Gear Organization Series – Drawers and More 2014

Jan 22

Accessories, Camping Gear, Gear, General, Storage and Organization

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Article by: RobRed

Applicable Models: Any Vehicle

Updated: 2/28/2014

Land Cruiser Tailgate Camp

I’m updating my article from 2012 with a revised list as well as some fine tuning of gear. Here is the original 2012 article

The same goals apply as before but I’ve wanted to streamline and organize even more from where we were in 2012. As you probably know I have an almost insatiable appetite for Pelican cases. I can’t stop myself from using them for everything. In the old configuration I used both a Pelican 1610 and 1650 but I’ve grown a bit tired of how packed the Land Cruiser becomes on these trips so my goal is to slim it down. What has facilitated this change is my investment into Outback Solutions drawer system. My previous drawers held mostly tools and spare parts. The new system has much deeper drawers which has allowed me to contain all the tools and spare parts in one drawer. This frees up a second drawer for other gear, like camp gear.

So I swapped out the Pelican 1650 for another 1610 and moved some of the 1650’s gear into the available Outback Drawer. The 1650 leftovers fit into a combination of the Pelican 1610 (kitchen box), the Pelican 1610 (Gear box), are carried “loose” in their respective carry cases/sacks, or are no longer needed such as our air mattress and pump among others. Before you panic about no mattress we decided to upgrade to Exped MegaMat 10 LXW mats. It’s like sleeping at home – they are that good!

Coming back this year is the Pelican 1500EMS. We have a small first aid kit always in the Land Cruiser but we have all the good drugs in this separate Pelican case. Like every Pelican it’s air tight, water tight and indestructible. The 1500EMS is a purpose designed case for first aid and trauma responders. It has multiple dividers and a special insert in the lid to organize supplies. Bright orange for ease of finding it. I can’t say enough about having a packed first aid kit. It gets used every time we go out. From Poison Oak to flu to sprains and more, we are ready for it.

MSR Pots at Work

In the original post I didn’t talk about food storage since it’s a big variable based on the trip. In the past cold storage has been a quality ice chest or fridge plus a large clear plastic tote for dry food. We are certainly staying with the fridge for cold but new for 2014 is the addition of a Coleman 72 Collapsable Chest Cooler for dry food. This collapsable “box” is perfect for carrying our dry goods like chips, peanut butter, marshmallows etc. It’s lined with food grade antimicrobial plastic and has a nice set of carry handles. Goodbye clear plastic tote.

As I mentioned in the original post it’s best to have smaller subsystems to stay organized. For example I have flashlights, head lamps and small lantern in a single “lighting” sub case. The “kitchen” Pelican 1610 takes it a step further in that we have a modular cookware system from MSR called the Flex 4. The kitchen box has a small drawer system I bought at the local organize store to contain all utensils, spices and accessories needed to cook with.

In addition to the Pelican 1610’s and the Outback Solutions drawer we have a foldable table, our queen sized sleeping bag, sleeping mats and a stove. These are carried “loose” in there respective carry bags. Having these items loose gives us a choice of what to bring for the environment. Sometimes we opt for more grilling then pot cooking so the other stove may be better for that. If we know there is a table where we are going then we can leave ours home. If I’m solo I sub out the queen sleeping bag for a single and may sleep in the Land Cruiser (no tent needed). Depending on need I can pack only essentials.

Some new gear for 2014 has made it’s debut.

Exped MegaMat 10LXW
Cleanwaste GO anywhere Toilet System
The Snow Peak Pack & Carry Fireplace (med)
1gal./5# Bulk Propane Cylinder
Sceptre 5 Gallon MWC (x3) with water spigot
Camco 58031 “Little Red Campfire” Propane Camp Fire
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
Helinox Chair One camp chair
Helinox Table One folding table
Coleman 72 Can Collapsible Chest Cooler
Katadyn Combi water filter
SkeeterBeater Magnetic Window Screens for Land Cruiser

Our Queen Size Sleeping Bag, stove and chairs next to our Pelican 1650, 1610, 1510 and 1500EMS (2012)

Drawer “1” / Spice Drawer from the Kitchen Box

The Drawers lifted out of the Pelican 1610

All of this gear is at the ready whenever the mood strikes us. We never have to think about as it’s stored in the “camping” closet in GO mode. I’d love to hear your ideas and tricks – click the link at the bottom of this page and join the conversation. Tell us how you do it.

Basics (These are Stored in Individually):

TETON Sports Mammoth Queen Size Flannel Lined Sleeping Bag (94″ x 62″, Green)
Exped MegaMat 10 LXW (x2) New for 2014
Coleman Prefect Flow InstaStart Stove, Single Burner plus Grill/Griddle
ARB 63qt. Fridge/Freezer
Sceptre 5 Gallon MWC (x2) with water spigot New for 2014
Pelican 1500EMS Case FIRST AID Kit
Black Diamond soft 2’x3′ Mat (Home Depot) (x2)
Optional Coleman Compact Table with Cover
Optional 1gal./ 5# Bulk Propane Cylinder New for 2014
Optional Pelican 1510 case for Camera Kit
Optional Cleanwaste GO anywhere Toilet System New for 2014
Optional The Snow Peak Pack & Carry Fireplace (med) New for 2014
Optional Camco 58031 “Little Red Campfire” Propane Camp Fire New for 2014

Pelican 1610 Roller Case (Gear):

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow (x2) New for 2014
Helinox Chair One camp chairs (x2) New for 2014
Helinox Table One folding table New for 2014
REI Half Dome 4 Tent, Poles, Stakes and Footprint
Black Diamond Titan Lantern
9’x12′ Blue Tarp

Pelican 1610 Roller Case (Kitchen):

6 pairs of Little Hotties Hand Warmers
6 Mini Bungee Cords
Roll of Paper Towels
Large Plastic Table Cloth
MSR Flex 4 System Cook Set
MSR Flex Skillet
GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Bottle Cup (x2)
Generic plastic 1 Cup Measuring Cup
1 lb Propane Fuel Bottle
GSI Outdoors 32oz Halulite Tea Kettle
10 Generic plastic Shopping Bags
42″ Telescopic Camping Fork (x2)
Reynolds Wrap Foil HD
Coleman Camp Stove Toaster
Petzl LED Head Lamp
Eagle Creek 8″ x 6″ Nylon Mesh Zipper Pouch
- Oven Mitt
- Bernzomatic 019585 8″ Flexible Stem Gas Lighter
- Spare Butane Fuel (x2)
- Blue Scrubbing Towels (x3)
- Eurow 12×12″ Micro Fiber Cloths (x6)
Sterilite 3 Drawer Organizer
- Drawer 1
  - Cooking Spices
  - Plastic Cutting Board, small
- Drawer 2
  - Zip Lok Bags, Large and Small
  - Hand Soap in 3oz GoToob bottle
  - Matches
  - Scrubbing Sponges (x2)
  - Hand Sanitizer
  - Small Garbage Bags
  - Cottenelle Moist Wipes – bulk 42 count
  - REI Campware, Knife, Fork, Spoon (x6 ea)
- Drawer 3
  - Swingaway 405 Can Opener
  - Kitchen Aide 5″ Chef Knife
  - KitchenAide 7″ Chef Knife
  - Dish Soap in 3oz GoToob bottle
  - Oxo 10″ Tongs (x2)
  - Wooden Spoons, 10″ (x2)
  - Oxo Metal, Silicon Spatula
  - Marinade Brush
  - Rubber Scrapper/Spatula
  - Metal BBQ Fork
  - MSR Brush Scraper (for cleaning dishes)
Plastic Cutting Board, medium
6′ Bulk Propane adapter/hose for stove
Reusable Grocery bag, Large (x2)
Dice, Cards and Hacky Sack in nylon pouch case
U-Dig-it Stainless Hand Shovel
Lennox 8″ Folding Saw

Outback Solutions Drawer (left drawer): New for 2014

Small Bungees (x6)
Medium bungees (x2)
Mylar Survival Blanket (x2)
Coleman Rain Poncho x(2)
Little Hotties Hand Warmers, Pair (x6)
SE Military Lensatic Compass w/ Pouch
Pelican VB3 Clip LED Light (x2)
Misc Zip Ties (x20)
BananaBoat SPF 30 Sunscreen 8oz
MSR Pack Towel XL (x2)
Snow Peak 450ml, Double Wall Titanium Cup w/ lids (x2)
Generic 4″ Squeeze Clamps (x2)
Loop Roop, 5′

Pelican 1050 (yellow)
- Spare Batteries, D, AA, AAA, CR2032
Lighting Sub Case (white)
- Black Diamond Apollo Lantern
- Black Diamond Spot Headlamps (x2)
- Coleman Xponent Mini LED Lantern
- Mini LED Mag Light with stand
- AA batteries x6, CR123a Batteries (x3)
MSR Duralite Cook System [2 Pots, lid, handle, Cutting Board, Towel]
- MSR Whisperlite International Stove (nested in MSR Pots)
- Snowpeak Titanium Sporks (x2) (nested in MSR Pots)
- Matches in Dry Container (nested in MSR Pots)
- Tinder in Ziplok (nested in MSR Pots)
- Paper Towels (x6) (nested in MSR Pots)
- Foil Wind Shield (nested in MSR Pots)
IsoPro Fuel 8oz, (x2)
Katadyn Combi water filter system New for 2014
Estwing Camper’s Axe with 16 in. Nylon-Vinyl Shock Reduction Grip Handle
Craftsman DHRP Mini Utility Shovel
Roll of Heavy Duty Duct Tape
50′ 3/8″ Nylon Rope
25′ of super light twine rope
SkeeterBeater Magnetic Window Screens for Land Cruiser New for 2014