GoneCamper bucks the trend of bigger is better at Overland Expo in Flagstaff, AZ
I just returned from Overland Expo (West) that was held in Flagstaff. This year's venue was Fort Tuthill County Park - a VAST improvement over the previous Expo location at Mormon Lake. (Of course, the organizers couldn't predict the rain and snow two years go where many of the exhibitors actually were stuck!!!)
"Overlanding" has become a new and trendy buzz word. Overlanding means self-contained travelling and camping, including off the paved roads. You will never see so many variations of four wheel drive vehicles as at Overland Expo! There are hundreds of Jeeps, of course. But there are even Mercedes Unimogs, Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, and four wheel drive vans - including reconstructed VW Vanagons. These vehicles are either outfitted with camper bodies, or they pull trailers. The trailers are off-road versions of conventional campers and teardrops, or the trailers haul gear and sport overhead racks with a roof top tent.
It is my opinion that Overland Expo is responsible for the explosion in popularity of roof top tents. Overland Expo encourages attendees to camp for the weekend on the Expo grounds, and this has to be the world's largest roof top tent convention!
I must say that I am disappointed in the direction Overland Expo is going. Why? The visitor to the Expo comes away with the impression that you need to spend a fortune to camp in the woods!!!
I am not naming brands and I apologize if my photos reveal any logos. But seriously, truck campers that cost over $50,000? Tear drop trailers that cost over $25,000? Roof top tents (that is, a two-person tent and foam pad) that cost over $3,000? Four wheel drive van conversions that cost over $150,000? Heavy duty overland truck conversions that cost over $500,000 and are more suited to the Dakar Rally?!!!
I spent months camping as a kid in a sleeping bag and tent that didn't cost $50.00 TOTAL. (I know I am showing my age...) But the point is that hundreds of people will leave Overland Expo and NOT go camping because they can't afford a $65,000 tricked out Jeep plus a $25,000 camper or trailer with a roof top tent.
You DON'T need to spend that kind of money to enjoy the back country!
In fact, MOST of those rigs will never see anything more than gravel roads - the same roads I can drive with the GoneCamper Dodge Caravan! They are too big, too heavy, too wide, too tall and too expensive to take into places I drive the GoneCamper with ease!
Don't forget that the GoneCamper minivan conversion costs ONLY $1,995.00!!!
Granted, some 4x4 owners will take pride in dragging their camping trailer over rocks and down trails that I can't drive the Dodge Caravan. But at what cost? And how often? I bet I spend more nights camping in the GoneCamper than 90% of the fancy rigs on display at Overland Expo. What is your real cost to camp a few nights in a rig that costs over $100,000, gets awful mileage, drives like a school bus, and can't be used as your daily driver the other 350 days each year?
Seriously, it would literally cost LESS to buy a used Dodge Caravan and outfit it with a GoneCamper minivan conversion that many of the camping trailers with or without the roof top tents on display at Overland Expo! At least you would have an economical vehicle to drive to work or school. And don't be surprised when you go further into the back country than the $200,000 four wheel drive high top vans! Plus, with a fraction invested, you can actually AFFORD to go camping more often!
Why not join us on the road - AND in the woods! Contact us to schedule the design, construction, and delivery of your GoneCamper minivan conversion today. Then use the money you save to really so some serious "overlanding"!
"Traveling Efficiently, Camping Comfortably, Living Frugally"
