DECKED Diaries: Overland Expo West

As expected, there was no shortage of dogs, pop-up tents, cherry Wagoneers, Sprinter Van Dads, cargo pants, off-road conversion projects and adventure enthusiasm in Flagstaff last weekend. Overland Expo is a place where your adventure mobile will feel at home, yet feel pangs of envy for the neighbors.

The custom modified 35' Mitsubishi delivery van on 50" tires with a pop-up camper, must be catching on because there was over a 40% increase in attendance at the expo this year. 

We came, we saw, we Overlanded... 

Reunited and it feels so good. The last time we saw the @Iamroamr Tomahawk was at SEMA 2017, and she's a real show stopper (or as we say at DECKED, a drawer dropper). Fortunately for us, the DECKED booth was right next to Troy and Tony at RoamR and our friends from Rigd Supply.

It's no surprise that the Earth Roamer was a landmark beacon at the expo. It's also a $600,000 alternative to a pop-over tent. 

Okurrr...Jason @monroemedia you win our award for Drawer Dropper of the Show. This is a custom van you need to see in person. Built by Action Van out of Mesa, AZ it features a pullout Dometic Kitchen setup installed into the DECKED drawers. It also integrates gas and power into the ammo cans, Rigid Industries lighting, CargoGlide and ARB accessories.  

Congrats to Max for being the reigning Hammerschlagen champion at the DECKED booth. You really nailed it. Also A+ effort to all the passerby's that attempted to win a DECKED ball cap by hammering it in first try. Not to worry, you can get DECKED apparel here: DECKED APPAREL. 

Hammerschlagen champ @maxwell.hau5.caffy's Taco could also be found in the furthest corner of the campground where there was no cell service and a fire ban. Wait...that was everywhere at the expo. Sorry mom, I didn't call you on Mother's Day....

Leitner Designs makes a rack that is compatible with both full-size and midsize DECKED systems. They had a DECKED out Tacoma and F-150 in the booth this year. 

Somebody once said that camouflage is America's "away colors." Just saying, we saw a lot of camo this year. 

Danny is a US veteran, moto enthusiast, fisherman and also happens to have baller tailgate game. Check out @bajatxpro. 

Fellow Idahoan's, CBI Off Road Fab out of Idaho Falls had a few DECKED systems in their booth. Is it just us, or did it feel like there was a lot of folks from the Gem State this year? 

The Overland Journal's own Taco was parked right out front of the food court with the Habitat roof top tent set up.  Adventure vehicle rentals are the real deal. American Overland Adventures offers fully outfitted Chevy Colorado ZR2 trucks for rent from its Hood River, OR headquarters. 

Let's face it, you can’t take your minivan or rental car off road, so hit up American Overland Adventures and get out there.  Our friends at Trail Kitchens out of Truckee, CA are working on modular kitchen units which fit in the drawers. 

It's always great to see how people REALLY use their trucks. A quick stroll through the campground and we found the Rhino-Rack build from SEMA 2017. 

 

Old-School is Cool. The Overland Expo provides a rare chance to see classic 4×4’s and vintage works of art in one place. 

Big thanks to our friends at the @overlandexpo, @leitnerdesigns, @iamroamr, @rigdsupply, @wilcopffroad, @theoverlandjournal, @monroemedia, @projectbasecamp @americanoverlandadventures, @tacomabeast, @bajatxpro, @expeditionportal, @traegergrills (thanks for the meets), @idarado, @trailkitches, Royal from Truck Tech and many more.

Until next year..

Want more? Check out this video by Monroe Media: