Campcraft, Packing & Life on the Road
Turn your overland rig into a comfortable rolling basecamp – with smarter packing, better weight distribution and simple routines that make camp setup and pack-down calmer.
Lesson objectives
By the end of this lesson you’ll know how to pack your rig so it’s safer on the road and smoother at camp – and how to build simple routines that keep everyone more relaxed.
What you’ll understand
- The difference between “gear everywhere” and a usable camp setup.
- Why weight distribution matters for safety and comfort.
- How repeatable routines save energy every single day.
- The basics of hygiene, waste and campsite etiquette.
What you’ll be able to do
- Lay out a simple packing system for kitchen, sleeping and tools.
- Place heavy items in safer, more stable positions.
- Design a “15-minute setup” and “15-minute pack-down” routine.
- Use Rusty to tune your camp layout for your specific rig and crew.
If you already have a packed vehicle, read this lesson with your current layout in mind – by the end you’ll likely see 2–3 easy wins you can apply before your next trip.
1. Packing foundations – zones, not chaos
Good campcraft starts before you leave the driveway. Instead of stuffing gear wherever it fits, think in terms of zones that match how you actually live on the road.
Core overland zones
- Driving zone: items needed within arm’s reach while moving – navigation, snacks, water, quick layers.
- Camp zone: awning, chairs, table, ground mat and lighting that come out first.
- Kitchen zone: stove, gas, utensils, pantry, fridge and wash-up gear grouped together.
- Sleep zone: bedding, pillows, sleep clothes and personal items.
- Pack by workflow, not by product category or brand.
- Ask: “When I open this door or drawer, does everything I need for this job live here?”
- If you always walk laps around the vehicle at camp, your zones aren’t working yet.
2. Weight distribution, access and safety
Where you put the weight in your rig changes how it drives, how likely it is to sway or feel top-heavy, and how annoying it is to get to important items when you need them.
Simple weight rules
- Keep heaviest items low and between the axles where possible.
- Minimise permanent weight on the roof – heavy racks, boxes and full jerries up high all add sway.
- Split heavy items left/right so the vehicle doesn’t sit noticeably on one side.
- Use tie-down points and straps so loads can’t shift under braking or on corrugations.
Access for “oh no” moments
- First-aid kit, extinguisher and basic tools should be fast to reach, even with the vehicle fully loaded.
- Wet-weather gear and warm layers should not be buried at the very bottom.
- Recovery kit should be accessible when you’re already stuck and tired, not behind 10 other boxes.
- Use the Overland Gear List Builder to mark priority access items.
After this lesson, stand back from your packed rig and look for “problem weight” – heavy, high, far back or hard to secure – then move at least one of them to a better spot.
3. Camp setup & pack-down routines
The difference between a chaotic camp and a calm one is often just a simple, repeatable routine. Everyone knows their job, and the vehicle looks the same when you’re done.
Arrival – the first 15 minutes
Aim for a predictable order every time you roll into camp.
- Walk the site: check for hazards, slope and wind direction.
- Park with exit in mind – can you drive out if it rains overnight?
- Handbrake, chocks if needed, then awning and ground mat first.
Camp in full swing
Keep a “traffic plan” so people aren’t constantly in each other’s way.
- Kitchen on the leeward side of the vehicle if possible.
- Clear walkway between fridge, stove and table.
- Dedicated tub for dirty dishes and rubbish, not random piles.
Pack-down – the last 15 minutes
Reverse your setup routine so nothing gets left behind.
- Kitchen packed, rubbish sorted and stowed first.
- Chairs, table and awning in the same places every time.
- One final walk-around for pegs, ropes and forgotten items.
Give each person a small “role” – fire and lighting, kitchen, sleep zone – so you’re not the only one doing everything at once.
4. Hygiene, waste & life between camps
Staying healthy and keeping camps clean has a huge impact on how much everyone enjoys the trip – especially once you’re a few days in and the novelty wears off.
Everyday hygiene
- Dedicated tub or bag for wash kit – soap, toothbrushes, quick-dry towel.
- Simple handwashing setup near the kitchen or water point.
- Pack enough small, quick-drying clothes instead of heavy spares.
- Rotate “camp clothes” and “driving clothes” so something is always dry.
Waste & leave-no-trace basics
- Separate rubbish into general waste and recyclables where possible.
- Use compostable bags or sealed tubs for food scraps to reduce smells.
- Respect local rules on fires, toilets and grey water.
- Do a slow final scan of camp – the goal is “no sign we were ever here”.
5. Knowledge check – Campcraft & Packing
Answer the questions below to test your understanding of campcraft basics. Your score and a campcraft badge will appear at the bottom.
Lesson 4 quiz
If your score isn’t where you’d like, pick one area – weight, zones, routines or hygiene – and make a small change on your next trip. Campcraft improves fastest through repetition.
Ask Rusty about campcraft & packing
Use this chat to improve your real-world layout. Mention that you’re in Overlanding 101, Lesson 4 and describe your vehicle, storage system and who you travel with.
Continue with Overlanding 101
Great work on Lesson 4. With your camp and packing dialled in, the final step is to layer in safety, risk management and emergency planning before you head further off-grid.
Use Rusty as your campcraft co-pilot
Rusty is trained on overlanding fundamentals, campcraft concepts and Overland Gear Guide content. Treat him as a calm second set of eyes on your layout and routines.
- Share photos or descriptions of how your rig is currently packed.
- Ask him to help you build zones that match your style of travel.
- Use him to spot weight issues, hard-to-reach safety gear and wasted steps.
- Redesigning your packing zones for kitchen, sleep and tools.
- Suggesting changes to reduce weight high and far back.
- Creating step-by-step setup and pack-down routines.
- Building hygiene and waste checklists for your group size.
Rusty is a planning companion – not a replacement for safe driving, manufacturer limits or local regulations. Always stay within your vehicle and personal limits.
Tools that support your campcraft
These OGG tools help you translate Lesson 4 into better packing lists, safer loads and smoother days on the road.
Overland Gear List Builder
Turn this lesson into a practical packing list grouped by zones and priority access for your specific vehicle.
Tyre Pressure Calculator
Adjust pressures to match your real-world loaded weight and terrain for a more comfortable, controlled ride.
Overland Expedition Planner
Match your daily driving plan to realistic setup and pack-down times so camps never feel rushed.
Overlanding 101 – Lesson 4 FAQ
Do I need custom drawers or a full fit-out to use this lesson?
No. The principles in this lesson work with plastic tubs, simple shelves and factory interiors. Start with zones, weight and routines – you can always upgrade hardware later.
How much time should camp setup and pack-down take?
Every crew is different, but a good target is around 15–20 minutes for a typical overnight stop. If it always takes an hour, your layout or routines probably need simplifying.
Is a messy camp really a safety issue?
It can be. Loose gear becomes tripping hazards at night, and important items like first-aid, torches or recovery kit are harder to find when you’re stressed or in a hurry.
How often should I review my packing system?
After every few trips, or after a big change like a new storage system or different group size. Take quick notes on what annoyed you, then adjust for the next run.