QOTD: Do You Overland?

Exploring the popularity of overlanding among the author's social circles and the broader automotive community.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

The author, a resident of Chicago, notes that while they have featured many old minivans converted into overlanders in their "Used Car Of The Day" feature, they don't know many people in their own social circles who actually partake in overlanding. The author wonders if this is representative of the broader population or just a reflection of their own social circles, and decides to ask the automotive community about their experiences with overlanding.

Why it matters

Overlanding, the practice of self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations, has grown in popularity in recent years. Understanding the prevalence of overlanding within different communities and social circles can provide insights into the broader appeal and adoption of this outdoor activity.

The details

The author has featured numerous old minivans that have been converted into overlanders as part of their "Used Car Of The Day" feature. However, within their own social circles in Chicago, they know very few people who actually overland. The author wonders if this is a reflection of their own social circles being more urban-focused, or if it is representative of a broader trend. To get a better understanding, the author decides to pose the question to the automotive community at large, acknowledging that even the B&B (Bring a Trailer) community may not be a perfect sample.

  • The author has been doing the "Used Car Of The Day" feature for a long time.

The players

The author

A resident of Chicago and an automotive journalist who has featured many old minivans converted into overlanders in their "Used Car Of The Day" feature.

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The takeaway

This story highlights the potential disconnect between the author's personal experience with overlanding and the broader adoption of the activity within different communities. By posing the question to the automotive community, the author aims to gain a better understanding of the prevalence of overlanding and how it may vary across different social circles and geographic regions.