What do overlanders do when they’re not overlanding? No – this isn’t a riddle, it’s a serious question. What do overlanders do in between each overland adventure?
You’ve got it. They plan, they maintain, and most importantly they learn. Mostof the learning, focuses on gear, vehicle upgrades, and the skills required to return safely. They (alright – ahem -we) can be a little bit obsessive.
Lucky for us, and those just starting out, YouTube.com offers myriadhours of overland learning material. We assume that you’re familiar with YouTube, and all it offers. From cat videos to DIY; it’s nonstop entertainment. But, we wanted to share some of the channels wefind most valuable for learning everything overland.
Youcan check out the greatestgear without spending a dime, soak up breathtaking views of an African sunset, and sit on the edge of our seats as our favorite overlanders tackle terrain we may never see in person. All from your mobile phone.
So, which YouTube channels do we think best capture the drama, the challenge, the camaraderie and the sheer beauty of Overlanding? Here are 4 binge-worthy channels that will help you fall in love withoverlanding.
Expedition Overland
Expedition Overland hit YouTube late in 2011, and, since then, has acquired nearly 9.5 million views and gathered more than 100,000 subscribers. Impressive, right?
A self-described ‘reality based web series’, this channel follows a team of adventures (with core members Scott Cahill and Clay Croft) as they explore some of the most remote terrain in the Americas. Relying heavily on an arsenal of modified and beautifully-equipped Toyota’s, years of experience, and some of the coolestgear you can buy.The Expedition Overland crew allows us to ride shotgunas they visit Alaska, the Yukon, Central America, and most recently the Mackenzie trail.
Check out the Expedition Overland Website
The focus of this YouTube channel is mainly on the challenges of Overlanding. We have carried along through the hopeful planning and preparation stages, the exuberant starts to the journeys, and then brought to the edges of our seats by the inevitable difficulties and mishaps.
The group’s fun and close dynamic makes us feel like a part of the family and we find ourselves rooting for the Expedition Overlanders as they battle rivers, figure out emergency repairs and beat the odds on their epic trips.
And it’s not all about the incredible journeys – the video series ‘Oh Hey There!’ has instruction on everything Overlanding, from washing your vehicle to packing a first aid kit. This channel is beautifully produced and worth a watch for so many reasons. They are great storytellers, videographers, and some of the best ambassadors within the community.
4xOverland
4xOverland chronicles the adventures of Andrew St. Pierre White, a legend in the overland community. The channel has had over 14 million views since he started publishing videos to YouTube in2007, and over 69,000 subscribers are ready to watch every new upload.
For us, what shines through in these videos is St. Pierre White’s deep love and respect for nature. His commentary regularly promotes his staunch belief that it’sbest to leave no trace on the environment. He also focuses on detailed trip and vehicle preparation. A great example of his work is foundin the short video ‘What is Overland Expedition Travel? In every video he creates hisgentle manner and obvious integrity shine through. And, beyond that he has amassedan incredible amount of overlanding knowledge.
Check out the 4xOverland Website
Throughout his library of YouTube videosthe focus usually falls upontrips across Africa. 4xOverland is a gold mine of information for the newbie and serious overlander alike. Videos about the safety of certain countries, corruption, border crossings and security are added to all the usual vehicle prep and packing tips.And, that propelsthis channel beyond “should check out” into “must see” territory.
Finally, this channel isn’t dedicated to just one vehicle. St. Pierre White is brand agnostic… as long as the vehicle is up to the task. Throughout the years he features a surprisingly wide range of vehicles. There are fully kitted out Land Rovers, Toyotas, Jeeps, and even a trip across Africa in a stock 4×4 Isuzu. Oh, and a few others you might not expect. 4xOverland encourages you to get out there and connect with nature. Using St. Pierre White’s sageadvice you will be miles ahead of others when it comes to understanding what overland adventure is all about.
Ronny Dahl
Ronny Dahl is an Australian overlander who started his YouTube channel in 2011. Since then it has grown to have 89,000 subscribers and a total of just under 14 million views, close to 4xOverland’s number.
Ronny says his channel is for anyone who is into 4x4s, off-roading, overlanding, adventure, and camping. He uploads fresh videos weekly, at least, more often if he can. Videos cover all kinds of subjects, from vehicle building tips (with a recent guest appearance from Andrew White of 4xOverland) to gear reviews and off-road vehicle meets.
In the background – and often taking center stage – of Ronny Dahl’s videos is the stunningly beautiful Australian landscape. With plenty of drone footage, Ronny captures the vast yet beautiful side of the Australian landscape, making for very inspiring viewing.
If you haven’t got the means to visit Australia just yet, this YouTube channel gives you the chance to soak up some of its beauty. And, even if it wasn’t full of great off-road action footage and overland tips, we’d recommend it for the beautiful sceneryalone.
Check out the 4 Wheeling in WA Website
Final Thoughts on Overland Adventure Youtuber’s
We’re incredibly fortunate to live in a time where information and knowledge is so accessible. YouTube is an incredible platform. And, watching people share their passion is definitely a blessing. Best of all, their adventures (or misadventures) inspire us to get off the couch and explore the world around us.
What do you think? Are these the best overland adventure channels out there, or have we missed some gems? Get in touch and let us know what you think we should be watching before our next overland adventure.
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Overland Bound
Overland Bound is a relatively new channel, first appearing on the scene in 2013. With over 2.5 million views and 27,000 subscribers, this channel has made its mark by tapping into the social and community-centered aspectsof overlanding.
The message of this channel is that you can do this too.And, Corrie and Michael, the husband and wife team behind the channel are working hard to connect and recruit people from all walks of life. Their videos feature a lot of the things you would expect – rig walkarounds, gear reviews, and how-tos. But, they also cover a lot of events the couple host.Their videos are nicely shot, and very watchable.
Check out the Overland Bound Website
But what (we think) makes this channel stand outis the focus on people. There are great impromptu interviews with other overlanders. Many of which, Michael and Corrie seem to meetunexpectedly on the road. They typically touch upon topic and answers to questions about the practicalities of overlanding.Things like where you store your clothes, vehicle layouts, and the impact traveling has onrelationships.
Overland Bound also has a member community and forum which enables people to arrange meet-ups around the world, so if you are taking your first steps in Overlanding, this might be a good channel to help you start finding a tribe. Oh, and in case you’re wondering… we do have a Overland Bound member badge.
