Overland Packing Checklist: What to Pack, System by System
Updated September 2026.
This is a packing checklist, not a wish list. Work through it system by system: water, recovery, shelter and sleep, shade, kitchen, cold storage, power, lighting, tools, and first aid. Cover the core of each one before you spend money on nice-to-haves. Most of what matters on a trip is boring, and it is the boring stuff that gets forgotten.
If you want to charge from the sun, our overlanding solar power setup guide explains how to size a system.
Desert heat shapes a lot of this list. Water and shade count for more here than they do in the Pacific Northwest. Adjust for where you actually drive.
How to use this list
- Pack by system, not by trip. Keep each system in its own bin or bag so it can live packed between trips.
- Core first. Water, recovery, first aid, and a way to call for help come before a nicer chair.
- Keep a notebook. After every trip, write down what you packed and never used, and what you needed and did not bring. Three or four trips of notes will dial in your list better than any article.
1. Plan the route: navigation and comms
Research the trail, the land manager, and the night-time low at your camp elevation, then adjust your gear and food to match. Check permits, seasonal closures, and current fire restrictions before you leave, not at the trailhead. Download offline maps for the whole area, and carry a paper map and compass as a backup that never needs charging.
- Offline maps downloaded, plus a paper map of the area
- Compass (and the skill to use it)
- Trip plan left with someone at home: route, camp spots, return time
- Permits and land-use rules for where you are going
- Radios for talking between vehicles and around camp
Picks:
- Rugged Radios GMRS mobile kits for the Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT, Bronco, and Tundra. Same idea as the Toyota kit: a mounted radio with the mounts and hardware for that vehicle, in a 45-watt or a waterproof 25-watt version.
- Rugged Radios Toyota GMRS Mobile Radio Kit. A vehicle-mounted kit for Tacoma, 4Runner, and GX 470, in a 45-watt or waterproof 25-watt version, with mounts and hardware included.
- More options in Radios. Transmitting on GMRS in the US requires an FCC license, so sort that out before the trip.
Go deeper: off-road radios and emergency communication and navigating with map and compass.
2. Water
A common planning number is at least one gallon per person per day for drinking, plus more for cooking and cleanup. In Arizona summer heat, plan well above that. Carry your main supply in containers that are strapped down, and carry a way to treat water you find.
- Main water supply, secured
- Filter or purifier
- Collapsible container for camp or refills
- Electrolytes
Picks:
- LifeSaver Cube 5L Water Filter. Holds up to 5 liters of untreated water and filters as you pour, with a published filter life of up to 5,000 liters. A good camp-sized option for a couple or a small family.
- GRAYL UltraPress Purifier Bottle. 16.9 oz capacity, about 10 seconds per fill (3 liters per minute). Keep one per person for hikes away from the truck.
- HydraPak Seeker Ultra-Light Water Storage (2 to 4 liters). Collapses flat when empty, and most 42mm threaded filters screw onto the cap.
- Browse Fuel and Water Storage.
Go deeper: remote water treatment for overlanding and car camping.
3. Recovery
The first version of this post had one line about recovery. It deserves more. If you travel alone, recovery gear is the difference between a long afternoon and a long walk. Know your vehicle's rated recovery points and practice with your gear before you need it.
- Recovery boards
- Tire deflator and gauge, plus a way to air back up
- Tire plug kit
- Rated recovery points, soft shackles, and a kinetic rope or strap
- Shovel
- Gloves
- Winch and winch accessories, if your build has one
Picks:
- ActionTrax Recovery Boards. Made in the USA per the maker, with a sawtooth end, large glove-friendly hand holds, UV-stabilized material, and replaceable teeth.
- ARB CKMA12 Onboard Air Compressor. A compact 12V single-motor compressor for airing back up after trail pressures. It is sealed against dust and moisture and can mount in the engine bay or behind a seat.
- DV8 Offroad 12,000 lb Recovery Winch. 6 hp 12V series motor, 3-stage planetary gear train at 256:1, steel cable, roller fairlead, plus a 12.5 ft wired remote and a wireless remote. It weighs 82 lb, so check your bumper and front suspension.
- Browse Recovery Gear and Tools.
Go deeper: what to carry before your first off-road trip.
4. Racks and rooftop tents
A good rack is the base for everything else: tent, awning, boards, lights. Check your vehicle's roof load limit and the rack's rating before you add a tent, and remember that people inside the tent count too.
Racks:
- DV8 Offroad Spec Series Roof Rack, 2024 and 2025 Tacoma Double Cab. Low profile, six 80/20 T-slot crossbars, 5mm aluminum side plates on steel feet, and a wind deflector. A solid value for the new Tacoma.
- upTOP Overland Mid Height TRUSS Bed Rack. A modular bed rack about 11.75 in tall overall that adjusts from roughly 5 ft to 6.5 ft beds, with mounts for cargo rails, clamps, and some bed covers. See our TRUSS fit and install guide.
- Body Armor 4x4 Jeep Wrangler JL and JK Hardtop Roof Rack. 14-gauge steel, 150 lb capacity, no-drill install with the matching JK or JL brackets.
- Browse Bed Racks and Roof Racks.
Rooftop tents: Rooftop tents are the popular choice, but they cost real money and add weight up high. For many people a vehicle sleep setup (next section) or a good ground tent does the job.
- Tuff Stuff Alpha II Hardshell Rooftop Tent. A two-person ABS hard shell that sets up in under two minutes. The tent weighs 141 lb, needs crossbars rated for 190+ lb and at least 30 in apart, and opens to the passenger side only.
- Tuff Stuff Alpine FiftyOne Aluminum Shell Rooftop Tent. Opens as a wedge or full pop-up, includes a 48 x 85 in memory foam mattress, and is 8 in tall closed (not counting the roof rack on top).
- Browse Rooftop Tents.
5. Vehicle sleep systems
Sleeping in the vehicle is the fastest setup and teardown there is, and it works in wind that would flatten a ground tent. Luno builds vehicle-specific air mattresses, and it is the vehicle sleep line we carry. Measure your cargo area with the seats folded before you order.
- Mattress sized for your vehicle
- Sleeping bag or quilt rated for the night-time low
- Pillows
- Window screens for airflow without bugs
- Privacy curtain or window covers
- Small fan for warm nights
Picks:
- Luno AIR Pro S2 Full-Size SUV Mattress. 80 x 53 in inflated, 4 in thick, 300D Oxford top, and two chambers so you can inflate one side or both. Luno lists fit for 4Runner (3rd row), Outback, Forester, Grand Cherokee, RAV4 (2018+), and more.
- Luno AIR Truck T3, Full-Size 5.5 ft Bed. For Tundra, F-150, Silverado, Titan, and Ram 1500 with a 5.5 ft bed. Sleeps two, 300 lb per side, packs to 13 lb, and includes a cordless rechargeable pump. Tundra owners can see bed builds by generation: 2nd Gen Tundra or 3rd Gen Tundra.
- Luno Mid-Size 6 ft Truck Bed Air Mattress. Cut for true 6 ft mid-size beds such as Tacoma, Colorado, Ranger, and Frontier. Confirm your bed length first, since many four-door mid-size trucks have a 5 ft bed.
- Luno Vehicle Window Screens (pair). Slide over the rear doors to let air in and keep bugs out.
- Luno Car Privacy Curtain. Hangs behind the front seats with a magnetic center seal.
- Browse Sleep and Camp.
Go deeper: Toyota 4Runner car camping setup.
6. Shade
In the Southwest, shade is not a luxury. A rack-mounted awning goes up in a couple of minutes and turns a hot parking spot into a usable camp.
- Awning or shade tarp, poles, and guy lines
- Stakes that hold in hard ground
- Ground cloth or outdoor rug
Picks:
- Body Armor 4x4 6.5 ft Awning. About 50 sq ft of shade, sized for mid-size trucks like Tacoma, Colorado, Ranger, and Frontier. One person can deploy and stow it from its travel cover.
- Body Armor 4x4 4.5 ft Awning. About 30 sq ft of cover for smaller vehicles, with aluminum telescopic legs and arms. Mounts to most roof or bed racks.
- Browse Vehicle Awnings.
7. Camp kitchen and the 3-case method
The best idea from the original post still holds: keep three cases packed and labeled, so you can load up and leave in minutes. Dry Goods (pantry), Camp Kitchen (hardware), and Camp Comfort (shelter and everything else). Restock after each trip and they are always ready.
Check fire restrictions before you plan meals around a campfire. During restrictions, wood and charcoal fires are often banned while stoves with a shutoff valve may still be allowed, so read the current rules for your area.
Case 1: Dry Goods
Start here and tweak to your own tastes.
- Tinned soups, canned tuna, canned stew
- Dry pasta, pasta sauce, rice
- Instant noodles or ramen
- Oatmeal or cereal, dried fruit, nuts, energy bars
- Peanut butter, jam
- Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sugar
- Cooking oil, spices, hot sauce
- Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles
- Chips and salsa, popcorn, marshmallows
Case 2: Camp Kitchen
- Stove and fuel
- Lighter and stormproof matches
- Pots and a frying pan with lids
- Plates, bowls, mugs, and cutlery
- Cooking utensils and tongs
- Cutting board and knife
- Can opener, bottle opener
- Dish soap, scrubber, towel, wash bin
- Foil, zip bags, trash bags, paper towels
- Grill grate or firepit, if fires are allowed
Picks:
- Chuck Box Camp Kitchen. A roto-molded kitchen box with five compartments, a pull-out utility drawer, and a utensil drawer. The top lifts off to become a wash sink. It is basically Case 2 in one box.
- Industrial Revolution Portable Grill and Firepit. Stainless steel, 320 sq in of grill surface, takes firewood up to 18 in, folds to under 2 in thick, and weighs about 10 lb. Includes a charcoal tray.
- Sea to Summit Camp Kitchen Tool Kit, 10 Piece (currently sold out). Folding spatula, serving spoon, spice and oil bottles, scrubber, and towels in a hanging roll.
- Industrial Revolution ECO 6-Piece Mess Kit and TOAKS Titanium 3-Piece Cutlery Set (1.7 oz). Simple and durable.
- Trekker's Alcohol Cookset. 985 ml pot, 470 ml pot that doubles as a lid, and a brass alcohol burner. A compact backup stove.
- Stormproof Matches. 12 windproof, waterproof matches that burn up to 25 seconds each, with 3 strikers and a waterproof case that floats.
- Browse Camp Kitchen.
Go deeper: camp kitchen checklist for car camping.
8. Fridge or cooler
A 12V fridge ends the ice run and keeps food dry, but it needs a power plan (see the next section). A good rotomolded cooler costs less and needs no power. Pick based on trip length and how you want to spend your power budget.
Picks:
- Canyon Coolers Pro 45 Quart Cooler. Rotomolded, 45 qt, 38 lb empty, 26 x 17.25 x 16.25 in outside. The divider doubles as a small side table.
- Canyon Coolers Nomad 20 Soft Cooler. 20 liters (about 21 qt), 4.5 lb empty, and Canyon rates ice retention up to 3.5 days at 90°F. Good for a second cooler for drinks.
- For 12V fridges and more coolers, browse Portable Fridge Freezers and Coolers.
9. Power
Start with a simple budget. Add up what you will run each day (phones, lights, a fan, a fridge) and size your battery and charging to match. A small battery covers phones, lights, and a fan for a weekend. Running a 12V fridge for several days calls for a larger battery system and a reliable way to recharge it, whether that is solar, the vehicle, or both.
- Portable battery or dual-battery setup
- Charging cables for every device
- 12V and USB adapters
- Spare batteries for headlamps
Picks:
- Dometic PLB15 Portable Battery. 15 Ah LiFePO4, up to 192 Wh at 12V, with a 12V socket, USB-C, and USB-A outputs and a built-in light. Recharges by USB-C or DC input from a wall outlet, vehicle, or solar panel. IP44 splash rating. Right-sized for phones, lights, and a fan on short trips.
- Luno Car Camping Fan. A 5 in USB fan with a locking suction cup, three speeds, and an articulating mount. It needs a USB power source, which is where the battery comes in.
- Browse Lighting and Power.
10. Lighting
Two kinds of light matter: light around camp and light on the trail. A headlamp per person is non-negotiable. A good lantern makes cooking and camp chores easier. Vehicle lights are for trails and camp, not public roads, so check local rules.
Camp lighting:
- Fenix CL27R Rechargeable Lantern. Up to 1,600 lumens, adjustable 2700K to 6500K flood, red light modes, USB-C charging, magnetic base, and IP66.
- Sprout LED Lantern. Up to 100 lumens on 3 AAA batteries (not included), 64 g, with a magnetic hanging lanyard.
Vehicle lighting:
- Body Armor 4x4 30 in Blackout LED Light Bar. Dual row combo beam, 180W, 12,600 raw lumens, IP67, with brackets, harness, and an illuminated switch.
- Body Armor 4x4 20 in Blackout LED Light Bar. 120W and 8,400 raw lumens (maker rated), IP67, harness and switch included.
- Body Armor 4x4 Blackout LED Cube Flood Lights (pair). Wide near-field flood for ditch lights or rack mounts, 4,050 lumens (maker rated), IP67.
- Browse Light Bars.
11. Tools, spares, and organization
Carry the tools that fit your vehicle, and practice the fixes you are most likely to need: a flat tire, a blown fuse, a loose clamp. Keep it all in one labeled bag so you are not digging for it on the side of a trail.
- Socket and wrench set sized for your vehicle
- Jack, lug wrench, and a base for soft ground
- Jump starter or jumper cables
- Spare fuses, zip ties, hose clamps, duct tape, and electrical tape
- Spare fluids: oil, coolant, and brake fluid
- Work gloves and a headlamp
- Fire extinguisher, mounted where you can reach it
Picks:
- Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag (5L to 65L). 420D nylon with TPU laminate, taped seams, and lash points. Good for a tool roll or spares that live outside the cab.
- Luno Seatback Organizer. 13.25 x 9.5 x 1 in, with a phone pocket, headlamp pocket, and removable pouch. Keeps small essentials where you can find them in the dark.
- Browse Organization.
12. First aid and safety
Carry a real kit, know what is in it, and consider a first aid course if you often travel out of cell range. For truly remote trips, a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon is worth serious thought.
- First aid kit with trauma supplies
- Personal medications, with extra days' supply
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Roadside warning light or flares
- Emergency blanket
Picks:
- MyMedic MyFAK First Aid Kit (Standard or Pro). Folding page layout for organized supplies, with a Hypalon MOLLE panel that mounts to a rack or seat back.
- Body Armor 4x4 Emergency LED Road Flare. Nine light functions, waterproof and crush resistant, with a magnetic back and hook.
- Browse Emergency Equipment and First Aid.
13. Camp comfort and hygiene
This is Case 3. Comfort gear is what makes a multi-night trip pleasant instead of just survivable.
- Folding chairs and a folding table
- Paracord and extra stakes
- Towels and a washcloth
- Toilet paper and a trowel or portable toilet
- Bug repellent or citronella candles
- Hatchet or saw, if fires are allowed
- Dust pan and brush for the tent or cargo area
- Portable shower and a privacy enclosure
A portable toilet and a privacy tent are worth having for everyone in the group, especially at camps without facilities. Pack out what you pack in, including human waste where the land manager requires it.
Picks:
- Tuff Stuff 5-Gallon Portable Flushable Toilet.
- Tuff Stuff Pop Up Privacy and Toilet Tent. Pops up for changing or a toilet, with an upper vent for airflow.
- Inspired Overland Shower Awning. A vehicle-mounted privacy enclosure that mounts to a roof rack or rooftop tent and packs small.
- Browse Camping Gear.
Build it as a kit
If you are starting from zero, think in four pieces that work together: sleep, shade, power, and recovery. Two examples from the picks above:
- Mid-size truck bed camp: Luno 6 ft truck bed mattress, 6.5 ft awning, PLB15 battery with the Luno fan, and ActionTrax boards.
- SUV cargo-floor camp: Luno AIR Pro S2 mattress, window screens, 4.5 ft awning, PLB15 battery, and ActionTrax boards.
Add water, first aid, and lighting from the sections above and you have a complete weekend setup.
Pack, roam, repeat
No checklist survives first contact with a real trip unchanged, and that is the point. Start with this list, bring your notebook, and cut or add based on what actually happened out there. Then restock your three cases so the next trip starts in minutes.
Got a piece of gear that earned its spot, or one you stopped packing? Tell us in the comments. The best lists come from people who actually drive the trails.