One of the growing trends identified by SEMA in a new report is called “overlanding.” It can be defined as off-roading plus camping in remote areas. Overlanding products might include truck light bars, CB and shortwave radios, cell boosters and more.
Overlanding started to gain popularity around 2017, and then spiked during the pandemic, said SEMA. About half of specialty equipment suppliers and retailers identify off-roading and overlanding as areas of opportunity for this year, according to SEMA’s 2024 Future Trends Report.
Most of the overlanding opportunity is in states such as Utah, Idaho, Montana, Colorado and the Pacific Northwest. SEMA concludes, “Overlanding continues to grow in interest, yet it may stay a more regional phenomenon for areas with ample opportunity to off-road in rather than a nationwide takeover.”
Jared Nelson of PDA Road Gear in Littleton, CO said, “We’re on the edge of the mountains in Colorado. We’ve been doing a lot of that [overlanding] for a long time. People are actually selling their houses and buying Sprinter vans and building them into mini RVs. The trend in Colorado has been for the last five years.”
PDA Road Gear works with Van Works in Ft. Collins, CO and the local Mercedes-Benz dealer who sells Sprinter vans. PDA takes their overlanding jobs and adds electronics such as power inverters or audio systems.
Nelson said the products that fall under the overlanding trend include CB radios and GMRS shortwave radios. “These are becoming more popular again,” he said. Also cell boosters as the overlanders are camping in remote areas. Off-road light bars are part of the trend as are solar panels that can be installed on a van.
Regarding off road products in general, SEMA found that 62 percent of pickup truck owners buy off-road parts and 80 percent use their pickup for outdoor recreational uses.
SEMA said, “Our industry sees opportunity in overlanding and with popularity currently peaking, we can expect strong demand albeit slightly lower than off-roading.”
Photo via EM Motors
