The XOVERLAND Podcast15 Marras 2023

EP72 | RVing to Overlanding: The Inspiration and Story Behind Skinny Guy Campers

What do you get when two guys who grew up knee-deep in the RVing industry decide to build a compact, well-constructed truck camper perfect for vehicle-based adventuring and overlanding? The “Skinny Guy Camper” of course!

For this episode, we sit down with Skinny Guy Campers co-founders, Jason Bontrager and Donavon Fredrickson along with Chief Operating Officer and co-owner, Austin Bontrager to discuss what it looks like to take your dream for an innovative product from an idea to a manufactured reality.

The grandson of Jayco RV founder, Lloyd Bontrager, Jason knows a thing or two about RVs but his passion has always been for remote, overland-style camping far away from parking lots and established campgrounds. The son of the owner of one of Jayco’s most successful dealerships, Donavon Fredrickson (aka “Skinny Guy”) has always shared the same passion. That’s why these two teamed up to build an all-new truck camper concept manifested in the “Skinny Guy Camper.”

Along with telling the story of the business they built, these two and Austin share details about the SGC that make it unique to the degree of having its own patent. An R.V.I.A. (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) certification, a patented jack system, the ability to fit on nearly any pickup platform–and even a flushable toilet? Somehow, this team has found a way to make it happen.

It’s been far from easy though, and Donavon, Jason, and Austin still face new challenges every day as they press on to bridge the gap between the amenities of an RV and the rugged reliability of a compact overlanding platform.

See Full Show Notes HERE!
Watch the Video HERE!

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EP102 | Your Questions Answered: Inside XOVERLAND’s West Africa Expedition

In this Q&A episode of the XOVERLAND Podcast, Clay Croft sits down to answer your biggest questions about the Milestones expedition through West Africa. From vehicle security and camp safety to shower...

26 Touko 37min

EP101 | Surviving West Africa: Borders, Breakdowns, and the Reality of Overland Travel

In this episode of the X OVERLAND Podcast, Clay Croft sits down with his son Cyrus at the X OVERLAND Ranch to reflect on one of the most demanding stretches of the Milestones Expedition: crossing West...

12 Touko 38min

EP100 | 15 Years Later: How Overlanding (and XOVERLAND) Changed Everything

10,500 miles into their Milestones expedition, Clay Croft and Rachelle Croft look back at 15 years of X Overland—and how both the adventure and the industry have transformed.From maxed-out credit card...

5 Touko 52min

EP99 | A Real Look Inside 25,000 Miles with Clay Croft and Scott Brady

Clay Croft and Scott Brady reflect on the final stretch of XOVERLAND’s nearly 40,000 km journey across West Africa.In this episode, they unpack the “final mile” mindset—where focus, discipline, and sa...

28 Huhti 37min

EP98 | The Next Generation: Cyrus Croft & Peter van Stralen on Life Built for the Road

Join Cyrus Croft and Peter van Stralen as they reflect on reaching the end of the first phase of their journey—and the miles that have shaped it so far.For Peter, life on the road started early, growi...

21 Huhti 41min

EP97 | Life on the Road Together: From Europe to the Stans with Richard & Ashley Giordano

Join Richard and Ashley Giordano as they share what it really looks like to build a life on the road—together. From winding their way across Europe to navigating Morocco, the remote “Stans,” and even ...

14 Huhti 34min

EP96 | The Truth About Overlanding Builds - Richard Giordano and Clay Croft

Join overlanding experts Clay Croft and Richard Giordano as they reflect on their personal journeys from minimalist backpacking to fully built trucks traveling across borders.In this episode, Clay and...

7 Huhti 47min

EP95 | The Story Beneath the Journey - Andy Ellis and Clay Croft

What does it actually take to build something—and keep it going when things don’t go to plan? In this episode, Clay Croft and Andy Ellis dive into the reality behind the journey, where expectations me...

31 Maalis 1h 6min