Category: American Adventures

Adventurist news, events, and interviews with the community.

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Overland Expo East 2018

Thanks to American Adventurist, I have now been fortunate enough to attend my third Overland Expo East event.  Surprisingly, each one just happened to be the first at each location: the Taylor Ranch, the Biltmore Estate, and now the Reeb Ranch.  This event has grown beyond belief, I can remember the first Expo East with maybe 20 vendors at Taylor Ranch… fast forward to 2018 with over 154 vendors and it’s easy to see that Overland Expo has already outgrown this beautiful new venue, tucked away within the Blue Ridge Mountains south of Asheville, North Carolina.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7339″ img_size=”full”][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769197-841f02f0-fc76-4″ include=”7332,7333,7334″][vc_column_text]If the 2018 event had a theme, it would have been “improvise, adapt and overcome” due to Mother Nature making sure that this would be one of the more memorable Expos on record. Benjamin Franklin said it best – “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”. Those who failed to watch the weather prior to the event, and plan accordingly, paid the price at Mudderland Expo.

When the American Adventurist team rolled into Reeb Ranch on Wednesday, we were greeted with beautiful green pastures and blue skies, which was the calm before the storm.  Everyone was soon to be tested with what felt like 30 hours of continuous rain along with freezing temps.  Our American Adventurist team is a well equipped group who’ve been in every climate on earth, so a little precipitation and chilly weather wasn’t going to dampen our spirits.  Despite the inclement weather, we felt fortunate to be able to be in North Carolina to share our passion for vehicle based adventure travel with thousands of like-minded folks.  Excuse our foggy lens and shaky hands here folks, and enjoy![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769197-5335d9cc-6a0c-0″ include=”7347,7343,7342,7428,7346,7345,7348,7344,7349,7417,7335,7350″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Now let’s get to what you came here for….The gear…  The rigs… The vendors… The EXPO!

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OK4WD

OK 4WD was our neighbor and had one of the biggest vendor sections showing off a nice selection of Alu-Cab products including several models of the Khaya camper and one sweet American Expedition Vehicles RAM 3500 with a tilting bed tray.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769201-65ce29b9-0438-10″ include=”7351,7352,7377″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769202-65981120-51db-5″ include=”7386,7378″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Genesis Offroad

Genesis Offroad had their new Jeep JL dual battery system on display, a very well thought system with high quality components.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769204-a53b9498-d808-9″ include=”7353,7354,7355″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Kinsmen Hardware

A newcomer in the North American awning market is Kinsmen Hardware who teamed up with Blue Ridge Overland Gear.  They had their Rapid Deploy 270°awning along with the Rapid Deploy Camp Shower Stall on display, both very well made with Sunbrella marine fabric and powder coated steel and stainless-steel hardware.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769205-4cb160bd-19ea-4″ include=”7360,7358,7361″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769206-e48275c2-891f-0″ include=”7357,7356″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Sloop Imports

Fresh from their debut at SEMA, Sloop Imports had their Camp King Industries heavy duty and light pickup truck accessories including their 12 Volt Mate Portable Dual Battery System.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769206-fab84e8f-f455-1″ include=”7362,7366,7365″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769206-0dc049b3-30dc-6″ include=”7363,7364″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

EarthCruiser

EarthCruiser’s new EXD chassis-mount camper for 1-ton trucks was a sweet home on wheels capable of going off the beaten path. A nice plug and play option for HD truck owners.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7376″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Black Series Campers

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Overland Experts & ARB

Overland Experts put on a class at the ARB booth on how to replace a valve stem on the trail using their new ARB hydraulic recovery jack. ARB had some seriously nice equipment on display including their new lineup from Old Man Emu.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769210-5f005cfd-c170-2″ include=”7379,7380,7381,7382″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Kenda Tires

Kenda Tires had their full display of tires for everything from bicycles to motorcycles to 4×4’s. They also had their awesome diesel Suzuki Samurai SJ410.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769212-7fd9f6f5-40a1-4″ include=”7383,7385,7384″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Rhino Rack

Rhino Rack had their soon to be released and newly redesigned Pioneer Platform and Backbone System for the new JLs.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769213-67310a0a-7367-7″ include=”7388,7387″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

WARN Industries

WARN was there showing off their black Epic Sidewinder.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769214-30d714ca-0960-3″ include=”7410,7411″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

New 2019 Ford ranger

I had the opportunity to take the new 2019 Ford Ranger for a spin. We’re looking forward to the competition and innovation that this will bring to the mid-sized truck market.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769215-1f20d129-9292-8″ include=”7391,7392,7393″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Classes

7P Overland’s Mark Farage was on hand instructing recovery classes.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769217-3e66d7b5-97af-4″ include=”7395,7394,7396″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Builds

And who doesn’t like a Sprinter Van with 37″ mud-terrains? Or an easily mired Earthroamer? Lots of big tires and big budget builds at Overland Expo.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769218-ba5c2e42-1b5f-9″ include=”7415,7429,7431,7448″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Gear!

Goose Gear, Engel Coolers, REDARC Electronics, L.T. Wright Knives… and many more. SO MANY VENDORS TO SEE!!![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769219-06ba6807-db4a-5″ include=”7418,7421,7419,7422,7425,7426,7423,7439,7430,7436″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Hard Korr Lighting

New on the scene here is Hard Korr Lighting. They’ve been making really cool stuff for the Australian market for years and we were super impressed by the sheer size and scope of their product lineup. We’re a bit jaded when it comes to LED lighting, but we have to say their products are extremely innovative and well made.

Their UNILIGHT wins our BEST NEW PRODUCT AWARD for the show – we’re not posting a picture of it so follow the link to check it out – these are flippin’ amazing! They’re really nice people too so check them out and tell Marty we sent ya![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7420″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Veteran’s Day weekend

With this year’s event falling on Veteran’s Day weekend, and the Marine Corps birthday, the American Adventurist crew stood tall to honor our American Veterans.  On Saturday night we put out an all hands call for U.S. Marines past and present to proceed to our booth at 1900 for the reading of the annual birthday message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps followed by the traditional cake cutting ceremony. This birthday celebration has been taking place every year for 242 years, in every clime and place, and we made sure that this was a truly a memorable experience for all who attended.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769222-8e3c2a81-88bb-0″ include=”7486,7397″][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769222-74b1fc87-6537-3″ include=”7398,7401,7399″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Meanwhile, out and about in the main camp areas.

You never know what rare and interesting vehicle you’ll find camped out at the show.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1546370769223-fadad3e0-514b-5″ include=”7456,7455,7454,7446,7444,7443,7450,7442,7440,7453,7452,7449,7441,7438,7437″][vc_column_text]For me I have just as much fun if not more walking around these many “regular people” camps surrounding Expo.  Seeing all of the cool rigs and meeting new folks is a major highlight.  Because let’s face it, there are plenty of rigs to drool over, and putting your hands on the hot new products is fun.  But the best reason to attend one of the Overland Expos is the people you meet and the stories and knowledge that are shared.  Next time you are at one of the Expos stop by our booth, say hi, and share a story.  Oh…and don’t forget to ask Dave for your free hug.  Tell him I sent you![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7433″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Dometic CFX 75 DZ W

I need to start off this review of an electric cooler by saying that I’ve been happy with the ice-powered “super coolers” that I have for keeping things cold.  With a super cooler, as long as you take good care of your ice, it will last for an impressively long time.  Super coolers are leaps and bounds ahead of your run of the mill plastic ice chest, but no matter how good your ice-powered cooler is, there is no beating the laws of thermodynamics and the fact that ice will eventually turn into water inside your cooler.  Water in the liquid state means wet food if you don’t pack your cooler well, and accelerated melting of your remaining ice, which only accelerates the need to procure more ice.  Meanwhile, with a 12V electric cooler, you don’t need to futz with ice, and Dometic has made the process of keeping an electric cooler powered up, and ice cold, so easy that switching to an electric cooler becomes one of easiest, most game-changing things you can do to support your off-grid adventures .

Saying goodbye to ice, and hello to perfectly-cooled food and beverages is a plug and play experience with Dometic’s CFX 75 DZW.  And no, you don’t have to have a dual battery setup to run this electric cooler safely.  Thanks to some modern technology and features, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a highly efficient dual compartment fridge and freezer without ever having to worry about killing your vehicle’s battery.  When on DC power, the unit will monitor the voltage of the power source it’s plugged into, and should the voltage drop below one of three user-selectable thresholds, the unit will automatically power off to save the vehicle’s battery.  The CFX 75 DZW also happens to be very efficient, so you can leave the unit plugged into your vehicle without tripping the low voltage cutoff for some time.

Dometic is well respected in the RV appliance industry, so as you would expect the unit is very thermal and power efficient.  When the compressor isn’t running, the unit will sip power and the unit is so thermally efficient that you’ll wonder if you accidentally turned it off when the compressor doesn’t come back on for such a long time.  Power consumption is modest – at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, Dometic states that the unit will pull 1.30 Amp Hours per hour, or 15.6 Watt Hours per hour at 12 V DC.  Speaking of the compressor, it’s also very quiet, making all of 37 dB(A) when running.  For comparison’s sake the CFX 75 DZW makes less noise than my modern refrigerator at home, and is so quiet that it has made no impact on my quality of sleep when I’m sleeping next to the unit in my truck bed.

The DZ in CFX 75 DZW stands for dual zone, and that makes this electric cooler a very dynamic unit whose storage volume is 70.001 L.  You can set the temperature of each compartment individually, (from -7 to +50 F) so you can have two freezer compartments, two refrigerated compartments, or one of each, or only one compartment on, depending on what your needs are.  Each compartment can be divided further with the included baskets, allowing you to protect your crushable items or make it easy to pull out your most-used items in one go.  (Or to hide the ice cream or your favorite beverages.)  Each compartment has its own user-reversable and independently openable lid.  When it comes to finding items in the dark, each compartment also has a LED light that provides plenty of illumination and will start flashing should the lid get left open for too long.

Further utilizing modern technology and the computers that we all carry in our pockets, the CFX 75 DZW also has Wi Fi capability, allowing you to perform a number of functions remotely.  With the CFX app, you can set the temperatures in each compartment, set battery protection levels, set temperature alarms, and see your supply voltage when on DC power, among other features.  Having the CFX app is handy when you’re going to be parked for some time in camp, as you’ll know if and when you need to haul out your solar setup or provide some power to your battery system.  More on power in a minute.

Dometic also makes an insulated cover for the CFX 75 DZW, which is a well-made jacket that fits over the unit to provide additional insulation, and therefore reduce energy consumption.  To see just how much of a difference the insulated cover made, I performed the following test once with the insulated cover and once without:  In a temperature-controlled environment, I started with a room temperature unit, and cooled one compartment to 38 degrees and the other to 20 degrees.  I then loaded the unit with the same amount of food, and let the unit sit for a week – opening the lid of each compartment six times each day for 15 seconds each time I opened a lid.  I had the unit powered through a power meter, and at the end of my test the insulated cover caused the unit to use 19.5% less energy.

Yet, the insulated cover highlights one CFX 75 DZW’s two shortcomings, one of which is that the latch side of the unit’s lid isn’t the most obvious.  I watched folks who had never seen the unit open the insulated cover (opening a few Velcro flaps) to access the lid and several folks reached for hinge side of the lid by mistake.  Obviously, if you know your gear this won’t be an issue, but don’t be surprised if it throws your buddy for a loop the first few times they try and get in your fridge or freezer. Maybe that’s a blessing in disguise as your IPA’s remain elusive.

The other issue is the USB port that Dometic had the forethought to put on the cooler.  While it might seem like a great idea as the USB port is in a prime location, (you always make it easy to get to your fridge / freezer) it’s only able to output 500-milliamps.  This low output current makes the USB port all but useless, as many devices won’t work, or will take forever and a day to charge as a result of the low current output.  I hope that the next revision of CFX electric coolers will get a more powerful USB port or two, as it’s a great idea for a world that can never have enough USB power.

Even when you’re not out adventuring, the CFX 75 DZW is a great tool to have on hand.  Heading out for errands on a hot day?  No need to worry about food spoiling in your car with an electric cooler in the back to keep things cold.  Hosting a social event where you need some extra fridge or freezer space?  Simply setup your electric cooler wherever it’s most convenient.  Having a highly-efficient fridge and / or freezer that can go just about anywhere is game changing for so many more activities than vehicle-based adventure travel.

Dometic has made the CFX 75 DZW so easy and idiot-proof to use that you’ll wonder why you didn’t get on the electric cooler train sooner.  Ice-powered super coolers are definitely head and shoulders over el cheapo coolers that fall apart after a few trips, but super coolers still consume ice, and ice at the store costs money and still melts, and that water can still get in or on things you want to stay dry in your cooler.  Not having to care for ice (unless you need it for putting in your adult beverages, and it turns out its really easy to keep ice with a freezer) is a profound upgrade to your adventuring experience:  You can keep frozen stuff frozen for days on end, or keep your favorite items at just the right temperature.  With a 12V fridge/freezer, you can break out the ice cream on day 10, and never have to worry if all that bouncing around off-road caused your cheese or other sensitive provision to go swimming in the bottom of your ice powered cooler.

The CFX 75 DZW is a great option for anyone looking to graduate from ice-powered coolers with a unit that is very dynamic and can work in almost any vehicle or off-grid abode. Having a low voltage cutoff and remote monitoring with the WiFi-enabled CFX app allows you to use this electric cooler literally anywhere that’s within reach of an AC or a cigarette-style power outlet.  The unit can safely draw from a single battery vehicle and will take it’s self out of the game before it takes your starting battery out.  The WiFi App provides a great way to make sure your fridge / freezer is doing what it needs to be, and you’ll never wonder if the lid was left open – as long as you’re able to see the flashing light, or in WiFi range.  All of this is packed into a sturdy, well-made unit that has so far held up great to thousands of miles of remote travel over the last few months.  If you’re ready to give your adventuring food supply a serious upgrade, take a look at a Dometic CFX series electric coolers.

A word on Power and Dual Batteries

Let’s talk power for a minute.  Running a Dometic CFX series electric cooler in your vehicle can be done with no modification to your vehicle, assuming that you have a 12-volt cigarette-style outlet that is always energized, (not switched with your key) and is rated for handling the current of your particular fridge / freezer. If you’re like me, and only own Toyotas – adding a not-switched circuit isn’t hard, just do it correctly with properly rated wire and fusing.  (or get such a circuit installed professionally).

Your stock battery (assuming that it is in good health) can power your fridge / freezer for a day or two without tripping the low voltage cutoff, but a good upgrade is a quality AGM battery to replace your vehicle’s stock battery.  See what options are out there and if you can safely fit a larger battery in your vehicle’s stock battery location.  Again, if you’re not comfortable working on your vehicle’s electrical system, please get professional help – electrical fires are no joke.

If you’re going to be parked for more than a couple of days, bring a solar charging system or a portable battery that has the capacity to go the duration of your stay, like a Goal Zero Yeti.  Dometic is also going to be releasing a portable battery tailored to powering their electric coolers in early 2019.  Regardless of what power setup you use, you should always take good care of your vehicles’ battery by keeping it charged (you do plug your vehicles into the grid when they’re going to be sitting for a while, right?), and you should always carry a way to jump start your vehicle like a jump battery.

For the record, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a properly configured, isolated, dual battery setup in your vehicle.  Yet, don’t feel like you have to have one to be able to use an electric cooler.  The name of the game here is to go prepared, and that means having the power generating and / or power storage capacity to see you through your trip with plenty of power to spare – because sometimes you will have to wait out that storm for a couple of days.  Or better yet, you’ll just want to stay out longer.

 

Electric Cooler to Ice-Powered Super Cooler Size Comparison Photos:

CFX 75 DZW and Canyon Coolers Outfitter 75

Full Disclosure:  This equipment was provided to the author at no cost for the purpose of this review on American Adventurist.