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It’s not hard to understand why the lifestyle keeps growing.
When I agreed to join a group of Overland Expo sponsors on a 36-hour overlanding adventure across the desert outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, I wasn't expecting the journey to genuinely test my off-road abilities. I was given the Expo's newly-built show truck for the trip, a modified GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X, which I was informed the sponsors weren't keen on damaging. Little did any of us know at the time that I'd spend the afternoon trying to keep that truck from taking a tumble down a rocky cliff face.
While I’ve always enjoyed off-roading, I wouldn’t label myself a participant of the sport. I’ve been fortunate enough to take some impressive trucks and SUVs on a few of America’s spectacular trails, but I’ve always leaned on the experience of my fellow drivers to get me through without incident. That wasn’t slated to change this time around, as Overland Expo was kind enough to stick one of their more experienced overlanders with me as a trail guide. Our ride for the expedition was the star of Overland Expo 2022, a significantly modified GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X.
Whereas the standard AT4 package brings Rancho twin-tube shocks and a locking rear differential to the GMC Sierra, the new AT4X package ups the ante with a set of DSSV dampers from Multimatic, the Canadian engineering firm responsible for building the Ford GT. Optional rock rails and electronically locking differentials can be found on both axles. The package also includes an interior that rivals the range-topping Denali Ultimate, as well as GM’s 6.2-liter V-8 engine. The LT1 V-8 is good for a familiar 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque in AT4X spec, though it is worth noting my test truck was fitted with a thumping Magnaflow cat-back exhaust. While the AT4X is quite the capable platform to start an overlanding build from, this particular truck’s $76,790 MSRP is hard to ignore.
That price tag only skyrockets when you start to look over the sheer amount of gear that the folks behind Overland Expo threw at this GMC. The team started by ripping the bed off of the back, opting instead to utilize a 6’4-in tray from MITS Alloy North America. The Australia-based company also provided the truck with a three-foot canopy, which the team affectionately refer to as “the metery”. These setups aren’t all that common in the United States quite yet, with more overlanders opting for a sliding camper setup. While that’s certainly a proven and cost effective option, the Aussies might know a thing or two about a serious off-roading setup.
MITS Alloy and its proprietary rail system aim to make these Aussie-style setups as modular as possible, providing customers a huge amount of freedom when it comes to constructing their overlanding rig. One side of the GMC’s metery box featured hardware like a REDARC RedVision Manager30, which utilizes solar panels to power a small Dometic fridge. Green Goat Outdoors supplied a full camp kitchen, which packed neatly away into the cargo box. A pair of Equipt AluBoxes provided additional storage around the truck, while integrated storage bins along the side of the GMC held tools like the handy Viair Expedition onboard air system. Other build highlights include a Rhino Rack Pioneer platform rack with the brand’s Sunseeker 2.0 awning, an integrated Midland radio, and a weBoost cell signal booster. Along with all of the tools one might need in an off-road recovery situation, the GMC was more than prepared for the style of trip ahead of us. Then again, you’d expect that level of preparedness for a total package approaching $150,000.
That said, there was one area of the truck that raised some concern ahead of our departure. GMC didn’t allow the folks behind the Expo to modify the AT4X’s unique front fascia, a compromise for removing the truck’s unique MultiPro Tailgate. The low hanging front valance is exactly the sort of thing an automaker wants for meeting emissions regulations, but it undeniably hurts the truck’s off-road performance capabilities. Larger tires could have helped offset this issue, but the truck has been outfitted with a set of 17-inch Icon Alloy wheels shod in a 33-inch Firestone Destination M/T2 rubber. Combined with a long wheelbase and a stock suspension setup, it was clear from the offset that my anatuer skillset would be properly challenged ahead.
Then again, you’d expect that level of preparedness for a total package approaching $150,000.
Our overlanding journey began with a brief blast down the highway leaving Flagstaff, heading to the start of the Backway to Crown King Trail. Just under 30 miles long, this moderately difficult trail features plenty of variety for off-road fans, ranging from fairly basic gravel runs to large boulder sections without a bypass. Tricky as it is beautiful, the trail also happens to end out front of a century-old saloon.
The AT4X, despite being weighed down with an actual suite of hefty gear, proved to be a great place to make the early highway jaunt. The reworked interior of the pickup, which now more closely mirrors GM’s T1 platform SUVs, is a far more luxurious and modern place to spend time than outgoing models. Both my passenger and I enjoyed massages from the heated and cooled front seats, though I found GMC’s automatic climate control a bit eager to activate the heated elements. The larger 13.4-inch infotainment screen is clear and easy to use, and proved simple to pair with our mobile devices when requested. The screen became incredibly handy later on, providing a large display for the various off-road cameras placed around the vehicle.
With the truck’s 33-inch tires inflated to suggested 55 psi, the ride wasn’t as refined as you’d expect from a DSSV-equipped vehicle. That’s not to say the truck inherently rides poorly, as dropping the pressures slightly did all but erase the choppy highway characteristics. I’m certain an AT4X without all the pseudo special forces upgrades would handle commuting a bit better.
Upon reaching the entry point of the trail, our group pulled over to air down. It was decided that 18 psi was the proper place to be, and after I started the day by losing two separate valve stems, we were ready to depart. Almost immediately upon entering the trail, it became clear that the GMC’s trusty V-8 was going to be a sweetheart. The engine delivers its healthy torque reserves in exactly the way you’d like it to, especially when hunkered into the off-road mode. Modulating both pedals over some larger obstacles was intuitive, and the truck never felt underpowered despite its added weight. The only time the powertrain ever felt out of sync came when the transfer case was put into low range. GMC’s programming allows the transmission to hold onto gears in 4-low for a lot longer than you ever would yourself. Combined with the dulled throttle response provided by the off-road mode, this resulted in some jerky behavior coming off throttle. It is worth noting that taking manual control of the gearbox sorted this behavior out entirely.
Riding the wave of V-8 torque, I was able to confidently pilot the AT4X through the early stages of the trail. I’ll be the first to admit that a few bypasses were taken, perhaps bolstered by the knowledge Overland Expo has plans to show this truck for the rest of the year. That said, I have no doubts that the GMC could’ve tackled most of the obstacles laid before it. As concerned as I was about the front bumper, it proved to be the rear differential that I had to be mindful of. One particularly crunchy hang-up proved that. Thankfully, I was able to avoid actually hurting the truck. Skid plates are there for a reason, folks.
Skid plates weren’t going to really help with the first major challenge of the day however. After trodding along the beautiful trail for a few hours, we came upon the first obstacle without a bypass. A pair of large boulders dotted the center of the trail, almost perfectly spaced for a full-size truck to stick wheels on. A large cliff sat on the outside of the trail, where it was clear that boulders had slid down recently, taking a chunk of the road with them. Our lead vehicle, a modified Ford Ranger, was the first to attempt a line. That ended miserably, with the truck finding itself hung up in several locations. Our little off-road drive had turned into a much more serious situation.
I have no doubts that the GMC could’ve tackled most of the obstacles laid before it.
The more experienced drivers among us were quick to start busting out the recovery gear, while I assisted the others in some road-building activities. Progress was slow, and we were ultimately forced to winch the Ranger to safety. Several of us used our bodies to counterbalance the truck’s lean towards the cliff during that winch, a decision made in such haste that I didn’t consider the peril involved. A dented Ranger fuel tank was the first real injury of the day.
After letting some built-up traffic make its way by, it was the GMC’s turn to make over the rocks. Everyone joined in on the road building at this point, unwilling to see the new GMC damaged. The AT4X thankfully didn’t share the same fate as the Ranger, and thanks to some help from the Ford’s winch, was able to skirt through with just a bit of paint taken off the bottom of the sliders. The situation remained tense, as the other mid-size trucks attempted their way over. The slider camper affixed to one of the trucks made things a bit top-heavy, which was enough to raise our collective blood pressure as it slid off the rock with gravity’s help.
After the last truck made its way through that obstacle, things finally clicked for me. Overlanding isn’t just about taking a vehicle off-road or camping out in the undisturbed American wilderness. The teamwork and constant communication between the group members made the experience feel like something that mattered, and that our efforts helped us to conquer something physically challenging.
I would ride that high through another few sections without a bypass, before we ultimately found our way to the saloon. After a particularly tasty whiskey, we made camp just outside of town. I’ve done a lot of camping during my life as a Michigander, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to camp the same way again. Having quick and easy access to your gear meant we had camp put together in a matter of actual minutes, and that our warm meal was well underway by the time the last tent stake was planted. That meant we had more time to decompress after the day’s events, and to get some great stories out of our Australian friends.
Ever since that night, I’ve been hunting for a rig of my own. My groupmates proved to me that you don’t necessarily need a high-dollar truck to enjoy this lifestyle, even if one does make things all the more simple. Someone else will eventually get to experience overlanding in the tried-and-true AT4X, as the Expo plans to offload it on Bring a Trailer to help fund their charitable efforts at the end of the year. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’ll be me who takes it home.