ZERO DECLINATION

A Crew Cab Diesel That Explores the World

- HARRY WAGNER

We often hear people ask what equipment they need to go overlanding, and the answer is always the same—just get outside! Spending time on the trail is the best way to determine what your needs are and what gear is important to you. After traveling down the Pan American Highway to Patagonia, KP Pawley has a pretty good idea of what is important to him and what he can leave behind.

He has used his wealth of experience to build this truck, which he lives in full-time, and to help his customers at Zero Declination with their own needs for overland products and installation with a focus on solar, batteries, and electrical components.

The Right Truck

People often purchase a camper for the truck they own. With mid-sized and half-ton trucks, it is easy to exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) with the addition of accessories such as steel bumpers, a winch, and a slide-in camper.

"It is better to have too much truck than not enough truck," said KP.

He started with a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 that is rated to carry 3,400 pounds and was thoughtful about the upgrades he performed, while always keeping weight in mind.

Over the past 20 years we have seen truck cabs grow and the beds shrink as these vehicles are used more and more to haul people rather than put into service for work. Note that KP's truck is a regular cab, long-bed configuration. Living the single life, the regular cab has more than enough space and comfort for KP and a companion. It also keeps the overall length manageable for a variety of trails while providing plenty of room for a 6.75-foot OEV Hudson Bay camper and a storage locker behind the cab.