Water and Survival on the Trail

MSJ Off-Road Truck Campers: Did They Just Change My Mind?

I'm not really a camper guy..... But This One Might Change My Mind | MSJ Off-Road Nick has never been much of a truck camper guy. Aaron, meanwhile, has spent the last two years dragging an MSJ camper through tight Appalachian trails, bouncing it across the country, leaning it into trees, jumping the truck and spraying the whole thing with oil....well...Nick's oil. So for this episode, we brought in Shayan and Simon from MSJ Off-Road to find out what these campers are actually made for and whether Nick’s overladenophobia justified. We get into how MSJ started, what makes its lightweight aluminum camper different from a traditional slide in, and how the design has evolved through feedback from early customers like Aaron. Aaron gives an honest long term review of his camper, including what has worked, what he modified, what he would order differently and how he dialed in the Tacoma’s airbags, shocks and suspension to carry it off road. We also cover: The difference between wheeling in the East and West Payload, suspension and the weight people forget to calculate Why organization may matter more than having every possible camping amenity Cold weather camping, diesel heaters and sleeping through serious storms A ground tent getting ripped off a mountain The new MSJ Sun Seeker shell, insulation options and upgraded mattresses TRXs, Power Wagons, broken Toyotas, potato guns, deep fryers and Malört Plus, we introduce our new Listener Rides segment and check out two rigs submitted by members of the CAMO community. By the end of the conversation, Nick is not ordering a camper yet, but he is considerably closer to accepting his inevitable fate. Check out MSJ Off-Road: https://msjoff-road.com/ [https://msjoff-road.com/] Have a rig you want featured on the show? Send us a few good photos, your build details and anything interesting about how you use it through the CAMO Facebook or Instagram pages. Leave us a review and let us know: Are truck campers worth it, or are you still sleeping on the ground?

Where to Overland? - Building the Best Overland Trip

Where do you actually go overlanding? Quick note before we get into it: Aaron’s crickets were absolutely losing their minds during this episode, so we had to do some extra audio cleanup in post. If the audio feels slightly off in a few spots, that’s why. We figured it was better than making you listen to a full-blown Appalachian insect orchestra for two hours. Everybody wants the secret spots, the perfect GPX file, the best campsite, the scenic overlook at lunch, and the secluded camp by 4 PM. But the real answer is not just downloading a route from OnX or Gaia and hoping for the best. In this episode of the CAMO Convoy Podcast, Nick and Aaron break down how to actually plan an overland trip that fits the kind of adventure you want. Gravel roads, remote campsites, tourist stops, technical trails, dark sky camping, group trips, solo scouting, and everything in between. We talk through how to pick a region, find points of interest, use maps and satellite views, read MVUMs, plan fuel stops, choose campsites, avoid burning sensitive spots, deal with locals, respect public land, and keep the group happy once you are actually out there. We also get into campsite etiquette, generators, fire rings, packing out trash, group pacing, social media responsibility, and why some spots are better left untagged. This one is for anyone who has ever asked: Where can I overland? How do I find campsites? How do I plan an overland route? How do I find legal trails and forest roads? How do I avoid being “that guy” on public land? Send us your build photos and we may feature your rig on the show. Email: centralappoutdoors@gmail.com [centralappoutdoors@gmail.com] Follow CAMO: Facebook: Central Appalachian Mountain Overland Instagram: @cam_overland YouTube: Central Appalachian Mountain Outdoors Thanks for watching. Shiny side up, muddy side down. Stay rowdy.

Overland Maintenance: Fix It at Home, Not on the Trail

Overland maintenance is not the fun part of the trip, but it is the part that keeps your rig from becoming everyone else’s problem on the trail. In this episode of the CAMO Convoy Podcast, we break down the maintenance mindset every overlander should have before, during, and after a trip. We talk pre-trip checks, fluids, cooling systems, brakes, steering components, known failure points, trail fixes, post-trip cleaning, and the long-term stuff that keeps an old 4x4 alive. The big idea is simple: fix problems at home, not in the woods. We get into real examples from our own rigs, including front main seal leaks, cooling issues, mud-packed radiators, alternators, electrical trail fixes, and why ignoring small problems usually turns into a bigger bill later. If you wheel your rig, tow with it, camp out of it, or just want to keep your old truck from turning into a pile, this one is for you. Topics covered: - Pre-trip overland maintenance - What to check before leaving - Trail-side warning signs - Cooling stack and radiator cleaning - Brakes, ball joints, belts, and steering parts - Known failure items for your vehicle - Post-trip cleaning and rust prevention - Long-term preventative maintenance - Why mud is the enemy - How to keep your rig alive Subscribe for more overland, off-road, 4x4, and adventure vehicle content from Central Appalachian Mountain Overland. #overlandmaintenance #overlanding #offroad #4x4 #overlandtruck #vehiclemaintenance #camo #camosocial #camoutdoors

We’re Mad: The Dumbest Things in Overlanding

We’re mad, and we’re finally saying it. In this episode of the CAMO Convoy Podcast, Nick and Aaron rant through the dumbest things happening in overlanding and off-roading right now. Bad recoveries, sketchy trail behavior, garbage aftermarket lights, half-done builds, alignment shop nightmares, oversized tire obsession, campsite bathroom disasters, and the people who absolutely refuse to take care of their rigs. Some of it is funny. Some of it is annoying. Some of it is flat-out dangerous. If you wheel, camp, wrench, overland, or spend way too much time staring at your truck in the driveway, you probably know exactly the people and trends we’re talking about. Drop a comment with the overland or off-road trend that drives you insane. Subscribe for more real-world overlanding, off-road stories, gear talk, trail lessons, and CAMO Convoy Podcast episodes. #overlanding #offroad #4x4 #overlandpodcast #offroadrecovery #trailriding #camo_convoy #centralappalachianmountainoverland

Subaru Forester Off Road Build: Locked, Lifted, and Jeep-Embarrassing

This locked and lifted Subaru Forester off road build has no business working this well. Brandt joins the CAMO Convoy Podcast to break down his 2008 SG Subaru Forester build, including the rear locker, center diff locker, long travel suspension, HDPE skid plate setup, lightweight wheel and tire combo, spare parts strategy, and how he keeps this thing alive on real off road trails. We get into Subaru off road culture, the difference between dirt road Subarus and truly built trail Subarus, why the 4EAT automatic actually helps without low range, how he uses left foot braking, and what makes this little Forester embarrass bigger 4x4s and Jeep guys on the trail. If you are into weird overland builds, budget off road vehicles, Subaru Forester builds, rally inspired trail rigs, or vehicles that should not work but somehow do, this one is for you. Topics covered: Subaru Forester off road build SG Forester overland build Locked Subaru Forester Rear locker and center diff locker 4EAT Subaru off road driving HDPE skid plates Long travel Subaru suspension Subaru vs Jeep off road Budget trail rig ideas 24 hour rally stories CAMO trail stories Subscribe for more overland, off road, vehicle build, trail story, and Appalachian adventure conversations from the CAMO Convoy Podcast.