UTV Overland Camping Gear - What We're Packing on our Family Trips in 2023 [Polaris General 4]

As we enter our third year of Overland Camping out of our Polaris General 4 1000, we've again made some changes and tweaks to the camping gear we'll be carrying this year. This video pretty much shows all the camping gear we bring along for our family of four, including our two children.
We'll have another video soon going over our machine, what changes we've made since our last trip, and our riding gear, recovery kit, etc that we use as well.
Hit that subscribe button - we have some awesome adventures coming up this summer and leave your questions or comments below!
#polarisgeneral4
#garmintread
#icecamping
#utvcamping
#polarisgeneral
#utvoverlanding
#familyoverlandcamping
#overlandcamping
Website: northwoods.fam...
Facebook: / northwoodsfamily
Instagram: @thenorthwoodsfamily

[@nbatvforum]

Awesome video. Enjoy your next adventure and can't wait to watch it.

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Thanks! We’re excited to share it.

[@2ndchancesadventures]

Found your channel looking for ideas on equipment and packing a UTV for overland. We're going to do the Eastern UP this summer. With the general you certainly have made good use of your space. We have a KRX so I have opted to use a cargo hitch. Looking forward to testing it out. 550lb capacity. About 5 feet wide and 2 feet deep. I opted for a EMP hitch, which keeps the cargo carrier well above my skid plates. We're definitely looking forward to it . We'll be looking at your channel for more ideas. Stay safe!

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Very cool! Glad you found us and hope things were helpful. I’d think you should be good in the UP… if it’s up high I don’t you shouldn’t encounter any bad departure angles that might cause it to contact the ground. My only other concern might be deeper water crossings depending when and where you’re going. Seems some places in the UP can have some pretty flooded trails certain times of year. Let us know how it goes! We recently released a book too which has some more detailed info…. www.amazon.com/UTV-OVERLANDING-CAMPING-Comprehensive-Adventure/dp/B0CL2Q7VB3/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=3HWE527N4DV0L&keywords=utv+overlanding&qid=1704674607&sprefix=utv+overlandin%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-4

[@misfireendurance]

So happy you posted another video! My husband and I binge-watched all of your prior uploads and used many of your tips on our recent week long trip to South Dakota! We're also from Wisconsin and have a General (2 seater). I hope to one day do a multi-day camping trip, too. I'm anxious to get a review of that hot-water-on-demand basecamp unit. I have a coleman unit from many years ago but it's pretty big. Looking forward to seeing the highlights of your upcoming trip! Have a great time!

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Thanks so much! Really happy to hear the South Dakota videos were helpful for you guys! We used the Basecamp hot water for the first time on this trip. Overall it was really but it does go through a lot of water. We’ll do a video on it sometime. We just got back from our trip so I’ll be working on some video editing this week :) Thanks again for following along with us! 🙏🏼

[@BellPaula-m7m]

Mayert Spring

[@patrickwilmot]

He likes you an idea to begin to do what you do which I would love to do. I will know for sure that I'll have to make small trips first and work them up

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Awesome!

[@techguy7987]

You guys have thought of everything!! Great video. What do you think of the Polaris Expedition? More storage room! Can’t wait to see this trip!!!

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Thanks! It’s taken some trial and error to get here. We haven’t seen one in person but the Expedition looks pretty cool - basically everything we’ve done and then more. The folding rear seats are really cool, lots of storage space, everything you need right from the factory. It’s not a cheap a machine though!

[@EdithAnn-i8f]

Wuckert Extensions

[@dan-1300]

Really excited to follow your next adventure. What are you doing for the navigation? Still the same as SD & ID?

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Navigation will be similar (Tread and Ride Command) but this time we used the Garmin Basecamp program on our computer with the WI ATV maps from VVMapping to plot our entire route. The Tread should give us turn by turn directions the entire trip up. Since in WI we can only go on roads designated ATV routes we have to be more careful with our navigation.

[@WoolfBerg-e5c]

Queenie Island

[@PollyKimberley-o1y]

Mertz Wall

[@captseamus]

Any winter camping in the rzr this winter 2023-2024?

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

We’ll have to see. So many moving parts - trail conditions, weather, our school / work schedule has to be just right. More likely we may just do a winter trail ride and snag a cabin.

[@jackhinty3737]

Looks like now a good time to build or develop a trailer to hold the gear.

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

There are some pretty cool UTV trailers people have built out there! It would be a fun project… 🤔

[@J_Calvin_Hobbes]

@@TheNorthwoodsFamily If you don't want to go the DIY route, Bosski (located in Caldwell, ID) makes an aluminum single axle trailer. I bought a Marlon 1605 tandem axle, got rid of the 2 ply tires & installed Tusk Terrabites for durability.

[@gregpierquet5818]

Chainsaw wrench is called a "scrench". Screw driver wrench.

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Lol. Never heard that before but it would make sense 😆

[@rokknow1746]

Very impressive, and love your content. Can I ask, how many miles do you have the the car now?

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Thank you. A little over 4,000 miles I believe.

[@lonniepruitt5487]

What about camping trailer for ATV-UTV use

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

We don’t have one, but there are some pretty cool models out there. We cover them a little bit in our book: amzn.to/3S06PTA

[@d.williamvitt3869]

Question: With a base Sport four door Jeep JLU costing the same as your top of the line Polaris General and with the doors coming off both so you can get that open air vibe why are you bothering with a UTV; unless it’s just a cool niche upon which to create a KZbin Channel. Because from an overall utility bases and long term value IMHO the Jeep wins hands down.

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Preference I guess. It appealed to us more mainly because of the size difference. Very few places we can drive a Jeep off-road near us, but our state has tons of UTV trails. I’d love to have a Jeep too, or probably setup a 4Runner or Landcruiser for longer distance overlanding some day.

[@d.williamvitt3869]

Interesting. I live in NM and the use of UTV’s off private farm & ranch land up until recently was illegal. It still is in my County. Some NM County’s, in an attempt to build a tourist industry have now started to authorize the use of UTV’s on select unpaved County roads and the unintended consequences has been huge damage to our BLM/USFS trails due to the speed and the group size vs single vehicle of the UTV sport. Essentially the UTV’s now roam around like gangs simulating the Baja 1000. I now use my Jeep far less to go camping; instead thankfully our State has tons & tons of true designated Wilderness so now my wife & I mostly just use the Jeep like a Subaru to drive to (during sketchy road conditions) trailheads to then go backpacking. Also in places like Merus Adventure Park, Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch Stare Park the UTV’s are still illegal so those are still nice places for a slow trail ride and night under the stars without being bothered by UTV’s. I’m 68, so if this was skiing this would be like the skis vs snowboarder battle. I was raised in Ohio and we had those six wheel floating original UTV’s back then; then after the Army I moved to CA met my wife there and in 1995 we returned to rural New Mexico, her home to raise our kids and be “away”. Now as COVID & Zoom Jobs have released the mob from the cities we feel like we are living on the isolated farm in “The Walking Dead”; suddenly the Zombie Apocalypse” or “Mad Max” in the form of tricked out UTV Convoys are everywhere. It’s a major culture clash. In the past the Jeeps were used to get off the beaten path for some time in nature vs the nature of UTV’ing which seems to be just beating a path as fast as you can thru nature. I know “that’s” not how you are utilizing your UTV; but as you expand your travels don’t be surprised if you get lumped in by the locals as just another Zombie!

[@UTVBoondocker]

Great video! We have VERY similar channels! I'd love to connect sometime! I do have ONE suggestion - a SILKY saw is an AMAZING alternative to a chainsaw. I tried the chainsaw but the batteries died to quickly. This saw is used by lots of people on the show 'Alone' so I figured it worked well and it packs up really nice! But don't worry - that saw you have will come in handy for all kinds of things - my wife uses ours now so it's helped with the justification to buy :)

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

For sure! We’ve watched some of your videos. Was thinking about doing the Ford Escape wiper blade on our General. I’ve heard of those Silky Saws. You can clear a good sized tree across a trail with it? I’ll have to take a closer look. Shoot us a message on our Facebook or something. Maybe we can meet up sometime. It looks like you’re in the UP? We’ve been meaning to do a trip up there sometime.

[@UTVBoondocker]

@@TheNorthwoodsFamily I'll do that! I can help to find some great spots in the UP - it's my favorite spot to ride but you probably guessed that! :)

[@williambehrend5452]

I've had the 50 quart lifetime cooler for 5 years now and for the price it's phenomenal

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

We really like ours and you’re right about the price. I’d love to upsize to fit a little more food but something else would have to go 😆

[@JeffreyWilstone]

Roof rack what brand ?

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Tusk aluminum roof and roof rack. I need to do a review on it actually. Overall very happy and it was reasonably priced.

[@StarknightMT_official]

Hello, Are you interested in testing products? We would like to invite you to test the rear windshield for your Polaris General 4 1000

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Always open to checking things out. If you’d like you can message us on IG or FB or at [e-mail]

[@StarknightMT_official]

@@TheNorthwoodsFamily Thank you, we will send the details.

[@PeterRobin-r8x]

3237 Brennan Causeway

[@aldencoop]

Great videos guys! Would you mind sharing which roof rack you have? We have the General 2-seater. Been looking for a good roof rack solution. Thanks!!

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

You bet! I’ve been meaning to do a review on it actually. It is the Tusk Roof Top Rack. It works with their aluminum roof, but even buying the roof and the rack was far less expensive than anything else we found. We’ve been very happy with it overall. Installation was not difficult, though it requires riveting. I recommend buying an electric or pneumatic riveter. It’ll be worth the $60 or whatever. I used a hand one, and 84 rivets with three pumps each was not fun. Otherwise you may need a hand lifting things but it’s really not hard. And then we sealed some gaps between the roll cage and the roof with silicone sealant - discovered water can get through some spots during our Wisconsin overlanding trip. Once that was sealed up, it was great during our Utah trip in the rain. It’s hard to beat for the price. We’re quite happy with it. The link to the rack part is below and as I said, you’ll need to buy the Tusk roof too: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-roof-top-utv-cargo-rack-p?ref=1069&

[@CumberlandMalcolm]

218 Judah Rest

[@EuphemiaJulie]

674 Ed Gardens

[@BuckleMyrna-i1v]

Marlee Squares

[@titaniummaster1532]

Just started watching your videos😊 have you done a re-spring on your shocks to compensate for all the additional weight and distribution? Great video, I’ve wanted to camp out of my sxs for a while now, you’ve inspired me to not put it off to much longer…..

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Just started playing around with suspension settings, but haven’t done anything major or replaced anything. This trip was just stock settings and it handles things pretty good. You have to be a little careful on some of the big dips especially at speed. You won’t be blasting over big potholes like you would with a light machine. We’re still learning every trip we take…. As for camping - do it! Even if it’s just a couple day trip. Get out there and see what works!

[@mikes2020]

Great video. I'm sure you mentioned in a previous video, but what size Rotopax for fuel are you using. Any concerns or complaints with them? Thank you!

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Thanks! These are the 3 gal. They work great, nozzles are actually decent. Really like being able to carry fuel outside PD the cargo bed. Only thing is there are some plastic “nubs” that keep it from rotating when it’s mounted up. Those have worn down on one of ours so when bouncing around it turns a little cock-eyed.

[@mikes2020]

@@TheNorthwoodsFamily might try contacting Rotopax about the issue. Maybe they'll help you out. Thanks for the reply.

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Yeah not a bad idea! I’ll reach out.

[@richardnewman4042]

Thank you for the videos. Keep it up

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@davidrobbins6978]

gotta have the lux.always

[@TheNorthwoodsFamily]

Especially if it keeps everyone happy!