Hey Keith!!
Do you like Arthur's Idea?!?! I love it! We could have two Keith's and call it the the "Two K's Overland Centre"!
Unfortunatly I think we'd be broke in a matter of months.
LR Dealers commited to Outside activities? Probably not. It's a novel way to attract customers, get them to come look at something they did a long time ago. Everyone seems to have some tale of "The Trip" back when they where young and had fewer responsabilities. It's Nostalgic!
The masses in the States aren't really interested in true "vehicle dependant camping" let alone long treks through the middle of nowhere.
The vast number of campers in the states start with a tent and some bags, a Coleman stove and a cooler, from there they get kids, a camper van, or pickup camper happens or perhaps a pull behind Popup trailer. The kids get bigger and the camper become an RV, very limited to the terrain it can travel it ends up in "Campertown USA" one of the many electrified, showered, indoor plumbing and groomed places to camp for the weekend warrior. Okay so it become vehicle dependant but it's more like staying at an outdoor hotel than actual camping.
We're too busy, we have too many "irons in the fire" have too much "stuff" to pay for, have our kids involved in too many "keep them busy" activities. After all that we're too tired to go exploring. Take the RV.. Or better yet go hop on a plane to Florida, see amazing Man Made stuff, take too much time and effort to see Nature.
What is different here? I think it's the time we're allowed to "get out there" Getting "away" for a week is difficult for many folks here so most can't justify the masses of specialized equipment, the specialized vehicle or specialized knowledge of an overlander, that and many just don't have the patience or the attention span. You are more likely to see an '08 F350 towing a Double gooseneck trailer with Rock buggies, ATV's and Dirt bikes in the boonies so the owners can get that "quick fix" of off road entertainment over a weekend.
Wandering is something that unfortunately we've forgotten to do. My kids are just as guilty as anyone. What do they want to bring with them when we go on a trip? Every matter of electronic toy in their arsenal! It all ends up keeping their eye's inside the car, never looking out the window. I weaning them off it.. Electrickery is limited but they are allowed books to read, paper to draw on etc. Anything to make 'em smarter or make them look outside. It's working! Last trip what was the item that they fought over the most? The book with all the local maps in it! Hey if they fight over it, tear it to shreads I'll happily buy another! At least their attention span is getting longer and they're looking out the window, or exploring outside.
Sorry... Got into a rant
Erm? What was the question?