THE 2025 ULTIMATE OVERLANDVEHICLE Build

Powered by GMC, Built by overland expo

The GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition is the ultimate overlanding companion, blending extreme off-road performance with refined comfort. Paired with the OEV Backcountry camper—featuring a rugged build and thoughtful interior design—this combination takes backcountry exploration to new heights.

2025 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition

The GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition is the epitome of heavy-duty capability, crafted to take on rugged trails and demanding adventures while delivering premium comfort and refinement. While GMC trucks are synonymous with durability and off-road performance, the Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition raises the bar even higher as the ultimate overlanding companion. Featuring bold styling, a host of extreme off-road upgrades, and innovative engineering, this truck blends everyday drivability with trail-dominating prowess.

Paired with the OEV Backcountry camper, this combination redefines backcountry exploration. The OEV Backcountry camper’s thoughtfully designed interior and durable construction ensure that you’re as comfortable in the remote wilderness as you are in your own backyard. Together, the Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition and the OEV Backcountry camper create an unstoppable overlanding rig, ready to take you wherever the adventure leads.

THE BUILD STORY

Why we chose the 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition, build gear chronicles and stories from the road.

Ultimate Builds Unveiled at Overland Expo West

Flagstaff, Arizona – After a year of designing and assembling this year’s truly Ultimate Builds for

Ultimate Overland Build 2025 Unveiled: 2025 GMC Sierra HD AT4X AEV Edition

For overland travelers who push the boundaries of adventure, choosing the right vehicle is essential. The 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition is the Ultimate Overland Build 2025. With a factory-engineered blend of strength, off-road technology, and premium features, this truck is a serious contender for the best adventure-ready platform available straight off the lot.

Outfitting the Truck

Read about the gear we’ve chosen for the 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition Ultimate Overland Vehicle build.

The GMC Sierra is the 2025 Ultimate Build vehicle

Ultimate Vehicle: 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition

The AEV enhancements strengthen the GMC Sierra HD AT4X’s off-road dominion. With 35″ Goodyear Territory MT tires on AEV 18” Salta® wheels and a factory-installed 1.5″ suspension lift, you’ll be capable of handling the toughest off-road conditions from climbing steep inclines to navigating through rocky paths. Equipped with heavy-duty, AEV stamped-steel, powder-coated front and rear bumpers, this truck offers enhanced protection against rocky landscapes. Additionally, the rugged underbody protection with AEV stamped-steel skid plates will help you transition effortlessly from highways to rough terrains, securing vital components such as the steering gear and the transfer case.

Overland Explorer Vehicles (OEV): 2025 Backcountry Camper

Overland Explorer Vehicles pride themselves on using no wood in their construction to ensure a lifetime of abuse with little to no impact on the camper. In other words, your camper will look just as good in 10 years as it did the day you bought it! The Back Country comfortably sleeps up to four people, and with its four-season construction and three-season water system, you won’t be limited to the summer months. Built with powder-coated aluminum extrusions and OEV’s Gen 4 Advanced Fiberglass Composite System (AFCS) panels, the walls of Back Country 6.85’ have an R8 insulation value on the composite walls, and the fire-rated soft walls consist of four layers, providing an R4 insulation value.

Engine Protection: AEV Snorkel Kit

For those who push their trucks beyond the pavement, the AEV Snorkel Kit is a must-have upgrade.

Wheels: AEV Salta XD Wheels

The AEV Salta XD wheel brings a perfect balance of strength, durability, and refined styling to Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD trucks. AEV has long been known for designing wheels that can withstand extreme conditions, and the 18×9 Salta XD is no exception. With a staggering 4,100-lb load rating, it’s built to handle the demands of off-road expeditions and heavy-duty towing alike.

Hot Water and Furnace: Truma AquaGo and VarioHeat

The Truma AquaGo is the industry’s first hybrid, on-demand water heater. This revolutionary water heater brings the luxury of hot water reliably around the clock for showering, hand washing, and doing dishes.
The Truma VarioHeat comfort is a compact, luxury RV furnace perfect for travel trailers, motorhomes, and vans. Its small size means that it can be installed in even the smallest RVs while still leaving plenty of room for storage.

Battery System: Battleborn GC3 LiFePO4 Heated Battery Kit

The Battle Born 270Ah 12V Heated GC3 LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery Kit is engineered for exceptional power and reliability in extreme conditions. Featuring Integrated Heating technology, it includes proprietary internal heating elements that ensure efficient charging and consistent performance, even in freezing temperatures. Whether used in an RV, camper van, boat, or off-grid home, this battery delivers reliable energy without compromise.

Fridge: Isotherm Cruise 65 Clean Touch

Isotherm is proud to oﬀer the Cruise 65 Clean Touch Stainless Steel available in 12 V DC and 110 V AC powered unit, constant operation on shore-power. Designed for dependable service in tough Marine and RV environments, exclusively used by SuperTramp Campers. Refrigerator features a Clean Touch stainless-steel door, handle and ﬂange. The Clean Touch style features a high-tech ﬁnish that protects against abrasion, stains, sun, salt and UV, each unit is included with a mounting frame (ﬂange) for easy installation. Isotherm is the only refrigeration company that oﬀers Clean Touch feature, it will make your life easier, thanks to the perfect product ﬁtting as well as a long-lasting clean eﬀect.

Power Distribution and Control: Switch-Pros SP9100

The Switch-Pros SP9100 is a fully programmable and customizable solid state power distribution system. The SP9100 has the ability to flow 125 amps continuously. It is composed of eight individual switches: four with a max 20 amp capacity and four with a max 35 amp capacity. Each circuit functions independently, and, in lieu of relays and fuses, the system uses self-resetting automotive MOSFETS. This means that should you experience a short, over-current, or over-temperature condition, the specific circuit will shut down and automatically begin attempting to reset and become functional.

Forrest Tool Company Max Tool Kit

Shovel and Axe: Forrest Tool Company Max® Multipurpose Toolkit with Leather Bag

The MAX® toolkit by Forrest Tool Company features a 34-in axe with a notched top for quick and easy tool head attachment. The unique design allows you to carry eight heavy-duty tools — axe, sledge, shovel, broad pick, narrow pick, mattock, rake, and hoe — in a single, compact case. Weighing only 12lbs, the MAX® Multipurpose Tool kit ensures you have the tools you need without the bulk of a shed, leaving plenty of room for your other outdoor essentials.

Emergency Comms – Sat Messaging: ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator

When outside cell coverage, ZOLEO uses the Iridium satellite network — the only network to cover 100% of Earth, including all landmasses, oceans and Polar Regions — to send or receive messages. When within cell coverage, ZOLEO delivers messages over cellular and Wi-Fi.

Emergency Kit: Rig Ready Systems Jackout Emergency Kit

The RRS JackOut is a top-of-the-line, all-inclusive emergency kit built to tackle a wide range of critical situations. Housed in a rugged Nanuk Hard Case that’s IP67 waterproof-rated, it’s as tough as the terrain you’ll face.

Suspension: Air Lift LoadLifter 500 ProSeries

The 2025 GMC Sierra HD ATX4 AEV Edition (6.6L Diesel) is equipped with Air Lift’s LoadLifter 5000 ProSeries air spring kit and the Universal Air Spring Cradle. It runs on the WirelessOne Tank with EZ Mount.

Wifi Internet: Redzone Wireless

The Cradlepoint-Ericcson X-10 Router is engineered to provide robust, high-speed connectivity in a wide range of scenarios, from busy urban work environments to remote outdoor adventures.

Seat Organizers: ONWRD Supply

ØNWRD’s modular vehicle organization system transforms any build into a highly functional, adventure-ready space.

Outdoor Privacy: Alu-Cab 270-Degree Shadow Awning and Shower Cube from OK4WD

The Alu-Cab 270-degree Shadow Awning and Shower Cube provide exceptional outdoor living space, and they’re built to stand up to backcountry travel.

Tires: BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2

BFGoodrich’s toughest All-Terrain tire offers aggressive traction, a severe snow rating and tougher sidewalls.

Air Compressor: VIAIR Dual Mounted Systems

VIAIR Dual Mounted Systems (VMS) are high-performance onboard air systems designed to provide high CFM and fast tire fill with unsurpassed durability.

Navigation: onX Offroad Elite Membership

onX Offroad is the most trusted trail map and GPS navigation app for off-roading and snowmobiling, with over 700K miles of guided trails and 852 million acres of public land access. Explore confidently outside cell coverage using Offline Maps, turn-by-turn guidance, ride tracking, and condition reports.

Opinel cookware for picnic kit

Cookware: Opinel Nomad Cooking Kit and Picnic + Cutlery Complete Set with No.08 Folding Knife

These two kits from Opinel are sure to make any overlanding adventure deliciously decadent while remaining simple and lightweight.

Power: Xantrex Freedom X 2000 Inverter and Remote Panel

The Freedom X inverter offers premium performance in a lightweight compact package to convert your power from DC to AC. It cranks out full output from -4°F – 104°F for operation in all climate temperatures. The extended surge rating of the Freedom X makes it ideal to start difficult loads including a fridge and microwave. The quick connect terminals at AC IN/OUT make installation a breeze. With a Freedom X inverter, you can have all the comforts of home as far from home as you can wander. Extend your control with the companion Freedom X Remote Panel for the ultimate power system.

Exhaust: MagnaFlow Black Series Filter-Back Performance System

The Black Series is the premiere exhaust system from Magnaflow featuring stainless steel construction, high temp black finish, and Magnaflow’s signature souind.

Auxiliary Driving Lights: Vision X Lighting Explora Series

The EXPLORA Series Driving Lights from Vision X Lighting are built for overlanders, off-roaders, and anyone who refuses to let darkness slow them down.

Vehicle Accessory: Tackform Slim Track Dash Bracket for GMC Sierra

Take your GMC Sierra and GMC Sierra HD to the next level with Tackform’s TRAXX™ Slim Track Dash Bracket.

Emergency Comms – Radio: Midland MicroMobile Two-Way Radio and Antenna System

Whether it’s hitting the Imogene Pass, Mojave Road, or Rubicon Trail, reliable communication is key to building connection and staying safe. Midland’s MXT575 MicroMobile® GMRS 50-Watt Two-Way Radio – MXT575 paired with the MicroMobile® Highland™ 3dB Gain Heavy-Duty Bull Bar Antenna System – MXAT05VP is the system that brings power to communication.

Campfire Kitchen: Lavabox Portable Campfire

Perfect not just for camping, but also for tailgating, beach days, and festivals, we’re totally in love with this Lavabox Portable Campfire setup for campfire kitchen solutions.

Recovery Gear: COMEUP Solo 12k Winch x Accessories

The SOLO winches are IP68 rated and will stand up to the harshest conditions even working when submerged under water. The newly redesigned wireless remote is more ergonomic and is powered by a standard watch battery which is easily replaced. Comeup has also redesigned its cord remote which now features a built-in magnet to secure the controller to any steel surface.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

We’ve built the Ultimate Overland Vehicle in partnership with these great brands.

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BFGoodrich_X1O (4)

Rig Ready Systems

CHARITY AUCTION

Coming this Fall the Ultimate Overland Vehicle will be put up for auction on Bring-A-Trailer, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Overland Expo Foundation. Stay tuned for updates!

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Photo by Brett Willhelm, Willhelmn Visual Works