Overlanding with Your Partner
Overlanding with Your Partner
Overlanding with Your Partner
“The Rules of the Road”
When we told people about our year-long (or longer) road trip to Argentina in our camper, one of the first reactions we often heard was: “Wow, that’s a lot of time together in a small space! Concerns about the stress of travel and its potential impact on a relationship came up frequently.
Having done several extended adventure overlanding trips before—in much smaller quarters—I didn’t think twice about it. We’d always traveled well together. But after a month on the road this time, with the added stress of a large vehicle, a dog, foreign roads, unpredictable stray dogs, and language barriers, tensions inevitably surfaced. At times, we found ourselves clashing instead of working as a team.
Before leaving, we’d sought wisdom from seasoned overlanders. Three pieces of advice stuck with me:
- Trust your partner. Place your faith in each other, especially when you’re navigating uncertain or challenging situations.
- Communicate clearly. Develop a shared language so you can stay on the same page, particularly when navigating or making quick decisions.
- Don’t rush. If you get stuck—literally or figuratively—take a breath and slow down.
Ironically, this isn’t just overlanding advice—it’s great relationship advice, too.
The Rules of the Road
Most couples we meet on the road have similar stories. One retired overlander joked that she’d “threatened to go home six times in six months” while living with her fiancé in a bus-sized RV (complete with espresso machine and washer/dryer). Another couple, two years into overlanding full-time, laughed with us about the never-ending debate over how to handle their dog’s behavior—and whether traveling with a partner was still a good idea.
After a month and a few “at-wits-end” moments of our own, we’re learning the beauty of those three tips. We’re relaxing more, letting go of our neuroses for each other’s sake, and finding a rhythm that works. Like Mexican drivers confidently passing on double yellow lines, we’re beginning to trust that “it will all work out,” even when we don’t agree on the “right” way to do something. More often than not, we’re now able to laugh, give grace, and say, “See? It worked out—and we’re still alive!”
I’m always curious about relationship dynamics—especially among couples who live and overland together full-time. We’d love to hear your own “overlanding with your partner” stories and tips. Share them in the comments on our website or email us at: adventurewolves@adventurewolves.com.
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