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You’re all packed and ready to explore the BC coast, just you and your truck. Getting into the trails, you're stoked on life out in the wilderness. And then you hear it — the snap of a CV, the pop of a tire, the indescribable rattling of your engine as the truck just stops. Now, without the appropriate tools to repair your truck, you would be left completely stranded. I have had my fair share of break-downs and broken parts. Thankfully I've always been prepared with the right tools to get home

As the truck journeyed out of Osh toward the final stretch of their overland adventure, Alexis reflected on the concentrated beauty and rich traditions they encountered throughout Kyrgyzstan. Each stop offered sweeping landscapes, nomadic hospitality, and moments of spontaneous wonder - from camping beside the sparkling Toktogul Reservoir to tasting bubbling kumis in the high-altitude Suusamyr valley. With every kilometer, the travelers drew closer to the end of their time on the truck and the

NARYN, KYRGYZSTAN TO KASHGAR, CHINA This morning we said goodbye to Al and six others who were returning to Bishkek to end their trip. It was a sad farewell, but for the rest of us, a new adventure was beginning! I’ve read accounts of this border crossing calling it “one of the sorriest, most problematic and adventurous border crossings in the world, complete with howling wind, chilly temperatures, excruciatingly long waits and the meanest officials.” Last year, I picked up a group from the fi

As the epic Silk Road journey drew to a close, Oasis Overland trip leader Alexis documented the final stretch through China - from the historic heart of Xi’an to the iconic sights of Beijing. After months on the road crossing deserts, mountain passes, and cultural frontiers, this last leg brought the group full circle with ancient wonders, misty mountains, and quiet reflections on an unforgettable overland expedition. In this trip report, Alexis shares the highlights: from a dumpling-making de

Hcalory Diesel Heater Toolbox Max Review: Real Heat for Real Overlanding Cold nights are part of the adventure when you’re overlanding, camping, or living out of a rooftop tent — but being miserable doesn’t have to be. After years of relying on propane heaters and layering up just to sleep through the night, I finally decided to test a diesel heater designed specifically for portable outdoor use. The Hcalory Diesel Heater TB MAX  has completely changed how I approach cold-weather tri

What happens when you put a big yellow Oasis Overland truck, a determined tour leader, and an intrepid group of travelers on one of the highest and wildest roads on earth? You get a journey packed with epic mountain passes, Soviet relics, surprise snow leopards, military checkpoints, wild camping, and the kind of stories that only happen when you drive the fabled Pamir Highway - from Tajikistan’s bustling capital to the remote frontiers of Kyrgyzstan. In this day-by-day diary, Alexis, one of ou

Let's see what the Alexis got up to next on her Central Asia trip! View the full article

"The day began with a visit to ancient Konye Urgench, once a great city and the center of the Islamic world."   KONYE URGENCH, TURKMENISTAN TO MUYNAQ, UZBEKISTAN: "It is now more dusty backwater and the site itself was abandoned in the 18th century. We visited what is still standing and it was a fantastic taste of the great Silk Road cities to come. There was an issue with the border so I had to go ahead in a taxi with Michael to sweet talk officials but all was well and we made it through

Another year, another Tokyo Auto Salon, and another batch of cool vehicles that we can’t get in the States. Sigh. Even though the chances of these excellent pint-sized rigs from Suzuki ever appearing in the US are slim to none, we couldn’t help but geek out on these builds. Each is themed around an outdoor pursuit, and the concepts do a great job of proving that you don’t need a huge rig to enjoy the great outdoors. Photo by Suzuki Photo by Suzuki The star of the show has t

Ram’s powerhouse pickup is back, and it’s busting into the New Year with some new upgrades and plenty of horsepower. Just shy of a year ago, the Ram TRX was discontinued, but thankfully, its absence was extended, and later this year, this beast will be back on Ram lots nationwide. The TRX has gained some performance bumps with 777 horsepower produced by the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 versus the 702 of the original version. We got behind the wheel of the OG TRX, and with 75 fewer horsepower,

Crossing into China, this trip report by Alexis, Trip Leader for Oasis Overland, follows the group from Kashgar’s Silk Road heritage through desert oases, the Great Wall at Jiayuguan, and the soaring landscapes of Tibet. From the artistry of Dunhuang to sunrise at Everest Base Camp and the vibrant streets of Chengdu, Alexis shares the highlights of an unforgettable overland journey.   KASHGAR Kashgar is a city with 2000 years of history and one of the most important hubs of the Silk Road, whe

A Signature Fall Tour by FarOut Wilderness – Experience the magic of fall on Vancouver Island with cozy lodges, wild coastlines, and wildlife encounters. Discover fall on Vancouver Island your way. Looking for activity ideas for fall on Vancouver Island? Fall on Vancouver Island is when the wild meets the whimsical. The air sharpens with the scent of cedar. Rain softens the landscape into lush moss and mushroom-scattered forests. And the rivers come alive with the pulse of salmon returning ho

Another year, another Tokyo Auto Salon, and another batch of cool vehicles that we can’t get in the States. Sigh. Even though the chances of these excellent pint-sized rigs from Suzuki ever appearing in the US are slim to none, we couldn’t help but geek out on these builds. Each is themed around an outdoor pursuit, and the concepts do a great job of proving that you don’t need a huge rig to enjoy the great outdoors. Photo by Suzuki Photo by Suzuki The star of the show has t

When it comes to buying or building the 4×4 (also known as 4WD) vehicle you’ve been dreaming of, it’s important to know about your options. From the history of four-wheel drive to the current 4WD systems in vehicles today, there’s a lot to unpack.  We couldn’t have said it better than Wikipedia when it comes to defining four-wheel drive (4WD):

Mammoth Overland is no stranger to building backcountry shelters with a no-compromise philosophy. From their apocalypse-ready trailer to a camper that can literally handle the worst winter conditions you could imagine, no matter what project from Mammoth we’ve checked out, we’re impressed by the over-engineered designs that allow you to prepare for the worst. Their latest product, the SKL, brings that same philosophy to a whole new form of backcountry shelter. The SKL is dubbed a rooftop camper,

A leveling kit is one of the most popular upgrades for Ford truck owners in St. Louis. It brings the front end up for a stronger stance, improves tire clearance, and reduces factory rake. But when installed incorrectly, leveling kits can create harsh ride quality, poor alignment, rubbing, and steering wander — especially on Missouri highways. Ford F-150 and Super Duty trucks respond differently to leveling, so choosing the correct parts

AEV’s system-engineered builds have long set the bar for serious adventure vehicles, and now Ford owners finally get their turn. The new AEV FXL marks the brand’s first step onto the Ford Super Duty platform, delivering a turn-key expedition build that adds capability and confidence without compromising the Super Duty’s workhorse DNA. What makes the AEV FXL different isn’t just its size; it’s the way the system works together. AEV engineers built a suite of components that communicate as

Dive into the heart of the Great Basin on the Northern Nevada Treasure Trail, highlighting the incredible mineral history that defined this region. Beyond the ghost towns and mining relics, the trail rewards explorers with unique geological stops, including Tufa Cave, the Blue Wing Playa, and the bizarre rock formations of Elephant Land. If your idea of adventure involves endless desert solitude and horizon-to-horizon vistas, this rugged track is a must-do experience.View the full article

"We were at the border first thing and it was an easy crossing. First stop was the chaotic city of Panjakent for cook group shop, lunch and other standard new country errands."   SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN TO GHAZZA VILLAGE, TAJIKISTAN: "It was a wild introduction to a country that never ceases to surprise! Our destination today was Ghazza Village, a very much off the beaten path place deep in the Fann Mountains and generally used as a base for hikers or people who want to visit Voru, a mountain

"I don’t even know where to begin with this one. You know going into Turkmenistan that you will be experiencing something very different, but I’m not sure it’s possible to be prepared."   MASHAD, IRAN TO ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN: "It is after all one of the least visited and most secretive countries on earth. Briefly, Turkmenistan is a natural gas and oil rich country that gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union and self proclaimed Turkmenbashi (head of the Turkmen) became

So you want to build your truck for off-roading! Cool! So what does that mean? There are a bunch of different kinds of off-roading, and none of them are really built anything like any of the other ones.  When you’re building your truck, what is the difference between an overland build, vs a prerunner build vs a rock crawling build? What makes each one so much better at doing what it’s designed to do? There are a lot of “overlanders” who think they are rock crawling, and there are even more rock

Ever get confused by all the numbers telling you the specs and dimensions for the wheels on your truck? Adding to the confusion of all the different terms is the fact that both wheels and tires use the silliest combination of metric and standard for their measurements. So let's clear things up! For wheels, you have four main measurements: diameter, width, backspace and offset. What are they? Why are they important? In this post, we're going to take a look and discuss how they affect both the

Independent Front Suspension is the most common kind of suspension that we see coming through our shop. We are Toyota specialists, so we see a lot of both Tacomas and 4Runners. Having run our shop for a few years now, along with the time I've spent reading on forums online and being a part of the wheeling community, I have realized that there are a few big myths floating around regarding lifting an IFS vehicle; Especially when it comes to fitting larger tires. Although we mostly work on Toyota's

There's a particular flavor of sanctimonious bullshit that's infected the overlanding community, and honestly, I'm tired of pretending it's not ridiculous. You know the type - the adventure purists who've appointed themselves the Supreme Court of What Counts , complete with arbitrary rules, minimum requirements, and a smugness that could fuel a small power grid. According to these self-appointed judges, your week-long backcountry trip through the Rockies doesn't qualify. Your carefully...View th

Lessons learned from a decade of rental experience When you send fully equipped vehicles into Colorado’s backcountry week after week, you learn what works — and what doesn’t — faster than just about anyone. This year, we’ve taken a close look at the ongoing overlanding gear evolution and how those changes affect what actually works in a real-world rental environment.  Every season brings a new wave of innovations in overlanding gear, but running a rental fleet means you don’t have the luxury of

Overlanding in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado: An Adventure Awaits Introduction Nestled in the southwestern corner of Colorado, the San Juan Mountains are a paradise for overlanding enthusiasts and our favorite summer destination. This rugged and remote region offers breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and a network of trails that cater to adventurers of all skill levels. From towering peaks to lush valleys, the San Juan Mountains promise an unforgettable experience for those seeking to

Winter Weather in Your Wrangler! Winter weather has officially arrived in St. Louis, and while some snowbirds are flying to warmer areas, Wrangler owners in colder climates are getting ready to travel the snowy trails. Even if you have the gear to tackle snow, slush, and ice, it’s important to understand that the “rules” of winter driving still apply. The fundamental basis for winter driving is to avoid any abrupt turns, stops, and other potentiall

We get a lot of people coming to us wanting to get off road and often, they just want to know where to start when they're building their truck. If this is you, then this post is for you. There are different directions you could go in depending on where you live and what you want to do, so I’m going to share the order I recommend you go in to upgrade your truck so you can get to all of the places you want to go, comfortably and confidently. It’s worth saying that the purpose here isn’t to build

A Scavenger hunt is the perfect way to explore Vancouver Island. Fall on Vancouver Island is one of the most magical times of year. The air is crisp, the forests glow with fiery reds and golds, salmon return to the rivers, and cozy cafés invite you in with the smell of pumpkin spice and hot chocolate. If you’re wondering how to explore the island this fall, we’ve created the ultimate Vancouver Island fall bucket list — a 30-item scavenger hunt that blends adventure, wildlife, and seasonal treats

Ford truck owners across St. Louis love modifying their F-150, F-250, and F-350 models. But not every upgrade pays off. Some mods cause ride issues, interfere with daily use, or don’t work well with Missouri weather and terrain. This guide highlights the most common Ford truck upgrades owners regret — and better alternatives that deliver reliable performance. See our full overview