We are back for Part 2 of our SEMA 2024 coverage. Today, I’m diving deep into the West Hall, which is basically the Mecca for off-roading, overlanding, and heavy-duty truck builds. If you’re into rooftop tents, modular racks, or “house on wheels” builds, this is the building you want to be in.
I decided to skip the long Vegas Loop lines this morning and walked over from Resorts World. It’s a short walk, and honestly, sometimes it’s faster than waiting for the Teslas in the tunnel!
The Faraday Future FF91: Luxury EV Reimagined
Before hitting the trucks, I stumbled upon the Faraday Future FF91 at the JC Sportline booth. This was my first time seeing one in person, and the technical details are wild. It features suicide doors, side-sliding rear doors, and an interior that looks more like a private jet than a car, complete with a giant rear entertainment screen. It’s a massive, luxurious statement piece for the high-end EV market.
The West Hall: Overlanding Heaven
The West Hall is dominated by companies like Yakima, ARB, and EcoFlow. Here are the highlights for those of us who like to take our hardware off the beaten path:
- Yakima Modular Systems: I checked out the new GX 550 build featuring Yakima’s modular roof rack system. They have a dual-purpose awning/tent setup that is impressively compact.
- ARB Earth Camper: This is a rugged, compact trailer that unfolds into a massive living enclosure. It’s built for serious terrain and manages to squeeze a kitchen, tent, and storage into a small footprint.
- EarthRoamer LTX & SX: These are literally “houses on wheels” built on heavy-duty truck chassis. If you have the budget, this is the ultimate survivalist luxury vehicle.
- Winnie Bago Electric?: I spotted a sick Winnebago build that appeared to have a full solar-panel roof. Even if it’s not a full EV powertrain, the integration of solar for house power is a trend we’re seeing everywhere at SEMA this year.
The Surprise of the Show: The “Woodland” Toyota Sienna
I’ll be honest—I never thought I’d be this excited about a minivan at SEMA. I found a Toyota Sienna with the new Woodland trim, and the modifications by Hayashi are genius.
- Overland Ready: It’s lifted with off-road tires, a hitch-mounted spare tire, and a rooftop tent.
- Modular Storage: Hayashi added door accessory holders, unique seat organizers, and even a table extension that pops out of the fender.
- Utility: It still keeps the reliability of a hybrid Sienna but adds the “get out there” capability of a crossover. As a dad, I’m looking at minivans in a whole new light now.
Technical Takeaways: Bike Racks and Windshield Protection
I’m always looking for e-bike solutions. I checked out the Kuat booth. I currently use the Transfer V2, but it struggles with the weight of my 80lb e-bike. The pro tip here? Detach the battery to save roughly 10-15 lbs and check for tire-width adapters if you’re running 4-inch “fat” tires.
SEMA Trip Stats: Model Y Efficiency
Returning home to SoCal, I faced some brutal efficiency numbers due to heavy winds.
- Consumption: I was seeing numbers in the low 400s Wh/mile, which is incredibly high for a Model Y Performance.
- Charging Stops: I had to stop at the M Hotel (16% SoC), Baker (11% SoC), and Eddie World (40% SoC).
- Pricing: Vegas rates are hitting $0.55/kWh, similar to California. Pro tip: If you can make it to Primm, the rates are usually about $0.10 cheaper per kWh.
Final Thoughts on SEMA 2024
SEMA is an absolute must for any car enthusiast, especially as the aftermarket finally begins to catch up with EV technology. While the West Hall had a heavy “gas-chugging” off-road vibe, the integration of portable power like EcoFlow and solar-ready tents shows that the two worlds are merging.
Watch the full SEMA Day 2 wrap-up here:
