Overlanding-How many vehicles are too many on an overlanding trip?

This is has been a popular topic lately.  There a few different views about how many vehicles is the right number for an overland trip.  Well lets talk about the difference in an overlanding trip and a drive to a state park for the day.

Overlanding is all about getting to remote places away from people and the places that people tend to be.  So it would make sense to not have a ton of vehicles and people on your trip, I mean getting away from it all is the purpose right?  Close your eyes and think about the perfect overlanding spot.  What do you see?  For me it is a quiet spot, with a nice camp fire, and a few friends with me.  It is a place where I can see all of the stars.  A place where we are spread out for camping and we are not right on top of each other.  Sometimes it is even fun to go alone, all alone.  The right number of vehicles in "my" experiance is three.  This feels like the perfect number where everyone feels included in each decision and no one feels left out.  When poeple feel left out of a group issues can quickly become huge problems.  I know some people say five to six vehicles and that number is not wrong, heck I will roll with groups this big and most of the time there are no issues.

When your group is over ten there are some things you need to think about.  Camping space to start, it is hard to find camping for five vehicles add at least more that five more and it is almost impossible.  Even when you do find enough camping spots you will most likely be right on top of each other.  We also like to spend one night eating out at a local diner.  So the more people the longer it takes to be seated and for everyone to eat.  Plus the look on the faces of the waitress and cooks a small diner when 20 plus people all walk it at the same time is priceless.

Now a day drive to a state park, or even just an overnight trip.  I have no problem with large groups heading to a state park for a day to hang out together.  It is a great way to meet new people.  But lets talk about large groups on back road or trails.   Anyone heard of Tread Lightly, large groups make it impossible to Tread Lightly anywhere.  The goal is not to tear up the back roads or trails.  Also these back roads are super fun for us to explore but remember they are the common roads for the people and farmers that live near them.  So a long slow moving group can cause back ups for the locals.  Be careful that you do not give Overlanding, Jeeping, and Offroaders a back name.  Even if you are doing nothing wrong sometimes it is the negative ideas that people get from seeing a large moving group of offroad vehicles on dirt back roads.  As far as large groups on trails, great, if you are at an offroad park where your pay money to go offroad do it and have fun.  At these places it is the point to test the limits of your vehicles, it is not the place to test the limits of your vehicle on a back road.

I don't feel there is the same right answer for everyone, but at least I hope this made you think.  We want overlandiing to be enjoyed for years and generations.  So let's do it right now.  I see trails being closed almost everyone month because of incorrect use.  Please do not leave trash and make it look like you never were even there.  Please let me know what you think.  I will post a video on my YouTube page in a few days disusing some of your comments.  Have fun be safe and GO ALL OVER!