What happens when you combine a family overland camping adventure with a gourmet cooking challenge? You get the the Land Rover Muddy Chef Challenge of course! Basically it’s a “Top Gear meets Top Chef” event. It’s exactly the kind of adventure Geoffrey Dufur, his wife Deb and kids Madeline and Jameson decided to participate in, using their family 2006 Range Rover L322 Full Size that’s decked out for overland family camping excursions.
“We recently completed an overland trip for the Muddy Chef Challenge, from Port Charlotte in Florida to Manchester, Vermont – four days of wheeling Vermont trails and competing in a top chef challenge using camping cookware only”, states Geoffrey. “We prepared stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer, Momma June’s Mac & Cheese for the main course and fireball brazed cinnamon peaches for dessert.” (As I write this, my stomach is growling and mouth salivating just thinking about feasting on this while camping – what a meal it must have been!)
Range Rover Overland Upgrades
Of course, you have to be able to reach and camp overnight at the competition’s destinations in order to participate in the tasty cook-off. To ensure reaching those overland destinations, Geoffrey has performed some overland upgrades to the family Range Rover.
If you are unaware, Range Rovers have air ride suspension that adjusts in height depending on terrain. As standard there’s a 3 inch height difference from standard and off-road modes. Geoffrey added 2 inches of additional lift via a Gap Diagnostics programmer, so total lift height went from 3 to 5 inches! And what’s really cool is the Range Rover can detect upcoming obstacles where it will automatically adjust ride height accordingly.
Additional upgrades include 275/55R20 Falken Wildpeak A/T3 Tires and a Voyager Offroad Roof Rack that provides a platform for a CVT Roof Top Tent.
Weeroll Overland Camping Trailer
Geoffrey and his family also have a Weeroll camper in tow. It’s an 5x5x10 foot overland model, made with an all-aluminum frame/skin/floor construction for durability and weight reduction. There’s a host of features and customizations, and the overland version of this trailer rides on a 45 degree down Dexter “Torflex” Torsion Axle for independent articulating suspension.
The Dufur family’s particular Weeroll trailer sits on 32 inch tires and sports a 100 Watt panel that flips up and can be positioned better to capture sunlight. Power is stored in a 100 Ah battery, which among other things, powers a 12V/110V Norcold Fridge/Freezer.
To get clean at the end of the day, the trailer also has a Camp Chef Propane Shower. An ARB awning with attachable awning room is mounted to the exterior for additional shade and some protection from the elements.
Weeroll trailers are offered basically as a shell model, where handy do-it-yourselfers can customize their trailer interiors. That’s exactly what Geoffrey did, building out the shelving and a flip down bunk, as well as adding a fold-out futon. Geoffrey adds, “It’s cozy!”
Camping Along the Way
Sometimes, it’s not just the destination that’s the best part of a camping trip, but also the stops along the way. Geoffrey comments, “We wheeled in Jefferson National Park in West Virginia on the way to the Muddy Chef Challenge and found a beautiful mountain lake. The kids discovered a natural swimming hole in Vermont.”
This overland adventure is exactly the kind of family experience that will create lasting fond memories for a lifetime. We welcome the Dufur family as part of the Savage Camper community and look forward to seeing more of their overland adventures! Follow some of their escapades and Range Rover overland upgrades on Instagram @rocinante_rover
