Outfit Your Overlanding Truck With These Must-Have Items

Gearing up your overlanding truck isn’t just about adventure; it’s about ensuring you’re equipped to tackle whatever the road—and the wild—throws your way. That means outfitting your overlanding truck with some must-have gear to ensure your outdoor adventures are fun, comfortable, and safe.

So, in this guide, we’ll explore a few essential items that will level up your overlanding experience. While we’re covering just a few key products like rooftop tents, awnings, storage solutions, and food storage, there are plenty of other options to consider adding to your rig. If you’re not sure what else you might need for your truck, we’re here to help you get everything you need for your next journey, whether you’re brand-new to overlanding, a seasoned veteran, or somewhere in between.

Without further ado, let’s get into the guide!

Your Overlanding Truck Needs a Rooftop Tent

One of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your overlanding truck is a rooftop tent. A tent like this frees up ground space at your campsite and also adds an extra layer of comfort and convenience, letting you sleep high above the elements and critters.

A great option is the Tuff Stuff Ranger three-person soft shell rooftop tent. This is a fantastic choice if you need a spacious and comfortable shelter. This tent offers more room than most in its class, comfortably fitting up to three adults. With a footprint of 65x96 inches when open, you’ll have plenty of space to stretch out, while the thick 2.75-inch mattress provides a comfortable sleeping surface. 

Not only does it pack comfort, but the Tuff Stuff Ranger tent also excels in practicality. It’s equipped with a rainfly for wet conditions, a sliding ladder for easy access, and under-tent storage hammocks. You can also add an annex room, as shown above, for additional protected living space. Plus, all your bedding can remain inside the tent when packed up, freeing up vehicle storage.

Why It’s Essential: A rooftop tent gives you a comfortable space to rack out without adding a ton of weight to your overlanding truck. What’s more, by moving your sleeping space outside your vehicle, it frees up interior space for additional gear storage. Plus, rooftop tents are simple to set up and take down, so you get the advantage of convenience, too. Check out our guide to buying a rooftop tent for more guidance on outfitting your overlanding truck with the best tent for your needs.

A 270-Degree Awning Gives Your Overlanding Truck Protected Outdoor Living Space

 

Having an awning attached to your truck extends your living space and offers shelter from sun and rain, turning any campsite into a more comfortable and functional area for cooking, lounging, or working. So, that makes it a no-brainer addition to your overlanding truck!

The Tuff Stuff Overland 270 Compact Awning is a great example of what a well-made, functional awning should be. It offers an impressive 80 square feet of coverage. In just 30 seconds, you can deploy this awning to create a shaded area that can withstand moderate weather. Constructed from durable 280GSM poly cotton rip-stop fabric, it’s tough enough for most conditions but lightweight enough for easy handling.

The aluminum telescoping poles and guy lines provide stability, and for full protection, optional sidewalls can be attached to create a fully enclosed space. Whether you're escaping the midday sun or a light drizzle, this awning turns your truck into a cozy outdoor oasis.

Better still, this awning is compatible with many different rooftop tent setups and styles. If you’re not sure what combination of tent and awning works best for you and your overlanding truck, simply contact us, and we’ll get you taken care of!

Why It’s Essential: The 270-degree awning extends your usable campsite space significantly. It allows you to cook, eat, and relax in comfort regardless of the weather, giving you an outdoor living room that’s always ready at a moment's notice.

Make Life on the Road Easier With a Kitchen & Storage Solution for Your Overlanding Truck

A well-organized kitchen and storage system can turn a messy campsite into a streamlined operation. Overlanding kitchens allow you to prepare meals efficiently, while integrated storage keeps your gear accessible and organized. It’s the best of both worlds!

If you take camp cooking seriously, a Goose Gear kitchen and storage solution is precisely what you need. The Goose Gear Ultimate Chef Package is a great example. Tailored to overlanding trucks like the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series, this system maximizes every inch of space. It includes a CampKitchen 2.2 module designed to fit popular stoves, a deep single drawer module for large items, and utility storage for smaller gear.

The CampKitchen unit provides a designated space for a fridge, along with room to organize your cooking tools and supplies. With lockable drawers and sturdy construction, everything stays secure even on the roughest trails. Then, when you arrive at camp, you have everything you need to whip up some epic meals with all your food, utensils, and appliances right at your fingertips!

Why It’s Essential: Having a dedicated kitchen setup in your overlanding truck means you won’t be rummaging around for gear when it’s time to cook. Plus, with proper storage, you can bring along all the essentials you need for an enjoyable overland adventure without worrying about clutter or wasted space.

Transport Food With Ease With a Smart Fridge/Freezer

When you're on extended trips, keeping your food fresh is essential. A portable fridge/freezer ensures that you can bring along perishable items without the hassle of dealing with ice and soggy coolers.

The National Luna 50L Smart Fridge/Freezer is one of the most efficient and durable options on the market. Its compact design makes it a perfect fit for overlanding trucks, while the dual-zone system allows you to run it as a fridge, freezer, or a combination of both. But that’s just a few reasons why it’s one of our favorite fridge/freezer options…

As Brody discusses in our video above, what sets the National Luna Smart Fridge apart is its advanced technology. It features Bluetooth connectivity that syncs with the NL Connect App, allowing you to monitor temperatures and adjust settings remotely. The proprietary off-road compressor ensures maximum cooling power with minimal energy use, making it ideal for off-grid adventures. 

Again, if you’re not sure what fridge works with your specific vehicle or storage setup, we’re here to help! We can get you outfitted with the right gear so your overlanding truck adventures go off without a hitch. Get more details about the value of a smart fridge/freezer in this guide.

Why It’s Essential: A portable fridge/freezer like the National Luna allows you to bring fresh ingredients and cold drinks on even the longest journeys. Its efficient design means you won’t be constantly worrying about power consumption, and its rugged construction ensures it can handle the bumps and jolts of overland travel.

We’re Here to Help You Make Your Overlanding Truck Better

Outfitting your overlanding truck with the right gear is an investment in comfort, convenience, and safety. Whether it’s adding a rooftop tent for better sleep, an awning for additional living space, or a smart fridge for keeping your food fresh, each item in your setup enhances the overall experience.

And while we’ve highlighted a few must-have products, there’s so much more you can do to prepare for your next adventure. Here are a few other items you might consider adding to your overlanding truck:

• Fuel storage
• Storage boxes and bags
• Camping heater
• Auxiliary power
• Recovery gear
• Camp chairs
• Camp table

At BTR Outfitters, we’re here to help you find the perfect gear for your needs so you can hit the trail with confidence. Get in touch with us today or drop by our facility just off I-20 in Abilene to browse our extensive selection of gear. Our experts will get you ready to go for a better adventure–that’s why we put BTR (pronounced “better”) in our name!