Every year, Overland Expo West brings together some of the most innovative overland gear, truck builds, and outdoor enthusiasts in North America. For FLATED, it's one of our favorite opportunities to connect with customers, meet new adventurers, and showcase how an inflatable truck topper fits into the modern overland lifestyle.
Getting there was an adventure of its own. We made the drive from Montana to Arizona in about 16 hours, trading one stretch of ponderosa pines for another. A stop in Lava Hot Springs gave us a chance to soak and recharge before heading south. We even spent the night in a reportedly haunted hotel, though we're happy to report that no ghosts made an appearance.
Once we arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona, we were reminded why Overland Expo West has become one of the premier overlanding events in the country. Between the mountain views, towering pines, and seemingly endless red lights, there was plenty to take in before the show even started.
Thursday setup went smoothly, and one of the highlights was helping our friends at
Airlift Performance outfit their 2023 Ram 3500 dually with a FLATED CAP80. The combination looked right at home among the many overland and truck camping builds on display throughout the weekend.
Standout Gear and Builds from Overland Expo West
One of the best parts of any overland expo is discovering new products and seeing how different companies approach life on the road. A few of our favorites from this year's show included:
- Kelderman Manufacturing
- MORRFlate
- LavaBox
- TRUKD
- ONYX Motors Tracker
- Subaru Rebelle Rally Program and their pet adoption event
From innovative suspension systems and recovery gear to vehicle storage solutions and adventure-ready accessories, the show was packed with ideas for anyone building an overland truck or planning their next truck camping trip.
Meeting FLATED Customers Face-to-Face
The biggest highlight of the weekend wasn't a product or a vehicle—it was the people.
We talked with hundreds of attendees about the benefits of a FLATED Air-Topper and how an inflatable truck topper can provide weather protection, cargo security, and flexibility without the weight of a traditional hard shell. Many visitors had already seen FLATED online and were excited to finally see the product in person.
Even better, a steady stream of existing customers stopped by throughout the weekend. Hearing stories about road trips, camping setups, hunting adventures, and daily truck use is one of the best parts of attending events like Overland Expo West.
A Winter Storm on the Way Home
As soon as teardown wrapped up, we pointed the truck north and started the journey back toward Montana. The plan was simple: make it to Beaver, Utah, grab some sleep, and finish the drive home the next day.
Mother Nature had other plans.
Just south of Beaver, we drove straight into a powerful spring storm. Wind, snow, and ice pounded the truck through the night, and by morning nearly four inches of snow had accumulated on the vehicle.
Fortunately, road crews had things under control. The roads were clear by the time we got moving, allowing us to make the final push back to Missoula and roll into town around 5 PM.
Until Next Time, Overland Expo West
A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by the FLATED booth, checked out our inflatable truck toppers, shared stories from the trail, or simply said hello.
Overland Expo West continues to be one of our favorite events of the year, and we're grateful to be part of a community built around adventure, innovation, and getting outside.
We'll see you at the next show.
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