From budget to over-the-top, there are a lot of ways to get into overlanding. One of the common objectives with overlanding is to be self-sufficient, haul everything you need and the kitchen sink—gear, extra fuel, food sleeping quarters and supplies—to get off the grid for an extended period of time. On one end of the spectrum you can load up a clapped out s#!tbox with camping gear and some food, water and fuel for an adventure. On the other end of the spectrum you can spend a $1M plus on an F550 EarthRoamer with every creature comfort, amenity and offroad capability. There’s no one right way to do it. It all depends on your budget and needs, but it should be said it’s accessible to everyone to get out and do it. We’ve had this thought that a service truck would make a great platform to start from; it’s built tough, has tons of storage, they are readily available and it’s fairly cheap to pick one up used. Well the fellas over at BDS had a similar thought, to build an overlander based around a service truck, except for them that trick was a new 2020 Ford F350 CCLB diesel and, well, from the looks of it this wasn’t exactly a cheap build.
To help fit the 40-inch tires with minimal lift, a set of FiberwerX 4-inch bulged front fiberglass fenders have been added. The factory longbox, while great at hauling full sheets of plywood, was pulled in favor of a Knapheide aluminum service box for additional easy access (lockable) storage for camping gear, recovery equipment, mobile electronics, 12V and 110V power supplies, air compressor with storage tank, and more.
This Super Duty has a lot going on, but in a good way. The mods are tasteful and all build toward a common theme – comfort and capability. Whether you call it camping or overlanding, this truck is ready for the adventure. The crew from BDS says while this truck looks great as a company show piece, it gets used regularly on the weekends by staff out off the grid to camp, explore, tow trail rigs and, although limited this past year due to COVID, will be hitting the show circuit more in 2021.
855-233-8992
www.addictivedesertdesigns.com
ATS Diesel Performance
866-209-3695
www.atsdiesel.com
BDS Suspension
517-279-2135
www.bds-suspension.com
CargoGlide
877-525-9535
www.cargoglide.com
Dometic
www.dometic.com
EZ LYNK
877-207-5530
www.ezlynk.com
619-654-4451
www.fiberwerx.com
Ford Motor Company
800-392-3673
www.ford.com
FOX
800-369-7469
www.ridefox.com
Hi-Lift Jack Co
800-233-2051
www.hi-lift.com
James Baroud Evasion
www.jamesbaroudusa.com
888-528-9546
www.katzkin.com
Kicker Audio
405-624-8510
www.kicker.com
Knapheide
www.knapheide.com
Method Race Wheels
866-779-8604
www.methodracewheels.com
Mickey Thompson Tires
330-928-9092
www.mickeythompsontires.com
RotopaX
801-299-1885
www.rotopax.com
877-744-6622
www.rhinorack.com
Ridetech
812-481-4787
www.ridetech.com
Rigid Industries
480-655-0100
www.rigidindustries.com
TITAN Fuel Tanks
800-728-4982
www.titanfueltanks.com
WARN
833-727-8784
www.warn.com