Packing the Prado for camping

[slug Member Find all posts View Profile Close slug]

I know this seems a very basic question and i manage to pack everything away but im never completly happy with the set up. If anyone has any sugegstions feel free to throw them my way. I'll lay down a bit of background info:

- I have a Rf47 evakool fridge that sits on the left (power point)

- I have a cargo barrier but dont have it installed. I realise with this i can stack up but im wondering about the option of folding seats forward.

- i normally have a ?40 litre tub with "hardware", tarp pegs, guy ropes, lantern fuel etc, which sits back against the back seats.

- then another smaller crate in front of that with food etc in easy access from the back door

- sleeping bag, mat, chair seem to fit in among these or on top

- I have bought roof bars with the intention of getting a rhino rack or mesh basket of some sort. Are they actually any good? What else can i get up there? Without a roof bag (another expense) there isnt much you can put up there that can get wet without too much drama. I like to be a bit "minimalistic" but also comfortable, if thats possible :wink:

- I dont really want rear draws a) due to expense and b) i dont want them to take up the room.

Sorry for being a bit long winded but i thought it was easier to give all that info in one go. So any thoughts?

[willykj Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close willykj]

Hi,

I recently got a new GXL & just did a 3 week outback camping trip for it's 1st good run. Tried lots of ways to pack it - originally wanted to fold down back 2nd row of seats (the 3rd row were completely out of course) - but that just didn't allow enough space. I have a Bushman fridge which went on the RHS as I had another fridge plug installed that is live all the time. Used the original plug to power a thumper power pack. WE used 4 plastic containers - one for tools - two for food & one for sundries like appliances etc. We had 2 of the containers long wise in the rear which allowed enough space between them & the fridge for gas bottles, battery pack & water etc. As we were going outback carried 40 litres of water (a 25, 10 & a 5 litre). 2 of the containers were behind the fridge & containers - up behind the 2nd row of seats

The other 2 containers were on the 2nd row of seats. In the foot well between the seats were - tent - chairs - table - mattresses - sleeping bags - etc etc. So the overall level did not come up too high & all heavy items were down low & behind the front seats for protection.

One item we use that is our "salvation" as far as packing is concerned - is a rhino luggage box on top. We use that for clothes, shoes etc & some light sundries. Clothes are packed in 4 sports bags so only have to get one out each camp spot. We have used this box several times on other vehicles as well & they are weatherproof - not water gets in or dust.

Trust this helps.

[Jacto Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jacto]

Hi willykj

Just my 2 cents worth

My way of thinking would be that a set of drawers wouldn't take up unnecessary room but would allow more orderly packing of gear into the rear compartment, in that gear that may only be required some of the time could be stored right out of the way leaving better accommodation for items that may need to be accessed frequently.

I might be in the position to have to use one of the third row seats on an extended trip to the Cape and am considering a half set of drawers to carry items such as recovery and any other non-essential gear that will also give me the capability to carry the fridge on top. Only other way would be to get rid of one of the tin lids 8)

[embi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close embi]

I have drawers and they make a hell of a difference with packing....

[Addy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Addy]

I have drawers and they make a hell of a difference with packing....

Better or worse?

[slug Member Find all posts View Profile Close slug]

I have drawers and they make a hell of a difference with packing....

One of my concerns is if i wanted to fit something in, move a desk or something. Thats why maybe removable would be the way to go.

What about as roof basket/rack? Is it really worth it do you think?

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

The problem with the "boxes" way of packing /unpacking is very time consuming, every time you need something, you need to take the box out
and then may be check another one if it not in the first....

Rear storage system fixes almost all this problems if packed properly...

[embi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close embi]

much better

[telcab Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close telcab]

I have a 2006 Prado Diesel. placed 2 draws in rear ( 1 with slide out table) Engel fridge on left side,runs off 2nd battery full time power supply.
Had a 900x 1200 luggage rack, on last trip picked up firewood and put a dent in the roof. Have now a 2100x1000. Not much goes on top, 2nd spare & when off the highway will put swag/tent on top.
I remove the middle seats and put down 5 ply board to stack any other utensils.( no Kids ) TJM snorkel-ARB bull bar-GME 4400 uhf fitted in roof console. Draws have a 1/2 cargo barrier that fits on top of the draws, this cuts down on wasted space between full size barrier & draws, it can also fold down on top of middle seats.

[Guest Close Guest]

I have three roof bars and a rhino rack basket on top of my 90 series. I have made a wind deflecter as the drag from the basket is hard work for the 2.7 petty.
On the roof I carry a second spare, two room tent, 8 heavy duty poles, 3 heavy duty tarps, 100m of extension leads, 5 folding chairs, light, folding table, 10 L fuel, bush BBQ, camp oven, 2kg gas bottle, bag of ropes and other bits and peices like hand lines and boots. I estimate I'm about 20 - 30 kg over the 100 kg roof load limit.
The family and I have just returned from a trip to the tip of Cape York over the Old Telegraph Track and some of the worst corrugations around and the roof rack didn't budge an inch. The same can't be said for my mates Patrol I was travelling with.
He spent the big bucks a Opposite Lock and brought the RackMaster roof rack with the attachments for a spare wheel, gas bottle holder (that no gas bottle on the planet fits into) and dual jerry can holder. The clowns that fitted it didn't tighten the bolts enough and the rack moved forward spitting out the protective rubber peices and scratching the gutter. When my mate was fixing the roof rack he noticed the gutter at the center mount was bent downwards. I guess thats what you get for buying a Datsun.
I reackon the roof basket is great. I am thinking of getting a tornau cover made for it for even better aerodynamics. It allows me to cart the five of us without a trailer and boy did we pass some trailers on our trip.

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

I have three roof bars and a rhino rack basket on top of my 90 series. I have made a wind deflecter as the drag from the basket is hard work for the 2.7 petty.
On the roof I carry a second spare, two room tent, 8 heavy duty poles, 3 heavy duty tarps, 100m of extension leads, 5 folding chairs, light, folding table, 10 L fuel, bush BBQ, camp oven, 2kg gas bottle, bag of ropes and other bits and peices like hand lines and boots. I estimate I'm about 20 - 30 kg over the 100 kg roof load limit.
The family and I have just returned from a trip to the tip of Cape York over the Old Telegraph Track and some of the worst corrugations around and the roof rack didn't budge an inch. The same can't be said for my mates Patrol I was travelling with.
He spent the big bucks a Opposite Lock and brought the RackMaster roof rack with the attachments for a spare wheel, gas bottle holder (that no gas bottle on the planet fits into) and dual jerry can holder. The clowns that fitted it didn't tighten the bolts enough and the rack moved forward spitting out the protective rubber peices and scratching the gutter. When my mate was fixing the roof rack he noticed the gutter at the center mount was bent downwards. I guess thats what you get for buying a Datsun.
I reackon the roof basket is great. I am thinking of getting a tornau cover made for it for even better aerodynamics. It allows me to cart the five of us without a trailer and boy did we pass some trailers on our trip.

Awesome post reubo - had a good giggle at that one.

Cheers, Drew.

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

Go the Rhino...

[Guest Close Guest]

I have drawers and they make a hell of a difference with packing....

One of my concerns is if i wanted to fit something in, move a desk or something. Thats why maybe removable would be the way to go.

What about as roof basket/rack? Is it really worth it do you think?

Removable is the way to go, so get a set of removable drawers.
I have a set of Off Road Systems drawers in my Prado and i can get them out in 15 minutes, but i hardly take them out anyway, you'd be surprised how much stuff your can fit in there. http://www.offroadsystems.com.au

[NoelA Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close NoelA]

Hi,

...... Used the original plug to power a thumper power pack. ......

Hi Willykj,
Did you use the original plug for recharging the Thumper.? I have just bought a Thumper and as it came with a basic wiring kit, was thinking of wiring it into the main battery. I would rather charge it from an original socket if poosible, but of course would need to use a lead that has an anderson plug on one end and cig lighter type plug on another.

[willykj Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close willykj]

Hi Noel,

Yes - I use the original plug in the rear of the Prado. I put in an additional one that is wired direct from the battery so fridge would run off that one at all times.

By using the original one the Thumper cannot run the vehicle battery flat as it doesn't work when ignition off. I've had my Thumper for sometime & it came with a cigarette lighter plug. You mentioned an anderson plug so it seems that the plugs have changed on the unit.

I used the wiring kit that came with the unit in my previous vehicle - that had a switch in the engine bay that had a Thumper/Fridge choice. I'm much happier with having 2 plugs in the rear. On my recent 3 week camping trip the cigarette lighter plug kept the Thumper fully charged after travelling.

Regards, Willy