RV-ING: TAXA MANTIS
Go Overlanding!
Story by Howard J Elmer, photos courtesy of the TAXA Outdoors
T
here is a relatively new niche emerging in the world of RVing. It’s called Overlanding. Have you heard of Overlanding? If you have, it probably puts you into one of two camps. Interested in this camping concept – or not interested at all. So, what is it? Well, most RVers are aware of the terms boondocking and/or dry camping. These monikers describe setting up camp without services. No electric, no water, no cable or any other amenities you may find in
an organized government (or private) park. But Overlanding, while a form of dry camping, is in fact taking the off-grid, out-of-the-park description one step further. That is the point of Overlanding. Those who choose to Overland want to go where most don’t; they don’t dry camp because they happened to get caught between organized campsites one night. These folks are not concerned with comfort stations, hydro hookups, pools and shuffleboard courts. They want to get away – really get away. If this image of Overlanding appeals to you, then be thankful you live in Canada. We are blessed with so much easily accessible outdoors space that the pursuit of Overlanding virtually puts the whole country at your disposal. Now, Overlanding (most likely) started with rooftop tents on 4WD trucks/SUVs. I know I’d seen many versions of these, particularly in Africa at least a decade ago. Then I saw them in the western United States. I even attended an Overlanding expo in Northern California some years ago. Now this rooftop tent trend has been augmented with the purpose-built Overlanding trailer. A company called TAXA recently sent us a news release showing off its newest Overlanding trailer, the Mantis. Reviewing that company’s website is what led to this discussion on Overlanding. TAXA’s website says they build trailers with everything you need – and nothing you don’t. Looking at the Mantis, this statement proves true, I think. This is a 19-foot trailer that has space for four as well as a design that accommodates pets and adventure
24 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2021
