After many overland trips, backpacking, and car camping, I have naturally consolidated to three main categories packed in three big cases. The advantage of this method, is that you can get out of town and into the great outdoors in 20 minutes since your cases are already packed! The categories are:

Kitchen and camp utilities
Dry goods
Chairs and tables

The configuration packs tight, and you always know where things are. If you are like me, you need that organization to keep you sane. I lose just about everything!

Here’s the Kitchen and Utilities crate:

These are Plano cases. For more info on the crates I use see this post: https://www.overlandbound.com/camping-in-a-box/

In this case I have:

Coleman lantern
Cutting board
Fire starter bag
Matches
Candles
Coleman Stove
2 propane bottles
Compass
Egg tote
Kleen Kanteen
Soap
Kitchen pot set
Pour over coffee/filters
Spice pack

There is still room in the crate for various odds and ends. In all of these crates, contents shift depending on trip needs.

In the Dry Goods case I have all food that does not require refrigeration including soups, stew, crackers, coffee, jerky, dried fruit, trail mix, spices and the like. I also have room for my sleeping bag.

The Chairs and Tables crate has, you guessed it, chair and tables plus fishing gear, rod, tackle, and other odds and ends.

When you arrive at the site, unloading is easy and you are about 10 minutes from kicking your feet up and cracking open a beer.

Tighter packing leaves more time for adventure, or relaxation!

See you on the trail!