Photography Credit: Richard Soohoo took the vast majority of the photos.
Overland Expo West 2019 may have just ended, but here at American Adventurist we’re already looking forward to Overland Expo East 2019 and beyond. That’s because Overland Expo continues to be an event that raises the bar year by year with more and more awesome people, new gear, and epic vehicles. The big news of course is that Overland Expo turned ten in 2019, and after nine years of cultivating an outstanding global event, Jonathan and Roseann Hanson have passed the torch over to Lodestone Events.
At the time of this writing, feedback has been extremely positive on the new management which is a huge feat in and of itself considering the cult following surrounding this event.
By the numbers, this tenth birthday was by far the biggest Overland Expo event yet with over 22,000 people attending to check out the more than 400 exhibitors, 1,500 adventure vehicles, and 330 classes. In other words, Overland Expo just continues to grow with no plateau in sight– and things are only looking up from here. Based on the number of new faces and vendors we saw at this year’s event, there are obviously a great deal of people who are getting the appeal of this car camping overlanding thing that we love so much.
This year, Flagstaff did a great job of showing why the locals say “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes”, and I’m pretty sure someone out there has already started calling OXW19 Snowblowverlandchanceofrainandsomesun Expo. We’ve had Blowverland Expo and Snowverland Expo, and now we’ve had Just a Little Bit of Everything Expo – but even with the changing weather, the show was still awesome, and thoroughly enjoyed by so many people – so lets dig in to the photos, because we all know no one really reads these articles anywho.
Speaking of photos, BIG thanks to Richard Soohoo for all of the amazing photos here. He worked very hard to help cover everything for you!
The Venue
Fort Tuthill County Fairground was packed full of Overland-Awesome for the event. Well planned changes in layout from last year provided a larger continuous vendor area, and a nice new skills area which were huge hits with old hands and first-timers alike. There was definitely a more centralized feel to the venue this year.
Classes
Overland Expo is the place where you can learn anything that relates to the skills you need to adventure and travel. With over 450 session-hours of instruction at this year’s event, there was no shortage of expert mentors and new things to be learned. From classes on obvious topics like first-aid and vehicle recovery to more advanced topics like international fly-and drive-trips and how to not end up in jail at border crossings, Overland Expo assembles some of the best subject matter experts on the planet to teach you what you need to know before you go.
Vehicles
One of my favorite things about Overland Expo are the rigs that come to the event each year. From Sherps to the Rivian R1T electric truck, to monster military trucks to scramblers and Honda Trail 90’s, there’s something here on two wheels, four wheels, or more than four wheels to blow any enthusiast’s hair back. OEMs, complete vehicle builders, one-offs and plenty of company vehicles compliment the assortment of awesome DIY rigs on display. More than once, I’ve found inspiration for one of my vehicles from a vehicle on display at Overland Expo.
Gear
There’s so much awesome gear on display at Overland Expo. From well established names in the industry to small companies just getting started, there are so many cool things to see. This is where new ideas see the light of day for the first time, and little projects become big sellers. Here’s just a small sampling of the awesome newness that was on display.
Goose Gear will soon be importing these awesome, German-made 50TEN modules. We can’t wait to see one of these fully built out with their interior know-how.
The Poolahoop keeps your bog roll exactly where you need it when you’re answering the call. This isn’t a new product, but we love the display and seeing people’s reactions to a mannequin on a can. Check out Hinterland Industries to get your own Poolahoop.
Dogs on motos is a thing, and Rex Specs makes a whole line of goggle sizes for your furry, four legged adventure buddy.
Pack rafts are an awesome way to add a new waterborne option to your overland travels. Hike in and raft out. Check out Kokopelli Rafts for more.
Warn had a bunch of new gear on display. From new rigging with their Sidewinder and Hyperlink offerings to new Warn winch covers and bags.
Again in 2019, the #Patchgame continues to be a big part of the Overland scene. If you didn’t walk away with at least a handful of relevant morale patches or utilitarian gear tags you missed out on an Overland Expo tradition.
Blue Ridge Overland Gear had a new backback on display. This bag works with the same style of packing pouches that the tool bag and first aid kits use. BROG has also updated their pouches to make the contents easier to see. We also spied this fridge cover in the back of their van…
Mosko Moto makes some of the best motorcycle luggage around. They’re now stepping into the apparel market and I have to say that I’m really eager to try their riding gear out. Cut to fit over armor (versus having it as part of the garment) the Mosko apparel looks and fits great.
There were a number of Ford Rangers at Overland Expo as well as lots of new Jeep Gladiators. It will be interesting to see how the aftermarket industry adopts these workhorse trucks. We’re keenly interested to see how they hold up long term when used off road as advertised.
Adventure Imports is a solid company known for bringing Aussie and South African brands like Maxtrax, Indeflate, and MSA 4×4 into the US. Their display was chock-full of rad new kit ranging from the new Maxtrax Extreme and Maxtrax recovery gear, to MSA’s line of well made outback accessories. Of note are their excellent drop fridge slides and drawer systems which were both very impressive. The MSA 4×4 drawer system is different than most as it is made from aluminum extrusions which allow for much bigger drawers, which are lockable with interior lighting. These drawer units have also been crash tested in Australia so they’re built for real world use. Consider us impressed!
Step 22 Gear continues to expand their quality line of recovery gear and soft goods. Their anchor straps are now offered in several lengths to fit any need and unlike some lesser brands, all their recovery gear is independently tested to failure. Step 22 also had a number of new bags, packing cells, and backpacks on display that feature all of the small touches and superb attention to detail that you would expect from Step 22. Did we mention that all their gear is Made in USA?
It’s always awesome to see what new vendors show up each year at Overland Expo, and this year we were pleased to see Flagstaff-based Wet Dreams River Supply at the show. Wet Dreams sells all kinds of top shelf gear to support the Grand Canyon river outfitters that are based in Flagstaff. From Cook Partner stoves, to custom made “river-rated” Aluminum boxes, their gear has proven to be Grand Canyon rated.
Rivian had their R1T on display at Overland Expo, and it drew quite a crowd. Say what you want, but EVs are coming to the Overland-O-Sphere very soon. Now if only I could afford one…
I’ve had the opportunity to see what a Sherp can do in the field, and they’re every bit as awesome as they appear on YouTube. It was great to see them at the Overland Expo West 2019.
Exhibitor Awesome
The main exhibitor area was a dizzying bazaar of gear and people. Words cannot do it justice so enjoy a few more photos from around the sprawling exhibitor areas at Overland Expo West 2019. You can ask questions in the comment section below if you want to know something in particular!
American Adventurist
We’re grateful that we had an amazing location to interface with our own American Adventurist community members and the greater global adventure travel community. This year we worked with kickass companies like Prometheus Design Werx, Exploro and Adrift Adventure to host a treasure hunt that sent our followers scrambling on foot across the San Francisco peaks in northern Arizona, and we worked with Falken Tires to host a give-a-way for a set of their tough as nails Wildpeak tires.
We were also given the opportunity to honor the men and women who wear the cloth of our nation for Armed Forces Day. We were honored to address members of the Arizona National Guard and all those currently serving at a brief commemorative ceremony at Fort Tuthill. American Adventurist and Overland Expo also produced free, limited edition Overland Expo West 2019 commemorative decals for active and retired service members. Freedom is not free – thank you for your service!
In closing, Overland Expo is an experience. Overland Expo West 2019 was three solid days jam packed full of awesome rigs, gear, and most importantly, cool people. If you want to learn about this Overland thing, this is where you need to go. If you want to meet smart people, this is where you need to go. If you want to check out some new gear and purpose built rigs, this is where you need to go.
Hopefully we’ll see you at Overland Expo EAST, October 11-13, 2019 at Infinity Downs in Arrington, Virginia. With a brand new venue and Lodestone Events in the game, we’re convinced that 2019 will be the best Overland Expo East yet.
American Adventurist would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has worked to make Overland Expo what it is today. A special shout out to our members, supporters, industry partners, and of course, Overland Expo Directors Emeritus Jonathan and Rosanne Hanson, for making Overland Expo a thing.
ARB’s JACK competes with the Hi-Lift jack that has been around for more than 100 years, and in that time the Hi-Lift has become the gold standard recovery item that’s carried on all manner of rigs for good reason. A Hi-Lift is a very dynamic tool that can be used in a multitude of ways to help solve all kinds of recovery problems. Unfortunately, many Hi-Lift jacks live their lives exposed to the elements, and the only time these outdoor-dwelling jacks have ever seen lubricant was at the factory. Like any tool that isn’t cared for, a Hi-Lift doesn’t work as well when it’s neglected, and rust build up and/or dry running gear can turn a very capable tool into a boat anchor – and that won’t help you solve a recovery problem
Folks who are lightweight will really appreciate how much easier it is to use JACK to raise and lower a load compared to a Hi-Lift jack where the operator is the weight imparted on the lever that causes the Hi-Lift’s running gear to climb or descend the standard bar. JACK also lets you make much more finite and precise adjustments to load height, as opposed to the Hi-Lift which is limited to the spacing of the holes in the standard bar. Then there’s the weight and packed size of JACK to consider – JACK may look big and imposing in photographs, but he packs up to a compact 36 inches long and weighs in at 23 pounds which is roughly 7 pounds less than a 48-inch top-shelf Hi-Lift.
Folks who are well-versed in Hi-Lift will also key-in on the fact that a number of tongue-mounted accessories that work with other recovery devices will also work with JACK. I need to point out though, that if you try and use such accessories, that you can’t blame me if your improvised solution fails and someone gets hurt. JACK has eliminated a number of risk factors over a Hi-Lift jack, but the fact that you’re still lifting thousands of pounds from a single point means that significant risks still exist.
Yet, JACK isn’t without fault. You can still smash a finger on the lever (prevent this by pushing with an open hand, like you’re pushing a wrench), and operationally speaking you’ll find that lowering the running gear on your Hi-Lift is much easier that compressing JACK back to his storage size when you don’t have a few hundred pounds of load to fully compress the piston. So how do you compress the piston when your load is back on the ground? Well you make a game out of it – essentially what you need is weight to compress JACK, so stand on the tongue and start balancing while holding down the red lowering lever. If you’re good, you can get the piston fully compressed without having to dab for balance with your other foot. If your balance isn’t so good, have a friend help stabilize you while you’re JACK-standing.
Off road recovery isn’t cheap, and while I’ve never had the privilege of footing such a bill, I do know that it’s easy to spend a four-figure sum, so a three-figure recovery device sounds like a better deal to me if it means you’re going to have said tool with you, instead of leaving your Hi-Lift at home because it’s too big, rattles too much, or destroys your vehicle interior. JACK does pack up small and rides quietly, and the included bag means it can ride inside any vehicle without trading paint with your interior. Hopefully, this means you’re more inclined to bring it with you on your adventures.
Even when you’re not in a recovery situation, JACK can prove to be quite handy for work, such as when you’re trying to lift a grooming implement up so that you can hook it up to your Ranger with Tracks, because letting JACK do the work is way better than letting your back do it. I know this is a random example, but stick with me. This is something I’ve considered doing with a Hi-Lift for years, but I’ve never felt quite safe doing it. Yet, JACK is easier to use and stable enough that I feel comfortable using it to lift this implement – and my back is quite happy to not have to make that lift.
I have to hand it to ARB – they’ve succeeded in reinventing the wheel, or the high lifting jack in this case with JACK. Yes, its going to cost you a pretty penny up front, but you’re getting a safer, easier to use (especially if you’re a smaller or lighter person), easier to transport option for a tool that’s been the standard for a very long time. As mentioned, JACK can’t winch, or clamp, or spread, but I’d wager that with some clever thinking, a good recovery kit, and a solid understanding of physics, you could employ JACK to do just about anything. Aside from the limitation of the piston stroke (with is more than enough stroke to lift the vast majority of vehicles that will carry JACK), the ARB JACK can lift higher, pack up smaller, and weighs less than a Hi-Lift. There’s less maintenance, and cleaning JACK is as easy as wiping it down. The fact that JACK lives in a case inside your rig means that it’s not going to let you down due to rusting or getting gummed up with dirt and debris, and you’re never going to have to improvise some form of lubricant to get the thing to work.