Media LC 250 & GX550 Picture Thread (25 Viewers)

[cruiseroutfit]

A lot of great stuff. For only $485 I can camp and drive my own vehicle around a small dirt course too. I'm in!

You're obviously a seasoned pro having never been to said event but professing 110% knowledge about the event and the psyche of each and every attendee and vendor. Start your own Expo, force everyone to drive only their vetted/seasoned vehicles to the show and charge just $450, include your autograph.

The bulk of those classes and presentations are free to those with a simple day pass. Of course you invented real overlanding so you knew that.

 

[Jetboy]

You're obviously a seasoned pro having never been to said event but professing 110% knowledge about the event and the psyche of each and every attendee and vendor. Start your own Expo, force everyone to drive only their vetted/seasoned vehicles to the show and charge just $450, include your autograph.

The bulk of those classes and presentations are free to those with a simple day pass. Of course you invented real overlanding so you knew that.

My event is arrive by trailer only. *sponsored by Timbren trailer axles. I'm not running a charity.

Remember to like and subscribe! Support me on Patreon!

 

[SanJuanJ]

Moonglow-Meteor vibes..

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Whenever I see these side-by-side pics I'm amazed. When I see stand-alone pics of the 250s they look much smaller. Crazy how large they actually are compared to older LCs.

 

[Tears]

The old Prado and new Prado side by side.
Personally, I still prefer the old Prado.

 

[Hulsty]

The old Prado appears more spacious

 

[jdam]

Whenever I see these side-by-side pics I'm amazed. When I see stand-alone pics of the 250s they look much smaller. Crazy how they actually compare to older LCs.

Right? They're very proportionate, but my brain tells me they should be LC120/GX470 sized rather than almost 200 sized.

 

[OregonLC]

@cruiseroutfit I think it's an issue of perspective. You travel in more rarefied air when you go to an Expo. The vast, vast majority of us have no idea of who the global travelers are and consequently they don't stand out. To us, it's a giant vendor city with bad camping. I've been to West twice (once as a vendor) and PNW once. I've not found a way to really connect with the classes. It seems like the ones that I'm interested in aren't free, are in the baking sun, or are at a time that doesn't work. And as for the camping, parking in full sun packed in with a ton of people who stay up making noise... no thanks!

So while I believe you're 100% correct with what the Expos offer, it's hasn't played out for me that way in reality. I do appreciate your perspective, it caused me to reconsider. Perhaps I'll look more closely at PNW and see if I can attend differently than in the past.

 

[Specialeyes]

Is there an expo for glampers? (Asking for a friend)

 

[M1911]

Is there an expo for glampers? (Asking for a friend)

Sure! This is how I overland:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

@cruiseroutfit I think it's an issue of perspective. You travel in more rarefied air when you go to an Expo. The vast, vast majority of us have no idea of who the global travelers are and consequently they don't stand out. To us, it's a giant vendor city with bad camping. I've been to West twice (once as a vendor) and PNW once. I've not found a way to really connect with the classes. It seems like the ones that I'm interested in aren't free, are in the baking sun, or are at a time that doesn't work. And as for the camping, parking in full sun packed in with a ton of people who stay up making noise... no thanks!

So while I believe you're 100% correct with what the Expos offer, it's hasn't played out for me that way in reality. I do appreciate your perspective, it caused me to reconsider. Perhaps I'll look more closely at PNW and see if I can attend differently than in the past.

Ask @Jetboy, he's the only person I know that can identify the overland authenticity of the 20,000+ attendees of Overland Expo West without ever having set foot at one

How do I identify seasoned travelers? Well, beyond simply talking to them... dropping in on any of these free presentations would be a near sure fire method.

Baja Mexico Roundtable Q&A (FJ40 owner Slow Baja is on this one as I recall)
Central America Border Crossings (Lory Perfect, Mexico and CenAm regular)
Pan American Highway (Eric & Brittany Highland, currently traveling the Pan-Am full-time)
A2A Expedition: Africa to the Artctic, Amererica to Asia, Graeme & Luisa Bell
Border to Border, Highway 89, Canada to Mexico
many, many more just like these too

The event doesn't have a gate keeper to determine who's "real" and who trailered their overland vehicle to the event. While I suspect 95% of attendees and vendors do in fact drive to the event... I've never bothered to even put thought to that, it just doesn't matter in the context of a vendor show. In the case of Westcott and the three LC250's they brought, I think one is his and two belong to Toyota. Legalities & logistics prevail and it often makes sense to have them transported and then you don't have to try and pull them in/out of a vendor booth each night when you depart or need to head off to a meal. For many vendors it just makes sense that way. I can't imagine a reason those in the paid camping would trailer a vehicle to the event. I've never paid to camp there so I'm the wrong guy to ask.

As for the hot sun and conflicting class schedules. I don't know how to assist there. Many classes are taught all three days and/or multiple times a day. For example our hands-on tire repair and intro to recovery class is all three days. We get 30-60 in attendance each class. Some often migrate out in the first 15-20 minutes, the sun or rain or snow certainly have an influence on that. About half of those that stay for the 1hr class stick arond another 30-60 minutes after to do additional demo's or answer questions. If they are buying a day pass(s) and $25/day, I suspect 1-2 classes, a wander through the vendor area and sit in on a few presentations and it's a value and they walk away motivated and enthused. The event isn't for everyone and I have zero vested stake in it being considered a success by the members of Mud or not However, they just celebrated year 15 and the four shows continue to grow and attract bigger and bigger vendors. Toyota and Lexus jumped on just last year. At the West event you could see and sit in a GX550, 6th Gen 4Runner, LX600, TH Tacoma, etc. That's worth $25 to someone shopping cars as you won't be able to do that at a Toyota/Lexus dealership for a year.



Edit, I forgot to mention. Ivan Stewart was at Overland Expo West again this year. It's not uncommon to see him just wandering the show the last couple of years but this year he was in the Magnaflow (exhaust) booth doing a meet/greet and autographs, I'd pay $25 for that... dude is an amazing motorsports legend and ambassador He too would ask for Jetboys autograph and advice on who's-who at the show

 

[Jetboy]

Is there an expo for glampers? (Asking for a friend)

There's an expo for everyone I think. Glamping Show Americas 2024 | Glamping Business Event - https://www.glampingshow.us/

Even an expo for expos. Home - https://www.myexpoexpo.com/

Or there's always this special kind of hell. I have one and I'd even possibly go to one of these if I were buying a new one, but it makes me want to throw up a little in my mouth just thinking about spending a day here. Incidentally - the GX would be at home here. Has exceptional tow capacity for its size.

 

[OregonLC]

How do I identify seasoned travelers? Well, beyond simply talking to them... dropping in on any of these free presentations would be a near sure fire method.

Baja Mexico Roundtable Q&A (FJ40 owner Slow Baja is on this one as I recall)
Central America Border Crossings (Lory Perfect, Mexico and CenAm regular)
Pan American Highway (Eric & Brittany Highland, currently traveling the Pan-Am full-time)
A2A Expedition: Africa to the Artctic, Amererica to Asia, Graeme & Luisa Bell
Border to Border, Highway 89, Canada to Mexico
many, many more just like these too

I don't disagree with your reply and respect your viewpoint.

However, again a difference in perspective - those people you names are about as relevant to what I do as Jessica Simpson is to what clothes I wear. I'm never crossing the Darian Gap or traversing Africa. It's just not in the cards nor is it an aspiration. Perhaps I'm the outlier, but my guess is not. Listening to how cross borders isn't something I'd sit through. And while I enjoyed watching XO's Africa, I wouldn't attend an Expo to listen to it, their podcast works fine. Practical classes for me would be a mini-WFR or a how to get the most out of Gaia (or onX or whatever). I'd also be interested in talking to engineers at Toyota or Lexus and not just the sales guy who got stuck with the show.

I think if you haven't gone you need to go, but perhaps not every year.

 

[TWILLY]

If you’re shopping for something, it’s a great way to compare options. Otherwise, it’s become quite crowded and, for me, overwhelming. I’ve passed on it for the last two years, despite it being only a 15-minute bike ride from our front door.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I don't disagree with your reply and respect your viewpoint.

However, again a difference in perspective - those people you names are about as relevant to what I do as Jessica Simpson is to what clothes I wear. I'm never crossing the Darian Gap or traversing Africa. It's just not in the cards nor is it an aspiration. Perhaps I'm the outlier, but my guess is not. Listening to how cross borders isn't something I'd sit through. And while I enjoyed watching XO's Africa, I wouldn't attend an Expo to listen to it, their podcast works fine. Practical classes for me would be a mini-WFR or a how to get the most out of Gaia (or onX or whatever). I'd also be interested in talking to engineers at Toyota or Lexus and not just the sales guy who got stuck with the show.

I think if you haven't gone you need to go, but perhaps not every year.

I'm lost on how/why we are pontificating this subject so deeply. I brought up the authenticity of many of the presenters, classes, etc in response to Jetboy's blind assertion "not really the place where people who actually do real overland travel would typically go".

You then said "The vast, vast majority of us have no idea of who the global travelers are and consequently they don't stand out.". So if they are not relevant to you, you don't care to meet them, learn from them, be inspired by them or do what many consider as "authentic" overland travel... why bring up them standing out at all? Save me some keystrokes here. Your minds made up and so is mine... don't go to Overland Expo.

Are you the outlier? The classes and presentations are regularly full of interested and eager participants, to the point they limit attendees to some by forcing premium tickets. Their system is obviously working. I've been on the Central America Roundtable and South America Roundtable in past years. We had a bunch of folks there to ask questions and take notes, some of which I've stayed in contact with as they've followed thru on their travels. Maybe the outliers are the ones getting out there?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Back on subject. As predicted the aftermarket is all over the 250/550. It was 5 years before we saw this much product development for the 100 and 10 years for the 200. Obviously advances in production and manufacturing capability is aiding that greatly. This new cubby insert popped up on FB for the GX550.

Bigger pic:

 

[ikarus]

Back on subject. As predicted the aftermarket is all over the 250/550. It was 5 years before we saw this much product development for the 100 and 10 years foe the 200. Obviously advances in production and manufacturing capability is aiding that greatly. This new cubby insert popped up on FB for the GX550.

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Bigger pic:

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Are you giving out "Buy-A-Part-Get-A-GX550-Tour-For-Free" coupon at the shop?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Are you giving out "Buy-A-Part-Get-A-GX550-Tour-For-Free" coupon at the shop?

Sure

I made @cruiserdan take if for a burn... I could do the same to you. I'm driving the 45 to work tomorrow so perhaps a day early next week?

 

[ikarus]

Sure

I made @cruiserdan take if for a burn... I could do the same to you. I'm driving the 45 to work tomorrow so perhaps a day early next week?

Let me know! You can drive my HDJ81

 

[shwazz714]

Back on subject. As predicted the aftermarket is all over the 250/550. It was 5 years before we saw this much product development for the 100 and 10 years for the 200. Obviously advances in production and manufacturing capability is aiding that greatly. This new cubby insert popped up on FB for the GX550.

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This is great.. I’m a surfer and having a little cubby for my surf wax, ear plugs, fin keys, sunscreen, etc is exactly what I need!

 

[Phillyd2]

Back on subject. As predicted the aftermarket is all over the 250/550. It was 5 years before we saw this much product development for the 100 and 10 years for the 200. Obviously advances in production and manufacturing capability is aiding that greatly. This new cubby insert popped up on FB for the GX550.

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Bigger pic:

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What's normally behind that cover?

It looks really good but there's also usually decent space in the wheel well / under the window void that can be used to store things that you want to carry but don't need daily access to.