I have 4 kids so a trailer was the ultimate answer. Now I want to build it however!
Lets see your rigs packed for a trip
- Thread starter Corey
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This is version 4 I have almost finished. Hoping to load up for a winter fishing trip soon.
Personal suggestions here - consolidate coolers, 65qt for drinks is a lot. Lose the roof box, it wastes a lot of space inside, get a rack. You'll be amazed at how much more effective they are at holding stuff than inside with its sloping walls, seats, curved roof... Finally, swap from those hard containers to drawers. Don't have to be bought, even simple DIY plywood work. HUGE benefit in organizing everything more efficiently, and you keep a nice flat surface to stack everything else on.
I just purchased the ARB 50 qt so that should help with the cooler issue. I am down to 2-27qt containers. I think with the drawer I could downsize one of these. I have really considered a rack but I am worried about noise, security and how to keep stuff dry. It is usually a full days drive to get out of Texas so I am usually stuck in a roadside hotel somewhere in the oil patch and I prefer to have stuff at least locked in a box. A single drawer will probably be my next upgrade because I use the 3rd row seat occasionally.
I love this thread!
@TXSunDevil
The drawers in my previous post are two pieces, so I could add one of the third row seats if needed. A simple drawer for one side would be easy. The ones in the previous post don’t even have slides. It is just wood on wood with wax. It worked awesome. I now have a new drawer system with slides, but can’t tell much of a difference. You could do a low drawer (maybe 4”) with a slide and really pack it with some stuff. I think reducing the cooler for drinks would save some space also.
You didnt specify what kind of trip in the thread title!
I actually am ready to travel and sleep in sub zero weather if need be in the truck. This time of year anything can happen and you may be stuck for a day or two without a way to get provisions on the highway. I have a 12v fridge in here, two beds, CB, Tools, Flares, winter clothes(unloading in ND tomorrow), Summer Clothes(was in Orlando FL friday Noon sweating), Camera gear, TV Two Laptops, Two Tablets lol. It is only different from camping because I cannot get too far off the beaten path in this old girl due to height/weight/clearance issues. So I do not have to deal with the distinct dangers of being in very remote areas usually. I am itching to get home and work on my landcruiser though!
I actually am ready to travel and sleep in sub zero weather if need be in the truck. This time of year anything can happen and you may be stuck for a day or two without a way to get provisions on the highway. I have a 12v fridge in here, two beds, CB, Tools, Flares, winter clothes(unloading in ND tomorrow), Summer Clothes(was in Orlando FL friday Noon sweating), Camera gear, TV Two Laptops, Two Tablets lol. It is only different from camping because I cannot get too far off the beaten path in this old girl due to height/weight/clearance issues. So I do not have to deal with the distinct dangers of being in very remote areas usually. I am itching to get home and work on my landcruiser though!
As mentioned, lose the large hard boxes, consider a low flat drawer system....and as cool as Yeti's are they are way oversized and heavy compared to their internal capacity.
Do you have a hitch receiver?....consider a hitch basket for things like a box, cooler, campchairs, or firewood. Once at camp it can be removed and stashed out of the way. That's a lot of crap for two days....really consider how much "stuff" you really need. I love to overpack, most the time you don't need it.
Drawers are not for everyone.
They are very heavy, difficult to get in and out, especially for those people who use the third row seat once in a while.
Those HDX totes are exactly what I need and use. Modular, light, cheap, can serve multiple purposes and I can fit a lot of stuff I don't need inside them and in between. I can fit 4 of them inside the trunk as you can see in my video on a previous page here.
They are even with the second row seats when folded and form a nice sleeping platform.
They are very heavy, difficult to get in and out, especially for those people who use the third row seat once in a while.
Those HDX totes are exactly what I need and use. Modular, light, cheap, can serve multiple purposes and I can fit a lot of stuff I don't need inside them and in between. I can fit 4 of them inside the trunk as you can see in my video on a previous page here.
They are even with the second row seats when folded and form a nice sleeping platform.
let me guess, you commandeered your shop students to build that for you. they done a fine job from what i can see
My lord but you guys pack a crazy amount of gear, even for short trips. If I had to go through that, I wouldn't go anywhere. I've always been minimalist in traveling. I once spent 8 weeks traveling in my old Plymouth Arrow with a shell and carpet kit. I had a back pack and small cooler. It's just like international travel - one bag, one tote.
Why I like my van is, I pull in and camp is set up. No unloading required other than my chair.
When our kids were young, we compromised and used our Lance camper and, later, a 5th wheel. Same thing - pull into camp, done.
Perfect for camping around town!!
For me, less is more when traveling. I keep my cot up/ ready for sleeping at any time. All my “goods” are kept in duffle bags or small cardboard boxes under it. The cardboard recycled along the way, as its contents are consumed.
I also have window screens and a hatch tent. These don’t get utilized when I’m in stealth camper mode or sleeping in an area with bears/ lack or security.
Best of all, I can be fully in camper mode from my regular daily driver set up in under 10mins.
I also have window screens and a hatch tent. These don’t get utilized when I’m in stealth camper mode or sleeping in an area with bears/ lack or security.
Best of all, I can be fully in camper mode from my regular daily driver set up in under 10mins.
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Love the tent and setup, @mel lowe. Who makes that hatch tent?
The hatch tent really gives the interior a more spacious feeling. I purchased it and the window screens on amazon. Open the hatch and attach 4 bungee cords, ready in about 1 minute.
HelloKitty65
SILVER Star
What is the tarp/canopy? Sweet.
I like this set up too @mel lowe Cots are softer than a flat wood base, although that set up could incorporate drawers as well.
Two questions: is your front pass seat missing?, and how do the window screens on the doors seal on the bottom edge?
@mel lowe has the right idea. I used that exact setup on a trip earlier this year. Mine required me to throw a pelican case under my forward most cot leg to even it out.
I pull the front seat to give it a more open feeling. The cot fits with or without it in place. I also keep a smalller second cooler up front, keeping my main one from being opened and closed much.
The window smocks fit snuggly over window.
I need my full cargo space when not traveling, so drawers don't make since for my rig. Im also not interested in adding any additional weight to the rig.
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Also meant to ask, did you make the window socks or buy them? Where?
