Navigation, Power, and Water: The 3 Pillars of Overlanding Tech

Overlanding is freedom — the freedom to come and go as you please. Where you venture depends on your taste, time, and budget. Some travelers stick to paved roads and accessible stops, while others chase canyon edges, remote terrain, and complete solitude.

Because of that, overland rigs vary wildly — each one customized to fit the journey and the road ahead.

Whether you're set up for quick weekend getaways or months-long expeditions, three essentials always rise to the top: navigation, power, and water. Knowing where you are, keeping your gear charged, and staying hydrated — those are the things that matter to all of us out there.

1. Navigation: Overlanding Bedrock

Anyone who has spent time overlanding has gotten lost.  It’s happened to us more times than we care to admit; however, we have always been able to find our way home by maintaining our calm and utilizing the tools we have.   

Today’s marketplace offers a seemingly unlimited variety of navigation tools from traditional maps to military grade GPS.  We’ve tried just about everything out there and each has its pros and cons.  We know that this can feel daunting - so here’s a few tips to get you started.

First, start with the basics.  Gaia GPS and OnX Offroad offer free versions of their mapping software that can be downloaded to phones, tablets and computers.  These offer phenomenal capabilities for navigating highways, backroads and even hiking trails. They can help you distinguish between public and private lands and even pinpoint places of interest, campgrounds and trails.  Paid versions of these apps allow you to open up even greater functionality; however, the free versions are gems in and of themselves so don’t miss out on these.

Next, do your homework – literally start planning at home.  Trailing is an endless line of decisions and making some of these decisions in advance can really help.  Knowing where you are going, and why, brings serenity even when you’re in new areas. 

Before you head out, use this gear in familiar settings so that you can see how it works.  Even little trips to the grocery store can demonstrate functionality.  Practice and get used to the look and feel of these maps before you leave the pavement.

Finally, always bring a paper backup.  Tech fails. Ink and paper don’t need a software update.

Pro Tip:  Don’t ignore the weather.  Cell phones and apps (including those listed above) offer up to date information that can really help.  While weather is always in flux, you can typically get an idea about the general conditions in advance and plan accordingly.

2. Power: The Lifeblood of Modern Camps

From running your fridge to keeping lights on and drones charged, power is the silent hero of the overlanding setup. With solar technology, lithium batteries, and smart energy management systems, keeping your rig juiced up is easier (and quieter) than ever.

Most setups do not allow you to charge everything at once so we recommend prioritizing cell phones and communication devices (like our Zoleo).  After that, charge your portable refrigerator then campsite lighting followed by everything else including drones, cameras and fans. 

If you are new to overlanding, you may be relying entirely on the power plugs in your vehicle - and that will actually work for overnight trips.  Longer trips will quickly show you that this is not going to cut it.  Fortunately, there are a ton of options that can solve this issue. 

We are personally big fans of small, portable lithium battery systems like the ones made by Jackery.  These small devices combine the functionality of state-of-the-art batteries with high tech power inverters in a lunchbox style carry case.  We carry a Jackery 1,000 that draws solar from our roof panel to keep the fridge running, charge drones, camp lights and cameras.  A smaller unit goes with us into the tent to run everything from electric blankets to our portable air conditioner from Zero Breeze.  Because of their design, they can be recharged using the plugs in your vehicle - by solar or by shore power at campgrounds.  This type of flexibility is key for us and the primary reason we’ve chosen this over vehicle-based systems.

Pro Tip: Redundancy. Smart overlanders carry dual systems—a solar bank and a backup battery or alternator-linked setup. Because a cold beer at camp isn't just a luxury; it's morale.

3. Water: The Ultimate Non-Negotiable

Forget creature comforts—without water, your adventure grinds to a halt.  This is the essential of all essentials.  Fortunately, you can easily ensure that your rig is prepared to provide your needs without breaking the bank. 

First up are portable water tanks.  These are the traditional staple and for good reason - they are easy to store and easy to refill.  The downside is that water is heavy, so these have to remain relatively small.  If you have the room, there are plenty of vehicle mounted tanks available but if you choose this, be sure to carry a hose so that you’re not trying to refill these with a bucket.

Whether you mount your water tank or stick to the portable ones, we strongly recommend using a battery powered pump to help you get the water out.  Lone Rock Concepts makes a fantastic, easy to use unit that is not expensive and works great.

Pro Tip: Map your route with potential water sources.  We’ve gotten water everywhere from gas stations to campsites.  Water is out there and it is typically free so keep an eye out for these places and top off every chance you get.

The Bottom Line

Whether you're crossing the Mojave or meandering through the Rockies, overlanding is all about pushing boundaries—without pushing your luck. Tech isn’t a crutch; it’s a force multiplier. The better your navigation, the more efficient your power, and the safer your water supply, the more confidently you can roam into the unknown.

Invest wisely, pack smart, and remember: the best adventures start where the pavement ends—but only if you’re prepared to stay there.