Overland

Good morning everyone I’ve been looking to getting into overlanding or prelanding,brolanding. I have a 2013 raptor. I can’t seem to find a good rack to start with since there’s so many out there. Any recommendations for a good rack where I can still send it and shred? Thanks!!

 

Are you planning to have a RTT on the rack and camping, I mean overlanding gear, in the back when you send?

 

That’s the dream, too much to ask for?? Nothing too crazy like a refrigerator, or any big appliances. Maybe just a rtt, couple of rotopax, axe, shovel?

 

Do some searching here for advice on bed side supports. Folks have sprung their bedsides apart with weighted racks.

The reason I ask is that lots of people spend big bucks setting up for overlanding only to discover that they don't really like camping all that much. I'd suggest going out in good weather to someplace nice using a minimum of gear. See if you enjoy the gig. I've got a decent tent that I picked up at Costco for $59 that would sleep four if they're friendly. I use it when it rains or when there are bugs. Cots are crazy comfortable and nice to have around in a closet for those times when you have more guests than beds. RTTs look cool, but you have to run up and down a ladder and the good ones have a small footprint. They're great if you roll into camp while it's raining, sleeting, or snowing hard, but camping in the wet is a royal PITA and I don't recommend it.

From your description, it sounds like you're going to use it as a place to sleep and then go out to breakfast. Is that right? Otherwise you need a stove, fuel, water, cooking gear, food, folding table, chairs, etc. The weight adds up fast. When I go out for a week with one other person, I go light and I've got 1000lb of payload. I weighed it. Water and coolers full of ice are heavy. I have to pay attention to where the weight goes so that I don't overload the rear axle and blow out my rear springs. Handling at speed takes a noticeable hit, and that's with keeping the weight low and forward with no rack and no RTT. If you're going to go full lux with rack, RTT, decked system, Road Shower, etc, you're going to need to beef up the rear suspension or go to a 3/4 ton. And you can forget about hooning it loaded.

If you want to camp and hoon on the same trip, look at off road trailers. Drag all your heavy crap to camp, dump it, and go play. Me, when I go camping, I go to camp and hike, so my driving is pretty sedate by local standards. The only time I run hard at all is when I'm mostly empty.

 

The term that you're searching for is "PreLander".

Yes, you can do it. Yes, you have to be careful of how much weight you put up high.

SVC recently finished one, and there has been one on a few of the ExO runs in the last year.

I'd probably lean towards Leitner Designs for the rack.

If not them, I'd look to have one built custom. There are some unique challenges to hitting the dirt hard with a rack and supplies, but it can absolutely be done.

btw, I haul ass with a Dometic cfx3-75Dz strapped down in the cab. It's awesome to not have to search for ice every day.

It is even more awesome to pull a "harry" and eat some ice cream while you think about how to fix someone else's broken truck.

 

Cool deal! Thanks a lot!! I currently have the tent that sets up on the bed, we enjoy camping a lot. Usually my father in law takes all the appliances lol. I’ll be looking at those racks you guys mentioned and I’ll see if my fabricator has any ideas. Thanks again!

 

The raptor is wide and does not fit on lot of un-improved roads. Running boards provide no protection nor do the skid plates.
It is a great vehicle but it has its limitations.
GFC - https://gofastcampers.com
Is one of many decent options. I bought their Super Light to go on my Leer shell - This is a compromise - their other assemblies are better.
Should be delivered in MAY - Only 80 LBS and it will work for me alone.
I also bought a trailer - https://offgridtrailers.com/expedition-trailer/
for when My wife joins me. It will be delivered in May /June.
I carry 600+ LBs of gear - ARB dual compressors, 3 gallon air tank, (2) Group 31 Lithium ion batteries, Extra spare tire, solar charger, 2000 watt inverter, camping supplies, 10 gallons of distilled water, 5 gallons of gas, air tools and enough SHT to hopefully fix my truck when it breaks. That covers most of it. When I travel with my wife, I have to set up tens and canopies PIA. If I'm fishing by myself, I move some stuff to the cab and sleep in the bed on a 3" foam pad. Some times I still have to set up a tent because if I leave, I loose my Base camp depended upon how traveled the area is.
My Advise is to think carefully on what you need your truck to do, how long you plan on being out, splitting up gear if you have more than one vehicle, gas availability, defensive tools, ETC. You will be investing a lot of capital. It would be a shame to get burned out after 3 trips.
Lastly leaving your truck or trailer anywhere when you are out exploring, fishing, whatever - Everything might not be there when you get back especially if you are in a secluded area.
Good luck and explore.

 

I set my truck up years go, if I were to do it again, I would have gone with this or something similar.

 

My recommendation is to get an offroad trailer for all the appliances and gear. This keeps the weight off the raptor when you want to have fun.

 

Strongly recommend the KbVoodoo rack. Been very happy with mine