Overland Storage Solutions: Organizing Gear in Your Truck Camper

Good storage turns a truck camper into a comfortable base: gear stays accessible, secure and protected from dust and vibration on rough trails. Poor organization means rattling items, wasted space and frustration at camp. The main options are drawer systems, gear panels, fridge slides and external mounts. Aftermarket add-ons work well, but they cost weight and money, so it pays to understand each one.

Key overland storage solutions

1. Drawer systems

Lockable pull-out drawers use bed space efficiently for tools, kitchen gear and clothes. Decked, Goose Gear, ARB and Front Runner are popular. Pros: heavy-duty and organized. Cons: they can add 100 lb or more, cost real money to install and reduce payload.

2. Gear panels (MOLLE)

MOLLE grids hold pouches, straps and mounts for quick-access items like tools, recovery straps and first-aid kits. Pros: customizable and light. Cons: aftermarket panels may need drilling and mounting.

3. Fridge slides and kitchen pull-outs

Slides give easy access to cold food without digging. Pros: convenience and security. Cons: extra weight and complexity.

4. External mounts

Spare tires, fuel cans and traction boards can go outside on dedicated carriers. Pros: frees up interior space. Cons: adds drag, theft risk and weight at the rear.

Organizing tips for any camper

• Keep heavy items low and close to the axle.
• Use bins with lids so contents stay put on washboard roads.
• Give every item one home, so you can find it in the dark.
• Check your total load against your truck's payload with our payload calculator.

Storage in Cascadia campers

Cascadia Overland Co. designs its campers in Monroe, Washington, with organization in mind.

• Frontier: interior gear panels, USB lighting, cable channels and three lockable gull-wing hatches. Exterior gear panels are optional.
• Summit: a wide-body pop-up with more room inside, optional exterior gear panels and optional roof rack bars.
• Apex: a slide-in pop-up with a built-in sink, water system and power system, so the kitchen and electronics are part of the camper rather than bolted on.

Whatever you choose, plan your layout around the vehicle's payload first. Not sure which model fits your needs? Try compare campers or Frontier vs Summit. Related guides: kitchen gear, power setup and roof racks.