If you love exploring the great outdoors, driving in rough terrain, and sleeping under the stars, you might be a fan of overlanding. If you're new to the term, overlanding is essentially a hardcore camping trip where instead of staying in one place, you travel across remote areas, getting off the grid for an extended period of time while you explore the wilderness. While you can trace the concept of overlanding back to the 1900s, it's been getting a surge in popularity in the US in recent years.
While you can go overlanding on foot or with a bicycle, many people opt to use an off-road vehicle like a truck to carry their gear, act as a home base, and even to keep their tent up off the ground to avoid water, bugs, and nocturnal wildlife. Whether you're new to overlanding or are an experienced overlander looking to upgrade your setup, we can help you find a Ford F-150 for sale near Jackson that has everything you need to brave the elements successfully. Here at Steve Marsh Ford, we want to make sure that you're getting a vehicle that's a perfect fit for your needs. That's why we've put together this piece highlighting some of the best available options you can get to make sure your F-150 is a fantastic off-road rig.
FX4 Package
The F-150 has a variety of off-road-oriented trims, and any of them can work for overlanding. Each one has its own unique set of features and a different price point, so you can find something that meets your needs to bring you over land without bringing you over budget. If you're looking for an affordable choice, the XLT trim outfitted with the FX4 Off-Road Package has a lot of the equipment you'll want to get over obstacles in rough terrain and make a campsite each night. The FX4 trim includes off-road tuned front shock absorbers, monotube rear shocks, an electronic-locking rear axle, and protective skid plates. Rock Crawl Mode and Hill Descent Control are also included in this package and go a long way to helping you navigate technical terrain.
The FX4 package can be added to a variety of trims, but the XLT strikes a great balance between price and included features. Unlike the STX, the XLT comes standard with zone lighting, which allows you to see what you're doing if you need to set up your campsite after the sun has set. It also allows you to add an available 360-Degree Camera, which can help you navigate tight spaces. While the Lariat trim has some solid upgrades, including a more powerful engine, it's a pretty big price increase over the XLT. If you can swing the price of the Lariat, you may as well upgrade just a tiny bit more (the starting price of the Tremor isn't that much over the starting price of the Lariat with the FX4 package) and get the dedicated off-road Tremor trim.
The Tremor
The Tremor trim is a fantastic choice for overlanding since it comes with such a great variety of off-road features. It comes standard with a powerful 5.0L V8 engine that's a big step up from the base 2.7L V6 found on base trims. If you like, you can instead opt for a 3.5L turbo V6 that produces the same horsepower and even more torque while also getting you more MPG (something that's worth considering when you're roughing it far from gas stations). Either engine will give you plenty of towing and payload capacity to work with.
The F-150 Tremor comes standard with an increased ride height, off-road shocks in the front and rear, a dual-outlet exhaust, running boards, and other rugged features. On the tech side, you'll have selectable drive modes (including a Rock Crawl Mode) and Trail Control with Trail 1-Pedal Drive and Trail Turn Assist to help you conquer any terrain. Six upfitter switches give you options for customizing your rig so you can get the most out of your next adventure.
In addition to must-haves, the Tremor has several features that can make your adventures more comfortable and convenient. Heated front seats help you stave off chilly nights out in the wilderness. Available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving can ensure that you have a smooth time traveling to trails that are a bit out of Jackson. Pro Power Onboard lets you power electric devices to improve your campsite and help you enjoy your journey.
Tremor High Equipment Group
While the Tremor as-is has a lot going for it, adding on the Tremor High Equipment Group package gives you even more useful tools. A modular front bumper lets you customize your setup with accessories like winches. A hi-lock transfer case and mechanical locking 4WD give you better performance on a variety of terrain. Ventilated front seats can help you stay cool during hot Jackson summers. A head-up display lets you look at vital vehicle information without taking your eyes off the trail ahead. These are just a few of the upgrades included in this package. If you're interested in learning more about it, you can always give us a call or drop by and ask.
The Raptor
If you enjoy off-road driving, you might be wondering why we've been talking about the Tremor trim instead of the legendary Ford F-150 Raptor. There's no doubt that the Raptor is a beast that can tackle just about any environment, with a wide stance, powerful engine, and fantastic array of dedicated off-road features. The Raptor R goes even further, with a truly mind-blowing 720 hp under the hood and FOX Racing Dual-Valve shocks that take bumps in the ground at high speeds. But there are two reasons why the Tremor may be the better choice for your overlanding rig. One is cost: the Raptor's incredible prowess doesn't come cheap. The second is that the Raptor is focused on off-road performance, with an emphasis on acceleration and racing across desert sand. For overlanding, the joy comes from a long journey, not a quick thrill. The improved fuel economy of the Tremor is useful, and its lower price gives you more of your budget left over to spend on accessories and other gear.
Available Options
If you want to get your truck just right, we can help you put together a custom order where you can add on a variety of packages and individual features to make your F-150 your own. Let's take a look at just a few that can be added to the F-150 Tremor and can help you with overlanding. A retractable rear center step helps you easily climb up into the bed, which can be nice when you've had a long day of roughing it and want to get at your equipment or set up your tent for the night. Front and rear splash guards are worth considering if you plan on overlanding during the wet season and want to be prepared for some serious mud. And since keeping track of keys is a tough task when you're loaded up with outdoor gear, you can consider a SecuriCode keyless entry keypad, which lets you access your truck by entering a code.
Accessories
In addition to OEM replacement parts, our parts department can also help you find a variety of accessories for your truck near Jackson. When you shop with us, you'll know that you're buying products that will actually work with your exact model and not be too big or too small. For just one example, we'll point to the Sportz truck camping tent, a product that fits not just the 2025 F-150 but also used models going back to the 2006 model year. It's available in a variety of bed lengths, so you can get the one that's right for your configuration. Even if you already own the truck you'll be using for overlanding, we're happy to help you customize your ride to make it perfect.
Be Prepared for the Trail Ahead
As your trusted dealer near Jackson, we at Steve Marsh Ford want to be here for all of your automotive needs, no matter how niche. The F-150 is a truck with a variety of available options that can give you the tools you need to have an incredible time overlanding. Whether you're an expert or are just dipping your toes into this hobby, we're happy to meet you where you're at, answer all of your questions, and make sure you drive home in a truck that's up to the task.