Picture it: 2017. There I was, a simple outdoorsy guy with a penchant for backpacking and a burning desire for a new set of wheels. Little did I know that buying a Tacoma would be like opening Pandora's box - if Pandora's box was filled with off-road gear, questionable financial decisions, and an unhealthy obsession with ground clearance.
At first, I was your typical new truck owner. "Ooh, shiny wheels! Fancy decals!" I thought, blissfully unaware of the rabbit hole I was about to tumble down. Then, like a bolt from the blue (or more accurately, a YouTube recommendation), I discovered Expedition Overland. Suddenly, my worlds collided harder than a mall crawler meeting its first actual off-road trail.
It was like the heavens opened up and a chorus of angels sang, "You can combine your love for the outdoors with your need to tinker with expensive vehicle modifications!" My wallet wept, but my heart soared.
Fast forward six years, and I've spent more on my truck than I care to admit. (Let's just say if my truck were a person, it would have graduated college by now.) I'm currently awaiting the arrival of my 2023 Tacoma Trailhunter, because apparently, one overland-ready Tacoma wasn't enough.
But here's the thing - as I dove deeper into the world of overlanding, I realized something. It's not just about the gear or the vehicle. It's about the community, the adventures, and the shared love of exploration. And boy, is there a lot to learn!
That's why I started Outsider. Because once upon a time, I was that guy who thought a hi-lift jack was some sort of fancy car elevator. (Spoiler alert: it's not, and they're terrifying to use if you don't know what you're doing.)
Outsider is my way of extending a helping hand (or winch cable, if you prefer) to those just starting their overlanding journey. Our weekly newsletter is like a trail map for the overland curious - helping you navigate the sea of gear, events, and content creators without getting lost in the woods of information overload.
We're here for the newbies who don't know their ARB from their elbow, and for the seasoned pros looking to stay in the loop. We're for anyone who's ever looked at their vehicle and thought, "I wonder if I could sleep in that?" (Spoiler: You probably can, but your back might never forgive you.)
So whether you're just dipping your toes into the world of overlanding or you're so deep in you've got dirt in places you didn't know existed, welcome to Outsider. We're here to inform, inspire, and occasionally remind you that yes, you probably do need that new piece of gear. (Just don't tell your significant other we said so.)
Here's to the adventures ahead, the lessons learned, and the inevitable "I should NOT have tried to cross that" moments. Because in the end, it's not about the destination - it's about how many times you got stuck along the way.
Welcome to Outsider - where every wrong turn is just a new story waiting to happen. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go explain to my wife why we need a snorkel for a truck that's never seen water deeper than a puddle."