The CAMO Convoy Overland Podcast

DIY vs BUY: What's Actually Worth Building? | CAMO Convoy Podcast Is it better to build your own overlanding gear or just buy it off the shelf?This week on the CAMO Convoy Podcast, we're tackling one of the biggest debates in the off-road and overlanding world: DIY vs BUY!From custom bumpers and suspension setups to portable power stations, recovery equipment, and camp kitchens, we're breaking down where doing it yourself actually saves money, where buying makes more sense, and when the juice just isn't worth the squeeze.Tonight's topics include:Portable power stations and electrical systemsOnboard air and compressed air setupsWater storage and tank systemsBumpers, rock sliders, and skid platesSuspension kits vs piecing together your ownStorage drawers and sleeping platformsBed racks and roof racksElectrical wiring harnessesSnorkels and intake systemsRecovery gear and recovery kitsMedical and first aid kitsTool kits vs building your ownFreeze dried meals and camp foodWe're talking cost, quality, reliability, fabrication skills, time investment, and whether that expensive aftermarket equipment is actually worth the money.JOIN THE LIVE DISCUSSION!What gear have you built yourself? What did you regret buying? And what's one thing you'd NEVER waste your time making?Drop your opinions and experiences in the live chat. We want to hear them!SUPPORT CAMOCheck out the sweet CAMO gear in our shop and help support the podcast, our community, and everything we're building!Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE the show with your fellow off-road and overlanding enthusiasts.CAMO Convoy PodcastReal conversations about off-roading, overlanding, vehicle builds, camping, and the people who make this community what it is.#Overlanding #DIYvsBuy #OffRoad #OverlandGear #4x4 #TruckBuilds #CampingGear #CAMOConvoyPodcast

A trailer gives you room for the family, the gear, and a camp you can leave behind while you explore. It also means dragging another axle through everything you came to drive.This week on the CAMO Convoy Podcast, Nick and Aaron talk overland and offroad trailers. Aaron likes the idea. Nick takes some convincing. From simple utility trailer builds to fully equipped campers, we get into what you gain, what you give up, and whether a trailer actually fits the way you travel.We talk tongue weight, load placement, trailer brakes, suspension, and the ST versus LT tire debate. We also cover couplers, articulating hitches, drop hitch leverage, lighting, frontal area, and how a trailer changes the way your rig turns, stops, and handles tight trails.Would you pull a trailer on your next trip, or keep everything in the truck? Tell us what you’re running and where you draw the line.Shiny side up, muddy side down.

Some of our favorite overland gear came from China. Some things we wouldn’t touch. So where do we draw the line?This week on the CAMO Convoy Podcast, Nick and Aaron go through the gear we put on our trucks, take camping, and trust to get us home. From LED lights and Baofeng radios to recovery equipment, batteries, brakes, and diesel heaters, we talk about where buying cheap makes sense and where we’re spending the extra money.First, there’s a distinction worth making: an American company designing a part and having it manufactured in China isn’t necessarily the same thing as buying an unknown brand straight off an online listing. Design, materials, testing, and quality control matter. So does knowing what you actually need the thing to do.We get into:• LED pods and light bars, inflated output claims, and interference with your radios• Budget radios and why we like having more features for less money• Hard shackles, soft shackles, recovery ropes, and what we’re willing to trust under load• LiFePO4 batteries, power stations, and Nick’s homemade battery box running his camping fridge• Cheap brake parts, shocks, and tires• Diesel heaters, 12V fridges, tents, and awnings• Wiring and fasteners that deserve more thought than “well, it fits”There are some hard passes, some surprisingly easy yeses, and plenty of gear that’s already riding around in our trucks. We also get sidetracked by parts counter disasters and introduce the Riff Raff Nation merch. As usual.What’s the best cheap gear you’ve bought? And what bargain turned out to be complete junk? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for more overlanding, trail talk, truck builds, camping, and the occasional questionable financial decision.Shiny side up, muddy side down.#Overlanding #CAMOConvoy #BudgetOverlanding

FULL SIZE OVERLANDERS: Half-Tons to $900K Expedition RigsHow big is too big for an overland rig?Tonight on the CAMO Convoy Podcast, Nick and Aaron dive into the entire world of full size overlanders, starting with the trucks and SUVs you see every day and working all the way up to massive, purpose built expedition rigs that cost nearly a million dollars.We break down modern half ton trucks and SUVs like the F-150, Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, Tundra, Sequoia, Expedition, Tahoe and Suburban, then move into the heavier stuff including the F-250 Tremor, Ram Power Wagon, Silverado 2500 ZR2, one tons, F-550s and Ram 5500s.The bigger the truck gets, the more payload, fuel, towing capacity and living space you gain. But you also get more weight, more width, worse maneuverability, higher costs and a much bigger problem when you finally get one stuck.Then things get ridiculous.We get into EarthRoamers, Storyteller/GXV expedition trucks, Ford based mega campers, Kenworth based builds and the massive commercial platforms designed for true long distance travel.We also get into:• Why full size trucks make a lot of sense for families• Half ton vs three quarter ton vs one ton• Modern trucks vs old school full sizes• Pickup truck size creep• Payload and overloaded overland builds• Gas vs modern diesel• Factory off road packages like Tremor, ZR2, Bison and Power Wagon• Why a 2500 might be the sweet spot for a serious camper• F-550 and Ram 5500 expedition builds• EarthRoamer and the world of ultra expensive expedition rigs• Why medium duty commercial trucks start making more sense again• Where these giant rigs actually work off road• And whether a million dollar school bus might somehow be the smarter choiceFrom Appalachian trails to Alaska, the Dalton Highway, Mexico and crossing entire continents, this episode is about matching the size of the vehicle to the kind of travel you actually want to do.At some point, an overland truck stops being a trail rig and starts becoming a house with four wheel drive.Welcome to the big boy episode.CAMO Convoy PodcastCentral Appalachian Mountain Overland#Overlanding #OffRoad #FullSizeTruck #ExpeditionTruck #EarthRoamer #OverlandRig #4x4 #Camping #AdventureTravel

Looking for the best off road trails and overland routes in the Appalachian Mountains? In this episode of the CAMO Convoy Podcast, Nick and Aaron break down some of the most popular legal 4x4 trails and long distance overland routes across Appalachia, including what to expect, vehicle requirements, camping, scenery, trail conditions, and difficulty.Our scale is based on legal public roads and trails in Appalachia, not private rock parks or competition terrain.Potts Mountain Jeep Trail, Virginia — 9/10The “Rubicon of the East.” Technical rock gardens, ledges, steep climbs, off camber terrain, and real potential for damage. A capable rig and experienced driver are strongly recommended.Big Levels / Bald Mountain, Virginia — 5/10A great beginner friendly introduction to real Appalachian wheeling. Expect rock, mud, water, sand, and good scenery. Mostly stock 4x4 friendly with smart line choice, but rain can change conditions quickly.Union Springs Road / Flagpole Knob, Virginia — Beginner to IntermediateRocky, rough, and climbing almost the whole way. Great for learning line choice, low range driving, and vehicle placement without jumping straight into extreme terrain.Peter’s Mill Run / Taskers Gap, Virginia — EasyMostly rocky gravel with a few small obstacles and good scenery. Permit required, and only part of the larger trail system is open to full size 4x4s.Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, Kentucky — Up to 9–10/10Our pick for the best overall 4x4 destination in Appalachia. Huge trail network with mud, rocks, creek crossings, technical climbs, and remote terrain. Wet conditions can make the hard sections extremely difficult.Kentucky Adventure Tour — About 5/10 main route, up to 9–10/10 on Hard sectionsRoughly 900 miles of pavement, gravel, dirt, and trail. The standard route is manageable, while optional Hard sections can become very serious. Plan fuel, food, camping, and recovery.Allegheny Shenandoah Overland Trail — 2/10An underrated scenic route through Virginia and West Virginia. More about remote mountain roads and dispersed camping than hard wheeling. Excellent in fall, with winter adding a completely different challenge.Mid Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route — 1–3/10Our pick for the best true overland route. Mostly gravel and backroads connecting Appalachian scenery, small towns, historic sites, and multi day travel. Great for families and newer overlanders.Virginia Adventure Trail — Easy main route with serious technical optionsRoughly 675 miles through western Virginia, linking scenic roads, small towns, and major trails including Potts Mountain, Bald Mountain, and Flagpole. Easy if you stay on the main route, much harder if you add the technical trails.We also talk about Vinton County, Bald Eagle State Forest, Green Ridge State Forest, Uwharrie, and other honorable mentions before picking our favorites for best pure trail, best overall 4x4 destination, best beginner trail, best camping, and best true overland route.Trail conditions change with weather, erosion, maintenance, and closures. Stay on legal designated routes, respect private property, avoid social trails, pack out your trash, and help keep these places open.What did we miss? Let us know your favorite legal Appalachian 4x4 trail or overland route.