Trail Tails: The Ultimate Overlanding Adventure Through the Americas!

If we asked you what contiguous countries you’d like to overland the answer would have to be the great American journey. From the tip of Canada down through America and into Central and South for three years and more. Now that’s an epic adventure most people can only dream about. Ernesto and Taisa are Overland The Americas and they know how to explore like only a few do. Rhino-Rack spoke to this amazing team so you can understand what it takes to pick up and go on the adventure of a lifetime.

(All images supplied by @overlandtheamericas)

Where: The American Continent
When: 2015 - 2018
Vehicle: 2012 Toyota 4Runner TE

Rhino-Rack Products:

Rhino-Rack: What is it about hitting the outdoors that gets you going?

Overland the Americas: Exploring the outdoors while traveling overland across the Americas has offered us the freedom to find our true selves and focus on the important things in life that we used to take for granted. Life has become an adventure on its own. Every day is different. We meet and learn from new people, explore new things and places every single day.

Rhino-Rack: Where was your adventure set?

Overland the Americas: We have been traveling for 2 years across 14 countries in the Americas. Canada, United States, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and we're currently exploring Peru. Our goal is to travel all 23 contiguous countries in the Americas.

Rhino-Rack: That’s incredible! How long have you been on the road for?

Overland the Americas: We started our trip on July 18, 2015 and expect to complete our journey in July 2018.

Rhino-Rack: How did you prepare? What are the important steps to take?

Overland the Americas: We spent about 3 years saving and outfitting our truck. We eased into a life on the road by taking weekend trips and anytime we could. We soon got hooked and couldn't have enough. Planning is definitely an important part for anyone planning to take a multi-year overland trip but there's only so much you can plan for before realizing it is too overwhelming to try to come up with a travel plane for several years. The most important steps will be to ease into the experience, test your gear, do not rush and allow yourself to immerse in the experience. Life as you didn't know it is about to start!

Rhino-Rack: Tell me about any other explorers you met along the way?

Overland the Americas: We're immensely lucky to have met hundreds of like-minded people during our journey. There are all kind of amazing people out there exploring our planet. They are from all parts of the world with different professional backgrounds. It feels to us like we're part of a big tribe ready to help each other no matter where we are. The friendships we've made on the road not only have taught us invaluable life lessons but it has also made the world a much small place in the sense that we feel that we have good friends on every continent.

Rhino-Rack: Were there any lessons learned?

Overland the Americas: Many. But the most important one for us is not taking life for granted. Start living life today. Also, understand that fairness and kindness are the best currencies you will ever have. The generosity of people is truly unlimited.

Rhino-Rack: How did Rhino-Rack products help to facilitate your adventure?

Overland the Americas: Our awnings, tent, and lighting have withstood everything the weather has thrown at us. It's always comforting to know we have good reliable gear that can make our experience that much more enjoyable.

Rhino-Rack: What was it you intended to do/see/ experience there?

Overland the Americas: Our goal is to get to learn more about ourselves and those whom we share this planet with. Experience new places, foods, traditions, languages. Open up to the world and soak it in. It may sounds cliché but we're only on this planet for a very short amount of time and there's a truly amazing world out there waiting to be explored.

Rhino-Rack: Did you accomplish that?

Overland the Americas: I feel that we are just starting to understand that we are only scratching the surface and that we will never be able to see and experience it all within our lifetime. But that only makes us more excited, knowing that we are guaranteed a life of adventure.

Rhino-Rack: Was there any wildlife or landscape that particularly stands out?

Overland the Americas: Definitely! Way more than we can list. Erupting volcanoes in Central America, wolves hunting in Yellowstone National Park. Diving with hammerhead sharks in The Galapagos, The epic mountains of La Cordillera Blanca in Peru. The national parks in Utah. The Canadian Rockies, the list goes on and on. 😉

Rhino-Rack: What’s the logistics of the adventure that other thrill seekers can follow?

Overland The Americas: Border crossing between countries whether by land or sea are always time-consuming and require a bit of patience and attention so you can make sure you won't run into problems later. There are a number of online resources that can help with planning this often stressful days. Look at every border crossing as a new fun challenge and be excited to get to visit another country on your adventure. Other than that everyone trip is different. Do not try to follow somebody else's adventure; live your own. Inevitably on your research, you may visit the same places and landmarks but ultimately the best experiences are those that present themselves after an unplanned turn. 😉

2012 Toyota 4Runner TE Vehicle Modifications: 

• 3" coil spring lift Old Man Emu
• Front and rear bumpers
• Winch
• Rock sliders
• Roof rack
• Roof top tent
• Skid plates
• 2 AGM batteries
• 600 watt power inverter
• 90 watt solar panel
• Fridge freezer
• Drawer system
• 2 full size spare tires
• Air compressor
• 2 awnings

Rhino-Rack Trail Tales

We'll be posting stories taken directly from Rhino-Rack Customers. Adventurers who want to share their explorations around America. If you'd like to get involved in the Trail Tales Series please contact Rhino-Rack through any of our social media platforms below.

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