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Simple quick Moab set up before my rack even arrived Table for camping stove, cooler, and storage set up Amazon camping stove that was way better than the jet boil gear IMO and less than a fifth of the price. Packs up in less than 30 minutes
Kind of quick and dirty setup for a weekend get away north of Moab. It’s nothing special; my tent, chairs, table, cooking gear, and all miscellaneous stuff was stored in the larger not so tough Rubbermaid (lid hinge broke the second morning) with plenty of room to spare. My sleeping bag, pillows, and lighting went in the smaller one. I took a Yeti 45 that also had more than enough room for my food stuffs, though I kept my drinks in some cheap soft cooler I bought at target years ago (not shown) and a backup 4 gallon water jug that stayed in trunk (not shown). Also not shown is a cheap canvas bag that I ordered from Amazon that holds my firewood, and 25L hiking and camera carrying back pack, as well as a small rubber mat that you might just make out in front of my tent entrance.
Of course, I also had full set of recovery gear under the trunk partition and max tracks that also stayed in the trunk.
All and all it was very easy and let me do a bunch of hiking and exploring because of how quick camp was to set up. Granted, it was just me and only for two nights, but the trip kind of has me rethinking the need for a roof top tent. Though, I will definitely say that if I had planed to stop earlier than just before dusk an awning would have been sorely missed.
It’s also pushed me towards the idea of sleeping in the car, because even though the tent takes maybe 5 minutes to set up and 15 to pack away the dew mixed with the dust is kind of a pain to be the first thing you have to deal with in the morning. Along those lines, I might switch to a roof storage set up, even if there’s no beating just moving the camping containers from a closet in the garage to the trunk of my car.
Definite lessons learned / additions for the next trip - low profile roof rack from badass tents and a rhino rack 6.5M awning and maybe some max tracks mounts for the rack.
TLDR; aside from typical recovery gear. One medium, one small storage container; a yeti tundra 45, a ~15q soft cooler, and an extra 4 gallon water jug; plus a canvas firewood bag and a small hiking pack. All of which fits in the trunk with the back seats up was more than enough for one person for 2 days in BLM land north of Moab.
Any need for further info or giving of ideas and suggestions welcome.
Had a quick question. On the Duraboxes how sturdy are those when erect? Could I stack them in the back of the defender then tie them down to the cargo straps decently tight without them collapsing? Mine arrives next week and im planning on doing a month long trip in it and trying to find the best boxes for that. Thanks!
The boxes are very sturdy. The picture shown are them loaded up with camping gear and they hold fine. You lock the sides into place which helps keep the rigidity. I stack them in the back and they do not move with stuff around them. I also have the metal cargo separator behind the seats so I can stack things to the roof. Very happy with the boxes that we order more for our house.
Great write up! Pics of it all piled in back would be awesome. I used to camp 50+ nights a year for years. Maybe for decades. Really enjoy it and have never felt the need for a roof top tent. Pro-tip, buy a large bag from Cabelas or somewhere to put the tent in when not in use. Don't even bother with the tent bag that came with the tent. I like to roll it up "fluffy" and put in the bag. First thing I try to do is to pull the pegs and if not too windy, invert it to let the bottom dry while I do breakfast and other things. Usually good to go unless I'm back east and it's wet weather. I've had hooks in my garage roof (now barn) to hang it upside and dry out more. $1k+ and usually closer to $2k for a roof top tent that takes up enormous storage options isn't my cup of tea. I can see how a lot of folks love them, but not me. The only thing I've added over the years is a cot. Makes a world of difference. Also, I've been up and down the scale of tent sizes. If I go backpacking, I carry as light as possible: hammock if I'm able, lighter if needed, tarp if I think the weather will hold (and mosquitos). If I go front country (camp w/in 100 yards of truck), then I travel like Paris Hilton: I bring it all! But, I have learned that I no longer want the ginormous multi room tent. They are just a PITA to put up/down and the wind is tough on them. I got to tell you, I have many tents I've acquired over the years (Big Agnes, Mountain Hardware, REI quarterdomes, hennessey's, yada yada yada) and my GO TO tent is just a coleman sundome. I think it's a 4 person. Repaired the pole cords and poles a couple times but we have spent some time together. FWIW - save the money and spend it elsewhere.
Also, get an awning. Won't regret that. Either go VERY sturdy or go light and rig it up yourself. All a function of how much futzing you want to do. I just went with this, but I admit that I like to tie knots and this isn't for everyone. It's also not cheap, but it is bulletproof and you can do a lot of different uses with it. If you get a dedicated awning, put some money into it. The cheap ones here will disappoint. https://barebonesliving.com/products...2f32cafe&_ss=r
Last edited by GrouseK9; Oct 30, 2021 at 09:00 AM.
Boreas squaredrop off road trailer and a GFC superlite RTT on trailer roof rack, Voyager roof rack on car to carry Oru folding kayaks, traction boards (rotor racks) and frontrunner boxes, and up to five bikes on front of Boreas using 1up trays. Trailer has Truma fridge, outdoor shower and enclosure, zero23 awning, stove, furnace, solar, etc. Superlite goes on the Voyager rack if just a short trip. Can roll into camp late at night and be in bed in five minutes. Have backpacked, climbed, canoe’d etc, and still love all that, but trailer and/or RTT just make everything so fast and easy, especially if packing up camp in the rain. Nothing worse than rolling up a wet tent knowing you’ll have to sleep in it again the next night.
Our Boreas XT arrives in February, whether it will arrive before or after the defender that’s supposed to be here Dec 10th, is the question!
how does the defender handle the tongue weight with 5 bikes?
Has anybody installed a 270 awning on a D90? With the Expedition roof rack? Looking for recommendations.
The OverlandPros Wraptor 4K 270 degree fully freestanding awning should fit great on the D90. Driver side opening for the rear door. Not a lot of options for mounting things to the Expedition rack but flat plates to sandwich the bracket on a crossbar should work. Or just drill through the crossbars.
Joining the club and got my first accessory today 😂.. Thought people might like these Rigid boxes I found at Home Depot. Was looking for something that would stack and lock and fit between the two tie down points in the trunk and then can also be strapped to the roof rack if needed. They seem very durable and seal from water. Only $40 each as well. https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2...1733/205440481
Please forgive me if this is not the proper place to ask. I have a Defender 90 and there is not as many roof rack choices as there are for the 110. For now I don’t really need a roof rack, (garage clearance issues), I just need to mount an awning to my OEM roof rail on one side. Are there any brackets available to do this or is it a bad idea? I have not purchased awning yet, thinking about 6’ premium quality one person set up type.
I don’t know of any brackets, but I think unless they have some way of bracing against side torque, it would a bad idea. A roof rack takes all the sideways forces from something like an awning and uses the rack structure and feet into the rails to brace against it. You could go with crossbars instead if you want something more easily removable for your garage.
The OverlandPros Wraptor 4K 270 degree fully freestanding awning should fit great on the D90. Driver side opening for the rear door. Not a lot of options for mounting things to the Expedition rack but flat plates to sandwich the bracket on a crossbar should work. Or just drill through the crossbars.
My awning just came in and I have the same rack as you. How did you mount it to the rack? It's looking to me at first pass that the awning brackets don't sit flush and id like to avoid buying the FR ones if possible.
Has anybody installed a 270 awning on a D90? With the Expedition roof rack? Looking for recommendations.
Check out the Overland Pros 4k 270 degree fully freestanding awning. Should be a good size for the 90. It has beefy brackets. You could mount it directly to the rack by drilling through 2 of the cross members of the rack. Or sandwich the brackets with aluminum/steel plates as they are too wide for the included U Bolts.
