Want advice: Best Storage Solutions for a Compact Overland Rig

[ethanclark]

Hey everyone,

I am in the process of outfitting my compact overland rig & could really use advice on storage solutions. Space is obviously at a premium and I want to make sure I am maximizing it while keeping everything organized and accessible.

I am searching into roof racks, interior organizers & maybe some drawer systems for the cargo area. I have seen setups with MOLLE panels for the tailgate but I am wondering how practical those are for smaller rigs. how do you guys manage recovery gear storage? I do not want it rattling around but need it easy to grab in a pinch.

If anyone have Any suggestion, photos or tips please share. Also i have chec this article and resorse https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/need-better-storage-organization-within-my-storage-bins-rpa
still need your advice.

Thank you....:)

 

[The Deputy]

If you mentioned exact model vehicle...it would help.

 

[John Bishop]

Drawers can be nice, but typically take up extra space (because of the slides on the sides) and add weight. I know of a lot of people that use the pack-out type tool boxes (Milwaukee, Ridged, etc). I use a combination of hard boxes and soft cases.
Whatever you use, make sure it's well secured in the vehicle. In the unfortunate event of a mishap, anything unsecured becomes a projectile.

 

[genocache]

Depending on what you want to store I suggest buckets with lids, Action Packer boxes from Rubbermaid and Nanuk or Pelican cases. The one caveat is if the container is too large it will be difficult to put in/take out of the vehicle due to weight.

 

[Rav4_Overland]

I did a year and a half of overlanding in my 2015 rav4. I took out the front passenger seat and built a storage box for stuff (clothes and gear) and had my bed on top. I do it solo though so it wouldn’t work if you have more than one. But finding small spots in your car for random storage helps plus a roof box will help a lot.

 

[sgthusk]

We started out in a Ford Escape and now have a 4Runner. We’ve used everything from plastic storage boxes to a custom drawer system. I think to make the most of the space soft sided bags are best. Soft tool bags over hard boxes. Duffle bags over suitcases. Etc. Soft stuff just packs better with less gaps. Some things will always be in hard storage. So load them first and fill in with the soft stuff. Sleeping bags don’t even have to be packed into a hard shape of a stuff sack, just cram them into gaps and holes. The more flexible the container, the more options of where to cram it.

 

[CATCOP]

Id suggest you stick to soft bags, not big Army duffel bags but like those lI inked, best for small spaces.

I basically lived in a VW bug, removed the passenger and back seat, had a platform for a bed, pee bag, cooler and water jugs. Everything was stored in small soft bags, tagged by category on shaving bag size and a couple 50 or so liter carry on bags for rolled clothing, the only hard container that I had was a cooler and that could have been a couple of soft sided coolers.

You can pack more in to the nooks, crannies and cracks with soft bags, you can lay on them or sit on them without body parts going to sleep. Water bags or collapsable containers fit in the nooks as the water supply is reduced, they take no space when empty.

If you end up in civilization, at a motel, there is no need to carry your entire load inside to live out of, just take the personals bag and a clothes bag with shoes tied to the bag......much easier than dealing with boxes or a suitcase with stuff you don't need.

Laptops, camera, GPS or other gear can be bagged and usually fit under a seat or under other soft bags out of sight and secured with a cable lock, being hidden is half the security posture, nothing seen worth digging for.

After that, might consider a roof rack and carrier, but then again, I'd fill it with soft bags.

Now, if you're in a small SUV, 4 Runner, or you have a half-ton truck, boxes and hard storage options become more practical and perminate solutions.