After a few days on the road, all your gear can start to become a mess. Nothing is where you first left it, and it takes ages to find what you want. It’s camping storage gone wrong!
This can get frustrating – especially after a long day on the road. However, with the correct organization techniques and equipment, the frustration of camping storage can be easily avoided.
Of course, you can go a long way in staying organized if you have a trailer with loads of storage to begin with…
So, this article discusses some of those tips to ensure your overland trips are organized and fun.
Table of Contents
- Camping Storage Tips: Don’t Take Everything You Own
- Camping Storage Tips: A Trailer With a Ton of Storage is Helpful
- Camping Storage Tips: Learn How to Pack
- Camping Storage Tips: Utilize Space in Your Vehicle for Storage
- Final Thoughts
Camping Storage Tips: Don’t Take Everything You Own
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Taking too many belongings or too much gear and equipment is one of the most common mistakes you can make when overlanding. This creates the obvious problem of not having enough space for all your stuff. It also drastically increases the weight of the vehicle.
An overloaded 4WD won’t perform as well off-road, will use more fuel, and has a higher likelihood of breaking down when pushed hard. Likewise, parts and components on your vehicle will wear out faster due to the heavier load they have to bear. As Rohny Dahl explains in the video below, there are many other reasons why you shouldn’t overload your vehicle with stuff you don’t need:
So, weight is a very important aspect of vehicular travel, and you need to make sure that it’s regulated. A great way to do this is to make a list of the items you absolutely need for your travels.
In any case, make sure that you are taking everything you absolutely need and nothing you don’t. This will keep everything tidy and your truck happy!
Camping Storage Tips: A Trailer With a Ton of Storage is Helpful
When it comes to optimizing storage for your camping adventures, the SNO Trailers Alpine is designed to handle all your gear with ease.
This rugged off-road trailer boasts a full-width fixed storage tray, ensuring ample space for organizing essential camping supplies. The wide body kit, which includes two side boxes, adds even more storage capacity. One box features three internal drawers with dividers, a stainless-steel surface, a Switch-Pros panel, and USB ports, making it a perfect space for keeping smaller essentials secure and easily accessible. The second box also includes a stainless-steel surface, another Switch-Pros panel, and additional USB ports, ensuring that everything from cooking equipment to power accessories has a designated place.
In addition to the thoughtfully designed storage compartments, the Alpine includes a stainless-steel kitchen pullout, providing a sturdy and convenient workspace for meal prep. If you’re like me and you rely on fresh food and cold drinks during your adventures, the cooler tray accommodates a powered cooler or portable fridge/freezer up to 75L, making it easy to store perishable items without taking up valuable internal storage space. Integrated MOLLE panels on the side doors further enhance organization, allowing you to secure additional gear such as tools, recovery straps, or other accessories that need to be within arm’s reach.
Beyond its impressive storage solutions, the Alpine is built for durability and versatility. Its powder-coated steel frame and aluminum body ensure long-term resistance to rough terrain and harsh weather. The utility box with an integrated notch design is perfect for securely storing recovery boards, while the SNORAC roof rack offers additional carrying capacity for larger items like rooftop tents, extra fuel, or adventure gear. The Alpine’s optional spare tire carrier, RotopaX mounts, and MAXTRAX mounting points allow even more customization to meet the needs of serious overlanders.
Other Notable Features
- Suspension & Wheels: Timbren suspension with optional Fabtech long-travel suspension, 17” Method wheels with all-terrain tires.
- Power & Electronics: Renogy AGM 100Ah battery, Renogy solar charge controller, NOCO Genius battery charger, external solar plug, multiple USB charging ports.
- Fluids & Fuel: Up to 30-gallon water tank, two 10 lb propane tank holders.
- Customization Options: Roof rack crossbars, premium spare wheel, Joolca HOTTAP shower system, Dometic stove and sink, inverters, upgraded electronics, and more.
With a dry weight of just 1,500 lbs and a departure angle of 40 degrees, the Alpine is designed to tackle the toughest trails while keeping your gear organized and protected. Whether you’re heading into the backcountry for a weekend getaway or embarking on a multi-week overlanding trip, this trailer provides the storage, durability, and flexibility needed to make every adventure a success.
Camping Storage Tips: Learn How to Pack
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As you get more experience with vehicle travel, you will soon find a way to pack gear effectively. Before you begin loading up your truck, think about what you need often and what you don’t.
For example, tools and spare parts can go towards the rear of your storage space in a place that is somewhat hard to get to as you won’t be using those items that often. However, items like cooking gear should be stored in an accessible area (like the kitchen management system in your trailer) as you will be using those every day.
Clothes and other regularly used items can sit near the front of your storage space. Obviously, a drawer system that will help separate the two would be very useful.
While in the process of packing up, make sure you utilize every space available – even the small gaps left between the wheel arch and your storage system can be helpful. They make a great area to store snatch straps or small bags, so you can keep those items within reach but still out of the way.
Camping Storage Tips: Utilize Space in Your Vehicle for Storage
As mentioned above, a simple drawer system or even a cheap trunk organizer like the Heytrip one shown above can work wonders when it comes to camping storage.
You can also take the DIY route and build something that suits your specific needs. If you have the tools, this will also cost far less than buying a readily available product. Just make sure that it can be secured on the floor of your truck to avoid any injuries during sudden braking or an accident.
With a camping storage solution like this, you get compartments for specific items – clothes, dry goods, and so forth. This helps you know where everything is, which saves a lot of time when setting up camp.
Final Thoughts
Photo by Onfokus via iStock
A well-organized camping setup can make all the difference in how enjoyable and stress-free your adventure is. By keeping your gear minimal, utilizing a trailer with ample storage, packing efficiently, and making the most of your vehicle’s space, you can ensure that everything has a place and is easy to access when needed. The goal is to spend more time enjoying the great outdoors and less time searching for misplaced items.
Whether you’re a seasoned overlander or just getting started with vehicle-based camping, refining your storage setup will enhance your trips and make each journey smoother. Invest in the right storage solutions, stay mindful of weight distribution, and keep things simple—you’ll thank yourself when you’re effortlessly setting up camp after a long day on the road!
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