Gear Roundup | What I Take With Me On Trips (2026 edition)

July 31, 2026.

It's been a couple years since my last Gear Roundup. I can make all sorts of excuses for the long delay - the Tacoma living in Las Vegas during the winter, an overall setup that works so well that there haven't been many changes, the fact that we're spending more time on trips - but we all know the real reason: laziness.

Still, I think it's important to take stock now and then, both to ensure that I'm purposeful about how we're camping and to share my experience on what works and what doesn't, for those who may want to do something similar.

Taken with the Rig Reviews, this series of posts give a good sense of what's working and what's not with the setup. So, without further ado, let's dig into what's on and in the truck as of Summer 2026!

Additions for 2024, 2025, and 2026 are marked in red.
Items we no longer take are struck through or missing entirely.

The Truck Itself

Obviously we can't adventure without the actual vehicle. To see how it's outfitted, check out the Truck Details Build Page (2026) (2025) (2024) and the relevant links there to the various mods that were part of the last few years of evolution.

One thing you may notice is that the modifications have - by and large - become smaller tweaks to existing systems compared to the early years of the Tacoma. This is a natural evolution - I think - of a camping system that generally works well; as it matures, there's less need for major changes, and it becomes a matter of dialing in the details.

Here are a few of the notable details I updated in the last couple of years:

1. I migrated the house battery from AGM to a lithium based chemistry (LiFePO₄). This has been a mostly amazing transition - the energy capacity of the lithium battery has been liberating in camp - with two minor drawbacks:
   • I can no longer link the house system to the staring battery, should the starting battery need to be jumped (if say, someone left the lights on).
   • The battery itself is no longer just a "dumb" battery. It has a computer inside, and that means one more thing to fail (even if it hasn't yet).
2. I updated the "Big 7" wiring, to support the more powerful alternator I installed to charge the new LiFePO₄ house battery faster.
3. I added a long lens to the camera setup. For military jets. I have yet to have mounted on the body when one rockets by.
4. I got a bunch of backpacking gear. None of that is covered here.

Sleeping Gear

Everything is based around the RTT (things to consider) and Exped MegaMat Duo 10 LW. The mat continues to be one of our favorite things on the truck, and I can't recommend it highly enough; it really does make the entire trip better (because of the great sleep we get).

1. Two heavyweight down comforters, twin size. We like comforters for two reasons - first, they are so much more comfortable and cozy than a sleeping bag - great for a good night sleep. And second, they compress better when the tent is folded up. Two allow us to control temperatures easily.
2. One bottom sheet, fitted to the Exped MegaMat Duo mattress. With a sheet and comforters, it's like sleeping in a bed. I know I'm really talking this up, so I recommend you read my rig review about it here.
3. Two full-size pillows. There's no better pillow than your home pillow, and we've put two of our older ones in the tent permanently. I use both of them.
4. Two Exped Mega Pillows. We picked these up for backpacking, and now also use them in the tent. They are nice because they pack completely flat and use the same fill valve as the Exped MegaMat.
5. A Zero pump. This pump makes quick work of inflating the MegaMatt and Mega Pillows, and can do so a dozen times on a single battery charge. Plus, the battery is rechargeable via USB-C, so it's easy to refill on the road.
6. A beach towel. Used to dry the tent when it's rained overnight or when there is excessive dew. Spending a few minutes to dry box sides of the rain fly will significantly reduce dampness when we climb into bed the next evening, eliminates the risk of mildew, and prolongs the life of the tent.
7. Sleep clothing. Since the Tacoma is not home for ~7 months straight, this keeps the bedding cleaner over that time.
   1. One pair of flannel pajama bottoms.
   2. One three-quarter sleeve baseball shirt.
   3. One pair of ankle socks.
8. Ear plugs. On windy nights, or if you're near the highway, soft foam (designed for sleeping) ear plugs can be a lifesaver. I always keep a few pair in one of the tent pockets.
9. A warm (polartec) cap. I like to sleep with the doors and windows open whenever I can - even when it's cold. A cap keeps the breeze off my head and keeps me a lot toastier through those cold nights.
10. A pair of electric socks. Going to sleep with cold feet is the worst, and these seem to do a good job of heating up feet so that doesn't happen. These socks are good enough that I'm no longer relying on Little Hotties to do the same job.

Daytime Clothing and Footwear

Clothing is something that has changed a bit in the last three years. I used to wear t-shirts with shorts most of the time, and then transitioned to cotton camo cargo pants. A couple of years ago, @mrs.turbodb convinced me to try a long-sleeve, hooded sun shirt from Patagonia. I'd seen Monte @Blackdawg wear these on our trips, but I'd always figured a sweatshirt was just as good.

I loved it. The sleeves and hood meant I didn't have to slather my upper body in sunscreen. The light weight material kept me cooler than a t-shirt while also providing a bit of a wind break on breezy days.

And that was just the first step. Then I tried a pair of synthetic hiking pants. And then Darn Tough socks. It was a slippery slope, and to my surprise, the right clothing... was better.

I still don't bring much clothing - there's not much reason to change if I'm just going to sweat each day and showers aren't part of the equation - but what I do bring has evolved:

1. A clean pair of underwear for every day.
2. A clean pair of calf-height crew socks for every day.
3. Two pairs of Darn Tough calf-height crew socks if we're going on hikes.
4. A pair of electric socks. Going to sleep or standing around the camp fire with cold feet is the worst, and these seem to do a good job of heating up feet so that doesn't happen. These socks are good enough that I'm no longer relying on Little Hotties to do the same job.
5. One waterproof, hooded, rain jacket.
6. A pair of running sneakers - my primary shoe in dry conditions.
7. A pair of very lightweight gators that I wear all the time to keep dirt and grass from jumping into my shoes.
8. A pair of Muck Boots - a great alternative for really muddy forays out of the truck.
9. One pair of pants per week of trip, plus one extra.
10. Two long-sleeve shirts per week of trip, plus one extra. I wear Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hooded Shirts, and they are expensive, but awesome. Light, comfortable, and keep the sun off of skin.
11. One sweatshirt (with hood).
12. One down puffy.
13. One very lightweight windbreaker.
14. Sunglasses.
15. A baseball hat.
16. Two reusable grocery bags - one of which I use for dirty clothes, and the other to store my shoes in when I go in the tent.

With everything above, it's easy to adapt to the weather in almost any conditions. There are enough warm clothes to layer up when it gets cold.

Toiletries

Not much to say here - this stuff doesn't take up much room and I just slip most of it into my clothes bag.

1. Electric Philips Sonicare Toothbrush (and charger as necessary) and toothpaste.
2. Toilet paper - 2 rolls. I've found that a single roll is enough for all but the longest trips, but this is something you want to have a backup of, in case you lose the first roll, or it gets wet... and of course, your wife wants it along, too.
3. Baby wipes. Go for unscented, and make sure they are resealable. I like to take two packs per trip - one to keep in the cab, and the other in the kitchen box. Use them sparingly for washing hands and every day for "showering" the spots that get stinky.
4. Deodorant
5. Electric shaver (two-week trips only) - while I probably only end up using this once per two-week trip, it's amazing how nice it can feel to get a week's worth of itchy facial hair growth trimmed down.
6. Two washcloths - one which I saturate with water for washing my face, and a second for washing dusty areas like my legs after hiking.
7. Nail clippers
8. Advil
9. Sunscreen. I like CeraVe with SPF 30 which seems more like lotion (though, I'm not someone who uses lotion so take my comparison under advisement) and doesn't seem so greasy when I want to wash my face at night.

Camera and Electronics

After changing all my camera gear in 2023, I changed it again in 2025 by upgrading the body. The Canon Mirrorless (RF mount) line is awesome, so I moved from the R6 to the R5 body and haven't looked back. I'm still using the same lenses, and shooting the same way, though I've also added a super telephoto on a few trips that call for it.

1. In a camera bag (which came with the camera, so use any bag you prefer).
   1. Canon R5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera - used to shoot all my photos, which I get saved in duplicate to both a CFexpress Type B and a MicroSD card.
   2. RF 24-240mm f4-6.3 IS USM lens - my primary lens. Note: this is a great lens, but if there were an F2.8 version, I'd spend almost any amount of money on that version.
   3. RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM lens - used for wide angle shots. Note: this is an amazing lens. Any time you can afford F2.8 lenses, spend the money. Seriously, so much better than a variable aperture lens.
   4. RF 100-500 F4.5-7.1 IS USM lens - used to capture distant subjects, at least in theory.
   5. Three (3) Canon LP-E6NH Batteries and a charger.
   6. Recording media - these will vary by setup, but bring two full sets of cards for capacity and redundancy
      1. Two (2), 256GB CFExpress Type B memory cards
      2. Two (2), 128GB microSD memory cards
2. DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo with DJI RC 2 Controller.
3. A small, 175W Inverter - for charging camera batteries an my laptop. Note that I've also added a short extension cord into which I can plug two devices at a time.
4. MeFOTO Roadtrip S Tripod - used primarily for sunrise photos, the occasional sunset, and the even more occasional selfie.
5. A selection of USB cables (microUSB, USB C, mini USB, and lightning).
6. My laptop - for offloading photos and image processing.
7. A "lap desk." The bottom of my laptop can get hot when I'm processing photos, so keeping it off my legs - or off the comforter in the tent - makes it more comfortable to use. I 3D printed mine so it would be thin and light, but any simple hard surface - even a book - will do.
8. A Bluetooth mouse for my laptop (powered by AAA batteries).
9. An LED headlamp. For hands-free light options. Pick your favorite; I chose one that uses AAA batteries to consolidate my spares.
10. Spare, rechargeable AAA batteries, already charged. I no longer bring a charger as I just don't use enough batteries to necessitate recharging on a trip.
11. A small flashlight. I used to carry a big 3-D cell Maglight, but have since realized that small 18650 Lithium-Ion-based flashlight is smaller, brighter, and easier to pack. I like the sofirn SC31 Series Flashlight.
12. Seven (7) LED puck lights. These RGB lights are great for lighting things at night, and mine adits any time of day.
13. A 100w foldable solar panel. My setup includes a 30-foot long lead so I can keep the truck in the shade and the panels in the sun. I get ~65-75W out of these panels on a sunny day, which is enough to charge devices and run the fridge indefinitely.

Packs

While these packs carry my food and water on hikes, they are sized around my camera equipment.

1. Camelbak Venture Lumbar Hip Pack (now only available used) - In addition to clipping my camera to the front strap, this pack is large enough to carry
   • one canon RF lens
   • a spare camera battery
   • a sandwich
   • my two 20oz. water bottles.
2. Mountainsmith Tour hip pack - This is the pack I take when packing the drone on a hike. Much larger than the camelbak, in addition to clipping my camera to the front strap, this pack is large enough to carry:
   • DJI Air 3 drone
   • DJI Air 3 controller
   • one canon RF lens
   • a spare camera battery
   • a windbreaker
   • a sandwich
   • an apple
   • a flashlight
   • a pack of 7 LED puck lights
   • my two 20oz. water bottles.

Behind-the-Seat Box

We have a box of miscellaneous stuff that we use on almost every trip. Much of it fits into the other categories here, but we keep it in an easily accessible box right behind the passenger seat. The entire box stays in the truck between trips, and is replenished as necessary:

1. Bug jacket - I hate mosquitoes, but they don't feel the same way towards me. This keeps them from making out with my skin.
2. Mosquito repellant - rarely used, now that we have the bug jackets.
3. Windex - for cleaning the windows and dash when the Tacoma is in the desert for the winter.
4. Poncho jacket and pants - I've never used these, but if there is ever a time where it's pouring rain and I need to work on the Tacoma, these will keep me a little less disgusting. Maybe.
5. Binoculars - we've got some really good ones (my dad loves birding, so only recommends the best) but get some that fit your price range.
6. Commonly used kitchen gear - a couple plates, a couple bowls, a couple spoons, and a sharp knife mean we don't have to pull out the kitchen box for breakfast and lunch
7. Paper towels
8. Toilet paper
9. Baby wipes
10. Washcloths
11. A bit of moleskin
12. A pair of handheld FRS radios that we carry if we're headed out on a hike where we think we might get split up. We rarely use them, and are not good about keeping them charged.

Kitchen Gear

All the kitchen gear is stored in a single, aluminum, medium-size, military medical case. This makes it relatively easy to get to, and of course protects it from the elements. The case contains:

1. A propane Coleman Camp Stove/Grill. This makes it equally easy to heat up a pan or grill a burger, and folds down relatively small. The only think I don't really like about it is that the burners are either on or off - though they look adjustable, they aren't really.
2. Two 1lb cylinders of propane. This seems to be enough to last for a couple weeks, and having a backup means that when one runs out, I can start looking for another if I think I'll run out before the end of the trip.
3. A custom propane hose to make cylinder placement easier.
4. Plastic bowls - one per person, but a minimum of two. Used for breakfast cereal.
5. Plastic plates - one per person, but a minimum of two. I sometimes use these for cutting items, but more often I use them for simply supporting a paper plate that I eat off of.
6. Paper plates - usually about 50 of the cheapest ones I can find. We have a stack at home and I make sure there are a bunch in the case before a trip - these are my primary prep/eating surface since clean-up is easy (fire or trash).
7. One stainless steel mixing bowl. Used primarily for doing dishes, when there are dishes to do.
8. Utensils stored in a plastic container:
   1. Two (one per person, min of two) - forks, spoons
   2. One (only) - butter knife, spatula, serving spoon, small tongs, small sharp kitchen knife (love this knife, it's always sharp)
9. Paper towels - one roll per week.
10. Chip clips - half a dozen or so seems about right.
11. Baby wipes. Go for unscented, and make sure they are resealable. Use them sparingly for washing hands.
12. Aluminum foil - a full box, which you can use to make hobo meals (meals you cook in the camp fire, by double wrapping them with foil, for no-mess hot dogs, or to heat up any number of items on the grill).
13. Fire starting implements - at least one box of wooden matches and a cheap lighter.
14. 10 quart-size Ziplock plastic freezer bags. A box of sandwich bags.
15. A bit of clothesline rope. Never used, but good to have just in case we need to hang or tie something.
16. A 2 qt steel sauce pan. This is better than the skillet I used to take, and also allows heating up of things like soup.
17. A 40oz stainless steel vacuum insulated travel mug with a sealing lid. I keep this in the cab and use it when we stop for food, so I can fill it up with cold soda, which is a nice splurge to have for the next 24 hours.

Food Storage

We keep all of our food in sealed containers for convenience and to keep it out of the mouths of the various animals that would surely like to sample our feasts.

1. Dometic CFX3-45 Fridge Freezer - holds anything that needs to be temperature controlled, and works well. Review here.
2. A small military medical case for all of our dry goods (chips, cereal, granola bars, canned goods, etc.)

First Aid and Emergency Communications

I've been super lucky and never had to use my first aid kits for anything except minor cuts and scrapes, but I always take two kits with me - one for minor stuff, and one that can help in a more serious event. Of course, they both contain some of the basic items, since one kit or the other may be quicker to grab at any given time.

I carry a Garmin InReach Mini for emergencies, and am convinced that this is the best way to use it (at the lowest possible price, which is all you need). However, I've recently cancelled my monthly subscription (SOS still works) in favor of using satellite messaging on my iPhone.

We also carry a pair of handheld FRS radios if we're headed out on a hike where we think we might get split up. We rarely use them, and are not good about keeping them charged.

Minor stuff; kit kept in kitchen container:

• assortment of band-aids (sizes and shapes)
• burn cream
• sterile eye pads
• sterile gauze (different sizes and shapes)
• medical tape
• scissors
• CPR mouth shield
• two ice packs
• IB Profin (Advil)
• UTI pills (cranberry concentrate)

Trauma kit, kept in cab of truck:

• flexible splint
• clothing scissors
• large sterile pads (various large sizes and shapes)
• non-latex rubber gloves
• idoine cleaning pads
• medical tape
• band-aids (various sizes and shapes)
• tourniquet

Basic Tools

These are tools that I think should go on every trip, no matter how short. Of course, a break down may mean the adventure is "over", but with them, you can get yourself out of a lot of situations, and back to civilization.

• Tire related
  • 20-foot compressed air hose with ARB tire inflator - I've added a longer hose to the ARB inflator and can inflate two tires at the same time for convenience.
  • Full size spare tire (33x10.5 Kenda Klever RT) on matching wheel (17" Sequioa double-6-spoke) - Having a total replacement for a wheel/tire is good practice when in remote areas. Of course, along with tires, I also use the following on every trip:
  • Tire pressure gauge - get the cheapest you can IMO. It's just checking pressure and you mostly want to make sure all tires are the same and around a certain PSI.
  • Tire deflators - these things are cheap and work way better than the tools that unscrew the valve stem. You can even install them and then air down while driving.
  • Tire plug kit, to fit many small punctures. I didn't use the plug kit this year, but I've used it several times over the years. All the kits are basically the same as long as you get the tools. So get the cheapest one you can.
  • Colby valve stem repair kit - which would have made my life a lot easier when I broke off a valve stem on the trail.
  • Spare valve stem valves. I don't remove mine to air down, but for those who do, the seals can wear out and having a few on hand is a good idea.
• 48" Hi-Lift Jack - with a lifted truck, the stock bottle jack is no longer tall enough, so I now carry a Hi-Lift. No point in bringing a spare tire, if you don't have a jack that allows you to change it!
• Fuel
  • 15 gallons extra fuel - in 5-gallon Scepter (military issue, plastic) jerry cans.
  • Cap opening wrench - necessary to open the Scepter jerry cans at a different altitude than they were previously closed.
  • To transfer fuel from the jerry cans to the tank, I bring and use a fuel siphon. Make sure to get a 10' siphon, so you can leave the fuel cans in the bed or on your rear bumper when you transfer fuel.
• Chopping axe - more useful than a hatchet for splitting smaller firewood, clearing small down-fall, and as a hammer.
• A folding 10" Japanese pull saw - this is way more convenient for cutting small trees out of the way than the hatchet or chainsaw. I've used it well over 100 times and it's still as sharp as ever.
• 30-foot tape measure - growing up as a woodworker, I'd feel lost without it.
• 20' of 3/8" rope - something I carry in the truck at all times, and always have.
• Two small (500lb) ratchet straps - these straps can be used for securing loads and for temporary repairs, holding pieces of your vehicle in place so you can limp to repair.
• A pair of rubberized gloves - I get mine at Harbor Freight, but any gloves will do and they look cheaper on amazon if you buy several pair. These are a necessity when changing tires, working on the truck, chopping wood, or using the chainsaw - allowing for better grip than bare hands.

• This tool roll, which conveniently holds 95% of the tools I need to fix anything that breaks on the trail in an organized fashion. I've tried other rolls, and they just don't have the right set of pockets, where this one does. Into the tool roll, put:
  • • Several 3/8" sockets in the following sizes (set): 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, 24mm
    • 3/8" Spark plug socket (5/8" or 16mm)
    • 3/8” socket extensions - 3-, 6-, 10-inch lengths
    • 3/8" ratchet (socket set) - do yourself a favor that I didn't :), and get a flex head for access to more bolts.
    • Several crescent + box end wrenches in the following sizes: 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm
    • Set of metric Allen/hex key's ranging up to 10mm
    • 10mm flare nut wrench for working with brake lines
    • Wire cutters
    • Needle nose pliers
    • Channellock pliers
    • Adjustable  wrenches - 4.5-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch. I've found these to be quite valuable for holding a nut when tightening a bolt, or for hex head sizes I don't have a dedicated wrench/socket for (usually aftermarket parts).
    • Several screw drivers: Flat screw driver, Philips screw driver, Long flat screw driver.
    • A retractable razor utility knife
    • Reusable zip ties
    • Some wire
    • Some electrical tape
  • The lug nut key for my wheel locks

Basic Recovery Gear

Much of the equipment in the basic tool set and OSK can be used as part of a recovery - but in addition to those items, I always have the following with me in the truck. Every one of these items has been used on one trip or another, though none of them are used very often. I'd bring all of these things, even if I wasn't bringing the full OSK.

• Traction boards. I have a set of USActionTrax that were kindly donated after I got stuck several times. MaxTrax and Tred Pros also seem good. I'm not sure I'd go for the extremely cheap ones.
• Full-size, long fiberglass handle digging shovel - I feel like this is something often overlooked, or where people decide that a little folding shovel will be good enough. I however prefer a tool that is comfortable to use and moves a good amount of material. This year alone, I used it in mud, snow, and sand.
• 30-foot tow strap, rated at 30,000 lbs.
• 8-foot tree saver, rated at 30,000 lbs.
• Smittybuilt snatch block
• 4, 7/8-inch pin shackles - 2 rated at 4.75 ton, and 2 rated at 6.5 ton
• 1, 7/8-inch, 30-foot long kinetic rope - I've only just started bringing this on trips because it was gifted to me. I've never used it.
• 2, 1/2-inch soft shackles - I've only just started bringing these on trips because they were gifted to me. I've never used them.

I of course also have a Warn M8000-S winch hidden in the front bumper of the truck, but it's usually the last tool I turn to - I've found that most situations don't require a winch to escape.

OSK (Oh Shit Kit) - More Tools and Spare Parts

I now carry an OSK comprised of two DeWalt T-stack cases (Deep Box, Clear Organizer) which contain all of my items.

Fluids

• WD-40 PTFE Dry Lube - This is the WD-40 that I now use as my go-to variant since it's a dry lube and so doesn't attract the dust and dirt so common on the trail.
• Brake cleaner - useful for a variety of cleaning tasks when fixing up something on the trail.
• MAF cleaner - I've had problems with my MAF a couple of times, so this is now a staple in my kit.
• Throttle Body cleaner - I've never (that I know) had a specific problem with the TB, but this is a good all-purpose cleaner as well, so it is part of the kit.
• Brake fluid - brakes are a key component of a working rig. If a leak happens somewhere, I want to be able to refill any lost fluid - at least enough to limp back to civilization.
• Power Steering Fluid (ATF) - If a leak happens somewhere, I want to be able to refill any lost fluid - at least enough to limp back to civilization.

Parts

• Assortment of bolts, washers, and nuts ranging from M6 to M14, varying lengths. Many of these are Toyota bits that have been removed as I've modified the truck, but I also bought an array of sizes and lengths that can be used in a pinch should I not have "the right bolt."
• Assortment of spare fuses and relays for my Bussman box.
• Spare AC idler pulley (88440-04040) - these seem to go out all the time, and having a trail spare will relieve you of the dreadful squealing.
• One spare belt for each of the A/C compressor, alternator, and fan.
• Spare alternator brushes (27370-75060). I used to carry a spare alternator (Denso 210-0461 105A Remanufactured Alternator), but the brushes are most likely to fail and save 15lbs of weight 
• The outer spline of a CV axle - the front wheel hubs on a 1st gen Tacoma require the CV to be installed or the bearing will fall out. This spline stub will get me off the trail should a CV break.
• A spare u-bolt for the swingout of my rear bumper
• A few spare band camps to secure the external reservoirs for the ADS coilovers in the front wheel wells.

Tools

• 24" long, ½" drive, breaker bar
• 35mm socket - for removal of the CV axle nut.
• Socket adapter and reducer set (1/2->3/8; 3/8->1/4; 3/8->1/2; 1/4->3/8)
• Pry bars - useful when changing a CV axle.
• 3lb deadblow mallet
• Multimeter - electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose even with a meter, but they are impossible to figure out without one.
• Blue (242) Loctite
• Bailing wire
• Jumper cables - mostly to help others, though I've also used it to jump the Tacoma since swapping over to a Lithium-based house battery.
• A spark plug gap tool - because this is where I keep my only spark plug gap tool.

Water

On most trips I bring 5 gallons in a Scepter (military issue, plastic) jerry can. I generally expect to use ½-1 gallon/day per person. Fill up in town (fuel stations) when running low. On longer, or extremely hot trips, I bring 10 gallons.

Though water is stored in the jerry can, that's not a convenient way to drink it, or use it for washing. For those activities, we use

• Two Camelbak water bottles - these are useful for drinking out of, and stay sealed up when driving.
• Camelbak Rogue Hydration Pack - this can store enough water for a longer hike and is also useful for washing dishes - water flow can be started by suction and then continues via siphon at a high enough rate to wash, but low enough rate to not waste too much water.

Miscellaneous

There are a few things that don't fit well in other categories, so I'll list them here:

• A fire extinguisher. I have an Element E50 stick, but any automotive-focused extinguisher that you prefer is fine.
• A Trasharoo for all our garbage. We don't generally make much trash on a trip, but any we do (and any we find in camp from previous adventurers) goes into the bag and is forgotten until we get home.
• Rocking camp chair - I got sick of eating in the low camp chair. The new chair has a much better position for eating. It is not more convenient to pack, however, so we don't take it on single-truck trips, where we just sit on the tailgate or ground.
• I use rocks for leveling the truck/tent in camp.
• A 2' x 3' astroturf rug/door mat - for the bottom of the RTT ladder, to keep from getting muddy on those rainy nights. And, for laying on if I have to work on the truck while on the dusty trail. Get whatever old mat you can find for free - that's how I got mine!
• A small step stool, which makes it easier to see into the fridge if camp is on a hill.

Only on Some Trips

There isn't much that I only bring on certain trips, since a bed that isn't full means that things have a tendency to slide around. But, there are a few things that only come along when I think I'll need them.

Chainsaw

• Chainsaw - I decided that if I need a chainsaw, I want it to work, so I purchased a Stihl MS-261 professional saw (ebay) with a 20" bar. This wasn't a cheap purchase, but it's never let me down...and I know other saws that can't say the same.
• Chainsaw sharpener - spend the extra and get this one; it's amazing how well it works.
• Chainsaw fuel - 1 gallon of pre-mixed fuel/oil mix in a fuel rotopax. This seems to be more than I ever need on a single trip.
• Chainsaw bar oil - 1 qt of Stihl bar oil. Like the fuel, if I need more than this, I should likely find another route around the dead-fall.

Packing

I've realized that how I pack might also be useful for folks, so here's a layout of out setup.

Bed

The bed gets packed with the least-used stuff toward the cab and utilizes my poor-mans's bed slide to make the commonly used stuff, easier to access.

Extended Cab

Packing the cab will depend on what sort of storage containers you use. To organize everything and also provide storage for the house battery and electronics, I decided that a built-in cabinet was worth the extra weight.

• Passenger side: Behind-the-Seat Box, house electrical, air-up and recovery box, and commonly accessed basic tools in the foot well.
• Center. Camera bag sits above the LiFePO4 battery,
• Driver side: backpacks with clothing sit above a small cubby with the drone, solar panels, day packs. Muck boots (in plastic bags) in the foot well.

 

And that's what I've got. I think I've managed to list pretty much everything, but I'm sure there are things that you may feel that I'm missing. I'd love to hear any feedback or suggestions!

 

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