If a rig’s potential is never truly actualized, the barrage of disdain from the hardcore enthusiasts is certain to follow. However, by equipping a truck with equipment deeming it capable of traversing trails and/or camping, you can quite easily shed the pavement princess stigma.
I’ve always liked the outdoors and have enjoyed mild off-roading in the past. The only hurdle in this particular realm – no matter how much they’d like to preach otherwise – is that if you don’t have a Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner, you’re not exactly part of the crew. This holds especially true fro Bro-Trucks. Not one to settle for tktk norms, I decided I didn’t need to waste any more money on some new TRD Pro that is virtually impossible to locate. Instead, perhaps Ill try to disprove why can’t I take my fancy truck to the mountains and enjoy camping like the rest of the Tacomas.?
Hence building a mild BROVERLANDER. Bro Truck + Overlander.
As previously mentioned in Part One, I had a few desires:
- Capability of traversing obstacles
- Ability to incorporate camping and outdoor gear such as roof top tents, bike racks, etc.
So within this phase there was two components.
The first was tackling the ground clearance issue. For this, I turned to Southern Offroad in Alpharetta, GA who are known as the authority in the South for . To put it in perspective, their one location installs tltltl lifts per week on tktktk trucks and Jeeps. To increase the truck’s capability and ground clearance an upgraded suspenson lift and larger tires were added.
For the lift, we went with a six-inch Pro Comp lift feauting ktktktktkt. Pro Comp has been in the business for tktk years and is simply one of the household names for lift kits. For the tires, a set of 35-inch Toyot ktttktktk were added which provide both on and off road capability. We also decided to ditch the factory chrome steps for a set of gloss black CBI ktktk steps. These steps not only cleaned up the truck’s appearance but also added additional room under the body of the truck. With this new setup, we obtained considerably more ground cleareance and a bigger footprint in general resulting in a rig that I’m confident will never be in a sticky situation. Does that mean that this truck is ready for hard-core trail riding or even mudding? Absolutely not and that was never the goal. However, it can certainly go anywhere we’d like to set up camp and can take it way off the grid.
For the second component, it took quite a bit of research. For what I wanted to do on my particular vehicle it seemed I was going to have to ultimately add a bed cap. Not that I have anything against bed caps, I just really didn’t want one. They are quite useful but it was overkill for my needs. I considered having a bed cage constructed or modify one that was for another vehicle, as well.. Thankfully, around the time of SEMA 2016, Undercover tkktk introduced their Ridgelander Cover which certainly piqued my interest. The Ridgelander cover features a built-in perimeter track system that allows for various accessorires to be added. The Tango Track System will work with most T-slot accessories from all the big name companies which truly opens the possibilities of what you can haul. The cover also comes with two tktktk bars from Rhino Rack which are ideal for adding a multitidue of accessories.
For me, the main thing I wanted to do was give the truck the ability to add a roof top tent with out adding a bed cap and certainly not adding any type of gaudy roof cage. For the tent, there are plenty of reputable companies out there and there are more it seems on a weekly basis. I imagine its easy to manufacture an RTT but much harder to mae it the right way. After a lot of research and a couple phone conversations, I settled on Cascadia Vehicle Tents, better know as CVT. A family owned company, CVT is based out of Oregon and everyone invlolved in the company are truly passionate about what they do. Roberty (Bobby) Culpepper of CVT was more than willing to give me all the details and info via email and phone. We settled on the 3+ person tktk tent in the tktk tan.
Upon receiving the tent via truck freight, we were very impressed with the overall construction. Even down to the machininig of the support rails on the underside of the tent’s base, everything was of amazing quality. Initial setup on the Ridgelander cover is pretty easy. You’ll need two people but you could probably do it by yourself in a pinch. Due to the perfect amount of clearance the ttkkt bars give you about the ridgelaner cover, installation of the CVT was pretty easy. It comes with all the tools you may need but it’s best to have an extra set. However, I can certainly see it being a challenge on other types of setups with less clearance. That’s actually the only gripe I have is some type of clamping system where you do not have to .
The Mt Shasta is a massive tent. Even on the back of a full sized truck it takes up most of the rear. With th ridgelander cover, rails and tent the entire apparatus is almost roof height. The whole setup not only is safe and secure, it looks pretty badass all bundled up. This truck looks like it means business.
Deploying the tent is pretty easy, too. Take the black protective cover off and you’re set up in. For a quick tutorial of this exact tent on another truck see the video below.
With the Phase Two components complete, this Broverlander build has come to fruition, we can take it to the mountains and still have the hitch and bed free while having plenty of roof for a tent or other accesorires. On the flip side, it’s just as easy to take off the bars, shine up the tires and head out to the local eatery. The valets love this truck.
PHASE TWO SPECS
SPECS
Vehicle: 2015 GMC Sierra All-Terrain 4x4
Suspension: Pro Comp 6-inch Stage One Suspension Lift
Tires: Toyo Open Country 35X12.50R20LT M/T
Wheels: 20x10 Hostile Sprocket, -19 Offset
Steps: N-FAB Wheel-to-Wheel Nerf Steps
Lighting: tktk HID from Monster Customs
Storage: Undercover Ridgelander Tonneau Cover with Rhino Rack tktkk bars, four Quick Mount Legs, two Vortex Bars, and the Tango Track System
Camping: CVT tent, CVT awning,
Shop(s): Southern Offroad, Monster Customs