Vehicle Camp Storage

Vehicle Storage

Vehicle storage is one of the hardest things to perfect. Carrying too much full time can be risky and attract thieves, carrying too little will often make you forget things. One of the best solutions I’ve found to work for me is storage containers. Not trying to tell you to purchase one specific brand or style of container, choose storage options that work well with your vehicle.

For example, for all my expensive or sensitive items I use Pelican cases. Pelican cases offer maximum protection when you pair them with foam or trekpak system. These cases can be pretty big and if you’re traveling with a full vehicle you can easily throw them in the bed of the truck and not worry about them being exposed to the elements or being damaged.

With that being said, I use a soft bed cover to hide anything I carry in the bed of my truck. The soft bed cover allows me to stow it away when not in use and has a smaller footprint than a traditional hard cover.

I use a variety of bags for items I carry full time in the truck like, medical, tools, and a small hygiene bag. Blueridge overland has made some nice bags, as of now there are plenty of cheaper options that are similar or better but since I already purchased these, I will continue to use them as they fit my needs.

I use two of their Tool bags, I use one for tools as intended and another as my medical bag. They have a designated medical bag but I like the Tool bag much better. I also use some older London Bridge Trading company windowed pouches for my hygiene kit which lives under the seat of my Ford Raptor. For Recovery Gear I carry an ARB weekender recovery kit, this recovery kit is ok, I recommend getting some soft shackles and maybe some factory 55 hitch which is something that I will be picking up soon.

For my center console, I decided to run the same trekpak system similar to the one on my 2019 tundra. This is a trekpak system from a Pelican 1300 case. Fits perfectly on the Ford Raptor center console with minor modifications. Having this trekpak system allows me to organize a few items like my fire extinguisher, ifak kit, radios, and headlamps. In my center console I also have my Rugged radio hard mounted.

Finally my camp gear. I have different storage bins for different items. I have a Plano 56qt trunk as my cooking bin. The Plano holds my jet boil genesis stove and everything I need to cook. Plano did a great job with this inexpensive box as it comes with a weather seal to help keep the elements and bugs out. It is a bit flimsy so I wouldn’t necessarily stand on it. Next are the Front Runner Wolf Packs, I use these to store food or dry goods. These are always empty as I pack them the night before we head out. The wolf packs are surprisingly sturdy and usually use two stacked as an extra chair while out camping. These boxes aren’t weather sealed and should be kept away from bugs. Everything else like tables, chairs, tents. Usually have their own storage bags which makes it easier when packing or unpacking from a trip.

GEAR I USE!

Related YouTube Videos:

Best Pocket Camp Lights

Pocket Camp Lights

Over the past few years I’ve used multiple lights while camping. These are some of my favorites.

Having a light with you at all times even during the day can be useful. Flashlights can be used to grab someones attention, signal and point out hazards, and to see at night. There has been plenty of times where I’ve had to get up in the middle of the night to drop a deuce and my phone light just didn’t cut it. Having a pocket light makes things a bit easier and safer when you’re stepping into the pitch dark night.

My pocket camp light isn’t my actual EDC light, my Camp light stays in the truck at all times and only goes in my pocket when I go camping. I will go over a few lights then let you know which one is my favorite.

First up we have the Streamlight ProTac 2AAA. This light uses 2x AAA batteries. It is waterproof IPX7, and has a tail switch which is my favorite style button on flashlights. This is my favorite EDC light and is a good options as a camp light as well but NOT my favorite CAMP light. It lack lumens and run time, but will get you by. Anything beats your phones flash. Here are some specs directly from Streamlights website:

LED output and run times:

  • High for bright light: 130 lumens; 70m beam; runs 1.75 hours; 1,230 candela
  • Low for longer run time: 20 lumens; 30m beam; runs 13 hours; 230 candela
  • Strobe for signaling or disorienting: runs 3.5 hours

LINK HERE: Strealight ProTac 2AAA

Next we have yet another Streamlight, the Wedge. This one was comes very close as my favorite EDC and CAMP light but it has one huge flaw, little more on that later. This light comes in at around $100 bucks. The quality of this light is amazing. Its an aluminum body that is waterproof including the exposed Type C port. Lens of this light is exposed and I felt that it will be vulnerable to cracking but so far its handled a few accidental drops with no issues. This light has two settings a 300 lumen setting and a momentary 1,000 lumen setting which they call THRO MODE. Streamlight has not released a duration on 300 or 1000 lumens of this light so I can’t tell you the run time unfortunately. My main issue with this light is that it has a rechargeable built in battery, meaning if you forget to top it off you could potentially be without a light until you recharge it. I’ve been using this light pretty often without charging and by day 5 It was dead. Had to pocket my back up streamlight Protac 2AAA. It isn’t as easy as to dig into my battery case and swap batteries. That’s the main issue with this light. Never been a fan of built in batteries.

LINK HERE: Streamlight Wedge

Now On to my Favorite light the Surefire G2X PRO, This light uses common 2x CR123 batteries. Has two modes, 600 lumens at 1.5 hours, and a 15 lumens at 52 hours. Its waterproof and you can get it in bright yellow if you want to. This light can run you about 70 bucks somethings 58 when its on sale which is pretty often. This light also comes with a tail switch which makes it easy to use instead of the thumb button that the streamlight wedge has. Only issue is that this light is a bit bulky compared to the other lights mentioned above but offers the best bang for your buck.

LINK HERE: Surefire G2X PRO

I will link a few more options for those of you that are interested as well as a few YouTube videos In the past on some of these lights.

ALTERNATIVE LIGHT OPTIONS:

Surefire Sidekick

Streamlight Micro

YouTube Videos:

Best Everyday Flashlight

Streamlight Wedge Video