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Why I Chose a Full-Size Truck for Overlanding (No Regrets)

Jeremy Siers

150,642 views

Everyone says full-size trucks are too big for overlanding... but after years of traveling through the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Smokies, Florida, and beyond, my Silverado has proven otherwise. In this video I explain why I chose a full-size truck, give you a complete walkaround of my current overland build, and share the upgrades still planned for the future.

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4 Inch Lift Kit | FOX 2.5 Performance Elite Coil-Over | Chevy Trail Boss - uspension.com/products/4-inch-lift-kit-fox-2-5-performance-elite-coil-over-chevy-trail-boss-or-gmc-at4-1500-19-23-4wd-gas
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Rubi Grid - https://link.amazon/B0aPIirC9

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Time Stamps
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00:00 Why Everyone Hates Full-Size Overland Trucks
01:49 Gas Mileage Myth
02:45 Why Space Matters
03:51 Power & Trail Performance
06:03 Sponsors
09:01 Suspension & Lift
09:39 Air Bags, Onboard Air & Train Horn
12:52 Falken 37" Tires
13:42 Xtrusion Overland Rack
14:53 Water System
15:49 Recovery Boards
16:12 Retractable Bed Cover
17:15 Bed Organization & Power
17:57 23Zero Rooftop Tent
18:33 Roof Rack & Trail Lights
19:30 Roam Roof Box
20:29 Interior Storage & RubiGrid
21:48 Future Upgrades
24:37 Final Thoughts

20 Comments

@bigdave4863 2 months ago

Finally, an honest video regarding "overlanding" . . . It's what a person wants to do! Thanks! Peace.

@kylenice2470 1 month ago

The GM 6.2 was a bold choice for someone who doesn’t want to break things in the woods!

@gregwade5010 2 months ago

Thought it was a great point that people confuse overlanding with rock crawling. They’re two very different things and people seem to just lump them together these days

@mmagbee 1 month ago

5:25-- " Ive spend far too much $ to go out in the woods and break shit" = amen brother. Adventure is adventure.

@colinwatt00 2 months ago (edited)

F150 for the win. My camping / ‘overlanding’ truck would get 20MPG all day, every day. Fridge. Freezer. Pull-out. House battery. Shower. Tent. Two bikes on the back and a bed full of gear.

@anthonywalker1648 1 day ago

I like this channel. A lot of cool stuff that I can never afford.

@daniel0atk 2 months ago

The best vehicle for camping is the one you already have. There's no right or wrong vehicle, hell you can even go camping with a Prius! Just use what meets your needs, not what everyone else thinks you need.

@dadventuretv2538 2 months ago

Full sizes are great if they fit your needs. There are soooo many of different levels of leaving pavement and camping. Hell in college I took my 1984 Ford Escort everywhere. If you’re just doing dirt and gravel Forest Service Roads, you can literally get away with anything. Dial it up a bit, stream crossings, maybe some small rocks, and rocky roads, then you’ll want something more capable. Want to run actual trails, i.e something that doesn’t look like a road, and hit some features, that’s where the midsizes really shine. So many people build to some spec sheet with zero thought if they need half the stuff they put on it. RN, I like trails and bigger rocks and wheelin’ a bit and camping is sporadic, so the Gladiator with an but trust when I say there are plenty of timed I find myself thinking how nice extra bed-space would be. Alucab and RTT is perfect for me. In fact, when I retire, if I find myself on FS roads mostly and covering a lot of miles and camping a lot more, then I’ll probably go full size too and might even put a lightweight pop up camper. Because my priorities will have changed and comfort and space will be much more important then.

As for mpg- my Gladiator Rubicon on 37s with an Alucab and RTT and fully loaded got 13.5-16, and 16 on the flat with a tailwind. Negligible from a full size. In fact, full sizes can be more fuel efficient.

People make this out to be way more complicated than it is, and think you need way more stuff than you do. It really depends on what you do, what you prioritize, and what level of comfort and ease you want.

Most important thing is: just go.

@mikefoster5663 2 months ago (edited)

Ok. Totally agree with your point about not wanting to do tough trails that will beak your truck. I have a fully built Jeep Gladiator Rubicon with all the stuff. Sliders, plates, lift, 37 in KO2s, winch, lights, snorkel, bed rack, rooftop tent, awning, etc. It would probably be fine on black trails but I have no interest in damaging a $70,000 truck just for fun. If someone wants to do that, good for them. But id I was going to do that I would get a side by side and go for it. My truck is build for traveling to places I want to see and camping in places off the beaten path. Not for breaking, bending, scraping and replacing broken parts on extreme trails just to say I can. I’m sure others will say I’m not a true overlander, if so, so be it. I’ve had my truck for 5 years and it has a few scratches and some pin stripping but I have not had to replace a single broken parts or had it in a body shop to fix damaged body parts. I could do the same with a full sized truck, but I went with a mid size because I copied what I was seeing on the Overlanding You Tubers when I began doing this years ago.

@gracemissionadv 2 months ago

An overland vehicle is any vehicle that travel over land. Motorcycle(in my case), bicycle, station wagon whatever gets you and yours outside.
Don’t let anyone tell you any different.

@Mike-Utah 2 months ago (edited)

I wish they made a rugged 4x4 mini van. I love my Sienna, just wish it was on a strong frame, 4x4, with a modest lift.

When the truck is the destination… 😂 love it!

@MrPoseidonSays 2 months ago (edited)

Jeremy I loved what you said and it was truth. Owner of a F-350, let’s go!

@NVLunarTaco 2 months ago

If I had the opportunity to get a full-size truck, I would, but I’m a small Asian.
Imagine little me climbing out of a full-size truck. Lol!
So I settled with a Tacoma with a small lift on 32.

I share the same sentiment as you. My truck is built to get me in most places with the family without breaking anything… I did not buy my truck to fix it.😊

@aaronlakanen4041 1 month ago (edited)

I just found your channel. Completely agree. I have a Ram 2500 built to do everything for me from work to adventure. My goal is to get where I want to go without breaking anything. The tiny trucks can’t do real work. When people tell me my truck is too big I just laugh. I think theirs is too small for what I need mine to do. Use what fits your purposes.

85-90% of my build matches yours. It works but is a work in progress. After our outer banks trip, I’m realizing space is a premium especially when towing a camper. You are right, constantly evolving process.

@Raptrr7 3 days ago

Using an AT4X HD AEV and loving it.

@philipperajaofetra1938 1 month ago

you got a like just for the air horn. I love it.

@davecorreira3886 1 day ago

Spot on build your rig according to how you use it not youtube. I applaud you for buying American most advertise amazon chinese...

@davecorreira3886 1 day ago

If you don't want something to fancy for a slide out you might consider using some rollers and a tray with simple stop and lock which could be a pin.Lippert Replacement J-33 Slide Out Roller 244838

@toddshook1765 1 month ago

That’s why I like my Nissan Titan; power, space for me, 27 gallon fuel tank, crew cab. After overlanding can tow our 26ft travel trailer.
Thanks for sharing.