Most of the vehicles displayed in the booths at Overland Expo West are showpieces. They’ve been built to catch your eye and highlight the newest gear. There’s nothing wrong with these adventure rigs—they’re works of art that any overlander would be excited to drive. But, because they sit at the very top of the overland gear pyramid, they don’t exactly represent the reality of everyday overlanding.

　　Consequently, our team always spends a day out in the nearby campgrounds. It’s out there, under the trees and in the dirt, where you find trucks, vans, and other creations that represent the best of DIY culture and showcase the kind of rigs that people actually use on global adventures. Here are our favorite DIY overlanding rigs from this year.

　　Also check out: The Best Trailers, Campers, and Van Conversions of 2025 and The Best Tents for Car Camping