Pickup vehicles make distinctive overland journey autos. Their skill to haul gear, traction for off-roading, and home-away-from-home camper choices create countless potentialities for exploration. Observe this information to outfit your pickup and hit the street for epic, memory-making excursions close to and much.
When prepping your Ford F150 salvage yard-sourced pickup for journey and tenting, the primary priorities are safety, storage options and facilities to assist self-sufficient journeys. Whereas elaborate modifications look flashy, focus first on utility, clearance and important gear to allow worry-free off-grid journey.
Outfitting Your Pickup for Journey
Turning your pickup right into a long-haul journey machine requires some sensible upgrades for gear hauling, group, and residing necessities whereas on the go.
Truck Mattress Storage
The open mattress affords a number of hauling room however little safety or group. Truck mattress covers like retractable roll tops or folding lids safe gear from climate and theft whereas nonetheless permitting fast entry. Toolboxes or slide-out storage drawers like these from Decked create a spot for every little thing. Cargo racks carry bikes, kayaks or different giant gadgets the field received’t maintain. Comfortable rooftop carriers are additionally helpful for cumbersome gear. Take inventory of what gear it’s worthwhile to carry, then choose storage options to maintain all of it organized and safe.
Camper Shell or Slide-In Camper
For shelter and residing area, select between a primary truck camper shell or a totally outfitted slide-in camper unit. Camper shells are inflexible caps that span the mattress, usually product of fiberglass or aluminum. They provide lockable, weatherproof area for sleeping and storage over the truck mattress. Primary shells begin below $1,000, whereas higher-end variations add screened home windows, storage racks and electrical hookups. Slide-in truck campers vary from primary pop-ups to giant models with exhausting partitions, beds, stoves, plumbing and air-con like these made by Lance or Host. Weigh your truck’s payload capability when deciding between a shell or slide-in, because the bigger models can strategy 2,000 kilos.
Suspension, Armor and Traction Upgrades
Upgrading suspension improves load dealing with, trip high quality and clearance for traversing tough terrain. Add or improve to heavier leaf spring packs, air luggage or coil-over shocks designed for hauling and towing heavy hundreds. Enhance wheel articulation and cushioning for off-road use with long-travel suspension kits. Add skid plates, differential covers and different armor to guard important driveline elements from impacts on rocky trails. Enhance traction with aggressive all-terrain tires in a dimension matched to your truck, comparable to LT285/75R18 for a Ford F150. Plus-size tires and good treads flex by way of sand, mud and snow far simpler than road rubber.
Energy and Lighting Options
For lengthy journeys off the grid, add an auxiliary gas tank like these from Switch Circulate to extend driving vary between fill-ups. Improve to heavier alternators and batteries, or go for a hardwired twin battery setup to run equipment with out draining the beginning battery. Kits from corporations like Odyssey combine a secondary battery solely for equipment. For illuminating trails at night time or early mornings, add highly effective LED off-road mild bars and pods in your roof, bumper or grill.
Tenting Equipment
Deck out your pickup with awnings and tents for shade and sleeping quarters. Comfortable-shell popup tents by manufacturers like Tuff Stuff set up over truck beds for fast tenting. Laborious-shell rooftop tents flip open to sleeping area excessive above the truck. Moveable stoves, fridges, showers, bathrooms and water tanks allow tenting off-grid. Carry loads of water and gas, and inventory meals that requires no refrigeration. Carry instruments, spare fluids, restoration gear and every other gadgets required to deal with car repairs your self when deep within the backcountry.
Prime Lengthy-Haul Street Journey Routes
When it’s time to hit the street for weeks or months of journey, numerous wonderful routes throughout North America await. Gear up your Ford F150 or different pickup correctly, then take your choose of those exceptional overland journeys.
Alaska-Canada Freeway
This epic drive from Dawson Creek, British Columbia ends 1,387 miles later in Delta Junction, Alaska. Cross by way of rugged wilderness, sub-arctic forest and the Yukon river valley en route. Cease in cities like Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Watson Lake and Whitehorse to resupply, then cross into the Yukon Territory. Cities develop into fewer however landscapes ever extra spectacular as you proceed north by way of Tok and throughout the Alaska border. Glacier-capped mountains, tundra and boreal forest await earlier than reaching Delta Junction. Permit 2-3 weeks for a whole drive, spending time exploring unbelievable facet roads and trails alongside the route.
Dempster Freeway, Yukon
Journey from Dawson Metropolis, Yukon to Inuvik, Northwest Territories on this distant dust freeway traversing tundra and crossing the Arctic Circle. Cross deserted mining cities, roadhouse lodges open in summer season, and road-accessible Tombstone Territorial Park, considered one of Canada’s hidden gems. Herds of caribou and moose, vivid Aurora Borealis shows in winter, and the midnight solar in summer season present distinctive sights. Give your Ford F150 skid plates and heavy suspension to deal with the tough street situations. Plan not less than 10 days for the five hundred+ mile drive, plus facet excursions.
Thelon River Run, Northwest Territories
Accessible only some months a yr when ice melts, this difficult 200-mile route follows the Thelon River by way of the Canadian arctic tundra. Launch through float airplane from Yellowknife or Fort Smith for a real journey. Self-sufficiency is an absolute should with no cities or amenities, however the glorious fishing and stark surroundings are unbelievable rewards. Drive cautiously over rocky terrain, gearing up with puncture-resistant tires and further gas. 14 days gives time to savor this distant drive.
Utah’s Freeway 12
Named considered one of America’s most scenic drives, this 124-mile stretch by way of crimson rock nation hits Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon nationwide parks. Cross by way of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Dixie Forest Monument areas as nicely. The street carves by way of steep canyon partitions, traversing switchbacks and grades exceeding 16%. Climb over mountain passes, then dip into valleys dotted with cottonwoods and skirting blues lakes. Permit every week to additionally discover parks, slot canyons and different pure wonders accessible from Freeway 12.
California’s Misplaced Coast
Deal with the difficult gravel and dust roads alongside California’s rugged Misplaced Coast. This rocky, windswept shoreline north of San Francisco was bypassed by the Pacific Coast Freeway, remaining remoted and inaccessible apart from by 4×4 car. Cross by way of redwood groves, alongside sheer cliff edges and secluded seashores for a 100-mile check of truck and driver. Put aside 4-5 days to finish the route, plus get pleasure from climbing, fishing and beachcombing. Equip your truck correctly for the tough street situations.
The Loneliest Street – US 50 Throughout Nevada
Traversing Nevada on US 50 is considered one of America’s most iconic long-haul street journeys. Dubbed “The Loneliest Street”, the trail stretches over 400 miles between Fernley and Ely, with only some tiny cities alongside the way in which. Take it gradual and benefit from the desolate magnificence, passing outdated mining settlements, sprawling ranchlands and the continental divide. Permit 10 days to journey US 50 level to level, circling Nice Basin and Lehman Caves parks alongside the way in which.
Tail of the Dragon – Offers Hole, NC
Simply 11 miles lengthy however legendary, this ribbon of asphalt affords 318 curves by way of the Appalachian Mountains close to the Tennessee/North Carolina border. Drive it for the problem, however very cautiously, as its fame attracts many reckless velocity demons. The surroundings racing by is gorgeous, passing lakes, whitewater rivers, waterfalls and luxurious mountain greenery. Mix a run over the Tail of the Dragon with exploring Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park for an epic week-long Appalachian journey.
Epic Off-Street Trails and Challenges
As soon as your truck is prepped for the trials of distant journey, some unbelievable off-pavement adventures await. Keep away from these iconic routes with out in depth 4WD expertise and preparations.
Rubicon Path, CA
One of the iconic and difficult 4×4 trails in North America, the Rubicon Path winds 22 miles by way of the Sierra Nevada mountains close to Lake Tahoe. Constructed for nineteenth century mining entry, it deteriorates from hard-packed dust right into a critical 4×4-only route. Take it gradual, permitting 2-3 days for the drive. Have spotters and winching gear for the hardest sections. Should-do obstacles embody the “Slab”, “Cadillac Hill”, and “Rubicon Springs”, every requiring meticulous line choice and gear suited to excessive rock crawling. Time it proper to keep away from snow at increased elevations.
Hell’s Revenge, Moab, UT
Constantly ranked one of many hardest trails round Moab, Hell’s Revenge requires superior 4WD abilities over steep slickrock. Drive inventory vehicles very cautiously, as ample clearance, skid plates, rock rails and shock changes are musts for tackling it unscathed. Slickrock obstaces loom giant with precipitous drop-offs throughout, demanding exact line choice. Search for occasional bypasses round essentially the most vehicle-swallowing sections. Permit 2 days to totally expertise Hell’s Revenge and adjoining trails like Fins & Issues.
Black Bear Cross, CO
Connecting Telluride and Ouray, CO, outdated mining street Black Bear Cross climbs to 12,840 ft with excessive publicity and terrain. You’ll want a extremely modified car and nerves of metal. The slim monitor clings to cliffsides with 2,000 foot drop-offs simply inches away. Cross dilapidated mining constructions and negotiate rocky cabinets and ledges the place one mistake means sure dying for truck and driver. Be ready for high-altitude situations and have restoration gear helpful. 2 days gives time to soundly expertise the extreme problem of Black Bear Cross.
The White Rim Path, Canyonlands, UT
Circumnavigating the Island within the Sky Mesa, this iconic 100-mile loop gives gorgeous Canyonlands Nationwide Park panoramas. Traverse sandstone slickrock fins and canyons at Shafer Path. Cross Musselman Arch and Washer Girl Arch, finishing the rugged loop to Grand View Level. Reserve campsites prematurely and be ready for deep sand and completely no water sources alongside a lot of the path. Permit 4-5 days to leisurely expertise the White Rim Path.
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline, AK
Paralleling the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, this overland route travels by way of distant Alaskan wilderness from Fairbanks 515 miles south to Valdez. You’ll traverse boreal forest, the frigid Brooks Mountain Vary, and wild taiga en path to coastal Valdez. It’s an epic journey to Alaska’s rugged inside accessible solely to extremely geared up expedition autos. Carry further gas, spare tires and restoration gear for the tough situations. Permit 2-3 weeks for this distant trek by way of an space most individuals by no means expertise.
Important Gear for Truck Tenting and Overlanding
Totally realizing your pickup’s overland potential requires packing the precise gear for prolonged, self-sufficient journey by way of distant areas removed from civilization.
Some must-have gadgets for truck tenting and overland journey embody:
- Rooftop tent or truck mattress camper for comfy sleeping quarters
- Moveable energy stations like Jackery or Bluetti fashions to run equipment
- Photo voltaic panels and wiring for off-grid energy technology
- Water storage and filtration system with pump
- Multi-burner camp stoves plus cooking/consuming utensils
- Cooler or transportable fridge like Dometic fashions to maintain meals contemporary
- Storage bins, organizers and cargo nets for gear safety
- Hello-lift jacks, traction boards, winch and different restoration/extraction instruments
- Shovel, axe, noticed, hatchet for camp chores and firewood processing
- Heavy-duty suspension, skid plates, rock sliders and armor for off-road safety
- All-terrain tires sized appropriately on your truck (LT285/75R18 preferrred on a Ford F150)
- Maps, GPS navigator, satellite tv for pc communicator/PLB for navigation and emergencies
- CB radio and different communication gadgets for group journey
- First assist package enhanced for distant areas
- Fireplace extinguisher, flares, lanterns and different important security gadgets
- Bear spray, wildlife alarms and precautions for animal encounters
- Car instruments, fluids, belts, hoses and spare components for distant repairs
- High quality outerwear, base layers, footwear and sleep package matched to situations
With the precise preparation, gear choice and improve additions, your pickup can reliably deal with any epic journey on the open street or into the backcountry. Use this information to plan your subsequent overland truck journey! The liberty of the world’s limitless routes and trails awaits.
A correctly geared up pickup truck makes the proper overland journey car for prolonged journeys throughout numerous terrain. With their ample hauling functionality each within the mattress and through towing, plus accessible 4WD traction for off-road journey, vehicles can entry unbelievable distant locations. When outfitted for self-sufficient tenting and enhanced with upgrades to guard it from harsh situations, a pickup can get you removed from civilization – and again – with confidence.
The Ford F150 is without doubt one of the hottest and confirmed vehicles for overlanding and journey journey, with glorious payload capability and modifications accessible for enhanced clearance, safety, restoration, and residing facilities. When vehicles just like the F150 are become road-ready journey machines utilizing this information, an epic journey throughout the continent or into the backcountry turns into actuality.
So get on the market and outfit your pickup for the journey of a lifetime! Use the guidelines on this information to arrange your truck and cargo it up with all of the important gear. Then prepare for the journey you’ve dreamed of, exploring the wonder and pleasure of North America’s exceptional again roads, trails and scenic routes from Alaska to the Southern US and hundreds of miles in between. Your truck and the open street await – time for an journey!
