Travis Caplette, the DIY overland upfitter, intrepid adventurer and dedicated family man, is ready to showcase his one-of-a-kind Renogy-powered adventure rig at the Overland Expo Pacific Northwest in Redmond, Oregon, from June 27-29.
Along with his wife Karyn, son Malcolm, and their adventurous dog Tuk (the inspiration behind “Tuk and Roll Overland”), Travis will be highlighting his hands-on journey in building a robust off-grid power system using Renogy products, an upgrade that has not only transformed his truck but has elevated his overlanding adventures, Renogy said.
“What began as a practical solution for family travel has now blossomed into a passion project for Travis. After purchasing a partially built expedition truck outfitted with Renogy batteries, he set out to refine and enhance the vehicle to meet the demands of off-grid exploration. With a keen eye for detail and a love for adventure, the Caplette family has ventured through Baja, the western U.S. and British Columbia, chronicling their travels and ongoing upgrades.
Travis worked closely with Renogy’s team to create a fully integrated power solution. What was once a hodgepodge of mismatched brands and systems is now a cohesive, high-performing Renogy-powered platform that meets the rigors of overlanding with unmatched reliability.
Travis chose Renogy not just for its quality, but for its affordability and ease of use in DIY setups. While top-tier brands like Victron and Mastervolt are often favored in the luxury overland market, Renogy offers a sweet spot of performance, value, and DIY-friendliness for serious adventurers. What truly sold Travis, though, was the seamless integration with Renogy’s Vision platform and mobile app, giving him complete control of his system from his truck’s Android head unit or his smartphone at camp,” the company said.
The upgraded system now features an impressive 800 amp-hours of Renogy’s new smart 200Ah Lithium Batteries, a 3,000-watt split-phase inverter/charger, dual charge controllers and a comprehensive suite of Renogy monitoring and control devices. With 1,000 watts of solar panels mounted on the roof, the Caplettes are fully equipped to explore off the beaten path with ample power to spare. Travis also integrated a smart heater matrix that uses excess solar energy to heat water, ensuring that every watt is put to good use.
As the Overland Expo approaches, Travis is putting the finishing touches on his build and taking the truck on a series of shakedown runs to ensure it’s ready for the ultimate test. Expo visitors will find the truck in the DIY Showcase, where Travis will be on hand to share his build journey and field questions from fellow enthusiasts. In the meantime, follow the progress and other adventures on Instagram: @tnr_overland.
“We’ve integrated everything to make sure it’s as seamless as possible,” Travis said. “It’s been a massive project to rebuild and rewire it all, but we’re in the final days of getting it ready for the shakedown. We’re hoping to make sure everything’s dialed in before I head down to Redmond.”
Meet the Caplettes
In the images accompanying this story, you’ll see the Caplettes, the family at the heart of Tuk and Roll Overland, living their dream of adventure powered by ingenuity, technology and a deep love for the open road.
Renogy products in Travis Caplette’s overland rig:
- Four Renogy Smart 200Ah Lithium Batteries (800Ah total)
- 3,000-watt Split-Phase High Frequency Inverter/Charger
- Renogy DCC50S 12V 50A DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT with Renogy ONE Core
- Renogy Rego 60A MPPT Solar Charge Controller
- Renogy Multiple Bifacial 590-Watt N-Type Monocrystalline Solar Panel
For further details on these products, visit Renogy.com/applications/4×4-solution.
