"What truck should I buy for overlanding?"
Holy moly, what a question.
Entire careers have been made around answering this question. Automotive journalists have been more popular than ever online, with content covering new models and technologies. As vehicles from all ends of the spectrum become more and more expensive with every model year, deciding on which rig to buy for your next big build has never been more critical.
So here's your answer: Toyota Tacoma!
Ok ok, I'm kidding. The king of the trail, the Toyota Tacoma, has never has as stiff of competition as it has now. Especially with prices on the 4th gen Trailhunter trims tipping the $80,000CAD mark, everyone is hopeful and excited for reliable alternative options.
The real answer obviously isn't so simple, so to cover all the bases I'm going lay out scenarios and make recommendations based on which truck I conceive to be a winner in that area. Read through and keep score in your head, and you should have your answer on what truck to buy.
I want to overland camp on the weekends, but I need to tow heavy trailers for work. Which truck should I buy?
Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon Duramax models
Any truck can be upgraded with aftermarket suspension to handle the weight of hauling heavy loads, but adding the engine grunt to make towing feel truly effortless isn't as easy. Start with a good towing platform from the start like the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks with the Duramax diesel 2.8l 4 banger.
You might look at the 7,700 lb towning capacity and think that's not a crazy amount more than a Tacoma, but a diesel with 369 ft-lb will be a lot happier doing daily hauling duties, and the nimble and capable mid-size platform is great for weekend warriors.
Diesels also typically return better fuel economy on paper, but in real world use that addicting torque will have you gulping up that Texas Tea just as fast as a gasser. Don't lie to yourself. HOWEVER, you can keep your rooftop tent and all your gear mounted and it's easier to live with the milage hit. And that gets you cool points.
I want to go down some trails and camp with my rooftop tent, but I don't want to do any mods. I want to keep my rig stock. Which truck should I buy?
Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier is beautiful in its simplicity. It's been engineered to work and work and work and not bat an eye. It comes standard with everything you need to get past the Subarus to the secluded spots, but it also won't break the bank.
The 3.whatever it is now VQ V6 is proven to be bullet proof and easy to work on yourself. Parts are everywhere for these things. The interior is built to take mud, sand, brick, concrete, or whatever other natural resource you want to grind into it. These are the trucks you see in those videos from overseas where a farmer has 182 bails of hay on the back and he's takin' that bitch to town as it drags the leaf springs along the road. They literally have a trim called the Hard Body.
With all that simplicity and toughness you might think there must be some compromises, and you'd be right. They just aren't that nice to ride in. And, while you'll find everything you need, the other trucks really crush the Frontier in the technology front. While they've been engineered to work and be tough, they haven't been built as much for fun. Modifying the suspension on Frontiers is limited, as the front end design does not allow for much lift before you need to start buying arms and brackets and cutting things.
Keep it stock, and a Frontier will serve you well for decades.
I'm here for the cool points! What's the best looking truck I can buy for overlanding?
Jeep Gladiator
Looks will always be subjective, but it's the Gladiator. That's what Chrysler/Stallantis/FCA/Fiat (whoever owns them now) does best. They make the coolest looking vehicles for a very specific market, and the Gladiator is a prime example. Not everyone wants a Gladiator, but everyone loves a Gladiator.
Gladiators look particularly buff with a Gonzo Bed Rack on them.
Jeeps also have legendary capability, without question. The trucks have longer wheelbases that can get hung up on the breakover when going over obstacles, but that's nothing a 6" Rough Country lift and 42" tires won't solve. Take the top off and nothing matters any more anyway.
Jeeps have drawbacks in the road going and reliability departments, but Jeep owners don't give af. They always seem to be having a blast, with their little transom names tattooed along the hood, their ducks, and their little angry grills.
Good on em, I say.
I want a Toyota Tacoma. Which truck should I buy?
Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma earned its place at the top of the heap. It's like a Yeti bottle, it's expensive and cliche, but goddamn it works.
Tacomas (and all Toyotas) are the ONLY rigs where you can confidently shop for used examples over 300,000 kms and not be concerned about the truck being near end of life. This alone is the reason why it's the most popular rig on the trail, people can't get rid of them. No other brand has this, and that's the bottom line.
Tacomas also keep their value quite well, but if you're going to overland and modify and off road this thing, don't make that a justification for splurging for more rig than you need. Modified trucks will never hold their value well.
There's been some grumblings and negativity online over the Tacoma moving to the 2.4 L turbo engine, with optional hybrid system. If this powerplant was in any other truck, I'd be skeptical, but it's Toyota; The kings of hybrid powerplants. This drivetrain has been used in various combinations and configurations in commercial vehicles in asian markets, and was proven tough enough to be used in the new mid-size off-roader platform.
When picking out your Tacoma, you don't need all the bells and whistles, get the cheapest one you can with a rear locker. Any way you slice it, you're gonna be taking a bigger hit to your wallet than what's natural for a mid-size truck. But there's a reason overlanders sign on the dotted line everyday for these without thinking twice.
They want a Toyota Tacoma.