6ix Taco is Bowen Li’s 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO. It earned its reputation on a cliff edge above Goblin Valley, Utah, 4,000 kilometres from home.
Bowen is part of the growing Alu-Cab family in Canada, and his story is one we hear echoed across the global overlanding community. How a love of exploring started in childhood, and once he was old enough to drive built a dream rig that evolved into a gateway, and a community that turned solo adventures into shared ones.
Roots in Adventure
Bowen hails from Toronto, Ontario, where his passion for the outdoors began early. Exploring new places and making memories with his dad through travel and adventure. For him, overlanding isn’t about escape so much as recalibration.
“Overlanding gives me the freedom to slow down, disconnect from the daily routine, and experience places that most people drive right past,” says Bowen.
That philosophy shaped everything about his build. He didn’t want to be tied to hotels or crowded campgrounds. He wanted the freedom to leave the pavement behind and camp comfortably wherever the road ended. His build evolved over time as he figured out what worked for his style of travel.
Reliability First, Always Ready
The 6ix Taco has been built to handle everything from weekend camping trips to extended off-grid expeditions. But ask Bowen about his build philosophy and you won’t hear a parts list.
“I try to focus on modifications that improve reliability and functionality first,” says Bowen. “A capable rig should still be comfortable enough that you want to spend weeks exploring in it.”
It’s a balance many overlanders chase. Prepared enough for remote travel. Simple enough to actually enjoy. And living in Canada, where a single trip can serve up every season, meant his gear had to be up to the task.
The Setup
Bowen runs a full Alu-Cab system on his 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO. This includes a Gen 3R Rooftop Tent, the Explorer Canopy, and the 270° Shadow Awning.
His decision came down to seeing the products in person. “The attention to detail, solid construction and reputation within the overlanding community made the decision easy. It felt like gear that was designed by people who actually use it.”
That gear has earned its keep in the moments that matter most. Those unplanned ones. Full campgrounds, changed plans, long days that ran longer than expected. “Being able to pull off, set up camp in minutes and have everything I needed with me completely changed the experience from stressful to enjoyable.”
That’s exactly what we build for.
A Month on the Road
Bowen’s most unforgettable journey was a month-long overland trip from Toronto all the way to California. But it was Utah that stole the show.
One evening, he and his girlfriend (his trusted co-pilot, who handles the daily essentials and food while he plans routes and campsites) found a campsite perched right on the edge of a cliff overlooking Goblin Valley State Park. The road leading there offered a hint of what was coming. It’s called Moon Overlook Road.
“It felt like discovering a hidden corner of the world,” says Bowen. “As if we were on Mars. There was no noise, no crowds and nothing but incredible views in every direction. Waking up there at sunrise is a memory I’ll never forget.”
No other souls around. Perfect weather. The kind of silence you only find when you’re truly off the grid. It’s the moment every overlander chases. And the reason the 6ix Taco exists.
The Community That Keeps Him Coming Back
Ask Bowen what surprised him most about this lifestyle, and his answer is immediate. The people.
“The overlanding community is one of the most welcoming groups I’ve ever been part of,” says Bowen. “Whether it’s sharing trail advice, helping someone with a repair, recommending a campsite, or simply talking around a campfire, there’s a genuine sense of camaraderie. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, but the passion for adventure brings people together.”
It’s a sentiment we see in every corner of the Alu-Cab community. From the Karoo to the Rockies to the backroads of Ontario.
Advice for the Next Generation of Overlanders
For anyone just getting started, Bowen’s advice cuts against the grain of build-culture:
“Start exploring before you start modifying,” says Bowen. “It’s easy to get caught up in building the perfect rig, but the best way to learn what you actually need is to get out there and use what you already have. Some of my favorite trips happened long before my build was finished.”
And once camp is set up? Keep it simple. A good steak over the fire, an ice-cold drink and a sunset. “Sometimes the simple meals end up being the best ones.”
(For the record, if Bowen could share the above experience with anyone, living or legendary, it would be Steve Irwin, and says “his passion for adventure, wildlife and exploring the natural world was contagious.”
What’s Next?
Bowen’s bucket list runs the length of two continents. The Pan-American Highway is the ultimate dream, taking his time through North and South America, experiencing cultures and places most tourists never see.
But the next great adventure points north to Alaska. The goal is to drive the Tacoma from Ontario all the way to the Arctic Ocean, threading some of the most remote roads and wild landscapes in North America.
“The Tacoma and Alu-Cab setup give me the confidence to travel farther off the beaten path, stay self-sufficient and truly immerse myself in the journey,” says Bowen. “Reaching the Arctic Ocean would be an incredible milestone, but the memories made along the way are what I’m looking forward to most.”
We can’t wait to see where 6ix Taco heads to next.