Road Trip, Reunion and Relaxation: Overland Expo 2013

[Dave]

​

We left the San Diego area around 1100 PM on Wednesday night headed for Overland Expo 2013 near Flagstaff, AZ. Our group drove all night, passing through the heart of the Mojave Desert around 3 am (still 80 degrees!) and finally arriving at Mormon Lake Lodge Thursday at 8 am. This all night burn across 2 states was needed to ensure that our AAV group had a good campsite with enough room for fellow American Adventurists coming from as far away as North Carolina and Virginia. It paid off as we secured prime real estate in a grassy field on the main road across from the vendor area and near the Land Rover driving course.

While some may say that this event is only about consumerism and bling I have to disagree - there's something in the air here. The biggest draw for me? The unique social opportunities enabled by the high concentration of like minded folks, creative ideas and overall cool vibe permeating this "Overland Woodstock". And the training offered up is pretty good too.

We had a great weekend ogling the latest gear, meeting new folks and catching up with old friends. Pics tell it best so here we go:

Almost there, sunrise at Devil Dog road on I-40 in northern Arizona

South of Flagstaff near the lakes

The lone 4Runner in our group

Once at OVX, we secured prime real estate and set up camp.

Yuman Desert Rat

Once we were established it was time to walk around and take some photos. With so much going on and so many people I could post a thousand photos but here's what I thought was cool, funny or interesting enough to share here.

You never know who will resurface at OVX...

Cool Cruiser

AllPro Offroad's Tacoma and new APEX aluminum front bumper. John at AllPro is doing some really cool stuff these days with his APEX line.

https://www.allprooffroad.com/

Ursa Minor Vehicles J-130 - super cool

http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/

Ray Hyland's (OJ) Canadian Landcruiser gets the first shenanigan

More Cruiser's of all varieties > Note the roof!

Lots of world travelers, this Cruiser had one of my favorite camper setups

The new Equipt 4Runner being built by Paul May.

http://www.equipt1.com/

Ray Hyland and Brian McVickers of OJ taking a Ural for a spin

Adventure Trailers was there in force

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/

JK Habitats on display

Four Wheel Camper's new model for Tacoma. Not there yet IMO...

Terri Ann and the Land Rover Dormobile crew were there again. Classic machines.

A couple camper makers really impressed me at this show, Phoenix tops that list. This Ford Bronco has a full toilet/shower in a small footprint. I'm not a Denver Bronco's fan but this is beautiful.

http://phoenixpopup.com/

An innovative camp trailer design by Bivouac Camp Trailers, the M.O.A.B.

Lots of Land Rovers again this year

Safarious was giving this one away

Just when I thought I was dragging too much junk with me on this trip I saw this...

Jonathan Hanson's FJ40 Land Cruiser still looking good

Tango representing Iron Pig Offroad. His new aux tank setup is awesome, the extensive work and attention to detail done by Iron Pig is impressive.

http://www.ironpigoffroad.com/

 

[Dave]

More photos taken while walking around the show

Gianni and the Triple Aught Design hootch

http://www.tripleaughtdesign.com/

The Grub Hub. Cool design that packs down really well.

Beau from Living Overland came down from Idaho and was giving cooking classes, loved his simple setup and gear.

Lots and lots of JEEPS at OVX, Rigid Industries was on hand with their well illuminated Rigicon.

There were a LOT of trailer companies on hand. I was REALLY impressed by VMI, their line is headed in the right direction and the VMI Extender was a favorite of mine for obvious reasons. It has it all.

http://www.vmioffroad.com/

Another cool trailer in the works from VMI

 

[Dave]

Lots of UNIMOGS at OVX.

Couch Offroad was there with their cool Unimogs and Rokon motorcycles.

Campa USA was there with an IMPRESSIVE 2002 U500 that they had teamed up with Phoenix Campers on to make what was my favorite Unimog at the show.

Chris took a bare Unimog and grafted a custom aluminum tray on the back with 3 axis dump and copious amounts of potable water, black and gray water and extra diesel fuel and house battery capacity that, when coupled with the shell from Phoenix that he is customizing the interior on, makes for a go anywhere in comfort platform that rivals anything made by EarthRoamer or Global Expedition Vehicles at about 1/3 the price. No bling and all function - what a concept.

If you're in the market to upfit or customize a Unimog or any other expedition style vehicle or trailer give Campa a call. I was blown away by their innovation and Chris's humble manners and hospitality - Chris and Anne are true Adventurists.

http://www.campausa.com/

The commanding view from the Campa Unimog. Hey, where have we seen that scorpion (or ones like it) before? DRV? Hmmm....

Another noteworthy Unimog in attendance with a milsurplus aluminum radar box as the base for a camper. Well done, note the shower stall.

Icon Vehicle Dynamics and Demello Offroad were nearby with an Earthcruiser parked by them

http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/

http://www.demello-offroad.com/shop/catalog/

Lots of Land Rovers, and Defenders, at the show

Cool H1 trailers coming in

Sportsmobile was there as always with lots of nice rigs

American Expedition Vehicles. And Hemis. So nice.

The vaunted Rally Fighter.

And a Jeep... I think. The Kalaber J1

Tiger Adventure Vehicles brought out the new Malayan Tiger...

http://www.tigervehicles.com/tiger-models/malayan/

XP Campers brought the whole herd out. And finally, the new Tacoma version is in production.

http://www.xpcamper.com/

Bro'd out Tundra

 

[Dave]

Dual Sport motorcycles were there in droves from all over the USA and the world.

Dirty, sexy KTM

The Rugged Rider/ADV Moto Magazine booth. Nicole was there teaching a cooking class.

A cool expedition bicycle...

Trump waiting for a ride in the Ural

Moving on we come to the Aether Apparel mothership. They are making lots of cool jackets and shells designed for outside fun and weather.

Snow Peak Headquarters. I felt like a junkie... couldn't stay away... couldnt avert my gaze... salivating...

The new Lounge Shell and interior accessories

"Overland Experts"...

Overland Journal HQ and Mrs. Brady's ride.

Kanz Outdoors new Field Bar. His stuff is super nice.

http://www.kanzoutdoors.com/

Tembo Tusk was there in full effect with new products and... moonshine!

http://www.tembotusk.com/

New Tembo Tusk camp table system and the even newer Tembo Tusk lantern holder

Lantern holder broken down and a cool solar power LED/mason jar lantern

Engel makes the best fridges IMO and they were there with coolers and lots of other nice gear

The Sawafuji swing motor. Only one moving part and the heart of the Engel fridge.

Slatgrill. Cool product, cool company

http://www.slatgrills.com/

Nomex blanket from Slatgrill for making fire on the ground safely and with no trace.

OzTent. Sturdy, no nonsense tents for any environment.

http://www.oztent.com/

RV4 with all the add ons. A complete home away from home.

OzTent JET tent Bunker: Is tent. Is cot. Is bigger and better than a TentCot.

Malamoo 3 second tent. Very similar to the one from Front Runner...

 

[bob91yj]

Nice. May have to give this event a try one of these years just to see all the cool ideas.

 

[Mike]

Now that's what I'm talking about!!! Great pics of some very cool rigs!!!! More... more... more

 

[Dave]

Adding new pics and comments today

 

[Dave]

The driving course and training at OVX

Recovery class, hand tools and pull pal

This guy has been places in this lightly modified Ford Ranger

 

[Dave]

Well, after 4 days of fun in the sun (and the wind!) it was high time we went. So we said our goodbyes on the way out of camp and made a bee line for the heart of the empire, Prescott.

A quick pilgrimage to the Headquarters of Overland Journal and AT for the obligatory shenanigans and cavorting since they were away.

Lunch at the Palace in historic downtown Prescott

And headed for SoCal and home we took a quick detour for a mining museum but it was closed.

Going to California and home. Until next time.

 

[Andy]

If you are in Prescott you need to stop at Zeke's for breakfast.

 

[Low Tech]

I know we are the "red headed stepchild" to you guys (nobody takes our picture ), but I'm still going to get one of your stickers and post it on my ugly truck

 

[Mitch]

Whatttt????

[video=youtube;foK38NIBjPk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foK38NIBjPk[/video]

[video=youtube;TxP6LFOxgXk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxP6LFOxgXk[/video]

 

[Dave]

I know we are the "red headed stepchild" to you guys (nobody takes our picture ), but I'm still going to get one of your stickers and post it on my ugly truck

Bah! You guys and your rigs are awesome man! We've taken tons of photos of you in action amigo

 

[Low Tech]

Hey those are all of HER truck (roflmao)

 

[Mitch]

What? Arizona isn't a "Community Property" state??? Hahah!

 

[Yuman Desert Rat]

I know we are the "red headed stepchild" to you guys (nobody takes our picture ), but I'm still going to get one of your stickers and post it on my ugly truck

Ugly?! Heh, me thinks not!

 

[Yuman Desert Rat]

Great thread! Awesome photos! Made me feel like i was there all over again. Thanks for letting a Jeep into the sacred grounds!

 

[flyfishexpert]

Thanks for the mention Dave! Glad to finally meet you in person after all of these years.

 

[Dave]

Likewise Beau and - Welcome to AAV!