Overland Expo West: EarthRoamers, Cool Rigs & Real Camp Gear
- Muddy Ruttzz
- May 31
- 12 min read
Updated: Jun 2
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Overland Expo West happens at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, Arizona, and the area holds a special place in my heart. My first and second times camping there were back in 1990 and 1992, when I met up with a group of kayakers and rafters for a couple of Grand Canyon whitewater adventures. The third time was a quick mid-summer stop with my wife and our dog, Freya, on our way to see if we could handle the heat and find a permanent home in Las Cruces. My fourth visit was attending Overland Expo West 2026 with a good friend who is an absolute lover of great overlanding gear—and has the Jeep to prove it.
To say Flagstaff is special to me is an understatement, and this gathering of a nomadic collective of overlanders was no exception. Sure, it was mostly about the gear and the vehicles, but for a YouTuber and blogger, it was an awesome chance to connect with other creators, learn about new equipment, and get a real idea of what the future holds for the overlanding community. Having my traveling partner along and some awesome camp neighbors to discuss what we saw each day was a huge bonus.
There was no shortage of incredibly built vehicles at the Expo, ranging from Jeeps and off-road trailers to many variations of massive EarthRoamers, both on display and in the campground. Honestly, I still can't quite get my head around those giant rigs. There also seemed to be a massive emphasis this year on high-capacity batteries, solar panels, and electrical systems designed to run more devices in an off-road rig than you find in the average home. So much for getting away from it all! Up until now, I've been running an Orca Cooler with my own proven method to Pack a Cooler & Keep Ice for Five Days (which, by the way, works perfectly). But that's all about to change. I won a high-tech OMHHU Sodium Battery in the Expo Raffle and bought a solar panel to outfit my Xventure XV-3 Trailer It's time to join the more civilized off-roaders who carry a dedicated fridge-freezer! Read on to see a lot of the amazing stuff I encountered during my three days in Flagstaff.
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🎬 Overland Expo West 2026: Video Chapters & Deep Dive
If you want to jump straight to the action, you can watch the full Muddy Ruttzz YouTube Video Here, or click on any of the section headers below to watch that exact moment in the video!
⛺ — Our Expo Camp Setup
Camping Chaos! We failed to read the fine print and did not stop at the designated RV park a few miles from Fort Tuthill Park to get our QR codes scanned and grab our swag bags. So, we U-turned and got back on the highway. Returning, it was time to find a campsite. The "primitive, festival-style dry camping" was first-come, first-served—grab whatever space you can find—which kind of overwhelmed me. Fortunately, a nice lady camper pointed out a long, level spot perfect for a Gladiator, Xventure XV-3 trailer, and Willys Wrangler. She and her partner, along with a Grenadier on the other side of us, turned out to be great neighbors. The lesson? Arrive early on Thursday and read the fine print on your ticket.
🛞 — Unique Vehicles & Walkarounds
In my three days in Flagstaff, I wanted to seek out the truly unique vehicles and custom walkarounds that you don't see every day on the trail. The creativity on display in the campground and vendor areas was off the charts, featuring everything from highly modified classic trucks to purpose-built, one-of-a-kind overland platforms.
As someone who loves a detailed DIY build, seeing how other creators and enthusiasts solve problems—like maximizing storage or engineering custom bracketry—is incredibly inspiring. Whether it's a meticulously sorted Jeep build or a completely unexpected off-road platform, these rigs are full of practical ideas you can take back to your own garage workshop.
The overlanding community seems to have embraced the Grenadier. I've seen a grand total of one in my hometown over the last year and a half, but there were many fine examples of them at the Expo—some beautifully modified. At an Ineos dealer and Firestone Tire teamed-up trade show exhibit, we got up close and personal with both stock and modified examples. My friend wanted to know where the oil dipstick was on the Grenadier, only to find out it went the way of the transmission dipstick. Now it's an "idiot light" or electronic gauge on the dash!
There was also a 79 Series Land Cruiser that was perfectly outfitted for overlanding. Unfortunately, we can't get them here in the US unless they are 25 years old and you can fight your way through the complex import protocols. Maybe the fact they are so hard to get here adds to the allure. My favorite YouTube overlander, Ronny Dahl, drove a 79 Series for a long time, but now he seems to have settled on a Grenadier.
This photo is an AEV-modified Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. AEV is an awesome company, and their parts are guaranteed to be of the highest quality. The AEV guys at their booth were awesome and gave me a T-Shirt and a card with 10% off code. I am considering adding their snorkel to my Gladiator Ecodiesel.
🛠️ — Wild Custom Trailers
There was no shortage of incredible engineering on the Expo floor, but the sheer variety of rugged, off-road camping trailers really stole the show this year. Builders are pushing the absolute limits of independent suspension, articulating hitches, and compact footprint layouts to create rigs that can handle the toughest trails behind a Jeep.
Seeing what these custom builders are doing actually inspired my own next big project. While wandering the trailer section, I was thinking about how to transition away from my trusted Orca cooler method and finally bring modern power to my own setup.
Rustic Mountain Overland
I like this Rustic Mountain Patrol I guess because it shares some characteristics with my Xventure XV-3. Compact, rugged and focused on traversing difficult terrain. It is substantially less expensive probably largely because unlike the Xventure which is constructed of aluminum, it is constructed on steel. The top opens up to reveal the "cargo hold" aided by some strong gas struts. There is also a door in the back to the cargo area.
High Country Unlimited
Not a traditional Overlanding trailer, I wanted to include this trailer because of the unique design. The Rep for this High Country Unlimited UTV Trailer was also a owner and designer of the trailer. I was impressed with the unique articulating dual axles and the lightweight design. This trailer also complies with regulations that allow it to be registered with DMV's. Made for towing behind side by sides it can also be towed on the highway.
Opus Adventure Ready Off-Road Trailers
Australian inspired, assembled in Antioch California. Along with these 2 tent camping trailers Opus also offer a more traditionally configured trailer. The look ruggedly built and I can definitely see a family camping in these. They are economically priced especially when you compare their traditional model to something like the Black Series which are phenomenally expensive.
Xventure XV-3 Military Spec Off-Road Trailer
Lots of great trailers, Xventure XV-3 still my favorite. We have had so many awesome adventures towing this trailer over all types of rough terrain. It will go anywhere I can take my Jeep. It can be ordered fully optioned out or do like I did. I bought a basic trailer and I've been customizing it over the years.
🏔️ — Checking Out the EarthRoamers
The designers of these massive rigs seem to be running an EarthRoamer arms race. I can't get my head around driving something so big on the trails I travel, or having enough disposable income to own one of these monsters. I've been told the idea is to head out on the road for a long, long time while having a luxurious and capable rig to do it in. Surprisingly, I have seen photos and videos of these stuck in the sand and even in the process of falling off a mountain road. I'm not sure if that tells me more about the vehicle or the people who are behind the wheel.
Pick A Chassis Start - Build The Living Space - Head Out On The Road
I saw a short tough looking school bus and thought it would make a great off-road expedition vehicle. It went as far as contacting used bus dealers. When my wife retired I had to focus on finding a town to retire to so that idea went out the window but it was exciting for a while.
If you want to talk about the absolute pinnacle of luxury self-reliance, you have to talk about the EarthRoamer/Expedition luxury overland vehicles on display. These massive, multi-ton, four-wheel-drive tactical mansions are built on heavy-duty commercial truck chassis, and seeing them lined up against the Flagstaff ponderosa pines is an unforgettable sight.
🔋 Cool New Overland Gear & Rep Chat
Beyond the massive rigs, the real heart of the Expo is the innovative off-road camp gear and all types of related products. Overlanders love their electrical systems to run fridges, Starlink and recharge devices.and A good electrical system lets you stay remote for longer. Battery, solar, and vehicle electrical system companies had a big presence at the Expo. I won a high-tech sodium battery that I thought would upgrade my Xventure Trailer electrical but I learned otherwise.
Don't discount the low-tech products. They might be as flashy as a dual battery system and solar generator but they can still have a huge impact on the quality of your Overlanding experience.
I Won This Awesome OHMMU Dual-Purpose Battery In The Expo Raffle
It was so loud at the Expo raffle I didn't even know what I won. The man handed me a box and said it was a battery. I could not believe it because it weighed next to nothing. Full disclosure: electrical systems are my weak spot, but that is all about to change. The OHMMU H5 is actually a dual-use (starting/storage) battery, and you know Overlanders love multi-use items because it limits the volume and mass of gear you have to weigh the rig down with.
Meeting The OHMMU Reps At Overland Expo West
The next day, my buddy and I hit up the reps to get the full story on this battery and found out it was fully compatible with my Xventure's electrical system. Better yet, it can run my future 12-volt fridge or even fire up my EcoDiesel motor if needed. Back home, after more research, I decided to modernize the charging system on my off-road trailer. Full details of the upgrade will be in a future video and blog post.
Battery Type | Rated Capacity | Usable Capacity (Safe Discharge) | Temperature Floor | Weight |
Traditional Lead-Acid / AGM | 80Ah | 40Ah (50% Limit) | Performance drops in cold | Heavy |
Ohmmu H5 Sodium-Ion | 40Ah | 40Ah (100% Limit) | Fully functional down to -40°F | Lightweight |
Use Coupon Code MUDDYRUTTZZ for 5% Off
Bottle Jack Buddy Is Something Every Overlander Should Have In Their Tool Box
Ever seen something and wished you had invented it? I got a email few years back asking for my shirt size. Apparently a little video I posted on Youtube sold a bunch of Bottle Jack Buddy's and they wanted to thank me. I met the folks behind this "must have product" at the Expo and they are just great folks. You really can't beat a product that makes a potentially dangerous operation like changing a tire off-road a lot safer and easier. Don't leave for a Overlanding trip without one in your tool box!
Zarges Aluminum Overlanding Storage Is So much Better Than The Plastic Options
I wanted Bear resistant food storage, there was only one clear choice. One of the first products I outfitted my Overlanding setup with was a Zarges case and I never looked back. There is so much to like about them. Check out my Zarges Blogpost:
This Australian Style Swag Tent Caught My Attention
I've seen Ronny Dahl using swags on his Australian Overlanding trips but they don't have bears there. I have a Maggiolina roof top tent I sleep in but I always thought about having a lightweight setup so I could leave my trailer at home and head out in the Jeep only. I have a awesome Springbar Made in USA Tent that has to be set up. The Swag basically rolls out and rolls up and stores easily. This was my first time seeing Swags in person and 23Zero seems to have it figured out. After all they are a Australian company.
ASFIR 4x4 Aluminum Skid Plates: Much Less Weight Penalty Than Steel
I have never heard of these guys and the aluminum skid plates they make. I'm rethinking my skid plate strategy for our Gladiator Ecodiesel. The weight of adding all that steel under the rig was a dealbreaker for me but now I know about the aluminum option? Could be a mod I might make to our Jeep.
Three days in the Flagstaff pines proved that the overlanding world isn't slowing down—even if some of us are still figuring out where the oil dipsticks went on the new rigs! Between dodging camping chaos and adapting to new battery tech, it was an incredible reminder that the best part of overlanding isn't just the gear you buy, but the community you share the trail with.
I’ve got my work cut out for me in the shop getting the Xventure trailer’s new smart charging system dialed in, and I can't wait to share the process with you.
Make sure to leave a comment, check out the Muddy Ruttzz YouTube Channel for the full event coverage, and hit that subscribe button so you don't miss the next garage update. Until next time, keep exploring!
Browse the rest of the DIY, Adventure & Gear Review Articles on The Muddy Ruttzz Gazette and don't forget to check out Muddy Ruttzz on Youtube.
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Thanks for stopping by and don't forget, The Best is Yet To Come!
About Muddy Ruttzz - Muddy is a retired sheet metal worker with over 40 years of experience in HVAC and project management. When he isn't in his Las Cruces studio "Casa Encuentro del Sol" creating content for the Muddy Ruttzz YouTube channel, he’s likely out in the desert or the mountains putting his 2022 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel to the ultimate test
#MuddyRuttzz #overlandexpo #overlandexpowest #earthroamer #vanlife #Jeep #Grenadier #overlandinggear #overlanding #camping #flagstaff #FortTuthillCountyPark
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