If you find yourself attracted to the overlanding movement, you’re not alone. And one awesome things we’re seeing with its rise in popularity is that as the demand increases, innovation in RV overlanding design is increasing with it. And, as you’d expect, some RV overlanding brands are really, really good at it.
Which ones, you ask? Good question.
Here’s our (relatively) short list of RV overlanding brands that are really taking a leadership role in this space and just crushing everything off-gird. Best of all, the top four offer really unique choices — and a good number of them too. Recently, I got to attend Overland Expo West. one of the premier events in the overlanding world, where I got to see many of these brands first-hand.
But before we list the top RV overlanding brands (and a few other good ones), let’s just take a second to define overlanding — or at least attempt to.
What Exactly Is Overlanding?
Finding a single definition of overlanding can be a bit of of a challenge. (I’ve taken my own stab at.) But basically, overlanding is more oriented toward long-distance travel, often across diverse or challenging terrain. This can require vehicles that are more capable of tackling tough roads or surfaces and are more ruggedized to be able to do so.
These vehicles are often more capable of spending extended time off the grid, but some of them rely on an understanding of the environment you’re heading to and incorporating that into the overall plans.
For example, many of the vehicles we saw at Overland Expo have outdoor showers and have things like composting toilets. This type of system demands a respect for the places you’re going but also a better understanding of these systems in order to use them.
There is also a greater degree of self-sufficiency in heading to more remote areas just because challenges brought about by the travel means you’re not just calling roadside assistance to get you out.
Top 4 RV Overlanding Brands
When you look at the overlanding market, there are a lot of companies that are making products and RVs to appeal to overlanders. But there are four companies, in my opinion, that are just hitting a home run and being leaders in this space. Plus, as I often do, there are some bonus brands too that I’ve included.
No. 1. Ember RV
Ember RV is the product of the granddaughter of the founder of Jayco and hit the ground running with their Overland series. Bringing a team of people with outstanding experience, and an eye toward true innovation, the Ember RV team has a number of unique features in build and usability that keep them in a leadership role in this market.
Ember RV makes everything from the newly-introduced Ember RV E-Series Spark 12RK, which debuted at Overland Expo, to the incredible 240TKR toy hauler.
Something the company pioneered is their Ember Track system, which is a reconfigurable space in the back of their trailers that enables you to change the space to your needs.
You can have a cargo hold, bunks, double-over-double bunks, an office, dining area or almost anything you can imagine. The track system works with standard components that you can buy at an outfitter, or at an event like Overland Expo. There are cubbies, and bins, hangers, hammocks and an incredible variety of things you can use with this reconfigurable system.
One of the hallmarks of Ember’s Overland-Series trailers is the use of the Curt fully independent suspension system with dual shocks on each wheel. This system provides a good amount of articulation for traversing uneven surfaces but also provides a good towing experience even on the smoothest of highways.
Other highlights of the Overland Series include a dual-pane window over the bed that Ember calls their Stargazer window. In fact all the windows in these trailers are dual-pane.
The Overland Series also uses Truma appliances and has been certified in Truma’s climate chamber to be fully functional from 0°F-110°F.
No. 2. Palomino
If you think of Palomino and that brings to mind travel trailers and fifth wheels, you wouldn’t be wrong. In fact the company makes everything from large destination trailers to small single-axle travel trailers.
There are three areas where Palomino has very specifically targeted the overlanding market and done a good job of it. While there are a lot of brands that do a respectable job with their offerings in this field Palomino has the benefit of distribution network and the backing of Forest River so a lot of overland enthusiasts are finding their products.
Backpack and Real-Lite Truck Campers
First of all, pickup campers are very popular with overlanders. The reason is simple. You can take a pickup and outfit it to be an excellent overlanding rig. Then you just put a camper on the back. Pickup campers are affordable and work with the pickup you already have. Being able to easily drop the camper itself off and use the pickup for your adventures is another reason people like them. (Plus many overlanders also like that having a pickup camper means you can also still tow a boat.)
Palomino offers two series of pickup campers: Backpack and Real-Lite. Both of these series offer a full-height solid-sided model and then the soft-side where the top of the camper can be raised and lowered.
One of the advantages of the models that can be raised and lowered is the fact that the center of gravity is lower. That means the pickup is more stable going over surfaces that might have be more challenging. The lower roof height also means that you don’t have to worry as much about low-hanging branches.
Palomino O.V.E.
Something new from Palomino are their O.V.E. trailers. These use the systems the company has in raising and lowering the roof of the RV to accomplish the same idea in a travel trailer. In many ways, these are almost like a pickup camper on wheels. But one thing about those wheels — they feature the Curt independent suspension with dual shocks plus aggressive off-road tires.
The roofs of these trailers feature accessory racks to bring along things that might make the adventure better. But the ability to raise and lower the roof also means that these trailers can fit into many garages which can be a big advantage once the adventure is just a memory.
These are also equipped with with 400 watts of solar and a 100 amp-hour lithium battery.
Palomino Pause
When I first saw the Palomino Pause, I was surprised at what a departure this was from other Palomino products. The company really started with a fresh sheet of paper and did a great job with these.
From the ground up, they feature an air suspension. This allows you to raise and lower the trailer based on the road you’re on. (Even if that’s not a road at all.) There is an on-board air compressor to facilitate this which you could also use to inflate kayaks and such.
One of the unusual features of the Pause is that they use a Garmin-sourced management system for the trailers. This includes the automatic-leveling, suspension system, off-road navigation, entertainment system, and more. It’s truly unique.
The company also includes 600 watts of solar on the roof along with two 270 amp-hour batteries. You can also upgrade this to a system with four of those batteries along with 400 watts of ground-deployable (portable) solar panels.
These units are built with no structural wood whatsoever. They use composite walls, roof and floor and powder-coated metal cabinets in some models.
While the Pause series breaks with what you might expect from Palomino they have absolutely established a high water mark in the overlanding market.
No. 3 Storyteller Overland
If you’re thinking of a motorized vehicle for overlanding, Storyteller Overland has a strong reputation that is only getting stronger. The company has been known for their Class B offerings for years but has more to offer including the availability of the very capable DXV Epic.
Class B Mode Vans
Storyteller Overland cut their teeth by creating a better Class B RV offering. Based on the all-wheel-drive Mercedes Sprinter chassis Storyteller Overland’s Mode offering has some really unique features including models with a second row of seats that offer three-point belts which is a plus if you want to show off those beautiful places you can take this to.
There are models, too, that offer an upper loft in a hard-sided pop top enclosure. This type of seating means that you can use the vehicle as a daily driver but then be ready when adventure calls.
Looking at the Crew Mode 180, the seats in this model can move such that you can configure a table. (So you could literally write RV reviews from the middle of nowhere.) There’s also 345 watts of solar on the roof and a 16.8-kilowatt power system that incorporates a second alternator along with those solar panels to provide power even in remote situations.
There are also slightly smaller Class B offerings within the Mode-series that offer full bathrooms or rather respectable cargo bays.
GXV Trucks
In addition to the Class B offerings, Storyteller Overland also has their GXV series which are a very ruggedized Class C-based on a customized Ram 5,500 chassis. These offerings feature the Cummins 6.7L turbodiesel and four wheel drive with modifications designed to be better suited to challenging off-road situations.
Power comes from a Mastervolt-sourced system features 12-kilowatt of battery reserves charged by 1,200 watts of solar. There’s an on-board water purification system provided by Guzzle H2O for making that water you found in the wild less sketchy.
In addition to the basic function of these campers the exterior has that safari look to it which is reinforced by a paint that’s really spray-on Berliner. Ruggedized bumpers, a 16.5k-pound winch, 41-inch multi-purpose tires riding on a suspension enhanced with Liquid Springs and more give these rigs the look that beckons adventure.
But these aren’t completely for roughing it as the cab does feature heated seats front and rear and plenty of other luxury features so you never feel too far removed from civilization.
GXV Epic
While it is part of the GXV line, the GXV Epic is something both similar to and very different from Storyteller Overland’s other offerings. These are the types of vehicles that you expect to see on those world safari adventures and they look the part and offer the performance to back that up.
Based on a Kenworth cab-over chassis, the GXV Epic features a four-wheel-drive system that offers the ability to slowly crawl over terrain. There’s 200 gallons of fuel, so you won’t be hunting down a filling station while you’re out hunting for Bigfoot. Of course, there are brush bars and a 20,000-pound winch to back up that four-wheel-drive system.
On the roof is 1,980 watts of solar feeding a 18-kilowatt, 24-volt Mastervolt power system. (Which can also be charged by a second alternator on the Cummins 6.7L turbodiesel engine.)
No. 4. Escapod
This is one of the very many companies that build teardrop trailers. I think these are built differently while still retaining that teardrop feel. Things that set Escapod apart include their unique suspension system and fiberglass construction.
These are very well suited for overlanding from the start but the company goes further with things like available roof-top tents. The company has really set their sites on the overlanding market with their products. (That includes the Topo2 MTB that I wrote a review of. It is specifically outfitted for those who plan to bring bicycles with them which includes a whole bike tool kit.)
OK … A Few More RV Overlanding Brands
We promised you a look at four brands, but … there are a few more that might be worth considering.
Winnebago
When it comes to Class B RVs, Winnebago is a brand that a lot of people turn to. In particular, their line of Revel Class Bs are quite popular. Another solid choice is the EKKO, really the only Class B we have here.
The company also has a partnership with Adventure Wagon where you can use that company’s products to customize your own Class B RV. But the unique thing is that Winnebago creates the foundation of these rigs and then the owner can tailor them how they like. But this means they can be insured an will be accepted in RV parks with an RVIA seal requirement.
TAXA Outdoors
TAXA Outdoors is a company that makes incredibly creative trailers. It was founded by a former NASA team member. The company’s offerings are truly unique and well suited for overlanding. They make everything from the larger TAXA Outdoors Mantis to smaller trailers like the Cricket.
Four Wheel Campers
As mentioned with Palomino, a lot of overlanders really like pickup campers for a lot of reasons. Four Wheel Campers really understands the overlanding market. As the name implies this company’s products have a pop-up roof. One of their more interesting offerings of late is theCampOut which I wrote a review of. This is a very flexible design that I would like to see become more common.
RV Overlanding Brands? That’s Just the Beginning
The neat thing about overlanding is that you can almost define your experience and find an RV that enables that experience. The four RV overlanding brands we have here (plus the three bonus brands) all offer a variety of choices from small to elaborate and simple to sophisticated.
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