how do you load up?

[BurbanAZ]

we always load the suburban about the same way, you can fit a ton of gear inside. I dont keep the 3rd row seat in the truck because i want the space and have tools, etc.. back there. Then when we sleep we just fold the 2nd row seats down and slide some stuff forward then sleep really comfortably. How do you guys load up? does anyone use the aftermarket compartments or cabinets, or have something custom made?
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f235/cjcuk/650da4a5.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f235/cjcuk/7c51ce85.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f235/cjcuk/dd21eb2a.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f235/cjcuk/f289246c.jpg

and how we sleep, we also put two more open sleeping bags over us because it was cold and stayed really warm and comfortable.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f235/cjcuk/9a7823cf.jpg

and just a pic i like lol
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f235/cjcuk/823d7d01.jpg

[SUBURBIAN]

I usually have more passengers, and have to leave the rear seats up for kids to sit. I use a cordura nylon rooftop cargo carrier for light stuff...sleeping bags, folding chairs, tents, etc. The 3rd row seat comes out, and the cargo area gets packed full of storage bins of cooking/kitchen equipment, coolers, backpacks, couple 5 gals. of water, etc. It is usually full to the ceiling. I load it in a sequence of logical order, so that the items we need to set up camp are easily accessible, like a "last in first out" method. I'll take some pics next time we go.

[BurbanAZ]

yea id definitely have to change it if there were more than 2 of us, i do have a roof rack that i still need to build a mounting system for, once thats done some of that stuff will move to the rack when were loading up

[Wilbah]

Just joined this forum some great info here. I always feel like the beverly hillbillies when we go on the road (3 kids some times the GSD as well)....one thing I do like to do is (as much as possible) put the heavy stuff on the floor and tie it down. Up high (I too am usually stuffed to the da*n gills! LOL) I put lighter stuff. I prefer to tie it all down if I can- especially offroad so if something goes bad the inside of the vehicle doesn't become a shooting gallery with tools and other heavy metal pieces flying around. :)

[Jimmeh]

Whenever I load up the truck, I try to load up the stuff I don't need right away first. However, the last trip I traveled with family and each day we stayed at a different place, and I was seriously tired of packing and unpacking the truck (especially with a bunch of baby ****). So, this is kinda how it started (still not neat, I know, but it was about the best it had been packed):

http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/rr305/Dodge_the_Ranger_Jim/059.jpg

By the end of the trip, if somebody asked for something that was in the back, they were going after it themselves. Needless to say, I am a much better solo expedition-er than I am a group.

My truck is fairly organized as far as how I keep my stuff packed. Tools for fixing a break down stay in the cab while tools for getting unstuck/towing out will be right next to the tail gate. Sleeping stuff will be under the sleeping platform near the front of the bed while straps and the like will be at the front of the bed on the drivers side under the "shelf". Food items/cooking items will be under the platform near the middle/tailgate, and any tents or other camping gear will ride on top of the platform (stuff that will be out the truck anyway). The dogs will most likely ride in the cab, back seat as always. Clothes will also probably be in the cab under the seat on the passenger side.

Notice I am saying it in the future tense as I haven't packed the truck for a solo trip with my dogs yet. I am hoping that I will get to once this summer. So far the only vacation I have had is with family members, and while that's fine, I like my alone time.

[BurbanAZ]

we've just kind of figured out what works with us through trial and error and now we always pack and arrange the same way. We position the stuff we go in and out of and the rear doors so we can get it fast and easy without moving too much crap around, then arrangel it depending on when we will probably need it. I have noticed that on the last pack up when were about to head home it all just gets thrown in the truck lol after a couple weeks of packing and unpacking almost every day the last day we just dont care anymore lol.