Overlanding 101 – Foundations of Safe Travel
Build a solid foundation for overlanding and 4WD touring – how to choose and prepare your vehicle, plan realistic routes, set up camp, manage risk and travel calmly with family, friends or solo.
Is Overlanding 101 the right course for you?
This course is for overlanders who want to stop guessing their way through trip planning – and start building calm, repeatable systems for safe, enjoyable 4WD travel.
You’re new to overlanding
- You’re not sure where to start with routes, vehicle setup or camp routines.
- You want to avoid common beginner mistakes that make trips stressful.
- You’d like a clear, step-by-step foundation before going remote.
You travel with family or friends
- You’re responsible for more than just your own fun and safety.
- You want realistic days, safer decisions and calmer camps.
- You’d like simple roles and routines everyone can follow.
You’re building a capable tourer
- You’re investing in tyres, storage, racks and upgrades.
- You want your build to match real trips, not social media trends.
- You’d like a roadmap for what to do now vs later.
What you’ll be able to do after Overlanding 101
By the end of this course you’ll have a clear framework for planning trips, preparing your rig and making safer decisions on and off the road.
Plan realistic overland trips
- Choose trip styles that match your time, skills and vehicle.
- Estimate sensible daily distances and surfaces.
- Balance “big days” with recovery time so everyone enjoys the journey.
Prepare your vehicle & camp
- Understand basic payload, tyres and simple protection upgrades.
- Pack and organise your rig for easier days and calmer camps.
- Build simple camp routines that feel smooth, not chaotic.
Travel safer & more confidently
- Spot when risk is creeping up and how to dial it back.
- Use basic navigation habits to avoid getting badly off route.
- Have a simple plan for breakdowns and emergencies.
Course structure & lessons
Overlanding 101 is split into short, focused lessons you can work through in an evening or two – then revisit when you’re planning your next trip or building out your rig.
-
Lesson 1
Overlanding mindset & trip types
We unpack what overlanding really is, common trip styles and how to choose routes and goals that fit your experience, budget and time.
-
Lesson 2
Choosing & preparing your overland vehicle
Stock vs modified rigs, tyres, payload and simple upgrades that make a big difference. We focus on realistic Stage 1 setups, not endless build threads.
-
Lesson 3
Route planning, maps & navigation basics
Learn how to scope routes, estimate daily distance, combine digital tools with paper maps and keep “where are we?” moments to a minimum.
-
Lesson 4
Campcraft, packing & life on the road
We organise your rig, camp and daily routines so setup, pack down, meals and hygiene are smoother – especially when travelling with others.
-
Lesson 5
Safety, risk management & emergency planning
A practical look at risk, weather, terrain, communications and simple emergency plans so you’re less likely to be caught out far from help.
How this course works
Overlanding 101 isn’t just a long blog post. It’s a small training loop you can revisit for each new trip or vehicle change, with Rusty helping you tune the lessons to your real plans.
Short lessons + quick quizzes
- Each lesson focuses on one core piece of the overlanding puzzle.
- At the end, you’ll answer a few multiple-choice questions.
- We’ll show a simple skill level badge based on your score.
- You can revisit lessons anytime when planning a new trip.
Course PDF & trip planners
- Download a branded Overlanding 101 course PDF once it’s live.
- Includes checklists, trip templates and space for your notes.
- Use it alongside the Expedition Planner and Gear List Builder.
- Perfect to print and stash in the vehicle for offline use.
Use Rusty as your Overland Travel Coach
Ask Rusty questions as you plan trips and build your rig
Rusty is trained on overlanding fundamentals, recovery concepts and Overland Gear Guide content. Treat him as your calm co-driver: ask him to sanity-check a route, suggest packing priorities or explain a concept in simpler language.
- Tell Rusty which lesson you’re on and what kind of trip you’re planning.
- Share your vehicle, tyre size, weight and typical terrain for tailored tips.
- Ask for “safe starting points” for distances, fuel, water and route choices.
- Choosing between trip ideas and matching them to your rig.
- Roughing out daily distances, fuel and water needs.
- Prioritising upgrades for touring, not posing.
- Building simple checklists for packing, camp and safety.
Rusty is a coach and planning companion – not a replacement for maps, local advice, professional training or emergency services. Always stay within your limits and local regulations.
Tools that support your overlanding training
Overlanding 101 is designed to work alongside Overland Gear Guide’s interactive tools so you can turn theory into concrete trip plans for your vehicle.
Overland Expedition Planner
Map out routes, daily distances and surface changes so trips feel achievable, not exhausting.
Overland Gear List Builder
Build packing lists that match your destination, group size and vehicle – not just a random online checklist.
Tyre Pressure Calculator
Experiment with different loads and terrains so you start trips with more sensible pressures and less drama.
Overlanding 101 – Course FAQ
Do I need a fully built 4×4 before taking this course?
No. Overlanding 101 is designed for stock and lightly modified vehicles as well as full builds. We focus on principles that apply whether you’re in a basic 4×4 or a long-range tourer, and we’ll flag when advice becomes vehicle-specific.
Is this course only for remote expeditions?
Not at all. The same planning and safety habits apply to weekenders, week-long tours and big multi-country trips. You can start with short, local routes and grow into more ambitious journeys over time.
Will this course make me an “expert overlander”?
Overlanding 101 gives you a structured foundation, not a magic badge. You’ll finish with better questions, better habits and a clearer roadmap for skill-building – then real experience and practice do the rest.
How does Overlanding 101 relate to Recovery 101?
Overlanding 101 focuses on trip planning, vehicle preparation, campcraft and safety. Recovery 101 dives deeper into forces, gear and recovery techniques. Together they form a strong base for safe, confident travel.