OVERLANDING AND CAMPING SETUP FOR FAMILY OF 4

It has taken us three years to reach a point where we're content with our setup for two adults, an infant, a toddler and a dog: tent, car, packing/organizing system, sleep gear, fridge etc.

1) it takes a while and a lot of research to find the gear we love the most, 2) our needs vary or change, so what worked one year ago might not suit us anymore, and 3) our friends show up with much cooler gear which we eventually have to have (we are very susceptible to this one).

Camping and Winter Setup - Springbar 10x14

Our setup for camping in one spot as well as winter camping.

Tent: Springbar 10x14, 8 pers

Tailgate awning

LX470 100series (Landcruiser)

Sink and ‘faucet’

Oztent RV-5 - Overlanding setup

Our latest ‘child’: our new overlanding tent, found used on the expedition portal. Might even become our summer season tentfor all trips. Fits 2 adults and two kids and a dog perfectly, but no room for a space heater (safely, at least). Also, the reflective top and the window shades makes it perfect for reflecting hot sun rays in the summer.

Whynter 62qt Fridge and home-built tilt slide

It took some persuasion for my husband to get me on board for this one. I believed that the cooler we had was more than enough for our 1-5 day trips. Getting a portable car fridge IS an investment (additional power and a slide is needed). HOWEVER, it is my absolute favorite part of our setup now and money well spent, kids or no kids.

We found a Whynter fridge 62 qt locally on Craigslist. That determined what kind to get. We were also swooned by the sleek and luxurious looking ARBs, Dometics and Engels. Our Edgestar knock-off available for half the price from new and much less when used does the trick so far.

My husband built a tilt slide relatively cheaply (yes, with help from our friend’s well-stocked work shop). My requirement was that I could access food while holding the baby on one arm. And TA-DAAAAA! It works brilliantly!

It’s combined with a deep cell battery so that we don’t have to run the car 20 mins every day if staying in one place for a couple of nights. (A solar panel was also a consideration, but required too much roof space which we don’t have).