What We Wish We’d Known Before Overlanding Full-time (Part 1)

If you’re new here, then hi. I’m Brittany Highland, and I’ve been traveling full-time by vehicle with my husband Eric since February 2014. Yep, almost eight years with no house or property to our name–just a home on wheels to take us where we want to go.

In late 2016, we added a baby nomad to our traveling crew. And not too long after, we discovered overlanding. The rest is history. We’re now driving around the world in a Jeep Gladiator.

That’s the short story. But there’s a much longer story, one full of mistakes made and lessons learned.

During summer 2021, right before we left the United States to begin our global journey, we went on a public speaking circuit. We attended two Overland Expos and participated in several smaller events. Our most popular presentation was about what we wish we’d known before overlanding full-time. What you’re reading here is, more or less, the written version of our presentation.

When I started writing, I realized I could easily write 5,000 words based on our presentation. So instead of giving you the world’s longest blog post, I’m writing my first ebook instead.

Rather than make you wait for the final ebook, I’m doing an experiment and blogging my ebook as I write it! This will be a 10-part series. Once all 10 parts are written, I will compile them into an ebook and email the PDF file to our subscribers FOR FREE. So make sure you click the orange button above to subscribe, so you can download the completed ebook and refer to it whenever you want to.

Even if you don’t overland full-time, you shouldn’t blow this information off too quickly. Most of the lessons I share still apply to you!

Now let’s get started with the first thing Eric and I wish we had known before we started overlanding full-time.

1/ Stuff is a sad substitute for experience

Overlanding can be an intimidating activity for newbies, as we go off-grid into the wilderness, out of cell service, with only ourselves to rely on. It’s easy to look at the influencers on Instagram and the gear they post about, then go straight to Amazon and buy ALL THE STUFF. The stuff becomes our security blanket.

But here’s the thing. We all overland differently. Our vehicles are different, and so are our timelines and the regions/countries we visit. Some of us like to spend time in towns, soaking in the local culture and food, while others want to get so far out there’s not a soul in sight. Or a mix of both!

The only way we can know what stuff we really need is to get out there and start experimenting. So start with what you have. Don’t buy expensive gear (or, God forbid, a new vehicle) until you know what you enjoy.

All you really need are the five basics of survival:

• Water
• Food
• Shelter
• Warmth or the ability to create warmth
• Sleep

If you have those five elements covered, then you can take your first overlanding trip. Don’t overthink it!

When Eric and I started overlanding (with the Jeep Wrangler we already owned), we made three lists during each of our first trips:

• What we took with us and used
• What we took and didn’t use
• What we didn’t take and wished we had

We used those lists to fine-tune our packing on subsequent trips. The lists also helped us know–with confidence–where we should invest our (limited) money.

Whatever you do, don’t spend so much money on stuff that you don’t have anything left for actual travel. The experiences are what you will remember. Stuff is a sad substitute for experience.

COMING UP: Stuff is a sad substitute for hands-on training

Stay tuned for the second lesson I share, as I blog my in-progress ebook. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up for a copy of my complete ebook, which I’ll email you for free as soon as it’s finished.

Thanks for participating in my blogging experiment. We’ll see you soon for the next lesson we want to share with you!

-B