N 39.55° · W 106.07° — Field Guide No. 01
Build your rig. Sleep anywhere. Go further.
First-hand guides to building out your rig, powering it, sleeping in it, feeding yourself, getting unstuck, and planning the trip. Six silos. Sixty-odd field notes. No fluff.
The six sectors
Where do you want to dig in?
Sector 01
Vehicle Builds
How to build out an overland vehicle the smart way — storage and drawers, sleeping platform, roof rack, awning and power, in the order that actually matters.
Enter sector →Sector 02
Power & Electrical
How overland 12V power works — dual battery vs power station, lithium vs AGM, sizing solar, running a fridge and inverter, without flattening your starter battery.
Enter sector →Sector 03
Sleep & Shelter
Rooftop tent vs ground tent, hardshell vs softshell, sleeping pads, awning annexes and staying warm — how to actually sleep well in the backcountry.
Enter sector →Sector 04
Camp Kitchen
Build a camp kitchen that works — 12V fridge vs cooler, stoves, water storage and filtration, cookware and organization — without overloading the rig.
Enter sector →Sector 05
Recovery Gear
The recovery gear that actually gets you unstuck — traction boards, deflators, compressors, winches and kits — plus the technique to use them without getting hurt.
Enter sector →Sector 06
Trips & Routes
Plan your first overland trip — what overlanding is, finding free dispersed camping, Gaia GPS vs onX, building a route, easy beginner routes and trail etiquette.
Enter sector →Trailhead
Start with these
- guide
What Is Overlanding? A Beginner's Guide
Overlanding explained: self-reliant vehicle travel where the journey is the point. What it is, how it differs from off-roading, and how to start.
- guide
Overlanding Build Guide for Beginners
A beginner's overland build guide that puts safety, payload, and reliability first — then storage, sleeping, racks, and awnings in the order that pays off.