A decade ago, Eric Valdes was a college student exploring the Blue Ridge backroads in an old Toyota truck. Today, he and his wife Megan run Asheville Vehicle Outfitters (AVO). The family-owned, full-service 4×4 shop has become the go‑to destination for overlanders in the Southeast. People who demand the kind of build that turns a stock pickup into a self‑sufficient, world‑ready expedition vehicle. And at the heart of many of those builds sits an Alu‑Cab camper or canopy.
We chatted to Eric and Meg about their journey, their obsessive build philosophy and why they choose to work with a brand from the southern tip of Africa.
From College Trails to a Premier Outfitter
Eric’s passion began the way it does for many of us. From behind the wheel of a Toyota truck. After graduating from UNC Asheville, Eric went to work for Toyota, a move which cemented his loyalty to their trucks. Soon he and Meg were crisscrossing the country in Toyota 4×4s. The couple camped in Utah’s red‑rock canyons, explored high passes in Colorado and chased dirt roads all over the Southeast.
That hands‑on experience eventually landed Eric a role at ARB. Managing the Northeast region, he visited the country’s top 4×4 retailers and even traveled to ARB’s Melbourne headquarters. The exposure to the industry’s highest‑quality products and to the people who install them planted a seed. “I wanted to bring that same level of expertise and customer focus to Asheville,” says Eric. “To create a place where overlanders could find the best parts and guys who knew how to put them together.”
That place became AVO, which the Valdes family founded in 2019. Today the shop operates out of both Asheville, North Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida. It offers everything from suspension upgrades and brake kits to slide‑in campers and rooftop tents.
Built for the Long Haul
Walk into AVO’s workshop and you’ll spot Alu‑Cab canopies and ModCAP Campers. As an authorized dealer and Alu‑Cab installer, AVO has earned a reputation for durability and modular flexibility.
“Alu‑Cab is a premier brand in the overland community,” says Eric. “The product is made well and built to last, but it’s also incredibly easy for our customers to use. When you choose an Alu‑Cab setup, you know you’re getting gear that you can trust anywhere.”
That trust isn’t just marketing speak. On a trip to Moab, Eric and Meg weathered a fierce canyon windstorm while sleeping in a Gen 3‑R Rooftop Tent. “The gusts were extremely strong, but the tent didn’t budge,” Eric recalls. “Its struts held firm all night.” This real‑world testing by both the AVO crew and their customers is what convinced them that Alu‑Cab gear belongs on the most demanding expeditions.
From Contour Canopy to Full‑Size Camper
Alu‑Cab’s ecosystem is designed to scale with your needs. For the daily driver who wants a tough, lightweight truck cap, the Contour Canopy offers a sleek aluminum shell with integrated roof rails that can support a rooftop tent or load bars.
For those who want an all‑in‑one solution, the ModCAP Canopy Camper turns a standard pickup bed into either a two-sleeper camper with internal access, a comfortable mattress and plenty of accessories. Upgrading to the ModCAP Family Camper creates one of the largest truck‑mounted sleeping platforms on the market — bigger than a king‑size mattress!
Then there’s the RT‑4S Four‑Sleeper Rooftop Tent, a standalone hard‑shell tent that accommodates four adults and opens to the side for easier access. All of these products are constructed from lightweight aluminum, with UV‑resistant canvas and marine‑grade components that laugh off rain, dust, and sun.
The AVO Build Process
What sets AVO apart from a standard accessory shop isn’t just the parts they sell. It’s how they fit them. “We truly care about each build,” says Eric. “Our goal is to help the customer’s vision become reality and to educate them on how to use their new rig.”
That education starts the moment a customer walks through the door. The AVO team includes a sales manager, shop manager, inventory manager and certified master technicians who help each customer select the right gear for their specific needs.
“We will not rush through any project,” Eric emphasizes. “Every vehicle is different and requires full attention to detail. If our team needs a little extra time, it’s because we want the work done correctly.”
When the build is complete, the team does a full walk‑around with the owner, demonstrating every feature. How to deploy the tent, manage the electrical system and pack for a week‑long trip. “We want you to leave AVO with a complete understanding of your setup,” says Megan, who manages marketing and day‑to‑day operations. “And if questions come up later? We’re always available.”
Where to Point Your New Rig
Once your truck is built, where do you go? AVO recommends two standout trips that are perfectly suited to a well‑equipped overland rig.
The Georgia Traverse is a 390‑mile route that runs from the Georgia/South Carolina border all the way to Alabama, crossing the southern Appalachians and passing through the Chattahoochee National Forest. Plan on three to four days to complete the full traverse, with plenty of opportunities for dispersed camping, trout fishing and exploring small mountain towns. It’s an ideal shake‑down trip for a new setup.
For a shorter but equally rewarding day trip, Hurricane Creek Road climbs from the North Carolina/Tennessee border to the bald summit of Max Patch, a grassy dome that offers 360‑degree views of the surrounding Appalachians. The road is narrow and crosses the creek several times — nothing a high‑clearance 4WD can’t handle — and the payoff at the top is a perfect spot for a trail‑side lunch.
Building the Ultimate Dream Rig
We asked Eric what his ultimate expedition rig would look like and his answer reflects the philosophy that guides every AVO build. Function first, comfort second, no shortcuts.
“You need a comfortable sleeping area, water, heat, fans, a fridge, solar plus an electrical system, an awning and plenty of storage. For the vehicle to perform with all that added weight, we’d upgrade the suspension, add big brakes and spec tires for the terrain. And of course, you’d need satellite comms or Starlink, recovery gear, and a quality first‑aid kit.”
It’s a blueprint that any overlander can follow, whether you’re planning a weekend on the Georgia Traverse or a lap of South America. And it’s exactly the kind of build AVO delivers every day.
Community and What’s Next
As the Southeasts’s premier Alu-Cab dealer, AVO is a hub for the overland community. The shop hosts free monthly workshops (both in‑person and online) covering topics like beach camping, recovery techniques and trip planning. Once a quarter, they organize customer campouts that give new owners a chance to test their gear and swap stories around a fire.
As the overland industry continues to grow, AVO is positioning itself to be the Southeast’s premier destination for premium builds. With two locations, a deep bench of certified techs and a partnership with the manufacturers of the ultimate overland gear, they’re making good on their company motto: Building the Ultimate Adventure Vehicles, Making Any Destination Possible.
Ready to start your own build? Visit Asheville Vehicle Outfitters in Asheville, NC or Jacksonville, FL, or check out their website for upcoming workshop dates and event listings.