Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

‘Off the Road’ Book Review: Van Life Off the Beaten Track

The modern western nomad is not a new creature. Indeed The New Yorker April issue featured an extensive article about the so-called #vanlife movement in its print magazine (worth reading despite its rather onerous 4,700-plus word count).

Related:

Related Videos

You have likely noticed the renewed popularity of Airstream trailers, VW vans, and even traditional RVs, largely being enjoyed by young, educated people often of decent means. In other words, people are taking to life on the road — in some cases fully relinquishing a permanent address, in fact — not because they have to, but because they want to. Why? Well, it varies from person to person. But reading Off the Road: Explorers, Vans, and Life Off the Beaten Track will give you some insight into the minds of these wanderers and might just engender a bit of jealousy, too. For a select few, this book might even be the motivation that’s finally needed to trade the fixed address and four-walled rooms for life on the move atop four wheels, instead.

Off the Road

Off the Road is yet another title from German publishing house Gestalten that bridges the gap between several types of project. It is partially a coffee table book suitable for idle page turning; you can enjoy the pictures without worrying too much about the context. It also contains multiple travelogue-style essays documenting the adventures of plucky couples, daring individuals, and a few free-spirited families. But what I personally found the most interesting aspect of this book were the pages devoted to the history of some of the iconic vehicles often featured herein.

A select few vans, SUVs, and trucks are given a few paragraphs throughout the book. These glorified blurbs — the Toyota Land Cruiser gets seven sentences — come packed with illustrative details that help shed light on just why a given vehicle has stood the test of time. According to manufacture estimates, 75% of all Land Rover Defenders ever manufactured are still being driven today, for example. Why is that of particular note? Well, this particular off-road rogue was first sold back in 1948. And speaking of the vaunted Land Cruiser, did you know the original J40 Series launched in 1960 was designed based off of a reverse-engineered MKII Jeep the Japanese army captured during WWII? Neither did I. But now we both do.

As with most Gestalten books, there is a bit left to be desired in terms of the organization of this book. Even using the index at the back of the volume, it’s hard to find where a given section can be found unless you know the name of its author or the exact title of the vehicle or geographic location about which you want to read. But that’s not really the point of these books. The best way to enjoy Off the Road is to flip around until something catches your eye; chances are the accompanying prose will hold your interest. And if you do that enough, you will have read enough of the book that, eventually, you’ll have to start at the start and page through to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Reading this and similar books can be a tease. There is a bit of that whole “Look where I am” sensation you get when seeing a friend’s vacation photos online. But there is also the potential for genuine motivation here. If you really think your life belongs on the road, then hit the road. But remember, you don’t have to trade in your home and 99% of your worldly possessions to hit the road for a while. You’ll allowed to take an extended road trip vacation and still end up at home.

Editors' Recommendations

The Best Audiobooks for Road Trips
best audiobooks for road trips roadtrips 2021

So, you’re hitting the open road. Good call. These days, a good long road trip can feel like the safest way to travel, and it’s such a huge relief to be able to leave your house with your pod and just simply see something new. Still, long car trips can be hard for some people who want constant entertainment. 

And if you want entertainment, you’re in luck! Even if it’s not how you spend 100% of your time in the car, probably the best way to kill a few hours of the drive is with a great audiobook. Here are some of our favorites to pass the time as you hit the open road. 
On the Road
A natural choice for when you yourself are on the road, Jack Kerouac’s classic American novel follows the story of a man in the 1950s hitchhiking his way across the country and the grand and extraordinary cast of characters he meets along the way. At just under 12 hours, the audiobook is a completely manageable length. On a weeklong trip with just a couple hours of listening every day, it’s a great choice for life on the highway. 

Read more
The Must-Have Gear, Gadgets, and Tools for Your Next Road Trip

Since traditional travel has been a no-go for most Americans since the spring, 2020 has been a year of road-tripping and RV’ing unlike any other. You might be the kind of traveler who can hop in the car with zero planning and go where the wind takes you. But, if you’re not -- or even if you are -- a little pre-trip preparation goes a long way. Let’s round up our favorite must-have gadgets and tools for traveling comfortably and safely on your next winter road trip.
Sierra Designs Borrego Hybrid Jacket

Staying warm is important when road-tripping in winter. Having a cold-weather kit in your car -- with essentials like a first aid kit, extra food and water, and a camp quilt -- all the time is smart. We love the idea of keeping an extra layer in the back too. The new Borrego Hybrid Jacket from Sierra Designs is a perfect solution. The Primaloft Eco Silver insulated core is guaranteed to keep you warm, while four-way stretch panels allow you to move freely during the most active pursuits. Plus, it packs down extremely small and weighs just eight ounces, so you can tuck it in your car and practically forget it’s there until you need it.

Read more
Lotus Caravans’ 2022 Off Grid Travel Trailer Is Designed to Go Almost Anywhere
lotus caravans off grid 2020 overlanding vehicle offgrid exterior profile

In the last few years, overlanding has exploded in popularity in the U.S. There are plenty of competent off-road-ready travel trailers to complement a properly outfitted truck or SUV. But, most tend to be of the smaller, pop-up variety. In stark contrast, the new 2020 Off Grid from Australia's Lotus Caravans is a full-sized, full-featured luxury camper designed to trek to almost any corner of the globe.

Inside and out, every component and feature of the 2020 Off Grid is ideal for venturing and staying far, far off-grid. The RV’s hybrid shell combines industry-best timber wall construction, marine-grade composite paneling, and aluminum panels around the bottom of the rig. All are designed to withstand the harshest elements. The entire affair rolls on oversized BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires and custom 17-inch Lotus Caravan wheels to ensure it can travel wherever the road takes you. Gabriel shockers, 12-inch off-road brakes, and a heavy-duty twin-shock suspension help maintain a safe, smooth ride along the way. These combined features also make the Off Grid easier to tow than most.

Read more