The XOVERLAND Podcast

Like many aspects of overlanding, keeping your vehicle in top condition and ready for your next adventure involves developing a mindset and body of knowledge and skills suitable to the task.For some, overland vehicle maintenance is a Zen-like pursuit that they enjoy doing themselves; for others, it is something they prefer to have done by a qualified professional. In this episode, we take a look at both approaches as well as the middle ground of doing some D.I.Y. maintenance while also knowing when it’s time to involve a shop. And speaking of shops, we take a look at the differences between dealerships and independent shops and the role both of these play in the maintenance of your vehicle. We also explore how to communicate with the mechanics who work on your machine so that you can trust in their work and know you are getting the best value for your money.In this episode, you will learn the basics of maintaining your overland vehicle both at home and while on the trail, discovering what to look for when it comes to checking your vehicle’s fluids and torquing nuts and bolts to spec. You will also learn what to look for when checking your air filter and how to know when it’s time to replace it along with best practices for changing your engine oil and filter.Additionally in this episode, you will find pro tips for keeping your diesel engine running in winter and for optimizing the performance and longevity of both diesel and gasoline engines. You will also find an in-depth discussion about “Starter Batteries,” “Starters,” and “Alternators” which will help keep you from experiencing a vehicle that leaves you stranded by failing to start in the backcountry.Matt, Ryan, and Jimmy have lots they are eager to share about all things involving overland vehicle maintenance. Join the discussion to find out what you need to know about vehicle maintenance to keep your vehicle reliable and to increase its longevity throughout a life of adventuring. Read the full show notes here!Watch this podcast here!

Adding additional means of electric power to your overland vehicle is customary to operate everything from winches, lighting, powered refrigerators, and possibly even your favorite coffee grinders.What options do you have to accomplish this task? What is the difference between a “Starter Battery” and a “House Battery”? What are power management controllers and how do they work to optimize power usage and protect expensive batteries and valuable accessories? These are just a few of the many common questions regarding electric power management in overlanding vehicles we seek to answer in this podcast. Join us as we explore portable power systems as well as discuss best practices for building a permanently installed power system while learning more about battery type and selection, solar power, and how to do the math to calculate your unique power needs.Jimmy, Matt, and Ryan even spend time breaking down definitions of “Amp-Hours,” “Watts,” and “Volts” while illustrating how these three elements of electric power interact to create a sustainable source of energy for your overlanding vehicle. This episode is packed with knowledge and useful tips to help you learn how to create and manage a power system that will suit your needs for overlanding and vehicle-based adventures of any kind!Read the full show notes here!Watch this podcast here!

In this episode, Jimmy is joined by X Overland team members Matt Hopkins (Global Logistics Coordinator) and Ryan Connelly (Operations Manager) to discuss communications for overlanding and outdoor adventurers. Matt is a High Alpine specialist for Gallatin Valley Search and Rescue in Bozeman, Montana, a member of our local HAM radio family, and, in addition to his role at X Overland, owns and operates a long-range trucking business.Ryan has been on several X Overland expeditions and is highly familiar with every type of communication device used by our teams, from handheld radios to Starlink.These guys are more than qualified to discuss all aspects of communications for overlanding and outdoor adventure and that’s exactly what we do in this episode!Read the full show notes here!Watch this podcast here!

On this episode of the X Overland Podcast, we sit down with International 4wd Trainers Association Certified Master Trainer, Nena Barlow and Rebelle Rally Champion and X Overland Co-Founder, Rachelle Croft. Nena owns and operates Barlow Adventures, a business focused on teaching people how to operate their 4-wheel drive vehicles safely and effectively. As an I4WDTA Master Trainer, Nena is currently engaged in working to help others become certified trainers in an effort to bring more effective off-pavement driving education to the vehicle-based adventure and overlanding community. Having spent time with Nena as both a student and a fellow competitor in the Rebelle Rally, Rachelle Croft also joins the conversation in this episode, where the focus is on developing an effective mindset for off-pavement/off-road driving and vehicle recovery.Nena and Rachelle additionally provide several useful action steps you can take to both avoid recovery situations and effectively manage them if you find yourself in one. Read the full show notes here!Watch this podcast here!

What were the best parts of Expedition Overland’s Nordic travels? Expedition leader and film director Clay Croft reflects upon his experiences while overlanding throughout Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and perhaps the most intriguing country yet—Iceland.Listen in as Clay discusses everything from camping opportunities along the T.E.T. (Trans Euro Trail) to exploring European history to river crossings in Iceland.Get insight into the differences between overlanding in Europe vs. Central America, tips for developing a traveler’s mindset, and the seemingly daunting task of shipping your overland vehicle overseas.When we recorded this episode, Clay, Rachelle, Cyrus, and the X Overland team had just returned from 10 weeks of overlanding throughout Europe and Scandinavia while filming Season 5, The Nordic Series.Want more Croft family Nordic team perspectives? Check out our podcasts with Rachelle here and Cyrus here.Read the full show notes here!Watch this podcast here!

Richard and Ashley Giordano of Desk to Glory are back at the X Overland Hangar preparing for  their next adventure, so we thought we’d better catch up with this dynamic overlanding couple before they disembark.The two are sporting a new build and have big plans for the future. After spending some time discussing their work with Expedition Overland Season 5, The Nordic Series, Richard and Ashley share the details of their new build and the why behind their choice of platform.Finally, the couple shares their big news involving global travel and their work with Overlander Network.There’s lots to find out and lots to learn, so jump into the conversation and let’s get started! Read the full show notes here!Watch this podcast here!

Have you thought about shipping your overland vehicle across the ocean to venture to far-off destinations? Across the Atlantic to begin overlanding throughout Europe or maybe Africa? Or south to Columbia to begin the second leg of the Pan-American Highway? Maybe you’d like to ship your vehicle to New Zealand or Australia? You may have imagined these dreams but are feeling overwhelmed by the thought of such an undertaking, or perhaps you’re committed to getting your vehicle overseas but are in need of some solid education on the topic.We’ve been in your shoes and have learned a lot over the past decade about moving overland vehicles around the planet that we’re eager to share with you. That’s why we reached out to our Global Shipping Logistics Coordinator, Matt Hopkins, to offer insight and know-how based on lots of real-world experience. After listening to this episode, we’re confident that you’ll be more confident in taking this significant step as an overlander. It’s a big world out there with a lot of water to cross over to reach the places we’d like to travel. Join our conversation to start on the path toward realizing your dreams of overlanding in your own vehicle in the distant-most places of the world. Read the full show notes here!Watch this podcast here!

Relationships and marriages can be as tough as they are rewarding, and starting and running a successful business with your partner can present even more challenges.Clay and Rachelle Croft discuss what it’s been like for them to start and operate a successful business together based on an original idea of filming overland travel.Clay and Rachelle open up about both the challenges and rewards found in traveling and working together and share their thoughts on the concept of work-life balance and how a business can become both a calling and a lifestyle. If you’re interested in hearing about what Clay and Rachelle have learned–and continue to learn–about life, family, and business by operating in the world as a couple committed to each other, their family, and what they see as their unique calling in life, then this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Read the full show notes here!Watch this podcast here!

If you're a fan of Epic Family Road Trip (EFRT), then you know all about the amazing camp cooking that goes on in the van Stralen family.Today, we sit down with Carol van Stralen, mother to Peter, Dan, and Caroline and wife of Pete Sr., to discuss philosophy, mindset, and best practices for delicious overland camp cooking!Carol shares her own origin story as a camp chef, her original sources of inspiration, and how she came to understand the joy of cooking in all areas of life–especially while overlanding!Recipe creation, what cooking items to have in your overland galley, clean-up and sanitation methods, and how to assign roles to others so you can get your family, partner, or team involved are all discussed in detail.Join the conversation and let’s get cooking!Read the full show notes here! Watch this podcast here!

Few would argue that Goose Gear builds some of the best cabinetry and storage solutions for overlanding vehicles in the industry. At X Overland, Goose Gear has continued to meet our demanding needs as both overlanders and filmmakers, equipping our vehicles with custom-built storage solutions that keep our overlanding gear and camera equipment safe, secure, and accessible.In this episode of the X Overland Podcast, we have a conversation with Goose Gear owner/founder and CEO Brian Fulton. Join the conversation as Brian shares the origin story and inception of Goose Gear, the evolution of his relationship with X Overland, and how he built a successful business around his passion for overlanding adventure. Read the full show notes here!Watch this podcast here!