The Real Deal Of The New Trail Accessory Collections And The Overland Lifestyle
Story By Staff of UTV Sports
Photos Provided by Polaris Inc.
Overlanding is a broadly accepted as self-reliant, vehicle dependent means of travel where the emphasis is more on the journey than any specific destination.
Often, though not always, overland vehicles are off-road capable. Overland trips have a tendency to last months, if not years. But for some that time stretches into a lifelong commitment to exploration of far more than just the open road.
Overlanding, for some, becomes a way of life – an expedition of life itself. For Brett and Liz Siegel, Tuan Vo and Talon Sei, overlanding has become their life, and thanks to Polaris where their mantra is “Think Outside”, that overlanding lifestyle is only enhanced by three all-new custom curated accessory packages for the Polaris RZR Trail – Explorer, Trailblazer, and Adventurer Collections.
Each unique experience is brought upon themselves through their choice of where and how to explore the earth, discovering that their equipment is crucial. Even the most savvy of adventurers with 10,000s of miles under their belt continue to grow their knowledge of equipment and gear to maximize their journey.
Some prefer to find the road less traveled. Others explore remote villages and cultures other than their own. A few even figure it out along the way and every combination in between. There’s always trials and tribulations throughout, however sometimes the decision to break away from the daily grind can be the most challenging obstacle of them all.
“We started with a 5-year plan to get out of debt, save up cash and travel full time,” said Brett and Liz. “Being based in Phoenix, we grew tired of the busy big corporate life. Overlanding changed our lives. Our goal when we started was just to travel for a year, then re-evaluate. We haven’t stopped being on the road since we left in February of 2019.”
Since beginning their journey, Brett and Liz began to share their adventures through their social media channel @ouroverlandlife.
“We started our social media account to document the travel, a photo journal of sorts. It organically grew into the category of influencer in the travel, off-road and overlander space. We strive to be genuine as we share our travels. What started as just sharing our experiences with friends has grown into much more.”
The travel though has changed a bit for Brett and Liz as they now plan for stops that can utilize the use of the Adventurer Collection equipped 2021 Polaris RZR Trail S 1000.
“As we travel, we research the areas we are going to, now that we have the RZR Trail S so we can use it to its full capabilities. We have to look for OHV areas and places where we can drive the RZR. We switch between using a Toyota Tundra with a flip pack on the back and a 4×4 Ford E-Series van. But no matter which vehicle we use, the RZR is now always with us.”
The Adventurer Collection is nicely equipped with a full cab enclosure, heater kit, lighting, Rockford Fosgate Stage 2 Audio, and a winch. A combination of features that have come in handy time and time again for the couple throughout their trips.
“The RZR Trail allows us to cover terrain a lot faster. But more importantly we’re not sacrificing any comfort to do it. We were out in some sand dunes in Kansas and the morning temperatures were in the 30’s, with the windows up and the heater on, it was really nice. Other locations it was raining on us, so the cab with windshield, wiper, and heater came in handy there as well.” shared Brett. “I love that heater, should I mention the heater again?! Haha” added Liz.
Gear is a crucial part of their lives, from recovery gear to first air to creature comforts. It’s probably why the Adventurer Collection was an easy pick, it’s equipped perfectly for the duo.
“For us, gear wise, we choose each item carefully. And by the looks of this RZR Trail S, Polaris did the same. The full vented windshield, sound system, winch, lighting…. it’s all very useful” says Brett. “If you want your wife to come outdoors with you, buy this package!”
The pair of adventurers continue their voyage as they head south into Texas to find open trails and search for another destination with a view.
Finding the view is more than what is visible. Sometimes, the view is the perspective found when you explore, dream and discover.
Venturing over to Denver, Colorado we find Tuan Vo, who had a discovery of his own. “For me and my wife, we never set out to be influencers in the space, we just loved off-roading and modifying our trucks,” said Tuan. “We took a risk, got out of our comfort zone, and got lucky using social media marketing to our max capacity and @running4tacos has been a great way for us to live the lifestyle we wanted.”
At times, the risk of leaving your comfort zone is the path that leads to unexpected success.
“Living off the land teaches you more about what is necessary and what isn’t,” said Vo. “These are lessons anyone can learn and if you’re new to the off-road lifestyle, you will learn them too. Just keep being a part of off-road. We have followers from all of the states come to us to ask for advice. It is really cool that people look up to us. We feel we are just normal everyday people but when we get phone calls and people say, ‘Is this actually you?’ It’s awesome every time we say yes.”
Just say yes is their advice, you never know where it may lead.
“We said yes to an opportunity that was presented to us and we landed in the perfect spot with Polaris. We again left our comfort zone, and having never been in an UTV, we wanted to add that to our lives, and just like that we now have a Polaris RZR Trail Explorer Collection. That first time feeling when you drive it is something special. It still doesn’t get old. Time just melts away in the machine and you see so much you couldn’t before. We can go places our truck could not because of its size.”
The RZR Trail models are 50” narrow and all three variations are powered by the proven 75 HP ProStar 900cc, 4-Stroke, DOHC, twin cylinder, EFI engine along with engine braking system (EBS) as standard.
The Explorer collection has the essentials for the trails, perfect for those who share the same passion for pure adventure like Tuan.
“The bumpers are crucial,” states Tuan. “In Colorado we have a lot of sharp rocks. In the trucks we have to go super slow, but in the RZR they are barely noticeable. Plus if we were to get a flat, having the spare tire is perfect.”
If you are really serious about taking on tough trails and long rides or you are already deep into the overlanding lifestyle, then consider the fully redesigned RZR Trail and RZR Trail S. The S version has all the same perks of the Trail models, just with a 10” wider stance and the optional 1000cc powerplant.
“With the RZR we are able to explore something that we have never done before and it has really opened our eyes. A UTV is the perfect companion piece for someone like us who are always looking for adventure or always looking for something fun to do with family and friends.”
As many riders come to find out, being in one of the Polaris Trail models affords you to be original and create your own path. To be a trailblazer in every sense of the term.
The RZR Trail S 1000 Premium has an aptly named Trailblazer Collection. Even for experienced overlander Talon Sei, this model really set the tone for his trails ahead.
“Personally, I don’t like the term influencer, because when I think of an influencer, I think of people who are creating content with the sole purpose of influencing their audience to make purchases and things like that,” said Talon. “For me, if I’m going to own the title of influencer, I try to influence people to better themselves and to adventure or to travel more. Also, to just be a decent person. It’s like a dream, the American dream, come true. I can work for myself and do a lot of awesome things at the same time.”
Using his platform, @Talon_Sei, Talon focuses on sharing his life to influence you in positive ways.
“There are so many activities that I love to do but I find myself in my RZR Trail S from sunup to sundown now. In the times I am not driving, I mountain bike, ski and love to finish the day watching the sunset from the Sprinter van. It just keeps the perspective balanced.”
If you’re going to be driving anything that many hours then the right accessories are crucial.
“My favorite accessory is the cargo box,” said Talon. “It is super important to me, especially with my camera gear. Also the other thing I found useful on the trail were the rock sliders, I have hit some pretty crazy rock sections that would bang up the undercarriage on that thing and took a few hits but we made it out clean. The full windshield and the aluminium roof has kept us dry because we sank, and I mean SANK, that thing in mud puddles all day and it was pretty cold that day like 45 degrees and I don’t want to be cruising at 65mph wet, so it was super nice to stay dry. The entire Trailblazer Collection is a necessity to me, without that the vehicle would be fine but I would consider most of those accessories a necessity from my personal point of view.”
Talon has a new found respect for the RZR Trail S, a crucial tool to his well outfitted van that he’s built to confidently get him to each landmark and back without sacrificing much. There may not be a kitchen sink in the RZR, but it certainly can handle a lot the van can’t, or shouldn’t. From the hills of Pennsylvania to the mountains of Colorado, he recognizes the new meaning of being a Trailblazer.
Living life on four wheels may create some challenges, but the value it brings to many is worth more than equity in a single property or establishing roots under a roof. We know not all of us can just leave everything behind, and hit the trails for a living. But getting outside and experiencing the overland life can start simply with your truck and a trailer in tow. The RZR Trail Collections have enabled anyone, even the diehard 9-to-5, to lean on an out-of-the-box trail ready tool with confidence to get away from it all and experience a journey of their own.
