Words & Photos by Mercedes Lilienthal
Overland Expo West keeps getting bigger and bigger—but also keeps getting better. Overlanding fans from all around the globe descended upon the Fort Tuthill County Park, just outside of Flagstaff, Arizona to attend the show. Located approximately 16 km (10 mi) outside of the city, attendees walked kilometres of aisles as they perused the latest product, reviewed each feature 4x4 with admiration, participated in classroom activities, and tested skills via the off-road driving/training course. Expo participants brought with them all sorts of unique travel rigs as well as adventure stories to share—they left armed with new gear, tips and tricks, and life-long new friends.
Approximately 360 exhibitors donned hundreds of off-road, travel-related, and adventure products. From waterproof bags, to GPS systems and auxiliary fuel tanks to rooftop tents, products were showcased and available for purchase.
Mercedes Lillienthal
Roaming Lost's Mitsubishi Montero at Expo West
Best Gear from the Expo
Long Range America has been bringing in Australian auxiliary/replacement fuel tanks for many four-wheel drive rigs: Toyotas, Nissans, Jeeps, even Mitsubishis and Land Rovers. These fuel tanks are specifically designed for Japanese, Australian, and US-spec 4x4s (that‘ve been altered to meet North American emission systems wherever necessary). Crowd favourite tank kits are the Toyota Tundra & Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, 200 Series, and Jeep JK. But now, they have prototype tanks being shipped to the US for the Jeep Wrangler JL, second generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, Lexus GX 460, and fifth gen Toyota 4Runner.
Utilizing long range auxiliary fuel tanks provides several benefits when traveling remotely: they offer up increased range, safety and security by not hauling around extra jerry cans, lower gasoline prices as tank owners have the capacity to bypass expensive fuel stops in order to hit up cheaper ones in the next town, and are better prepared in case of emergency or disaster. Long Range America fuel tank prices range from $1,500-1,800 (plus shipping and installation).
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Fully built Nissan Armada at Expo West
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1965 Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip at Expo West
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Honda Acty 4WD with rooftop tent at Expo West
Lightforce showcased their new Striker 850nM LED infrared (IR) driving lights. The IP68 and IP69K dust and water protection rated allows them years of dirt, mud or water abuse without batting an eyelash. These 60W LED lights are meant for adventure, handling whatever you toss their way. Reduced radio interference technology allows users to operate communication gear such as CBs, ham radios, FRS or race radios static-free. Striker IR LEDs also perform great with many types of night vision. Lightforce offers up an array of rectangular filters that allow users to alter these lights for many situations. A set of two Striker IR lights, reversible mounts and hardware, spot filters, and installation kit is $824 USD.
Along with their IR Strikers, Lightforce offered up their standard Striker LED driving lights. Same sizing and IP 68 and IP69K ratings as their IR cousin, this powerhouse duo offers up 5000K true white light along with a look that is different than the popular round or squat LED light bars. A set of two Striker lights, reversible mounts and hardware, spot filters, and installation kit is $475 USD.
Portugal-based James Baroud announced another innovative option to its rooftop tent customers—an opportunity to choose from 250 RAL colour codes when ordering their new hard-shelled rooftop tent. This is the first rooftop tent maker to offer this option. Customers choose their new colour from a RAL colour swatch deck, and soon their customized mobile home will arrive in their colour choice. It’s a great way to accessorize an off-road adventure mobile. These tents, like their other hard-shell tents, are hand-made in Portugal and are topped off with a premium gel coating (much more resilient than paint). James Baroud tents boast a five-year warranty, even with the new RAL colours. Custom colours are an additional $550 over the standard white, gray, or black colors, and allow for a 60-day lead time.
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Huge five ton adventure machine at Expo West
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James Baroud custom colour deck at Expo West
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James Baroud custom colours at Expo West
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Lightforce Striker LED Driving Lights at Expo West
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Long Range America's 2005-current Toyota Tacoma fuel tank at Expo West
Adventure Rigs
Expo West is an awesome place for adventure rig viewing. Feature vehicles included anything from carefully built and meticulously maintained 4x4s to muddy off-road run-abouts. There were a ton of rigs to check out.
While typical manufacturers like Toyota and Jeep had a mighty presence, more unique rigs like Mitsubishis, Earth Cruisers, Land Rovers, and even two odd-looking Sherp rigs gave attendees a unique perspective on adventure chariots. A huge presence of Ural motorcycles was also on hand. Mark Tetreau, from Kalaber Creations, gave me a show as he drove his fully customized Ural U1 around the surrounding streets of Expo West. There’s something so exhilarating when riding in a sidecar that suddenly jumps into mid-air as he tours you about. It’s a ride I’ll not soon forget.
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Mark Tetreau from Kalaber Creations, driving Ural U1 at Expo West
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Massive military vehicle at Expo West
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Sherp adventuremobile at Expo West
In addition to all the featured 4x4s, there were hundreds of adventure vehicles dispersed in various camping areas. Sometimes the best rigs are hiding among the sea of tents and trees. Lifted, modified, or fabricated in one manner or another—each adventure vehicle has a unique history to go along with its war wounds. Owners are always excited to talk about them.
If you’re curious about overlanding, world traveling or just want to check out a huge adventure vehicle and gear show, then attending Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, AZ should be on your bucket list. It’s truly an adventure in itself.
Mercedes Lillienthal