AWOL Gear Drop #22

jeep avenger 4xe driving on a rocky road in a forest.

What’s up adventurers! Lots of killer new vehicles and gear below, plus our usual recap of stories on AWOL. But first, make sure to…

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Jeep Avenger 4xe debuts…just not in America

Intentionally small for UK and European markets, the new Jeep Avenger 4xe still gets Jeepy things like underbody and bumper protection, recovery points, hill descent control, terrain selection drive modes and Falken Wildpeak A/T tires. It has 8.3″ ground clearance and fords 16″ of water.

And thanks to its hybrid drive (48V dual-motor + 136HP engine) it can handle up to 40% slopes. The gas engine only drives the front wheels, but can use the front electric motor as a generator to power the rear electric motor even when electric power is depleted.

Goose Gear Ultralight truck bed storage systems

Goose Gear’s new Ultralite storage systems use their lightweight extruded aluminum framing with thinner, partial-composite walls with weight-reducing cutouts.

Offered for Tacoma and Rivian trucks, these kits are designed specifically for use with GFC and Super Pacific camper shells. Choose from complete kits or individual parts to build your own system.

VanCubic converts cargo van to camper van in under 1 hour

VanCubic’s modular two-part system slides into an empty Ram ProMaster, then expands to create a cozy habitat complete with kitchen, bathroom, lounge, and bed. The two sections slide in from the back doors, then expand to fill the space, with lots of storage, drawers, and a convertible bench-to-bed setup.

The units strap into place, requiring no fixed mounts or modifications to your van. Meaning, once home, the modules can be quickly collapsed and removed, returning your van to work duty with all the cargo room.

BMW R 12 G/S adventure bike

Building on the heritage of their original adventure bike, the new BMW R12 G/S brings a lot of modern upgrades, including a jump to 21/18-inch wheels. The fully-adjustable suspension has 8.2″ front travel, 7.8″ rear, and 9.4″ ground clearance. The 2-cylinder, 4-stroke boxer engine puts our 109hp and 85 lb-ft of torque.

There’s an “enduro” mode for rallying, but also electronic, clutch-free shift assist and hill start control to make it easier than ever to get rolling. Grip heaters and cruise control, too. It’s meant for ripping more than touring – there are no real rack or gear mounts. (Video here)

Chrome Welded Kadet waterproof slings

Whether it’s cameras, laptops, clothes, or whatever your EDC looks like, Chrome’s new Welded Kadet WP series has something that’ll fit it. Available in three sizes, these use a completely waterproof, seam-welded exterior with PFAS-free DWR and waterproof, airtight zippers.

The mini is great as a cross-body bag. The Max fits a 15″ laptop with plenty of room for stuff, with lots of interior organization. There’s even a padded U-Lock holster on the outside for cyclists. Shoulder straps are reversible so you can wear it on either side.

Recent Stories

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Goliath Offroad Factory Tour

Goliath Offroad makes killer high-clearance bumpers, skid plates, rock sliders, and lots more for overland rigs. Whether you’ve got a Toyota, Lexus, Jeep, Ineos, or Ford, here’s how they make the parts you’re gonna want. Read More…

arkto c10 off-road camper trailer being pulled by a jeep.

Arkto C10 compact offroad camper trailer

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at overland aterra slide-in truck bed camper shell.

AT Overland’s first slide-in camper

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2026 honda passport trailsport overland suv in the wild.

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rossmonster skye offroad camper van driving in the desert.

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This new off-road, off-grid camper van takes everything they’ve learned from building custom rigs and puts the best of it into a production van. No options, just shorter lead times. Read more...

Field Notes

Wandering Thoughts

Happy Weekend!

If you just entered our Mega Overland Sweeps and you’re getting this as your first AWOL newsletter, welcome!

In each Gear Drop we gather up interesting stuff that didn’t quite need a full story on its own, and recap our best recent news from the site.

I hope you enjoy, and if you ever want to share news from your brand or event, just reply and share the link.

We also just posted a factory tour video with Blue Ridge Adventure Vehicles. They build custom camper vans (mostly Sprinters) out of Asheville, NC, and it was neat to see their process.

And Ron was out at Overland Expo SoCal, with several videos from his favorite finds at the show up on our YouTube channel, too.

Lots more cool stuff coming up, stay tuned, and share this with your adventure buddies!

Cheers,

Some links may be affiliate links and may earn a small commission if you click and buy something. This helps support our work at no cost to you. Learn more about how we make money here. All photos our own or courtesy/copyright of their respective brands unless otherwise noted.

About Tyler Benedict 316 Articles
I'm a serial traveller who's crisscrossed the US more times than I can count. Current rigs are a '19 Vandoit Ford Transit camper van and an '05 GX470, both fully outfitted for off-road adventures, plus a healthy fleet of gravel bikes & MTBs. On two wheels or four, I love exploring the world from the backroads.

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