I guess I should start with an introduction. My name’s Jason, and I’m just a guy who loves vehicles, camping, and the idea of exploring the unknown. But here’s the thing—I’m not an expert. Not yet, anyway. That’s kinda the whole point of this blog. Oregon Overlanders is my way of documenting the journey from an overlanding newbie to (hopefully) someone who knows what they’re doing.
Why Overlanding?
I’ve always been drawn to adventure. Something about the freedom of just packing up, heading off the beaten path, and figuring things out as I go really appeals to me. But let’s be real—there’s a big difference between wanting to overland and actually knowing what the hell you’re doing.
I started looking into it, watching YouTube videos, reading forums, and seeing all these rigs fully decked out with rooftop tents, crazy suspension setups, and gear that costs more than my truck. And while that’s cool, it also felt a little… overwhelming. Like, where do you even start? What do you actually need, and what’s just expensive overkill?
That’s where this blog comes in. I’m figuring it all out, one step at a time, and I’m bringing you along for the ride.
What to Expect Here
This isn’t gonna be one of those expert-driven blogs where I pretend to have all the answers. Instead, think of it more like a running journal—a place where I document what I’m learning, what works, what doesn’t, and probably a few dumb mistakes along the way.
Here’s some of what you’ll find here:
Gear & Vehicle Mods – What’s actually useful for a beginner? I’ll be testing things out and sharing my thoughts.
Trip Reports – Every adventure, good or bad, will be documented. Expect some awesome views and probably some frustrating mechanical issues.
Lessons Learned – Every mistake is a chance to get better. I’ll be honest about what goes wrong so you (hopefully) don’t make the same errors.
Budget-Friendly Overlanding – Not everyone has the cash to build a $100K rig. I’ll be exploring ways to get out there without breaking the bank.
Where It’s All Headed
Right now, I’m at square one. I’ve got a vehicle, a desire to explore, and a whole lot to learn. But as time goes on, this blog (and the YouTube channel) will follow my progress as I gain experience, build out my setup, and take on more challenging trips.
If you’re like me—someone who loves the idea of overlanding but isn’t quite sure where to begin—then I hope you stick around. Let’s figure this out together.
So yeah, that’s the plan. First up? Probably going to take a weekend trip, see what I forgot to pack, and make a mental list of what not to do next time. Should be fun.
Jason