Over the weekend, I had the privilege of testing out the 2025 Ultimate Overland Vehicle build, a GMC Sierra HD 2500 AT4X AEV Edition, which will be auctioned off in October, with the proceeds going to the programs and organizations sponsored and supported by the Overland Expo Foundation. With the opportunity to test out a new vehicle came the temptation to test out new ground as well, but ultimately I decided that the best way to evaluate performance was to go over known terrain, as I already knew what other vehicles felt like in these circumstances. With that in mind, we headed out to the Pawnee Buttes in the Pawnee National Grasslands of Northeastern Colorado. This portion of the state is not what people think of when they think of the stereotypical image of Colorado; there are no forest-covered mountains or rolling foothills, just sparsely populated, vast plains of tall native grasses, antelope, coyotes, jackrabbits, and cattle grazing in open ranges.
We headed out into the plains over dirt roads traveled infrequently by farm vehicles and an endless string of washboard ruts. Durability is key to the success of any overland journey, and along with a keen sense of mechanical sympathy, systems that relieve unnecessary stress and strain on the vehicle go a long way in this endeavor. Good suspension goes a long way to relieving the strain on all components (including the human components inside). With miles of corrugation on dirt County roads to get to the Buttes, we put the Air Lift-LoadLifter 5000 Pro Series Suspension to the test. I had already experienced how well the vehicle handled paved roads at interstate speeds and how well this suspension compensates for the added weight of the camper and all of the gear. It doesn’t end up with its tail dragging before the day has even begun, and I was truly impressed with how it handled the washboard and the uneven two-track trails. The system comes with a lifetime warranty and a 60-day ride satisfaction guarantee. With a remote control to adjust the suspension, you can ensure a comfortable ride whether you are fully loaded, ready for a month-long expedition, or running empty. Air Lift Company is a family-owned business based in Lansing, Michigan, since 1949, so it is a company that is tried and true.
The all-metal construction of the Trackform TRAXX™ Slim Track Dash Bracket with phone mount never got to be put through its paces because the ride was so smooth, but with the antenna on the front bumper vibrating away, the phone mount never gave the slightest twitch. Slightly frustrated by the lack of being able to properly test out the product, I did grab it and give it a good shake, to which it did not budge, and only elicited an eye roll from my husband.
From the corrugation of the County roads, we headed off towards the Buttes, this is where we have often encountered dust in the past. While many people out in the urban world still think that a snorkel’s main purpose is for water crossings, to keep water out of the air intake, modern vehicles have electronics that would be problematic well before the water reached that height. So, with the primary purpose being to draw in cleaner air, the snorkel is a major advantage. The Snorkel Kit from AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) raises the air intake to 6 feet 6 inches off the ground, greatly reducing the potential dust intake and extending the life of the air filter. Thankfully, this particular trip to Pawnee National Grasslands was not plagued by high winds as it had been on past trips to this area, and rain has been more plentiful this summer, so dust was of minimal concern… this time. I could still see the cloud of dust behind us in our side mirrors, so if we had been traveling with other vehicles, there would have been dust to contend with.
We came to a nice, quiet camp spot away from where other campers had come to get away for the weekend, and decided to play with the winch and test it out before sitting down to dinner. The COMEUP Solo 12k Winch is neatly and discreetly tucked away and barely even noticeable, save for the large red hook poking out from the AEV fairlead, and with a winch heavy-duty enough for this setup, it is a truly burly hook. The COMEUP winch features both the traditional winch controller and the wireless controller, so you’ve got options. They work equally well, but being a bit “old school” myself, and hopefully without invoking the scratchy old-timer voice over of “Back in my day…”, I still prefer the traditional wired winch control, it just somehow feels more substantial and commanding, but, to each their own, and if you don’t want to deal with coiling the winch controller cable back up when you are finished, or you want to be in control at a greater distance, the remote can come in handy.
After putting the winch away, we sat down to have a quiet dinner and enjoy watching the sunset. It was a nice evening so we opted to sit outside to enjoy our wine and charcuterie and listen to the coyotes begin their evening calls in the distance. This would seem like the perfect end to a wonderful day, but as every overlander knows, there is far more to this endeavor than rest and relaxation. After dinner, there are dishes to be done, which for me usually starts with getting out the stove and heating some water for the chore. With the Truma AquaGo hybrid, on-demand water heater, it only took the push of a button and the flip of a switch to have continuous hot water, limited only by the capacity of the onboard water tank. This system also supplies the hot water to the shower system accessed on the outside of the vehicle, and anyone who has been on a long overland trip knows that there will come a point when a hot shower is not just a luxury, but an absolute and immediate necessity.
With darkness falling as dishes were being washed and put away, interior lights became necessary. With the Battleborn GC3 LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery Kit, there was never a worry of running out of power. Though we weren’t running much more than the fridge, lights, and water pump, so there was no chance of us really putting the system through its paces. This kit is designed for extreme conditions, with proprietary internal heating elements that ensure efficient charging. We would have been fine even if my desert-loving husband and I had been doing this trip in the dead of winter, with lights, heater, water pump, fridge, and all. Neatly tucked away behind the access panel, one would hardly notice or even spare a thought for this power system keeping everything running, and that’s exactly how you want it to be, because when something is reliable, you never really have to give it much attention.
This vehicle is larger than I usually lean towards for an overland vehicle, and I did not expect it to handle so well, or travel so smoothly. I was pleasantly surprised, and may end up giving up some of my minimalist ways. I have definitely made note of some of the products for later reference on my next overland build.
The lucky overlander with the winning bid will be traveling in comfort and contentment for their adventures ahead.
Read more about the 2025 Ultimate Vehicle Build here. This and the 2025 Ultimate Moto Build, will go to auction to benefit the Overland Expo Foundation on October 22, 2025.
