Car Camping versus Overlanding. Yes, they are different from one another. The reason for this difference sets the two apart: who they are best suited for, how often they are done, and their overall purpose for each type. It has led to much debate on which type of person each activity caters to more in online circles and in-person discussions with friends and family.
While there may be some overlap or similarities within both activities (such as having a âroofâ over your head), it is clear that each serves its intended purpose. This article will highlight some fundamental differences to determine which activity caters better to certain types of peopleâs specific circumstances.
Overlanding and car camping are similar in many ways. Both involve going somewhere that isnât home, sleeping under the stars, and enjoying nature. The most important difference between both hobbies is that overlanding takes longer trips, the journey is the adventure, usually lasting up to a couple of weeks, while camping may not.
Overlanding includes all types of travel from a four-wheel drive, boat, and even air adventures, whereas camping can be done anywhere, including your backyard. So which one is right for you? So, what is the difference and similarities between car camping vs overlanding?
Differences Between Car Camping and Overlanding
Camping is a popular activity enjoyed by many, and it doesnât get any more basic than car camping. Whether youâre in the back of your station wagon or an SUV, youâre likely not far from home and can quickly return if things go wrong.
While thereâs absolutely nothing wrong with car camping, overlanding is on a different level. Here are five differences between car camping and overlanding:
Location: Where You Go?
Car campers often stay within their state or region while overland explorers will hit the road looking for adventure, which could mean going across state lines or even country borders. If you think about it, that makes sense since theyâll often be in their vehicles for long periods, making them essentially live out of a vehicle.
Vehicles: What You Drive?
Car campers tend to drive gas-powered vehicles since they need their vehicles to tow a camper or a boat. Overland Explorers often but not always choose diesel vehicles to increase fuel economy and range. Also, overlanders can lug their equipment, so they want four-wheel drive at a minimum and prefer solid axles with lockers even if it means sacrificing efficiency.
In the end, overlanding is all about the journey and not just getting there and staying! After all, youâre not going to get anywhere without power underfoot.
Conditions: Roads Youâll Encounter?
As mentioned above, car campers for the most part stay within a region, and most roads will be maintained gravel or even paved. Overlanders have to cross deserts, rivers, mountains, and more, with some terrain so rough that most four-wheel-drive vehicles canât handle it.
Car Camping: Can You Go Off-Road?
This is perhaps the most significant difference between car camping and overlanding. If you have a Jeep or an overlander vehicle, overland explorers wonât dream of staying on the road when they could completely conquer their surroundings!
Theyâll go wherever thereâs room â no matter how treacherous! The technical challenge inspires many overlanders to get out there while others love seeing new places without all the work (like driving) involved at home.
Equipment: What You Bring?
Car campers will only pack the necessities, but overlanders tend to go overboard when equipping their gear. Overlanders pack up all their equipment, including everything from building tools to sleeping bags and cooking supplies, to become entirely self-sufficient for an extended period.
This is one reason why many prefer 4Ă4 vehicles over two-wheel drive units since theyâll need the extra torque for lugging around all that weight! Camping chairs, tables, generators are just some of the things you might find on an overland vehicle. Car camping is still great, though, no matter what kind of vehicle you choose!
Overlanding vs. Car Camping: The Difference
Camping is a fun activity for many, but overlanding takes it to the next level. Hopefully, now you can tell where you fit in or if your interests lean towards one or the other! Next time you plan on going camping, maybe ask yourself if itâs more of a car camping trip or an overland adventure. And whatever you do, get out there and have fun!
Similarities of Car Camping and Overlanding
Car camping and overlanding are two worlds that seem very different on paper, but when you get down to it, there are a few commonalities.
Defining Camping
Before we dive into the details of what overlanding is, letâs take a look at car camping first. The word âcampingâ may reveal images of tents pitched outside with Coleman stoves atop mountainside rocks. However, in general terms, camping means sleeping outdoors overnight in an informal manner â no bells or whistles needed.
Once your tent is pitched, and everyone has settled in for the evening, all thatâs left to do is stare into the fire while thinking about tomorrowâs breakfast or to bust out some cards for a game around the campfire. Itâs a laid-back and straightforward way to enjoy an outdoor vacation.
Overlanding Is All About Self-Reliance
Itâs a common misconception that overlanding is simply driving around in the woods or bush; itâs not. Overlanding is a lifestyle, and one of its main components is self-reliance. A key difference between overlanding and car camping (and most forms of âcampingâ) is that you plan out your day with specific goals in mind.
Perhaps youâd like to visit some local hot springs or paddle across a river during lunch break. Once youâve planned your day, you donât need anyone else to direct your route â you know what you want to see and do, so go out and do it!
Since overlanders carry everything they need in their vehicle, they only need to worry about whatâs in their car at that moment. If you want to take a quick paddle in the lake at lunch, stop by the lakeside and go for it.
Overlanding Opens Up a World Of Possibilities
There isnât much of anything holding you back from trying something new on an overnighter because when the day is done, youâre already home! As much as camping can be freeing, so much depends on where your campsite is located; overlanding can open up a whole world of possibilities.
Camping often requires lugging around bulky gear like tents, sleeping bags, camp stoves, cooking utensils, and other goods. Since overlanders are already prepared with all these things (carry them on their vehicle), this makes for a much lighter load.
Not only that, but overlanders are always prepared for an emergency should the need arise, which helps alleviate stress and keeps everyone safe.
Seeing the Undiscovered
All these commonalities make car camping and overlanding share quite a few similarities. Both take you away from your day-to-day to enjoy nature in its raw form while keeping things simple. They both allow you to see parts of the world that would otherwise go undiscovered.
Have All Your Equipment Unlike Backpacking
Even better is that they both provide immediate access to all your gear without having to worry about packing or setting up tents, sleeping bags, etc., before heading out into the wild! Having everything right at your fingertips sets you free to explore without distractions (or stress).
If youâre looking for a new way of life that allows for freedom without the hassle, why not give overlanding a chance? Youâll be pleasantly surprised at how simple it can be and all its possibilities.
Camping vs. Overlanding: What is the Best for Which Type of Person?
So, when considering risks, ease of use, and frequency of usage â it is clear that camping caters to a distinct type of person who can handle being in control of their safety.
Yet, on the other hand, overlanding caters to people who like to explore new grounds â even if they are more complex or unsuitable for camping.
It is important to note that both activities also have their positive points, making them appealing enough to certain types of people (such as wildness for camping and challenge for overlanding). While there may be some overlap between the two, it is excellent when you get both experiences under your belt!
Pros and Cons of Car Camping and Overlanding
The rise in popularity of overlanding and the surge in RV ownership has given rise to a lot of debate within the four-wheel drive, camping, community.
Many people say that car camping is far superior to any âoverlanderâ setup due to weight considerations for vehicles, but it comes down to what you enjoy doing most.
Pros of Car Camping
Car Camping is Economical
One thing that becomes clear pretty quickly if youâre into spending time outdoors is that gear costs money. A good setup for overlanding or long-term travel will cost anywhere between $5000-$10 000 depending on how much you choose to spend on your mods.
Car camping, however, tends to be a cheaper alternative. A warm bag and a tent will only set you back about $250-$300, and then thereâs just the cost of fuel for driving around in your car or van.
Car Camping is Accessible
With overlanding, unless youâre spending a fortune on a full-on expedition vehicle with all the bells and whistles (and even if you are), it can still take years before you are comfortable enough with your rig to trust its reliability (and weatherproof-ness).
Enough to leave town for any length of time without getting too nervous that something might go wrong. For this reason, many decide that an outback adventure is only within the realms of possibility if they buy a new 4WD. On the other hand, car camping can be done relatively easily in most entry-level cars and vans.
Car Camping is Relaxing
Although I tend to prefer overlanding to car camping (which will become more apparent), there is something very appealing about just sitting by the fire with your mates, drinking beer, and cooking up food for hours on end without getting too worried about anything.
Cons of Car Camping
Car Camping Can Be Slow
If youâre thinking about doing some offroad driving or serious exploring, then having a comfortable bed in the back of your car is much more preferable to being stuck on the ground in a tent when it comes time to call it a night.
Car Camping Can Be Hard Work
Car camping is excellent if you want to relax in one spot for a couple of days. But take that comfy bed out of the equation, and things get less appealing. Setting up camp, cooking dinner, packing up camp, all that stuff takes effort.
One thing I enjoy about overlanding is spending hours driving through incredible scenery without having to worry too much about where Iâm going to sleep at night, what Iâm going to eat, or how many drinks are left in the fridge!
Pros of Overlanding
You Can Carry More When Overlanding
The great thing about having a proper off-road-capable vehicle is that youâre no longer limited by the space in the back of your car. Instead, if something isnât bolted down, then itâs fair game!
We can take rods, reels, and tackle boxes if weâre going on a fishing trip. If weâre exploring some old mines, there are tools, geological samples, and a rope that comes in handy. If weâre going on a hike, thereâs a backpack full of food, water, and first aid supplies. Plus, you can fit all sorts of other cool things, from bags of firewood to extra fuel cans!
When It Gets Dark, You Sleep
One significant benefit of having your vehicle is that when you want to call it a night after an awesome day out, the bedâs already made for you.
No more squeezing into freezing bivvies with rocks stuck in your back or being woken up at god-knows-what hour by the police because someone thought they saw a van break down or something. Just hop into your warm vehicle and drift off into dreamland.
You Can Go Further Overlanding Than Car Camping
When youâre out in the middle of nowhere and need to do repairs, itâs a lot easier if your workshop is a fully equipped 4WD with a range of tools and spare parts instead of just a car or van that can barely pull itself up a hill!
For example â If we have an overheating problem on our trip, it makes sense for us to carry some spare water around with us so that we can top up our radiator at the next creek crossing rather than having to hike back home just because we donât want to chance to top up from dodgy taps.
Plus, being able to tow out another vehicle gives you options when something goes wrong.
Donât forget the camp kitchen â even though itâs not a huge deal when youâre car camping, when it comes to overlanding, cooking is possibly one of the most important things. Having a stove that can burn petrol, diesel, or even wood in a pinch is a definite bonus!
Overlanding Is a Bigger Commitment
As much as I love having my 4WD and going on crazy trips, what I donât like about overlanding is that it feels like more of an obligation to go out every weekend rather than just going for a spontaneous road trip whenever I feel like it.
You see your friends once or twice during the week just because theyâre busy working, but then you have to fit them into your schedule all over again on weekends because this time youâre going to see them!
Cons of Overlanding
Overlanding Requires More Extensive Physical Space
All of your gear sits outside on the ground when youâre camping. But when youâre overlanding, everything has to be organized neatly so that itâs within reach and easily accessible â especially if youâve got a bed in the back!
And then there are meals; cooking with only two burners and not much storage space is tricky because you canât lay out too many things at once. Plus, we always seem to end up carrying quite a bit more food than we expected as âjust-in-caseâ supplies.
And as Iâm sure anyone who camps regularly will tell you, keeping those mice away from your food is a whole lot easier when itâs sitting out in the open air rather than being protected by a thin piece of canvas.
Overlanding Is More Expensive Than Car Camping
For a start, you have to pay for your 4WD â I know that mine cost quite a bit, but itâll probably be worth every penny (or cent!) once weâve had some incredible adventures with it.
And then there are all those luxury âessentialsâ like roof-racks, bullbars, and snorkel kits, especially the snorkels because theyâre one of those things that you think will either never get used or will be handy on 99% of trips but end up only getting used on 1% of trips.
Oh well, thatâs what you get for being ultra-cautious! Finally, just all the little things donât seem like a big deal until you forget them at home, like spare valves for your tires. I know itâs just one component on one wheel, but lugging around another kilogram isnât an option if youâre already carrying about 20kg of extra food and water.
Final Thoughts
Car camping is cheaper â There are lots of common overlanding essentials that car campers have to buy too, plus youâll need to buy some tent or shelter which might be more expensive than your 4WD depending on how many features it comes with.
But overall, overlanders spend a lot more money on their vehicle while car campers spend a lot more money on their gear and supplies.
So, the bottom line is this. If you love the great outdoors then do both! Small trips around the state on the weekend car camping and big trips overlanding!
