Last weekend the overland community gathered in beautiful Loveland, Colorado and overlanders came from across the country and around the globe to check out awesome rigs, take part in world-class education, and to see the latest and greatest in adventure gear.
Amongst the thousands of rigs, you could find adventure vehicles of every shape and size. We took some to find some of our favorite rigs from the exhibitor area and the campground. Presented in no particular order, here are some of our favorite rigs from Overland Expo Mountain West 2024.
Roof Space – Porsche Cayenne
The Cayenne is definitely a sleeper option for an overland rig. With plenty of space, power for days, and options with factory lockers, you’d be hard-pressed to ask for more. This excellent example had all-terrain tires, a rooftop tent, plenty of lights, and a lift kit. Some might wonder if the Cayenne will be the next GX and only climb in price and popularity in the years to come.
Alu Cab Equipped – Ranger Raptor
The new Rangers are just hitting the market, and we saw several at Overland Expo Mountain West. This Ranger Raptor rocking the Blue Lightning was in the campground, and it appeared relatively stock outside of the MOD Cap Camper from Alu Cab. These campers are a great way to add plenty of comfortable living space that provides flexibility for accessories like solar, cabinets, fridges, furnaces, and more. The Ranger Raptor is an impressive platform, and we expect to see more of these at future events.
Full Time Ready – 1991 Land Rover Defender
Ben Steiner was hanging out with his family, and this awesome rig was in the Storytelling Pavilion. Ben imported his Rover in 2018. Since then this 110 has undergone a massive amount of modifications including a high top conversion, interior dining area, Old Man Emu 2.5 inch lift, ARB bumpers, an awning, gull windows, hardline propane, and more. This great build can comfortably sleep and transport four, plus a furry friend. This is an enviable adventure rig.
READ MORE: The Best Gear of Overland Expo Mountain West
TrailRax – Jeep JLU
Jeeps are one of those platforms with incredible aftermarket support and year after year and model after model, overlanders build out their Jeeps to suit their needs. This particularly well-appoint example from the TrailRax booth was outfitted with a great selection of accessories and color-matched throughout, and we mean throughout. Let’s start at the top with the iKamper tent that provides plenty of space in a compact package. Of course, there are plenty of lights and a fridge, but what really caught our attention was the custom drawers and the clever use of the aluminum cases to increase exterior storage. And all of this is riding on a King/Falcon suspension that’s more than capable of tackling tough terrain.
Van Cafe – 1987 Volkswagen Synchro Weekender
There’s definitely a certain level of romanticism and nostalgia attached to these old VW vans. While plenty of backcountry adventures have been had in the stock versions over the years, specially built packages like this Weekender take it to a whole new level. With a vintage awning, a pop top, a front winch bumper, and more trail accouterments, this Synchro is both the origin and the envy of the #vanlife world. This example even comes equipped with a Subaru motor conversion to up the power output and to help it keep up with modern traffic.
Go Fast Camper Equipped – Rivian R1T
Rivians, and electric trucks/SUVs in general, are becoming more and more common place. We know plenty of knowledgeable overlanders who have proven the R1T can tackle the trails and offroad events, but the unique bed/cab geometry has made it tough to adapt some camper options to this platform. However, it seems GFC has cracked the code, and we were excited to get to check out their Rivian R1T-compatible model up close. The wind fairing and the unique design directly behind the cab do a great job of overcoming the previously mentioned design challenges. Of course, on the inside of the bed, this GFC-equipped rig is ready for cargo duty or trailside shelter, depending on the situation.
Adventure Ready – Subaru Outback
When it comes to the sheer amount of dirt miles amongst any particular make or model, the Subaru has to be up there in the rankings. And this Outback is the perfect example of a mildly modded Subie that is ready for plenty of adventures. Up top, a cargo box maximizes storage space. The hidden winch and recovery points can get it out of a sticky situation, while sliders add some trail protection. A mild life and AT tires add plenty of backcountry capability, and the matching full-size spare on the hitch carrier means this adventurous duo is ready to keep rolling if they have a catastrophic tire failure.
Forest Service Conversion – GMC C5500
Last but certainly not least, because, well, just look at it, is this massive GMC C5500. This Duramax-powered behemoth stood like a shining beacon of awesome all weekend long. The C5500 platform is often used for heavy-duty service trucks, utility work, fire rigs, and a whole host of hardworking applications. Based on the paint scheme, we’re assuming this example was in the Forest Service before becoming a dedicated camping rig. With a back porch, yes, a back porch, and plenty of living space, this rig can go nearly anywhere and provide plenty of cargo and living space. We’d just avoid tight trails. This behemoth is too nice to bang up the body panels.
If you’re looking for a great chance to check out great rigs like these, be sure to join us at Overland Expo East in Arrington, Virginia, October 4-6.
