How I Pack My Xterra for Overlanding Trips (Process, Strategy, Plano Crates, Camping)

[@themilepodcast1132]

Taking an 8 hour trip from Ohio to Tennessee! And of course I came to the channel to see if Fletch covered packing ye ole Xterra. Never disappoints! Even though I’m late, this helped a ton!

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful, :D.

[@themilepodcast1132]

Have you had any success trying any of the cheaper over heard storage net things. I’m debating getting one to hang over the back seat area/cargo area for lighter thing I keep in my daily driver that I don’t use very often but want in the X just in case

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@themilepodcast1132 I actually picked this up (amzn.to/3tTiqZ4) and I have it in my Frontier now. Would have worked perfectly in the back of the X though I think! Really cheap too and great for soft stuff like bedding and pillows.

[@themilepodcast1132]

@@AllThingsOverlanding thanks for the recommendation! Anything on Amazon for $20 or less is worth a try in my opinion

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@themilepodcast1132 Right, haha. Not much to lose. It’s adjustable too which I like.

[@duncdunc76]

So funny, I use the Plano sportsman trunks as well and organize them similarly. I have one set up as a car camp kit and it actually stays in my Frontier year round in case I have a last minute desire to camp when I'm out. I'm a batchelor and travel in my truck a good bit for work so I always have a camp kit in the truck. It has all the basics for camping which is basically my backpacking setup and some mountain house meals. When I know I'm going to do an overland/car camp trip I also bring several trunks like you do. One that I call my overland kitchen which is setup for more substantial cooking for groups if need be and is all cooking stuff like my Coleman stove, propane, cook and serving ware, and cooking spices as well as fire starting stuff but no food. Another one that I call my camp tool box containes my camp tools like my fiskars saw and hatchet, a mallet, some tarps ratchet straps and cordage, camp lights or lanterns, extra fire starting material like lighters and dry tinder and gloves, as well as any other micellaneous camp needs. And then I carry one more trunk which is my food trunk. I put all my food in one trunk and even use a smaller soft sided cooler that fits in part of it to put any food perishables in like steaks or eggs. I then carry a second just beverage cooler. That way I'm not getting in and out of the food cooler very often and it helps retain the cold better. Oh and I don't use ice in the food cooler if I can help it I use freezer packs and plan trips starting off with frozen food as well for later meals in the trip. I really like the trunk setup myself because I use my truck for work and play and when I'm using it for work I need to haul tools and equipment in it and having a permanent overland setup wouldn't work to well for me. The added benefit of the Plano trunks is that they make good seats in a pinch and are very weather proof if left out in the weather when camping. Like if you wanted to clear out your Xterra to sleep in it.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Love it! Yeah, the Plano crates are great for the price. That's a great idea keeping food in one cooler (that you open less) and drinks in another (which you open more, because we all love beer). Thanks for sharing!

[@mikkat50]

Plan on taking my 2003 xterra on a cross country trip from Tn. out west and will be taking a nice tent for at least 6 people to use at times and a large tarp to secure to the luggage rack and use as a shelter and a window covering held down with both sides with bungee cords and 6 ft tall poles in the back to help the water drain. I also plan to be able to sleep inside if need be. Still working on a plan to support the mattress. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I'm not sure about the first gen X's, but in the second gen, there are some threads on thenewx.org about using Action Packers (heavy duty tupperware containers) to fill the gaps between the front seats and the back seats to make the full back flat. You might check on there to see if there are some tips for 1st gens! Sounds like a sweet set up. Have fun on your trip!

[@OverlandTrax]

Nice video, thanks for sharing 👍

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Thanks! Have to keep working on the 360 Cam and how best to use it, but I was excited and wanted to put something together.

[@wvoutdoorsman5326]

Great video!!! Nice and organized. What part of WV???

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Thanks! We were mostly in the Monongahela National Forest but we went all over the place, :D.

[@wvoutdoorsman5326]

Yeah lots to explore in the Mon.