Eric, Jim, Justin, Kevin, Robbie & Tom (Not Shown)
Introduction:
The Vagabonds are a group of Ford Ranger enthusiasts within The Ranger Station (TRS) that enjoy exploring remote areas by way of unpaved roads while camping in different areas as the adventure unfolds. Our goal is to honor the original Vagabonds, educate ourselves and others about the areas we travel to and promote the Ford Ranger as an off-road and adventure vehicle while educating and inspiring others. By today’s standards we would be called ‘Overlanders’, but the original Vagabonds, or ‘Four Vagabonds’ were doing adventure travel long before the term ‘overlanding’ was used. Our goal is to honor those original Vagabonds from 1914-1924 and honor the Vagabond name.
Overlanding (Typical Definition) – Overlanding is self-reliant overland travel to remote destinations where the journey is the principal goal. Typically, but not exclusively, it is accomplished with mechanized off-road-capable transport (from bicycles to trucks) where the principal form of lodging is camping, often lasting for extended lengths of time (months to years) and spanning international boundaries.
Overlanding VS Off-Roading – People try to understand the difference between overlanding and off-roading. If you go to a specific area and spend the day or weekend off-roading that area, you’re an off-roader. If you like to go off-road, explore, and camp in a different area each night along your journey and be self-sufficient, then you’re an overlander.
Adventure travel – Is a type of tourism, involving exploration or travel with a certain degree of risk (real or perceived), and which may require special skills and physical exertion.
Vagabond – A person who wanders from place to place without a fixed home: one leading a vagabond life: of, relating to, or characteristic of a wanderer.
The Original Vagabonds:
From 1914-1924 Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison, and John Burroughs calling themselves “the Four Vagabonds” embarked on a series of cross-country summer camping trips and their adventures were well-documented and publicized. On these trips they communed with nature, explored their personal interests and acted like boys again. These were not young men. With John Burroughs, “the saintly lover of nature,” passing away at the age of 83 early in 1921, Edison, at 74 years of age, was now the oldest Vagabond, and Firestone, at 52 years of age, the youngest.
Henry Ford’s interest in nature was not new or merely a public relations gambit. Henry and his wife Clara were avid bird watchers and had over 500 birdhouses installed amid the naturalistic landscaping of their Fair Lane Estate. John Burroughs helped them rehabilitate the adjoining land and reintroduce wildlife to the area.
For more information check out ‘The Vagabonds (Ford, Edison, Firestone & Burroughs)‘
Our Mission:
- To honor the original Vagabonds (Ford, Firestone, Edison, and Burroughs)
- To promote the Ford Ranger as an adventure and overlanding vehicle
- To promote TheRangerStation.com as a Ford Ranger resource and expand the TRS community
- To educate others about the areas we explore
- To educate other inspire others to pursue their own overlanding adventures
Vagabond Requirements:
Check Out: Vagabond Requirements
Vagabond Trip Reports:
To see the Vagabonds Adventures, check out:
Vagabonds & Adventures – The Ranger Station
Recent Video & Playlist:
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.