Overland Shopping List

Avoid air mattress’s at all cost. Nothing good ever comes of them
A yoga mat underneath a thermarest (substitute blue foam matt to save $$) will treat you right. i camp may-october in a -12deg c sleeping bag (canada) and would’t go any lighter. Spend a bit of money on your sleeping bag. It will last a life time and keep you warm and happy.

 

army wool blankets. this blanket can provide a lot of warmth. In the mountains even in the summer, the weather can drop at night, I have seen snow on the 4th of July weekend outside of Telluride.

If you plan to do this a lot, then the RTT can be worth the cost. if you not planning a trip every year, I would go with the ground tent.

It seems this is your first camping trip? If it is, keep it simple until you know if you like it or not. A good tent, good sleeping mats, good sleeping bags, comfortable chairs, basic cooking equipment, etc.

I been camping for 40 years, this next week I will use a small tent I have owned for 20 years. I got rid of my big tent, because looking at going to an RTT, tried of drawing in and out of a tent.

 

Get your tent from REI also. Become a member you have a year long return no questions asked. If you break a part they have lots of replacement parts. Also make sure your get a foot print with your tent. @I_squared_r

 

agree if you dont go with the RTT. my tent from REI as posted above is 20 years old.

Also get a folding rake, to clean the area you will put the tent on.

 

Ed is my hero;


OP, you are getting a lot of gold already, try looking through Rich and Ash's list for ideas.

I can't stress taking short trips to get started asap. Some people don't like camping - that's what hotels are for - it would be nice to figure that out before you spend any more!

 

I was actually disappointed in his Colombia video. I feel like he's missing a lot of great places because he's not spending time in major cities. Instead going through what is mostly rural colombia. I could spend a year doing the trip shown below. Then to lake titicaca, and then down through chile. But i'm a gringo that learned spanish.

 

Are you watching Tim and Kelsey at Dirt Sunrise?
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4uigKTUs2ls3IjLWCXFpDQ

 

Another vote to avoid air mattresses. They are likely to cause you more trouble than they are worth. Beefy camp mattresses that are semi-self-inflating, or blankets layered on 2-inch foam would be the go-to for simplicity and comfort.

 

I went to bring my boat to storage today and the truck sags a little with boat and full tank of gas. The pictures below are with an empty tank and ball mount with a small drop. After I filled the tank with gas, the chains were dragging a little. Definitely is going to be worse when I fill up with gear and put the tent. Looks like im going to need an AAL or air bags. And a ball mount with less drop

 

Do an HD leaf replacement. I have OME HD. I have about 300lbs including 120lbs rtt and I’m not sagging.

 

I'm looking at firestone air bags. I had cheaper bags on my last truck and they were great. I would take the air out for the winter and then pump it up for the boat season.
https://www.amazon.com/Firestone-W217602407-Ride-Rite-Toyota-Tacoma/dp/B001FEOSJY

 

If you do Air bags, look into the Daystar Cradles so you can maintain suspension travel. Another option might be Sumo Springs. However, my bed was sagging with fiberglass shell and tools, but a $200 Headstrong 3-leaf AAL has it sitting well. Your truck is still new enough that an AAL is a good option. If it were older, I'd second the vote for a full pack replacement.

I don't know if you've heard of Ironman 4x4, but they have a pretty competitively priced RTT at $899 (when it's in stock). Even if you don't necessarily go with their tent, they offer a lot of universal accessories at reasonable prices.

 

I picked up a complete used set up from another tacoma owner. thule kukenam 3 , steel bed rack, and 2 thule bike carriers mounted on the sides. We unbolted his entire set up and walked it over to my truck. Im happy with the purchase. Now to buy the remaining essentials and go camping next year. Im excited for the road trip out west!

 

I second this option. With the OME HD, I am running 400 lbs and am totally level (3") front.

 

Here’s a pic for reference on the weight and I’m not sagging at all on my OME HD leaf pack. That’s a dual swing out steel bumper with a 83lb tire hanging off it, tent, and aluminum bed rack.

 

In that case for sure dont buy an RTT yet. My girl and I have been all over the country and always used a ground tent. I only just ordered a RTT because we have been doing a lot more touring and car camping then we have been backpacking. But we will ALWAYS bring the ground tent just in case we want to get away from the truck. Get used to camping before you spend all the money on the "overlanding" gear. Less is more when traveling long distances.

 

I bought a used rooftop tent. For $1100 I got the bed rack, tepui kukenam 3, and 2 thule swingarm trays. I cant wait for next season to do some bike trips.

 

We use a Gazelle T4 tent, have used it for four years in all kinds of weather, and love it. Takes about 2 minutes to set up, and is a marriage saver. I wanted a RTT, but my wife emphatically stated that if she fell off the ladder at 3 AM when she had to go use "the facilities", a divorce was forthcoming. Only kidding, she isn't that mean, but she was serious about not wanting RTT for the fact of climbing into, and out of.

 

That's a helluva deal.