Laurent Sadeler, a 33-year-old arborist from Luxembourg now living in Belgium, is no stranger to life on the road. For Laurent, living out of his vehicle is a way of life. Whether he’s climbing trees for work or exploring remote mountain passes for pleasure, Laurent has mastered the art of work life and balance. And when you’re scaling trees for a living, well, you’d better have balance… Powering Laurent’s nomadic lifestyle is his Toyota Hilux with Alu-Cab Explorer Canopy and Gen3R Roof Top Tent, which have transformed the way he travels, works and sleeps under the stars.
From Arborist to Overlander
Laurent’s journey into overlanding began modestly. As a self-employed arborist, he often found himself spending nights at worksites to save time and fuel. His first setup was functional but far from perfect. “Setting up was okay, but packing it down in the morning was a pain and took ages,” he recalls. After a few years of restless nights and a sore back, Laurent decided it was time for an upgrade.
“The Alu-Cab Gen3R has changed everything!” say Laurent. “The double canvas insulation, superior mattress, and robust design have made it his home away from home. I even sleep better on this mattress than in my own bed.” Having spent up to 70 consecutive nights in the roof top tent, a new diesel heater for winter camping now allows him to brave snowy conditions and he aims to hit the 200-night mark in 2025.
A Rig Built for Adventure
Laurent’s Toyota Hilux is outfitted with a 140-litre long-range fuel tank, a Warn 10,000-lb winch and Cooper Discoverer STT/Max mud-terrain tires. The Double Cab Explorer Canopy houses a DIY pull-out kitchen, a 60-liter water tank, and an Ecoflow Delta powerbank that keeps his fridge, camp lights and even his chainsaw batteries charged.
But it’s the Alu-Cab Gen3R RTT and 270 Shadow Awning that have truly revolutionised his travels. “I no longer need to take the gear off at the end of a hard day at work just to open my tent,” Laurent explains. “For my work, I need a ladder and other tools which can only be transported on the roof. The fact that the gas-struts on the tent can support heavy loads has made my life some much easier. I can simply pop the latches and open the tent, and I’m able to sleep in just a little bit longer in the morning because everything is packed away in seconds. The Shadow Awning provides instant shade for lunch breaks or campfire gatherings. It’s changed my travel style.”
Embracing the Unexpected
Laurent’s adventures have taken him across Europe, from the Danube River in Hungary to the rolling hills of Tuscany. But it’s the unexpected moments that stand out. On a solo trip through Italy, he found himself stranded at 1,900 meters during a torrential downpour. “It rained so heavily I couldn’t see the trees next to me,” he recalls. Despite the storm, his Alu-Cab tent held strong. “I stayed dry and warm. There wasn’t a single leak.”
Another unforgettable memory? Camping at an abandoned village in the Spanish Pyrenees. “It was very secluded and only accessible by a gravel track through the Mountains. I really felt at home there,” says Laurent. He even took a ceramic roof tile as a memento, a daily reminder of the peace he found in that secluded spot.
Minimalism and Mindfulness
For Laurent, overlanding is as much about the journey as the destination. “I think I am a minimalist,” he says. “Which makes it easy for me to be comfortable with very little.” His tent’s built-in pockets store clothes and books, while his sleeping gear stays ready for use year-round. In winter, a sheepskin and high-quality sleeping bag keep him cozy; in summer, he strips down to the bare essentials.
This minimalist approach extends to his advice for aspiring overlanders: “Just do it. Start small and see what you need on your adventures. You don’t need all the gear. Just go out and enjoy the adventure for what it is.”
Looking Ahead
Laurent’s passion for overlanding shows no signs of slowing down. In 2025, he plans to explore Corsica and conquer the West Alps, including the mountain pass that eluded him on his Italian adventure. By 2026, he’s setting his sights on a 4-6 week expedition to the Saharan Desert and Morocco.
He’s also documenting his travels on his YouTube channel, Arborigenie, a new passion that allows him to share his adventures with the world. And while he dreams of sharing a campfire with overlanding legends like Ronny Dahl or Andrew St. Pierre White, Laurent is already living a life many aspire to. A life where work, travel and adventure seamlessly intertwine.
A Grateful Adventurer
Laurent’s gratitude for Alu-Cab’s gear is palpable. “It has transformed my lifestyle, and I love it,” he says, explaining how it has become an integral part of hsis journey. A journey that continues to inspire and redefine what it means to live life on the road.
As Laurent puts it, “The best locations and memories are yet to come.” And with his trusty Hilux and Alu-Cab setup, there’s no doubt they will.