How do you pack for camping?

requesting pics of your trucks when packed to go camping. This is my first time taking it camping and just need ideas. Tips on what and how to pack would be appreciated.

 

The Tacomas are not flat towable, so we travel with a Jeep.

 

depends on what your doing, weather, etc. I always pack everything in plastic tubs so I don't have loose stuff flying around and it stays dry, and then a cargo net over that to hold everything in place.

 

Just went this weekend. I have a few mods that really helped. Not as crazy as some set ups I've seen but gets the job done.

 

Bought two big tubs from Walmart. Not the crazy rigid ones I've seen around, these were about $20 each. That and a good sized cooler filled a good amount of the 5' bed. A few misc things in the back of the cab and it was everything I needed for a 10 day trip.

 

I have two Rubbermaid tubs that fit perfectly side by side in the bed. Those get pushed to the front of bed, right behind the rear window. These contain all my cooking gear, plus stuff like lantern, first aid kit, hatchet, shovel, etc.

Then a cooler and a 5 gal water jug, held in place with a Hitchmate stabilizer bar. Backpack, tents, bags etc. get packed behind that. I have a solid tonneau cover so everything stays 95% dry, locked, and out of sight.

I camp A LOT with my son's Scout troop, I have packing down to 15 minutes, and that includes filling the 5 gal water jug.

 

Thanks guys. I guess plastic tubs are a must. We will be traveling with a baby so her pack and play and other stuff that might not fit in a tub will be packed and I will load up with some fire wood too. We have a hitch cargo carrier so I guess I'll put the cooler on that. Will there be an issue if I put a tarp over the bed if it rains?

 

My first trip with the truck was a learning experience. We were gone for a week. I've since cut down on like half of the gear and loose stuff... it's a process the more you camp the more specialized you gear gets to suit your needs

First trip




This trip I only had stuff in the bed and beading behind the seats cause it's was raining and snowing on this trip



I highly recommend the cargo net. keeps things from flopping around great when you're wheeling

 

@TYetti, any problems noticed with your camp stove setting on the plastic tailgate cover?

 

Too many variables here for a easy/single answer. "Camping" has many meanings ranging from hauling a fully equipped travel trailer to simple tenting. Are you going for a week or a weekend? Campground or remote site? Gas & facilities nearby?

Other than the obvious camping gear needs, some general guidelines are a few weather/waterproof totes of different sizes, some good waterproof gear bags and a good cooler. Now I have a cap, so I don't have to worry about weather. Organize it in a manner that makes sense for your specific situation/needs.

Here's me loaded up for a hunting/camping trip where I had a cabin to stay in.

 

If you tarp the bed for travel, make sure you secure it well! There's no issue with it, but don't underestimate the amount of wind an improperly secured tarp will catch at highway speed.

Not to speak for him but those stoves don't get overly hot on the bottom. I've used them on a cheap plastic table cloth while camping and it didn't melt it or anything. They're nice little stoves to have. Mine is a little different though, I have the dual-fuel version which runs off white gas.

 

I also had the back seat pretty full with other things but this was the bed.

 

I use tubs aswell. One for stove pots pans plates etc. Other is for dry food storage and random small items. Lay the table flat in the bed. Put the tubs on the table. Coolers next and a 7 gal water container. My sleeping bags and pillows are packed into the rtt. My backpack with clothes attached and hangs from my bed rack. Shovel and axe also hang from my bed rack. I dont have any pics currently. But packing is a breeze after a couple times. Just play around with different arrangements and you will see what works for you. Usually after the first or second time you will see if any small mods will help you out with it.

 

Mat, Where did you get that cargo net. I grabbed one from HF, and I think it will be OK, but this one looks a lot better.

 

I take tent camping weekend trips pretty often with my three boys, 6-8 times a year. Only once since having my new Tacoma, and I was surprised at how quickly the bed filled up, and I didn't even have to pack a cooler. Nothing in the cab but people, pillows, and camera bag. I did get the tailgate closed, but I'll certainly be using my hitch haul cargo platform in the future, just to make it less of a struggle to fit everything, and especially if I need to bring a cooler and/or firewood. I've got, like everyone else, two large plastic tubs for the small items. The bed filled up pretty level, I folded my heavy tarp to the size of the bed, laid it on top and tucked the edges, and the elastic bungee net that came with my hitch haul actually fit perfectly over the top. It's too full for a tonneau cover, and camper shells are just so expensive, so tarp will have to do for now.

This truck would be more than enough for two or three people, and obviously we could pack much lighter. And we will, if/when we graduate to real backpacking trips. But it's not like we're ascending Everest these days, and I want to be comfortable (big 10x14 Coleman instant tent, folding cot for me, roll-up foam pads for the boys, four comfortable folding chairs, space heater and 20-lb propane tank in winter). I like having all my potentially useful stuff at the ready, and this is why I bought a pickup after all, so that I wouldn't have to compromise on packing and just bring everything I wanted or might have a use for. But again, the short bed is just that, short. And not deep. I'm still glad I have the short bed, because the LB wouldn't fit in my garage. But yeah, long story short, I'll be using that Hitch Haul pretty often, even though I thought having a pickup truck would allow me to retire it. Definitely going to upgrade the kids' sleeping bags, as there are some new but relatively expensive bags that are just as warm but take up much less space than the old fluffy walmart specials they've been using the last couple years. That'll make room for another plastic bin.

 

I use storage container's(plastic tubs)for most of the necesities and IKEA blue bags and clear zip bags for sleeping bags,pillows etc.I highly recommend these bags.There cheap in price and super derable.From camping trips to road trips i've dealt with rain,snow,dusty wind conditions and the IKEA bags have kept everything clean and dry!And of course the usual coolers that we all need for our food and beverages.

 

Don't have great photos of my truck fully loaded but basically some varation of this depending on how I pack it for what I need to access first.




I built a sleeping platform for my truck, I can store quite a few things under it and tons above. I'm looking to get a roof rack for over the cab to keep stuff out of the back and have the bed setup to be able to just pull off the road and sleep anywhere.

 

I'll post a pic when I get home

 

It's been fine the Coalman stoves dont get too hot for the tailgate. I have a grill now too

The cargo net is from toyota mt old lady bought it for me for Christmas. They have a long bed and short bed version