable design coupled with tons of storage and the most unique “house construction” make Earthcruiser one of the coolest off-road overlanding wagons you can buy!
