Overland Expo 2014

Hello everyone! Well, it is getting that much closer to the Overland Expo 2014. I hope many of you are planning, or maybe even thinking of attending the OX14 in May. For me, I remember things by a time frame, and for me, it is;

The 3rd Weekend of May (16-18)

South of Flagstaff, AZ at Mormon Lake.


There are many seminars being planned, for this season, that will compliment those Overlanding in a Truck Camper. One of the things that btggraphix learned last season, was to reserve early. These, and others, seminars fill up very quickly. Much like a Concert for the likes of the Rolling Stones. For a link to registration, follow this link;


Overland Expo 2014


There has been a question about; What is the OX14 or how about some pictures of the Truck Campers attending OX13. If you follow the below link, you will get some excellent information, from our friends over at Truck Camper Magazine;


Truck Camper Magazine, at Overland Expo 2013


Some of the new information coming out, is that we will be able to camp as a group again, but it might be a different formation for OX14. This is due to the changes that are happening at Mormon Lodge. The location that has been used, in the past, on the dry lake bed is being re-worked into more of a formal Campground. These changes will have dedicated roads and minimal amenities. As this comes forward, we will be bringing this information, to those that are attending.

Also, there is something new, for OX14, there will be a Junior Ranger Program, available for those that are bringing young people with them! More information to follow.

If you have not contacted me yet, please do so, via Private Message, and you will be placed on the OX14 list for notifications for the upcoming event. If you were contacted by me, for OX13, you are already grandfathered into the OX14 attending list.

One thing I would note, if you are interested in boondocking or extreme truck camping (like jefe4X4 does), this is a must go event. But if you are looking for a Truck Camper Rally type gathering, you will be disappointed.

Hope to see many of the faces, from the last Overland Expo, as well as new people interested in enjoying their Truck Campers at a wholly different level.

bryan

I hope to get a TC in April and would like to join this group at the Expo.

Capt Eddie wrote:
Maybe someone that did go to the Overland Expo last year would put up some teaser photos of what TC might expect to see. Just a thought. I went to the first two years. Even got married there. But I just could not swing it last year.

Wedding Photos?? :C

Any thought of where to go for your Anniversary?

Maybe someone that did go to the Overland Expo last year would put up some teaser photos of what TC might expect to see. Just a thought. I went to the first two years. Even got married there. But I just could not swing it last year.

Unfortunately, my wife and I just discovered that there are some conflicts with our kids' school event schedule and as a result they (kids & wife) will not be able to attend OX2014 :( The stop at OX was supposed to be the mid-point of a ~2 week family expedition to Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Lake Havasu, etc… but we're now pushing that trip back to early-June.
Due to these new time constraints, if I'm able to get the Expo at all, I will be flying in and going the rental-car/backpack/tent route, rather than driving the truck/camper from Nor-Cal to Flagstaff.
Still hoping to camp with the TC group.
Cheers
-Mark

Heard to much about last year's to miss out. Looking forward to visiting with everyone.

We will be there again this year. I made a little announcement to people there last year, which should be coming to fruition about the time of the OX. ;) But I suspect we'll be heading down for the event and then right back to Colorado until more like the first week or two in June.

This is a one-of-a-kind event that is way more than about 4x4's or equipment, even though that is the part that catches your eye. It is really about people sharing a love for adventure and exploration and learning from each other in the most practical aspects of what we all do. Yeah, a lot of it is focused on international travel, but most of those lessons are just as relevant to those that simply go boondocking on weekends.

A couple of comments regarding classes, culled from our observations and many of the other TC'ers:

The best classes were the ones taught by people that actually go do this stuff, as opposed to vendors and service providers. In particular I enjoyed every class or panel that Doug and Stephanie Hackney led or were a part of.

My wife LOVED the off-roading skills for women class, as well as the "marshalling" class. You get to drive LandRovers with lockers and cameras underneath and they teach you about 4x4 driving and how these various 'tools' add to success. Next year, she will be driving in her own Jeep we bought recently. She had basically never done any 4x4 driving in her life prior to this.

The series of "ideal overlanding vehicles" (small, medium, large etc.) that were done by owners of these vehicles were great. The ones I saw were not run by people simply trying to brag or show why their rig was the best, rather, it was all about the pros and cons of a particular vehicle. I really enjoyed the one done by a Special Olympics volunteer that goes to Central America every year, in a 2WD converted ambulance. I was amazed at how well an old Ambulance chassis can work (heavy duty stuff, amazing existing electronics and lights etc.)

We chose to focus on classes that were not just the "fun" stuff, but things like "A Couple's Guide to Overlanding" panel discussion and "Learning to Share the Adventure" and preparing food and meals for extended "no shopping" trips. Useful things for someone that wants to full-time travel as a COUPLE.

There was a seminar on "how to quit focusing planning it and instead focusing on just DOING it". It was OK, but I enjoyed it regardless.

There was a seminar on "how to stop passing up the buck; building a business while on the road" that was very good I thought.

There were a lot of really good and practical lessons for anybody that goes camping to be found here. My wife and I felt pretty good about seeing that we are already doing most of the 'right things' in terms of how we travel and explore and prepare. OK, maybe I still need to leave more behind but our truck lets us get away with it. ;) Another really good lesson I heard a number of times is about "cross-training". No, my wife doesn't need to drive our rig all the time, or remove the camper, or winterize it but what to do in an emergency? If I am injured, she MUST know how to tear down camp and/or how to disconnect the Jeep to go get help. They made the point once about what good does a PLB do, if the only person that knows how to hit the button is the guy that is unconscious?

We'll be there again for sure, and look forward to seeing those that were there from last year as well as newcomers.
BT

Hi!

We've registered and are looking forward to learning a lot and having fun!
5percent

deltabravo wrote:
I've been twice, as a vendor / exhibitor.

www.ledtrailerlights.com ??

I'm hoping to make it this year - encouraging the Avion TC community to meet up there.