Overlanding has a wide-ranging definition; I keep it relatively simple and classify overlanding as traveling within your vehicle with a planned destination with the goal of traveling to see sights. Others may view it as more off-roading and/or rock crawling.
With that said, for most purposes, a Ford F150 is a viable overland vehicle that can work for most folks unless you want a heavy-duty rock crawler, where you may want a more purposefully built vehicle for that purpose.
Key Takeaways (Quick Summary)
•The Ford F-150 is a reliable and customizable truck that is great for overlanding.
• The F-150 has many features that make it a comfortable vehicle to drive, including an adjustable seat and spacious crew cab.
• The Ford F-150 is available in many different configurations, so you can tailor the truck to your specific needs.
• The all-new Ford F-150 comes standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission and six high-powered engine options.
• The hybrid fuel economy of the Ford F-150 makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a new overlanding rig.
What I Look For In An Overland Vehicle (and A F150)
Reliable
An overland vehicle needs to be reliable; nothing is worse than traveling to a remote location or being on a road trip and getting stranded alongside the road. Starting with a reliable platform for your overland build is critical for long-term happiness. A reliable platform will allow you to spend more money on modifications vs. maintenance and repairs.
The Ford F-150 has been one of the most reliable trucks on the market for decades, which is why it’s often used as a work truck. It’s important to note that even with its reliability, you should still maintain your truck and keep up with regular service intervals to ensure your truck stays in the best condition possible.
Customizable
Look at any overland or offroad vehicle, and you will likely see more and more customized vehicles over time, where you take a stock vehicle and make it your own. Therefore, a vehicle should have standard overland customization options like lift, off-road tires, upgraded skid plates, options for gear storage, and rocker panel protection.
Comfortable
Overland travel, you naturally spend a lot of time and miles in your vehicle. Being comfortable in your vehicle is vital so you can drive all day (and still be able to walk afterward). A comfortable vehicle usually starts with a quality seat that isn’t too soft or too hard, followed by a quality adjustable seating position so you can tweak things to find that perfect position.
The Ford F-150 comes standard with a comfortable and spacious crew cab, which offers plenty of room for both driver and passengers. The seats are firm but comfortable, and the truck has a wide range of adjustability to ensure you can find that perfect driving position.
Consumer-Friendly Configurations
The F-150 can be ordered in several configurations, from a base model to a more factory off-road friendly variant such as the FX4 package or the Tremor package. Want more extended cabs and a more efficient V6? Simple. Can 430 horsepower be achieved using the twin-turbo V6? I don’t have any problems. Is there anything more comfortable than regular cabs? Even unicorns like this can be found on the F-150. Unlike many automobile companies, Ford allows you to configure the perfect F-150 for you and your budget.
You can even go the EV route if your heart desires and go with the F-150 lightning.
Payload
Payload refers to any weight the car can carry in its capacity before its manufacturer considers the car to be overloaded, without any exceptions. The GVWR – gross vehicle weight of an automobile is equal to GVWR in terms of weight. The payload capacity of your car will undoubtedly be crucial to your decision if you intend for a heavier vehicle. Payloads can vary significantly across a configuration and can change with the addition of other packages or choices. In fact, manufacturers are often unable to show payload capacities on specific vehicles.
Powertrain
The Ford F-150 has varying engine types and is currently the most popular truck in the United States. The all-new Ford F-150 offers six high-powered engine options, including the 3.3L Ti-VCT V6, 2.7L EcoBoost V6, 5.0L Ti-VCT V8, High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6. With this many engine options, you can tailor the F-150’s performance to match your specific needs.
The all-new Ford F-150 comes standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which is one of the many reasons this truck is so popular. The 10-speed automatic transmission offers improved performance and fuel economy over the previous six-speed automatic that was used for a number of years.
Features
Here’s a list of the features of the Ford F-150, helping it become the most comfortable new adventure vehicle on the market. The company has also fabricated a refrigerator that is compatible with the console box. The same is the case with American vehicles that have remained the most popular.
Is the Ford F150 good for Overlanding?
Many people interested in exploring the outdoors tend towards Toyota and Jeep models. When a Ford F-150 goes overland, there’s nothing that will affect the value and functionality.
How much does it cost to build an Overlander?
It is estimated the starting cost for overlanding is about $20,000. Nevertheless, this is likely to cost more than it should have. Once you have gathered enough equipment, it will be approximately $40 a person/day to travel full-time.
Is an F-150 Raptor Good For Overlanding?
The Raptor will be built in 2021 as a luxurious truck that offers high-tech and a solid base for the most extreme and adventurous rigs in the world.
How much do overland builds cost?
Overland travel isn’t a cost-effective option. The average cost reflects car style, travel style, speed, etc. Buying and outfitting a four-wheel trailer is a relatively affordable option at about $5500. People travel for about 2 hours every day.
Can the Ford F-150 go offroad?
F-150 offers ground clearance ranging from 9 inches for the XL to 9 inches for the Tremor & 11 inches for the Raptor. It’s possible to leave the tracks safely and comfortably with 8.5 inches.
What is the Offroad Package F-150?
Enhanced suspension, driver hardware, and more. It features a standard rear locking differential and front Torsen Limited suspension and driveline upgrade.
How deep can a Ford F-150 go in the water?
Ford has confirmed that the F-150 water wader capacity is just 300 mm despite being huge in size.
Fuel Saving F-150 Overland Options
Does Ford Build An F-150 Hybrid?
The F-150 PowerBoost is the first-ever full-hybrid pickup truck. It offers an EPA-estimated range of 700 miles per tank and delivers 12,000 pounds of available towing capacity when properly equipped.
The hybrid could be an excellent overland choice due to this incredible fuel economy. It’s a great way to save money on fuel while still being able to take your F-150 off the beaten path.
Can You Overland With the F150 Lightning?
While the F-150 Lightning is primarily designed as a pickup truck for everyday use, it has several features that make it suitable for overlanding adventures.
The Lightning’s electric powertrain offers immediate torque and smooth acceleration, providing excellent control in challenging off-road conditions. Its intelligent all-wheel-drive system can distribute power efficiently to all wheels, enhancing traction on uneven and slippery surfaces. The low center of gravity, thanks to the battery placement, contributes to improved stability while navigating rough terrain.
One of the key concerns for overlanding is range anxiety, especially when venturing into remote areas with limited charging infrastructure. The F-150 Lightning’s advanced battery technology offers a decent range on a single charge, potentially providing enough autonomy for many overland journeys. Additionally, the truck comes with various charging options, including the ability to use DC fast-charging stations, reducing charging times and ensuring you can quickly get back on the trail.
To make the F-150 Lightning even more suitable for overlanding, modifications and accessories specifically designed for off-road use can be added, such as lifted suspension, off-road tires, skid plates, and additional lighting. These enhancements can further enhance its capability to tackle rugged landscapes and challenging environments.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, I really like what I see with the Ford F-150 for an overlanding vehicle; it is a sleeper pick that hasn’t yet grabbed mainstream attention. You can be ahead of the trend and get a great truck that will serve you well for many years to come. With so many engine options and the hybrid fuel economy, the F-150 is a great choice for anyone looking for a new overlanding rig.
