Mexico Van Life - Baja California: Remote Overlanding, Apps, Gear, Roof Rack Install
iOverlander was a huge help when wanting to look up a place to camp and find additional resources when traveling. It can also be used offline which is great. We were able to find Campsites, gas stations, restaurants , grocery store, military checkpoints, and laundry mats all from the app. Users would leave detailed reviews on iOverlander for the exact directions to a campsite. Google maps put you in the right direction but when it came to navigating you to the exact location. It is a must to download the offline map for Google Maps. There’s a huge stretch of the peninsula where you won’t have signal for almost 8 driving hours. Google Translate worked really well; we were able to type, speak, and take pictures with the app to translate the language from Spanish to English and vice versa.
We got a full roof rack custom-made and installed including an aluminum ladder installed for $950 USD. We we’re quoted in the United States for over $4,000 USD. It was a deal that we couldn’t let go by. We got the aluminum ladder made from a welding shop that we found off of iOverlander. It took the gentleman about 9 hours to make the ladder from scratch. We got the roof rack installed by another welding shop that we found out through word of mouth. They were able to make and install the roof rack in 72 hours. They guys at the second welding shop were so nice, it was a family run business. Anything we needed they were eager to be help. When we had to take off our solar panels the owner of the shop allowed us to plug up our batteries directly to their wall outlet, and allowed us to use there bathroom and shower! On the last day they invited us in their home and made us food (gluten free and vegan). We felt like we we’re about to get adopted with just how generous they were.
Diving into the Overlanding/Remote Camping
Being that all of our campsites we’re associated with driving on bumpy and uneven dirt roads (a few situations where we were driving across soft sand). Our sprinter got the job done but sometimes we wished that the Van wasn’t so heavy. We only got stuck once where we needed to get pulled out from a friend. Some of the best campsite were some of the more technical driving was required deflating our tires and driving fast across soft sand. We realized that it was cool to have our home with us where ever we traveled. However we would be ok with trading a bit of comfortability for more mobility.
The sprinters work well in US were the roads are almost perfect but when it comes to driving on the more beaten path we would like to go with something more Overlander-capable. We have ambitions on going to South America but if you talk to our mechanic in Phoenix he’ll tell you Mexico tore our van up lol.
Special gear we brought with us after doing research about overlanding in Baja and talking to a few people that have been, we acquired a few things that were essential to have. The first items are Max Tracks also known as Action Tracks! These were lifesavers, we used them multiple times. Driving on the beach and in sandy conditions it’s only a matter of time that you will stuck. When you are you stuck you also need a heavy duty shovel. If you have the space for a full-size one, you should get one. Heavy duty cabinet latches are a must! We realized after about a week and a half to go to Home Depot, in Cab San Lucas, Baja California Sur, to pick some up. Other gear we used and recommend is an air compressor and tow strap.
Last but not least! Our bug screens that we installed on both the back door and the side door. They are magnetic down the center making it easy to go in/out and also snapping close fast to not let any critters inside, GAME CHANGER.
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