We Picked Up Our Scout Campers Kenai!
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
The Road that Led Us Here On our coast-to-coast (and back) journey last year (you should totally check out our YouTube series documenting it), Hanna and I attended the first Overland Expo Pacific Northwest event. We love the Overland Expo events and have been to all four locations, but this time, there was more to our visit than simple enjoyment. First, we were introducing our Oregon friends to the wonderful world of overlanding (some of the rigs definitely blew their minds). Second, we were scouting (pun intended) possible setups for the future. We weren’t sure what we were looking for, only ..read more
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Basic Vehicle Modifications That Make a Huge Difference
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
In the world of vehicle modification, it’s often the big-ticket items that steal the show. Nothing grabs attention quite like a lift kit, wheels, tires, bumpers, and so on. The bigger and bolder a build, the more impressive, right? The thing is, while these sweeping changes to your rig look great and certainly have functional purposes (in theory, at least), they’re expensive and don’t necessarily make the most profound difference in the everyday livability of your vehicle. That’s why I usually like to start with small, meaningful changes (even if there’s overlap with the big, exciting stuff ..read more
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Why We Chose Ford’s 7.3 Godzilla Gas Engine Instead of a Diesel
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
It’s an age-old debate among truck lovers that has only intensified in recent years, and it hinges on one central question—which is better, gas or diesel? If you want to start a (hopefully) friendly rivalry, there’s no better way than to voice your strong opinion on the matter amongst other truck enthusiasts. This dilemma challenged Hanna and me as we tried to determine which truck we wanted to buy. With our goals clearly in mind, we had our purchasing criteria in order, but with current options being so compelling in both directions, the choice was still difficult. In the end (spoiler alert ..read more
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The Worst Features of the 2022 F-250 Tremor
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
In the last blog, I covered what Hanna and I consider to be the highlights of our new Ford F250 Super Duty. From massive, confidence-inspiring axles to creature comforts our previous vehicles simply didn’t have, there are several reasons to love the F250. Even now, as Hanna and I put our heads together and conjure up a list of things we loathe about the truck, I can’t help but feel overwhelmingly happy with our purchase. Still, there are a handful of things that drive us a little nutty. Whether objectively subpar or a personal grievance, these details of the 2022 F250 Tremor irk us. Check them ..read more
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The Best Features of the Ford F250 Tremor
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
Moving from a Jeep to a Ford Super Duty was quite an adjustment for Hanna and me. While there is some overlap between the vehicles, they are largely completely different beasts. With the initial shock of the change now a faded memory, Hanna and I put our heads together to discuss our favorite (and least favorite) features of the F250 Tremor. Some of our favorites are exactly what we assumed they would be when we purchased the truck; others have surprised us. Read on for the top F250 Tremor features (according to us)! Ford F250 Interior Features For the sake of organization, let’s start with th ..read more
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Why We're Selling Our Rooftop Tent
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
It seems that the popularity of rooftop tents has grown exponentially in the four years since Hanna and I got into the overlanding scene. When we purchased our first rooftop tent, a handful of companies dominated the market, and very few styles were available. Now, both overlanding and the rooftop tent market have experienced massive growth in the United States. We have loved watching this style of travel gain notoriety, attract new enthusiasts, and inspire more people to get outside and experience the world. It has been astounding to watch new companies succeed, innovation transform tent desi ..read more
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Kore Essentials Leather Gun Belt Review
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
In the years since I started consistently concealed carrying a firearm, I have been hunting for a belt that checks several boxes. While my standards may be unfair—perhaps I am asking too much from a belt—I have yet to find an option that excels in every category I’ve unilaterally decided matters. The closest I’ve come to finding the one belt to rule them all is the Kore Essentials Leather Gun Belt. I asked for (and received) this belt two Christmases ago (2020) and have seldom removed it since. After two solid years of use and abuse, I feel as though I have a pretty strong grasp on this belt’s ..read more
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We Bought a New Truck!
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
While not the point of overlanding for us, the vehicles that facilitate the journey are important and a whole lot of fun to select, modify, and use. As our needs and travel style evolve, the vehicle that best suits us also changes. So, while we love Jeeps, we are Jeep-less for the first time in four years. That’s right; we sold the Gladiator, and we didn’t stop there—we also sold the van! What led us to this admittedly controversial decision to be a single-car family and what did we replace our two adventure vehicles with? Read on to find out! The Original Plan For quite some time, Hanna and I ..read more
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2022 Overland Gift Guide
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
The ghosts and goblins have receded to their resting places, pumpkin spice delights warm mugs (and hearts), and Mom and Pop Turkey warn their little gobblers of the impending doom November brings. That’s right; the holiday season is upon us, and presents will pile beneath Christmas trees sooner than you think. To help you secure the perfect gift for the overlander in your life this year, I’ve decided to highlight a few of my favorite goodies in this overlander Christmas gift guide. Check it out, and remember to enjoy the adventure of the holidays with those you love most! Vector OffRoad Quilt ..read more
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Why onX Offroad is a Must-Have for Overlanders
Smoky Mountain Overland Blog
by Riley Woods
1y ago
Curiosity fuels many overlanders. Personally, I can hardly resist the urge to turn down any random dirt road I pass. I long for the unknown, crave what’s beyond that next curve, and dream of stumbling upon my next memory and the story it will spawn. Up until recently, that’s largely how Hanna and I have traveled. Thanks to our Jeeps, we’ve been able to take and explore random trails with near impunity. We considered ourselves cartographers of our own history, tracking our routes and marking our waypoints along the way. While we still plan to record our adventures in map form, things have chang ..read more
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