Anderson Overland Podcast #109 – Adam Swords, Can-Am & Van Life

Anderson Overland Podcast • Episode #109

Redefining the Route

Adam Swords on Change, Can-Am & Van Life

Listen to Episode #109

Adventure changes, and sometimes the way we explore has to change with it.

In Episode #109 of the Anderson Overland Podcast, we're joined by Adam Swords for a conversation about change, Can-Am adventures, van life, and redefining what the next chapter of exploration looks like.

Overlanding isn't limited to one type of vehicle or one way of traveling. Trucks, Land Cruisers, vans, UTVs, motorcycles, and other adventure platforms can all open the door to completely different experiences.

Sometimes changing the vehicle changes the entire adventure.

Adventure Doesn't Have to Stay the Same

One of the best things about the overlanding and outdoor community is that there isn't a single correct way to explore.

What works during one stage of life may not work during another. Your vehicle can change. Your destinations can change. Your family can change. Even the type of adventure you're looking for can change.

The important part is staying open to new experiences and finding the setup that works for where you are right now.

Exploring Off-Road with Can-Am

Side-by-sides and UTVs provide a completely different experience from traditional vehicle-based overlanding.

Their size, suspension, maneuverability, and off-road capability make them incredibly fun platforms for exploring trails and terrain that can feel completely different behind the wheel of a full-size adventure vehicle.

For someone accustomed to exploring in trucks or SUVs, moving into a Can-Am can create an entirely new perspective on off-road travel.

Van Life and a Different Way to Travel

Van life represents another side of adventure travel.

Instead of building a vehicle primarily around technical off-road capability, a van can emphasize mobility, living space, comfort, storage, and the ability to stay on the road for longer periods.

For travelers who want to cover long distances, work from the road, visit new destinations, and have a comfortable mobile base camp, van life can offer a completely different approach to exploration.

What Does Overlanding Really Mean?

Overlanding means different things to different people.

For some, it's a heavily modified 4x4 crawling through remote terrain. For others, it's a long-distance road trip with camping along the way. It might involve a Toyota Land Cruiser, a 4Runner, a van, a UTV, or something completely different.

The common thread is using travel and exploration to experience new places.

The vehicle is simply the tool that helps make those experiences possible.

Knowing When It's Time to Change Direction

It's easy to become attached to a particular vehicle, build, destination, or version of what adventure is supposed to look like.

But changing direction can create opportunities that weren't possible before.

A different vehicle might allow longer trips. A different travel style might make adventures easier with family. A new platform might open up trails and destinations that weren't practical with the previous setup.

Redefining the route doesn't mean leaving adventure behind. Sometimes it means finding a better way to keep doing it.

Build Your Adventure Around Your Life

One of the biggest lessons in overlanding is that the perfect adventure vehicle doesn't exist.

Every platform involves compromises between capability, comfort, fuel economy, storage, reliability, cost, living space, and the types of terrain you want to explore.

Instead of building a vehicle around what everyone else is doing, it makes more sense to build your setup around the adventures you actually want to take.

What We Talk About in Episode #109

• Adam Swords and his adventure journey
• Changing directions in the overlanding lifestyle
• Can-Am off-road adventures
• UTV exploration
• Van life and adventure travel
• Changing adventure vehicles
• Different approaches to overlanding
• Long-distance road travel
• Building a mobile adventure lifestyle
• Choosing the right vehicle for your travels
• Exploring beyond traditional 4x4 overlanding
• Adapting adventure to different stages of life
• Why the journey matters more than the vehicle

Van Life, UTV & Overlanding FAQ

Do you need a 4x4 truck to go overlanding?

No. The right vehicle depends on the destinations, terrain, travel style, and level of comfort you want. Overland-style travel can involve SUVs, trucks, vans, motorcycles, and other adventure platforms.

Is a Can-Am good for off-road exploring?

Can-Am side-by-sides are designed for off-road use and can provide access to many trails and recreation areas where UTVs are permitted. Riders should always verify local vehicle regulations, trail rules, permits, and access requirements before a trip.

Is van life good for adventure travel?

Vans can work well for travelers who value interior living space, storage, mobility, and the ability to spend extended periods on the road. Their suitability for off-road travel depends heavily on the specific van, drivetrain, tires, clearance, and route.

Is van life considered overlanding?

The terminology varies throughout the adventure community. Van life often emphasizes mobile living and long-term travel, while overlanding traditionally emphasizes vehicle-supported travel and the journey itself. In practice, the two styles can overlap significantly.

How do you choose the right adventure vehicle?

Consider where you want to travel, how difficult the terrain will be, how many people need to travel comfortably, how much equipment you carry, how long your trips typically last, and how much maintenance and operating cost you're comfortable with.

About the Anderson Overland Podcast

Anderson Overland is about getting outside, exploring new places, building capable adventure vehicles, and sharing the experiences that happen along the way.

The Anderson Overland Podcast covers Toyota Land Cruisers and 4Runners, overlanding, van life, UTV adventures, vehicle builds, off-road travel, camping, outdoor gear, road trips, destinations, industry guests, and the people who make the adventure community what it is.

Whether you're exploring in a Land Cruiser, van, Can-Am, or something completely different, our goal is simple: Explore More. Worry Less.