A Tour of Our Overlanding Rig: Everything We Use for Backcountry Camping

If you’ve seen our latest YouTube video (below), you know we gave a full tour of our overlanding rig, our trusty Land Rover with rooftop tent setup, and all the gear we use to stay comfortable (and sane) while backcountry camping with a toddler.

It’s not one of those rigs with all the “Bells and Whistles” , just what we’ve built up over about a year. It’s been done cheaply for the most part and fairly simple. There are loads of things we wish we had, but for now we have what basically equates to a ‘bare-bones’ setup - everything you need and almost nothing you don't.

This blog post breaks it all down with links to everything we mentioned in the video — from our favorite camping chairs to the solar setup that keeps our electric cooler humming.

The Rig: Land Rover Disco ii + Rooftop Tent Setup

Camping at Assateague National Seashore

At the heart of our setup is our Land Rover, kitted out for off-grid, off-road adventures. The biggest game-changer? Our rooftop tent from Free Spirit Recreation (FSR). Here's why we love it:

• 5-minute setup (yes, really!)

• Built-in LED lighting

• King-size memory foam mattress (a literal dream after a day outdoors)

• All-season ready

• Full blackout interior — perfect for naps and toddler bedtimes, even when the sun's still up

  
  

Attached to the side, we’ve got the FSR 270-degree awning, which also features integrated LED lighting, making our campsite super cozy and functional, even after dark.

Cooling: Dometic Electric Cooler + Solar Battery

Dometic Electric Cooler / battery bank combo

Not having to deal with ice ever again is a total game changer for staying off-grid longer. We have been using our Dometic electric cooler for keeping food fresh. It's basically a mini-fridge for the trail:

• No ice required

• Whisper-quiet and super energy efficient

• No freezer, but plenty of space for fresh food and drinks

We keep it powered with our solar-charged battery bank, we have the VTOMAN which we have had for about 6 months now and have been really happy with:

• Powers the cooler for multiple days without recharging

• Charges our phones, headlamps, and other essentials

• Recharges relatively quickly via portable solar panels

Water: Staying Hydrated in the Backcountry

Back when we still had an RV - still used the same water jug though!

Water is non-negotiable, and we’ve built flexibility into our setup:

• A 5-gallon jug (we sometimes bring two depending on trip length)

• Water filtration system for trips near natural water sources

We highly recommend having both, one for immediate needs, and the purifier as a backup or for extending your stay.

• Reusable water bottles (obvious but necessary)

Camp Comfort: Chairs + Table

Emily and Daisy

Some of our favorite camping chairs are by Portal Outdoors becasue they are super comfortable, have a hammock chair option, and they also have a heating element for thwn the weather gets cooler:

• Camp chairs: sturdy, super comfortable, and well made

• Folding table: ultra-light, packs down small, but strong enough for real cooking and dining

• Love Seat: We have also had the Kelty loveseat for years and love that chair as well!

Camp Kitchen Essentials

Grilling up Steak and Broccoli using the FSR Campstove

For cooking, we recently upgraded to the FSR Camp Stove. It folds down incredibly small and fits perfectly in our tight packing system.

We also used the Coleman Double Burner Propane Stove for years and still recommend it — a classic for a reason.

Other cooking/dining essentials:

• Lightweight cookware + dining kit

• Collapsible dish basin

• Cutting board, knife, and utensils

• Biodegradable earth safe soap

• Never forget to bring backup propane!

Other Things We Pack

We always pack the following to round out our kit:

• Poop shovel (you know the drill)

• Axe for firewood

• Twinkly retractable string lights that double as a lantern

• Hammock (because naps are essential)

• First aid kit (always)

• Headlamps

• Bluetooth Speaker

All Packed up and ready to go

Final Thoughts

Overlanding with a family — especially with a toddler — means every piece of gear has to earn its place. These are the items we’ve tested on real backcountry trips, and they’ve made all the difference in staying comfortable, prepared, and able to enjoy every adventure.

Camping should be simple and accessible to everyone! There are ways to make this setup SO much cheaper - you can get out there with a Walmart tent and some blankets from your house. Its taken us a while to build up our gear one piece at a time.

Let us know in the comments or on Instagram @adventurefamdam what gear you can’t live without — we’re always looking to refine our setup.