With nearly 150,000 miles on the road, we are thrilled to introduce Adam Rubin and his dog, Odin, as our next features in the 67 Designs Customer Spotlight series.
Adam has traveled extensively, visiting all 10 Canadian provinces, 2 out of 3 Canadian territories, and 49 of the 50 U.S. states, with Hawaii being the only state he has yet to visit. His passion for overlanding is reflected in his 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport, which has taken him on numerous adventures across North America, including the backwoods and the Alaskan wilderness. Growing up on the East Coast, Adam's early camping experiences evolved into a full-blown passion for overlanding. This enthusiasm drove him to learn and prepare for a journey to Alaska. Fortunately, the stars aligned for Adam when his creative talents landed him the role of Creative Director at the University of Alaska. This opportunity seamlessly merged his professional life with his adventurous spirit, finally enabling him to make the leap and move across the country.
Now, Adam calls Fairbanks, Alaska, his home—a dream move driven by his love for adventure and the great outdoors.
Proud owner of: 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport in Firecracker Red
Customer of 67 Designs since: 2021
Featured Upgrades:
- Mopar 2 inch lift kit
- 35 inch Toyo AT II
- Go Fast Camper V2
- Mopar Stubby Steel front bumper
- Maximus 3 winch guard
- Nacho Grande spotlights
- Nacho LM5 combo lights
- Nacho Quattro fog and flood lights
- Midland MXT500
- Custom seat delete storage cabinet/platform
- Custom Truck bed storage
- dandc designs cowl light/turn signals
- Fishbone off-road front fender liner
- JCR off-road overhead Molle panel
- Iceco vl45pro fridge
- EcoFlow Delta 2 power station
- Auxbeam 8 button switch panel
- WildMitten MaxTrax Mount for GFC
- 67 Designs Universal Phone Holder G2
- 67 Designs Universal Tablet Holder in Candy Apple red
Early Inspiration: Born and raised in Connecticut, Adam spent most summer weekends camping with his mother in Cape Cod. Although he took on a passion for sports as he grew older, his passion for being in the unknown resparked in 2018 which changed his whole trajectory. Adam's true introduction to overlanding may have began at age 5 with traditional tent camping trips, but his main source of inspiration to make the leap to move to Alaska, was actually his dog, Odin. In 2014, Adam purchased a Purebred Alaskan Malamute and always wanted to take Odin to Alaska. To test the waters, he flew out to Alaska with his mom and embarked on a five-day road trip, covering 15,000 miles and hiking extensively along the way. The experience was so incredible that he knew he had to return.
In 2022, he decided it was time. Odin was 8, turning 9, and he felt it was now or never. He drove up with the truck and camper. Initially, he thought Anchorage would be the place to live, but after driving through Fairbanks, he found it more appealing. Fairbanks offered modern conveniences while being more centralized and remote, with the ability to escape into nature within 40-45 minutes.
After six months of job searching, he finally secured a position that enabled him to explore new areas and trails in Alaska’s backwoods every weekend!
Early Adventures: From what Adams remembers, his first significant overlanding trip was in 2018, driving from Detroit to Newfoundland through Canada. This trip marked a pivotal moment as he embraced the overlanding lifestyle, removing his backseat to camp out of his 2008 Wrangler. The experience left a lasting impression, leading to the purchase of his Gladiator in January 2020.
Recent Adventures: Since purchasing the Gladiator, Adam has made up for lost time due to the pandemic. His travels have taken him from Michigan to Lake Tahoe, the Great Basin National Park to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and many more incredible destinations. Notable trips include: his trip from Detroit to Montana, passing through Banff and Dawson Creek.
A road trip from Detroit to Newfoundland, involving ferry rides and camping in remote locations. Expeditions to various national parks and overland expos, including the Overland Expo East in South Carolina and more recently, Overland Expo Pacific Northwest.
Most memorable adventure: Adam had always heard stories of his parents' adventurous solo trips in their 30s, and he finally got to experience the same excitement. In May 2022, Adam embarked on an epic journey with his mom, driving from Detroit to Montana, then north through Dawson Creek, and eventually to Newfoundland and Gros Morne National Park.
Once they picked up the camper in Montana, Banff marked the halfway point to Alaska, so they decided to continue on the route. With vacation time planned and reservations made, Adam aimed for a relaxed and immersive experience.
After eight years of watching overlanding videos and marking waypoints, he was ready to live the journey he had only seen on screen. Instead of meticulously studying the milepost guide, Adam chose to experience the drive firsthand, savoring the moment without rushing. With years of anticipation, he was finally living the dream, taking notes on where to stop and fully embracing the adventure.
Upcoming Trips: Adam's future plans include exploring more of Alaska, particularly the Dempster Highway and various off-road trails that only open between May and September. He aims to overland the Red and tackle the Dalton Highway once again. Additionally, Adam dreams of driving the Pan-American Highway, exploring Patagonia, and completing the Trans-America Trail from Georgia to Oregon. Like Adam says, for every one trip crossed off, another 3 are added, so he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
Lessons Learned: One of the greatest lessons Adam has learned is knowing when to turn back. He emphasizes the importance of assessing risks and potential damages. This mindset has shaped his approach to overlanding, ensuring safety and enjoyment in every adventure. Preparation, community support, and understanding the environment are crucial elements of his overlanding philosophy since Adam jokes that Alaska has tried to kill him about 5 times now.
The first time was when Adam got stuck in 3.5 feet of snow, with his Jeep's driver side sliding off into a ditch. He spent four hours digging out the exhaust, alternating between five-minute intervals inside and ten-minute intervals outside. During another trip, his Jeep nearly drowned while crossing a river. Although the water was just above knee height when he walked it, the ground gave way, submerging the front of the hood.
He also faced engine issues on the Dalton Highway in March 2023, where clear skies turned into a winter weather warning with 60-mile gusts and freezing temperatures. Despite the challenges, he managed to survive with a sleeping bag and tent. Then, again in September of last year, his Jeep bottomed out in a hole on the Dempster Highway and the battery died. With the help of new friends, he managed to jump-start his vehicle.
Adam believes that survival in these harsh conditions comes down to 50% preparation, 25% luck, and 25% help from others. He now carries a survival kit with water, food, and supplies, along with four MaxTrax, tow straps, a winch, and extra equipment. His experiences have taught him the value of being prepared, having the right knowledge, and the crucial role of community in overlanding adventures.
Community Involvement: Adam is deeply involved in the overlanding community, participating in groups like Alaska Toyota Overland and Fairbanks Off-Road. His contributions to mapping and trail reporting have made a significant impact, helping fellow overlanders navigate the uncharted paths of Alaskan backroads. He has also been part of events like Rigs and Coffee meetups, and most recently, he participated in Overland Expo Pacific Northwest. There, he and Alaskan Overlander co-founder, Craig Pester, ran a class on conquering the Last Frontier in the dead of winter. He has now taught 4 classes and been part of 8 different panel discussions at Overland Expo's this year.
Fun Fact: Before moving to Alaska, Adam honed his talents with the Detroit Pistons, where he worked for 10 years up until last year. The work has earned him and his team two regional Emmys and a Golden Matrix award for their video production skills.
Connect with Adam: Follow Adam’s and Odin’s adventures and connect with him on Instagram or YouTube at @dogandajeep. Join his journey, gain inspiration for your own adventures, and become part of a community that shares the same passion for overlanding.
- Instagram: @dogandajeep
- YouTube: Dogandajeep
This Customer Spotlight is by Meg Klavitter.
This series was envisioned and created by Kate Della Pietra in the summer of 2020 when she worked for 67 Designs as a marketing intern.