Automotive

Expedition trucks, 4x4 campers and angry beasts of Overland Expo 2016

Expedition trucks, 4x4 campers and angry beasts of Overland Expo 2016
Serious expedition trucks in the Overland Expo camping lot
Serious expedition trucks in the Overland Expo camping lot
View 124 Images
This Mitsubishi Delica was one of the first vehicles to greet us at OXW 2016 and also one of our favorites of the whole show
1/124
This Mitsubishi Delica was one of the first vehicles to greet us at OXW 2016 and also one of our favorites of the whole show
Rugged Mitsubishi Delica van ready for exploration and adventure
2/124
Rugged Mitsubishi Delica van ready for exploration and adventure
Serious expedition trucks in the Overland Expo camping lot
3/124
Serious expedition trucks in the Overland Expo camping lot
1998 Unicat U2450L 6x6 expedition vehicle
4/124
1998 Unicat U2450L 6x6 expedition vehicle
One of the biggest bruisers we saw at Overland Expo, this 6x6 expedition vehicle was for sale by Couch Off Road Engineering (call for pricing)
5/124
One of the biggest bruisers we saw at Overland Expo, this 6x6 expedition vehicle was for sale by Couch Off Road Engineering (call for pricing)
An off-camber Unimog 1300L greets us on the way to the exhibitor section
6/124
An off-camber Unimog 1300L greets us on the way to the exhibitor section
New Hampshire's Unimog Center shows its goods
7/124
New Hampshire's Unimog Center shows its goods
A sea of pop-up roofs
8/124
A sea of pop-up roofs
One of the most rugged vans we saw, known to us only as "NOcandy Offroad"
9/124
One of the most rugged vans we saw, known to us only as "NOcandy Offroad"
Sportsmobile's Ford E-Series Cutaway chassis Classic van shell looks even better in black than in gray
10/124
Sportsmobile's Ford E-Series Cutaway chassis Classic van shell looks even better in black than in gray
Introduced last year, Sportsmobile's Classic camper van was designed when Ford cancelled E-Series vans but continued selling the E chassis
11/124
Introduced last year, Sportsmobile's Classic camper van was designed when Ford cancelled E-Series vans but continued selling the E chassis
In building its own van shell, Sportsmobile made it a tad wider to better accommodate its furniture
12/124
In building its own van shell, Sportsmobile made it a tad wider to better accommodate its furniture
Inside the Sportsmobile Classic
13/124
Inside the Sportsmobile Classic
Expedition rigs of Overland Expo 2016
14/124
Expedition rigs of Overland Expo 2016
Global Expedition Vehicles Pangea-LT Cab Height Lifting Roof
15/124
Global Expedition Vehicles Pangea-LT Cab Height Lifting Roof
The Global Expedition Vehicles (GXV) "Wild Thing"
16/124
The Global Expedition Vehicles (GXV) "Wild Thing"
An appropriate nickname if ever we've seen one
17/124
An appropriate nickname if ever we've seen one
Expedition vehicles of Overland Expo 2016
18/124
Expedition vehicles of Overland Expo 2016
Expedition vehicles of Overland Expo 2016
19/124
Expedition vehicles of Overland Expo 2016
Toyota expedition vehicles done pickup and 4x4 style
20/124
Toyota expedition vehicles done pickup and 4x4 style
Super-rugged pickup
21/124
Super-rugged pickup
A compact, simple expedition vehicle
22/124
A compact, simple expedition vehicle
Rugged Lexus adventure vehicle
23/124
Rugged Lexus adventure vehicle
Serious organizational skills
24/124
Serious organizational skills
Ready for virtually anything
25/124
Ready for virtually anything
South Korea's IKamper shows a humble minivan camper rig equipped with its Hardtop One roof-top tent
26/124
South Korea's IKamper shows a humble minivan camper rig equipped with its Hardtop One roof-top tent
The latest XPCamper V4 XPCube is built on a Mercedes 917 chassis
27/124
The latest XPCamper V4 XPCube is built on a Mercedes 917 chassis
XPCamper's latest XPCube is well bigger than its original
28/124
XPCamper's latest XPCube is well bigger than its original
Mercedes-based expedition truck from XPCamper
29/124
Mercedes-based expedition truck from XPCamper
This particular unit was only half done and should be ready this summer
30/124
This particular unit was only half done and should be ready this summer
Flagstaff's Findlay Toyota dealership always manages to have some of the most interesting vehicles on display
31/124
Flagstaff's Findlay Toyota dealership always manages to have some of the most interesting vehicles on display
Findlay's promotional golf cart has a built-in keg fridge in back ...
32/124
Findlay's promotional golf cart has a built-in keg fridge in back ...
... and is designed like a Toyota FJ Cruiser
33/124
... and is designed like a Toyota FJ Cruiser
A cigar humidor under the FJ Cruiser cart's hood
34/124
A cigar humidor under the FJ Cruiser cart's hood
A lighter off-road vehicle: Yeti SB5c mountain bike
35/124
A lighter off-road vehicle: Yeti SB5c mountain bike
Dometic shows of its refrigerator line
36/124
Dometic shows of its refrigerator line
American Expedition Vehicles Prospector
37/124
American Expedition Vehicles Prospector
American Expedition Vehicles Prospector
38/124
American Expedition Vehicles Prospector
Serious roof-tent camping
39/124
Serious roof-tent camping
Plenty of space for overnighting
40/124
Plenty of space for overnighting
Truck camper at Overland Expo 2016
41/124
Truck camper at Overland Expo 2016
Jeep camper
42/124
Jeep camper
Tepui shows a prototype of its upcoming Hard Shell roof tent
43/124
Tepui shows a prototype of its upcoming Hard Shell roof tent
Tepui expects the new tent to run $3,500 to $4,000
44/124
Tepui expects the new tent to run $3,500 to $4,000
Tepui told us that the interior is still under development and will be more smoothly designed before production launch
45/124
Tepui told us that the interior is still under development and will be more smoothly designed before production launch
Tepui plans to launch a Kickstarter for its low-profile hardshell tent later this year
46/124
Tepui plans to launch a Kickstarter for its low-profile hardshell tent later this year
Tepui designed the laminated fiberglass shell to be compact and low-profile when packed down
47/124
Tepui designed the laminated fiberglass shell to be compact and low-profile when packed down
A smaller, lighter form of shelter: the Malamoo 3-second pop-up tent
48/124
A smaller, lighter form of shelter: the Malamoo 3-second pop-up tent
A Land Rover looks ready to explore
49/124
A Land Rover looks ready to explore
Land Rover pickup
50/124
Land Rover pickup
This gorgeous Indian caught our eye ...
51/124
This gorgeous Indian caught our eye ...
..and held our attention for a while
52/124
..and held our attention for a while
A pristine Indian motorcycle parked on the grass of OXW
53/124
A pristine Indian motorcycle parked on the grass of OXW
A Wrangler poses for the camera
54/124
A Wrangler poses for the camera
Thanks to those massive tires, this one proves among the more extreme Tacoma expedition vehicles of the show
55/124
Thanks to those massive tires, this one proves among the more extreme Tacoma expedition vehicles of the show
A much lighter way to wheel: Honda Passport
56/124
A much lighter way to wheel: Honda Passport
The Camp Champ makes its way over from Austria
57/124
The Camp Champ makes its way over from Austria
Road Shower uses a classic Jeep to show off its roof-mounted shower system
58/124
Road Shower uses a classic Jeep to show off its roof-mounted shower system
Inside the flying trike's cockpit
59/124
Inside the flying trike's cockpit
Trikeschool.com shows a whole different way of getting "off road"
60/124
Trikeschool.com shows a whole different way of getting "off road"
The distinctive Shiftpod tent uses a four-layer composite fabric to reflect an estimated 95 percent of UVA/B rays and keep things insulated on cold nights
61/124
The distinctive Shiftpod tent uses a four-layer composite fabric to reflect an estimated 95 percent of UVA/B rays and keep things insulated on cold nights
At $899+, Shiftpod's tents are more "glamping" than basic "tent camping"
62/124
At $899+, Shiftpod's tents are more "glamping" than basic "tent camping"
Truck campers of Overland Expo West 2016
63/124
Truck campers of Overland Expo West 2016
Tentatively called the Hardtop One Hybrid, this new roof-top tent from IKamper is expandable like the original Hardtop One, only it uses a different expansion mechanism
64/124
Tentatively called the Hardtop One Hybrid, this new roof-top tent from IKamper is expandable like the original Hardtop One, only it uses a different expansion mechanism
Mercedes military truck
65/124
Mercedes military truck
Rugged Unimog expedition truck with some seriously bright contrasting accents
66/124
Rugged Unimog expedition truck with some seriously bright contrasting accents
Germany's Hellgeth Engineering specializes in Unimog mods and rugged tracked vehicles
67/124
Germany's Hellgeth Engineering specializes in Unimog mods and rugged tracked vehicles
Hellgeth Engineering Unimog expedition vehicle
68/124
Hellgeth Engineering Unimog expedition vehicle
Rebuilt 1974 Pinzgauer 710K military truck with EZ Power Steering upgrade from California Pinzgauer/Unimog dealer Expedition Imports, listed at $28,500
69/124
Rebuilt 1974 Pinzgauer 710K military truck with EZ Power Steering upgrade from California Pinzgauer/Unimog dealer Expedition Imports, listed at $28,500
This basic wood semi A-frame-style camper shows you don't need to spend hundreds of thousands on a fancy composite shell loaded with amenities
70/124
This basic wood semi A-frame-style camper shows you don't need to spend hundreds of thousands on a fancy composite shell loaded with amenities
This basic wood semi A-frame-style camper shows you don't need to spend hundreds of thousands on a fancy composite shell loaded with amenities
71/124
This basic wood semi A-frame-style camper shows you don't need to spend hundreds of thousands on a fancy composite shell loaded with amenities
The Germans and British getting along wonderfully
72/124
The Germans and British getting along wonderfully
Hema Maps trucks
73/124
Hema Maps trucks
If there's an off-road vehicle that was once loved, however long ago, there's probably someone restoring and customizing them
74/124
If there's an off-road vehicle that was once loved, however long ago, there's probably someone restoring and customizing them
Classic but modern
75/124
Classic but modern
Iowa-based Anything Scout specializes in International Harvester Scout restorations and custom builds like this beautiful model
76/124
Iowa-based Anything Scout specializes in International Harvester Scout restorations and custom builds like this beautiful model
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
77/124
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
Classic Toyota expedition vehicle with storage cage
78/124
Classic Toyota expedition vehicle with storage cage
Another one of the more massive expedition trucks at the show
79/124
Another one of the more massive expedition trucks at the show
The International badge is a bit rarer of a sight at OX than a Unimog or Ford, but it sure looks to be a capable platform
80/124
The International badge is a bit rarer of a sight at OX than a Unimog or Ford, but it sure looks to be a capable platform
1978 Mercedes 911-based expedition truck
81/124
1978 Mercedes 911-based expedition truck
It seems like a lot of the largest trucks were for sale; this one is priced just under $59K
82/124
It seems like a lot of the largest trucks were for sale; this one is priced just under $59K
Another classic-looking Mercedes 911-based expedition vehicle
83/124
Another classic-looking Mercedes 911-based expedition vehicle
Massive Mercedes 911 off-road RV
84/124
Massive Mercedes 911 off-road RV
The whimsically named Robinson Fuso, a Mitsubishi Fuso-based explorer
85/124
The whimsically named Robinson Fuso, a Mitsubishi Fuso-based explorer
Another expedition rig up for sale: the XPCamper-built EEXP
86/124
Another expedition rig up for sale: the XPCamper-built EEXP
A loyal adventure companion
87/124
A loyal adventure companion
Decked storage solutions ProMaster camper van
88/124
Decked storage solutions ProMaster camper van
Decked shows how its storage drawers can create an organized camper
89/124
Decked shows how its storage drawers can create an organized camper
Decked at Overland Expo West 2016
90/124
Decked at Overland Expo West 2016
Decked specializes in steel-framed HDPE storage drawers that maintain a usable storage deck on top
91/124
Decked specializes in steel-framed HDPE storage drawers that maintain a usable storage deck on top
Mercedes Sprinter-based RV Gear Hauler from El Kapitan
92/124
Mercedes Sprinter-based RV Gear Hauler from El Kapitan
El Kapitan's stylish RV Gear Hauler comes with a variety of equipment, including a refrigerator, Zamp solar panels, microwave and 28-in TV/DVD package
93/124
El Kapitan's stylish RV Gear Hauler comes with a variety of equipment, including a refrigerator, Zamp solar panels, microwave and 28-in TV/DVD package
El Kapitan Sprinter RV Gear Hauler
94/124
El Kapitan Sprinter RV Gear Hauler
Inside the El Kapitan RV Gear Hauler
95/124
Inside the El Kapitan RV Gear Hauler
El Kapitan's red-and-black look really pops
96/124
El Kapitan's red-and-black look really pops
Hauling gear with the RV Gear Hauler
97/124
Hauling gear with the RV Gear Hauler
Jeep Wrangler with pop top
98/124
Jeep Wrangler with pop top
That caged Toyota expedition vehicle from the front
99/124
That caged Toyota expedition vehicle from the front
Another fine-looking International
100/124
Another fine-looking International
The "HUMVRV"
101/124
The "HUMVRV"
XPCamper V4 XPCube atop a Mercedes 917
102/124
XPCamper V4 XPCube atop a Mercedes 917
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
103/124
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
104/124
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
Possible interior layout for the XPCube
105/124
Possible interior layout for the XPCube
This particular XPCube build is still a work in progress
106/124
This particular XPCube build is still a work in progress
XPCube interior rendering
107/124
XPCube interior rendering
Motorcycles of OXW 2016
108/124
Motorcycles of OXW 2016
Global Expedition Vehicles at Overland Expo West 2016
109/124
Global Expedition Vehicles at Overland Expo West 2016
We were hoping to see the new XV-HD (for real this time), but instead the main thing we saw at EarthRoamer was this promotional XV-LTS
110/124
We were hoping to see the new XV-HD (for real this time), but instead the main thing we saw at EarthRoamer was this promotional XV-LTS
Ram 3500 Heavy Duty looking angry
111/124
Ram 3500 Heavy Duty looking angry
Australia's Hema debuts its North American Explorer app, a navigation app for 4x4 enthusiasts
112/124
Australia's Hema debuts its North American Explorer app, a navigation app for 4x4 enthusiasts
Hema's new app includes several layers, such as street and topographic views
113/124
Hema's new app includes several layers, such as street and topographic views
Military trucks at Overland Expo West 2016
114/124
Military trucks at Overland Expo West 2016
Another positively huge RV, this one based on a Freightliner, up for sale
115/124
Another positively huge RV, this one based on a Freightliner, up for sale
These rugged trucks belong to a fleet of nomads that call themselves Dirt Track Travelers
116/124
These rugged trucks belong to a fleet of nomads that call themselves Dirt Track Travelers
These rugged trucks belong to a fleet of nomads that call themselves Dirt Track Travelers
117/124
These rugged trucks belong to a fleet of nomads that call themselves Dirt Track Travelers
Possibly the craziest all-around vehicle we saw this year
118/124
Possibly the craziest all-around vehicle we saw this year
This 2006 Nissan Patrol expedition vehicle has visited 41 countries and covered 44,000 miles (70,000 km) in just over two years
119/124
This 2006 Nissan Patrol expedition vehicle has visited 41 countries and covered 44,000 miles (70,000 km) in just over two years
The thoroughly modified 1974 Land Rover Forward Control Series 2B "Over Lander"
120/124
The thoroughly modified 1974 Land Rover Forward Control Series 2B "Over Lander"
Based on a 1974 Land Rover, this expedition vehicle now relies on a GMC diesel V8
121/124
Based on a 1974 Land Rover, this expedition vehicle now relies on a GMC diesel V8
Expedition vehicles come in all sizes and styles
122/124
Expedition vehicles come in all sizes and styles
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
123/124
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
124/124
Trucks, 4x4s and off-road campers at Overland Expo West
View gallery - 124 images

Teardrops and trailer boxes dominated the exhibitor section of Overland Expo West 2016, but there were still plenty of larger vehicles on display around the show. We've compiled a full photo gallery of everything from basic pickup trailers with pop-up tents, to hulking commercial truck-sized shelters, to the accessories supporting those rigs. If you like off-roading, camping or old-fashioned road-tripping, it'll be hard not to find something you like.

Before jumping into the gallery, here are a few new product highlights from around the show:

XPCamper V4 XPCube

Mercedes-based expedition truck from XPCamper
Mercedes-based expedition truck from XPCamper

When XPCamper introduced its XPCube two years ago, we knew that it could be built on a variety of truck platforms beyond the Ram 2500 it debuted on, but we didn't immediately imagine something as big as what XPCamper showed this year. The latest XPCube is built atop a Mercedes 917 truck chassis, making for a pretty large, burly (and brightly colored) expedition vehicle. The customer-commissioned build won't be finished for another few months, so it was mostly just an empty shell, but based on a few renderings we looked at, it should be a comfy, capable machine.

Tepui Hard Shell Tent

Tepui expects the new tent to run $3,500 to $4,000
Tepui expects the new tent to run $3,500 to $4,000

Tepui is best known for its fold-out roof-top tents, but the main attraction at its booth this year was the pop-top Hard Shell Tent. The Santa Cruz, California-based company made a last-minute decision to bring a prototype of the Hard Shell out to the expo for a sneak peek. It's similar to other two-person pop-tops on the market, but with an emphasis on sleek, low-profile construction and ease of use. The laminated fiberglass-shelled tent pops open and drops closed with little effort thanks to the gas strut system inside. The Velcro-secured tent fabric makes it easy to switch between different weights, such as three-season and four-season. We didn't pull our tape measure out, but it definitely looks lower profile than other roof tents, both when deployed and when packed up during driving.

Tepui designed the laminated fiberglass shell to be compact and low-profile when packed down
Tepui designed the laminated fiberglass shell to be compact and low-profile when packed down

Tepui plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign for the Hard Shell later this year. It estimates pricing between US$3,500 and $4,000.

ShiftPod Tents

Though there are a few ground tents scattered about, Overland Expo isn't really the place to look for camping tents not of the vehicular roof-top variety. So any large ground tent will stand out. But the Shiftpod really stands out, its reflective outer fabric and 12 x 12 x 6.5-ft (4 x 4 x 2-m) polyhedron shape screaming out for attention. That fabric is a four-layer composite construction that's designed to provide better insulation, reflecting sunlight and keeping warm air inside in the cold. The big tent supposedly sets up in just two minutes.

The distinctive Shiftpod tent uses a four-layer composite fabric to reflect an estimated 95 percent of UVA/B rays and keep things insulated on cold nights
The distinctive Shiftpod tent uses a four-layer composite fabric to reflect an estimated 95 percent of UVA/B rays and keep things insulated on cold nights

The Shiftpod is described as an emergency and festival shelter, and we're not sure it's a great fit for the overlanding market, where vehicle-mounted modules and tents rule the day. The $899 preorder price (which includes a $300 discount) makes it clear why Shiftpod's people have to at least try to sell it to a group of folks that spend big, big money on camping and recreation.

This year's Overland Expo West lacked the cold, snow and muck of last year's infamous outing, but it did have its fair share of fierce wind, reminding folks why they prefer the security of an insulated aluminum or composite wall (or at least thick roof tent canvas) over thin, flapping ground-tent ripstop. We saw every shape and style of wall imaginable, and a few we wouldn't have imagined.

You'll find all of them in our photo gallery.

View gallery - 124 images
4 comments
4 comments
EH
Pretty underwhelming. Ugly, overpriced unreliable monstrosities from the bolt-on-all-kinds-of-random-crap school of engineering. After a few, they all look the same. The only thing that might have been of interest is the organization of the interiors, and that was only a handful of pictures. I lived for three years in a 1982 35' triple-axle Avion (similar to Airstream, all aluminum), and not one of the vehicles here looks anything like as comfortable or well-designed as that trailer, and it wasn't even as comfortable as a big tent, what with the narrow confined layout.
Also, the correct word for the shade of sparkly yellowish-avocado that those International Harvesters were painted is not "beautiful" but "vomitous".
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really good coverage of the event. It is neat seeing such a wide variety of sizes and equipment at the event.
hkmk23
Very American....off road seems to mean 50 yards from the KFC and the highway. Most of those 4x4 and 6x6 mobile blocks of flats look as though they would topple over climbing the kerb! Interesting article though.
CharlieSeattle
Lol, RV's, Trailers, 4x4 trucks and exhaust fumes is camping? KMA!