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Overlanding Vehicles Integrating Rugged Mounts for GPS and Mapping

July 24, 2026

Overlanding Vehicles: The Adventure Machines Built for Exploration

The world of modern overlanding is more about the journey than the destination. It's about building a vehicle capable of handling off-road terrain while keeping all the navigation, communication, and driving tech within reach. As more folk fall in love with this style of adventure, the demand for overlanding vehicles and purpose-built accessories has grown alongside it.

Overlanding has never been more popular. With a diverse community across all ages, and a rapidly growing audience under 30, it's become less of a niche and more of a mainstream hobby. This has encouraged manufacturers to produce overland-ready vehicles straight off the dealership lot, loaded with modifications for tackling remote trails and technical terrain.

While many new overlanders opt for these factory-equipped trucks, there's still a thriving aftermarket for additional gear and upgrades, with many owners modifying and improving their off-road vehicles, spending thousands on new gear such as GPS navigation systems, rooftop tents, winches, and suspension upgrades.

As you tackle the great outdoors, whether that's exploring remote trails or you're venturing beyond mobile coverage, it's never been more important to have reliable, up-to-date GPS and mapping. Just as important is a rugged, dependable mounting system that keeps your devices secure, stable, and within easy reach. No matter how rough the journey gets.

What Is an Overlanding Vehicle?

In the US, an overlanding vehicle is a 4x4 or 4WD (four-wheel drive) truck, van, or SUV that's been modified for long-distance, off-road travel, with remote camping thrown in to boot. Rather than just technical rock crawling, it's designed for living out of the vehicle while adventuring around the US.

Although there are thousands of overlanding destinations across the world, the US offers a large, diverse range of terrain and adventure routes to explore, including the Mojave Road in California for classic desert adventures, Moab and Canyonlands in Utah for red-rock trails, and the Alpine Loop in Colorado for higher-altitude driving.

What Makes a Great US Overlanding Vehicle?

The best overlanding vehicles aren't built by accident. These vehicles are custom-built machines carefully equipped to tackle challenging terrain and support extended trips off-grid with confidence. They’re a mobile tent with an engine and wheels.

  • Mid-Size and Full-Size Trucks: Vehicles such as the Ford F-150, Jeep Wrangler, Toyota Tacoma, and Toyota 4Runner are typical base vehicles in the US for overlanding due to their 4WD readiness, high ride height, and payload capacities.
  • Off-Road Performance and Capability: Overlanding vehicles are normally body-on-frame vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive (4WD) capability. They typically have all-terrain or mud-terrain tires, upgraded suspension, and heavy-duty skid plates.
  • Sleeping and Shelter: Many US overlanders prefer roof-box tents, mounted to the roof rack or bed over traditional ground tents for camping. This is because they are much quicker to set up, are off the ground for safety and are extremely weather-resistant. There are also those who like custom-built adventure vans, such as the Storyteller Overland MODE OG based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 4x4 and the Field Van Ford Classic 4×4.
  • Overlanding Self-Sufficiency Equipment: To keep you safe and secure, overlanding vehicles are equipped with technology such as auxiliary power sources (like dual-battery setups or portable solar panels), winch systems for self-recovery in difficult conditions, and on-board air compressors for tire pressure changes, running air-powered tools, and inflating packrafts and mattresses.
  • Navigation Equipment: Many overlanders rely on tablets such as an iPad or even smartphones running dedicated off-road navigation apps, while others prefer purpose-built, rugged navigation devices like the Garmin Overlander.

Each person has their own personal preference when it comes to choosing an overland base vehicle. Some prefer van conversions while others lean toward Body-on-Frame SUVs or full-size pickup trucks. Here is a selection of the most popular overlanding vehicles in the US overlander community.

  • Toyota Tacoma: Considered one of the benchmarks in the overland US community, thanks to its highly customizable platform and extreme reliability.
  • Ford Ranger: Extremely capable truck that pairs well with rooftop tents and offers excellent US aftermarket support.
  • Jeep Wrangler (Rubicon): Designed to go anywhere and everywhere, making it highly capable on technical rocky terrain.
  • Ford F-150 (Tremor / Raptor): Winch-ready with a huge amount of configuration options, plus outstanding touring comfort on week-long adventures.
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (4x4/AWD): For those who want the van experience off-road. Many companies convert these into capable off-road machines.
  • Ford Bronco Sasquatch: Best all-round SUV, with turbocharged power plants and 35-inch mud-terrain tires. Of course, there is that retro appeal you get with a Bronco.

Why Overlanders Are Using Tablets and Phones for GPS Navigation and Mapping

For those who hit the trails for weekend exploring, it's vitally important that you know where you're going. Especially when off the beaten track. With so many choices available for navigation, from Garmin and flat-screen devices to traditional navigation aids such as maps and compasses, or a combination of all three, getting yourself from A to B across America has never been easier.

Many overlanders turn to tablets and smartphones for GPS and mapping because they provide massive, customizable screens and have access to powerful off-road apps, such as Gaia GPS or onX Offroad. They can also cache satellite maps for offline use when out of cellular range. This is extremely useful.

Advantages of Tablets and Phones Over Dedicated GPS Devices

  • Tablet Screen Size: Tablets have large, easy-to-read displays that both the driver and passenger (if there is one) can view, allowing them to spot trail hazards and overnight locations easily.
  • Phone Use: Phones are great for quick route planning on the fly and can be used in conjunction with tablets, running different apps such as weather or even entertainment apps.
  • Offline Capabilities: High-resolution topographic and satellite imagery can be downloaded in advance when you're at home or when you've got a solid Wi-Fi signal. Once stored offline, many navigation apps such as Gaia GPS, onX Offroad, and AllTrails can use your compatible phones or GPS-enabled tablets' built-in GPS receiver to track your position in real time, even when you're out of cellular coverage.
  • Can Run Several Apps at Once: Apps like onX Offroad clearly display boundary lines so you won't stray into private land, while Trails Offroad offers detailed track descriptions and difficulty ratings of trails.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Specialized GPS units, such as the Garmin Overlander, can cost hundreds of dollars, whereas most overlanders own a smartphone and sometimes a tablet. Carrying both also gives you a backup if a screen freezes or the battery drains, enabling you to switch seamlessly from tablet to phone, and vice versa.
  • Multi-Functionality: Tablets and phones can run many different apps simultaneously, such as trip itineraries, digital guidebooks, and trail guides. They can also be used for entertainment at the end of the day and also pair with satellite communicators, such as the Garmin inReach, to send and receive text messages while you're in remote areas.

Why a Secure Device Mount Matters on Rough Off-Road Terrain

Using a solid mounting system is paramount for keeping your tablet and smartphone protected and accessible while navigating challenging off-road tracks like Colorado's Alpine Loop or Utah's White Rim Road. It keeps your device firmly in place and in your line of sight when tackling technical terrain. 

Constructed from durable materials, premium tablet and phone mounts can withstand constant vibrations, extreme conditions such as dust and mud, and other challenges found in off-road exploring. A secure mount also prevents falls or knocks, which is essential when you're in the middle of nowhere and you rely on the device for navigation.

Types of Tablet and Phone Mounts for Overlanding Vehicles

ARKON Mounts has a large range of suitable tablet and smartphone holders that will attach to your overland vehicle in various ways, while protecting your device as you traverse a trail.

Dashboard and Windshield Mounts

The most common type of mounting system for your overland vehicle attaches to your windshield or dashboard. This could be via a secure suction system such as the SkyHold™ Windshield Tablet Mount for both the windshield and dash. 

If you need something a little more permanent, a drill-base that you can screw securely to your overland's dash, like you'd find on the Slim-Grip® Tablet Holder with Drill-Base Mount, which also features a multi-angle arm for exact positioning.

There are also dedicated phone mounting systems to use alongside your secure tablet mount. The Mobile Grip 5 Windshield Car Phone Mount comes with a simple phone grip device, while the LockVise™ Locking Phone Mount with Metal AMPS Drill Base is more heavy-duty and designed for a more secure hold on your device.

These mounting systems are designed to keep your device within easy reach and fully in view, making navigating more straightforward.

Seat Rail and Console Mounts

If you've got a dedicated GPS system mounted to your dash or windshield, like a Garmin Overlander, then using an alternative mounting system so they don't clash is a solid way to have both devices running at once. 

The Heavy-Duty Car or Truck Seat Rail Tablet Mount attaches to either your truck's floor or seat rail, and features a long 22" adjustable arm so you can move it into your line of sight.

There are also gooseneck solutions such as the Slim-Grip® Ultra 22" Seat Rail or Floor Car Mount. These flexible but strong goosenecks not only can be moved into custom positions in busy cabs, but they'll stay in position once moved.

For console mounting, a simple low-profile phone holder can be used, using screws alongside adhesive for a secure fix. There are also air vent mount systems that feature a magnetic phone mount so that you can have your phone within reach while you follow the trail on your tablet.

Heavy-Duty Mounting Systems

ARKON Mounts XMS series is available for those who really like to drive into rough terrain and require extra security for their devices. They're a range of industrial-grade bases and shaft systems made from heavy-duty aluminum, designed for longevity. 

And thanks to ARKON Mounts being modular, you can pair them with any of their tablet or phone holders, such as the LockVise™ series for securely locking your device in or the Slim-Grip® series like the Slim-Grip® Universal Tablet Holder, which has a spring-loaded tablet mounting system for quick installation and removal.

XMS series also features U-bolt mounts like the XMS™ U-Bolt Mount with Slim-Grip Ultra Pro Tablet Holder for securely attaching the tablet to a pole or post if your overland vehicle has one.

Other Overland Mounting Solutions

If your dash, console and windshield are full of different devices and equipment, there are other mounts available. Mounting systems like the Slim-Grip® Ultra Pro Universal Tablet Holder with Cup Holder Mount and Magnetic Phone Holder with Cup Holder Mount use your overland's cupholders to attach your device, although you might be a bit stuck on where to put your morning coffee.

The ARKON Mounts Autoexec series are mobile desk mounts with tablet and smartphone holders that secure into passenger seats. You can store maps, compasses, and other useful overland gear here, and it is especially useful if you're adventuring solo.

Upgrade Your Overlanding Navigation Setup with ARKON Mounts

Navigation is such a key area of overlanding, and securing your navigation device in place is essential for a successful trip. From smartphones and tablets to dedicated GPS units, protecting your devices and having them securely mounted helps you stay focused on the trail. 

Ready to find the right overland mount? Whether you're exploring backcountry tracks, navigating technical terrain, or building your ultimate overlanding vehicle, ARKON Mounts provides rugged mounting solutions designed to keep your essential tech secure wherever the trail takes you.

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