Bed Storage
Drawer systems and rod storage
Top Pick7/10 community rating
BuiltRight Industries Bedside Rack MOLLE Panel System↗Also consider
7/10$1,500
6/10$1,700
+Lockable with keys, no water ingress, lifetime warranty, large community of owners, good security when combined with locked tailgate.
−230 lb weight impacts payload significantly, items in back of drawers hard to reach, cupped bottoms sacrifice space, sizes restrictive for some gear, generation-specific SKUs confusing.
Fridge & Cooler
Keep your catch cold
Top Pick9/10 community rating
Dometic CFX3 35↗Compact 36-liter fridge/freezer with proven compressor reliability. WiFi/Bluetooth app control, low 1-amp-per-hour draw, and ExoFrame construction make it the most popular overlanding fridge at its size class.
Why this over others
- +Reaches -7°F on under 60 watts — runs all night on a modest battery.
- +WiFi monitoring lets you check temps without opening the lid.
Also consider
9/10$1,100
+Sawafuji swing compressor has no wearing parts — owners report 20+ years.
+Combi design runs fridge and freezer zones simultaneously.
−At 56 lbs empty it's 15-20 lbs heavier than modern competitors.
−Boxy dated styling — Engel prioritizes function over form entirely.
9/10$1,250
+Runs fridge and freezer zones simultaneously — no need for two units. 75 liters fits a full week of food for two people.
−At 61 lbs empty it's a serious commitment to lift in and out.
−Large footprint eats a big chunk of your cargo area.
8/10$269
+Wirecutter's top pick — independently tested and verified to hold ice for 6 days.
+Fits 84 cans, which is genuinely enough for a group weekend without rationing cooler space.
−At 37.7 lbs empty it's already heavy before you add ice and food — a full load takes two people to move.
−No wheels and no active cooling, so once the ice melts you're done.
Roof Rack
Kayak and gear hauling
Top Pick9/10 community rating
Leitner ACS Forged Bed Rack↗The lightest high-capacity bed rack available -- at 85 lbs with 400 lb off-road capacity, the weight-to-strength ratio is unmatched thanks to forged aluminum construction.
Why this over others
- +Five years of testing eliminated the rattles that plague most bed racks.
- +OEM-level fitment — drops in like a factory part, no shimming.
Also consider
+Holds 1000 lbs static and 500 lbs while driving — enough for a rooftop tent plus gear without worry.
+Minimal wind noise keeps your highway drives quiet.
−Installation requires drilling into your factory roof, which is permanent and voids some warranties.
−Not for owners who want to keep their truck bone-stock underneath.
+Installs without drilling or special tools, so you can set it up in a parking lot.
+Height adjusts to clear tonneau covers or fit taller gear.
−After a few years of weather exposure, some bolts can seize up and fight you during adjustments or removal.
7/10$649
+Designed specifically for Tacoma camper caps so the fit and mounting points are purpose-built, not adapted from a generic rack.
+Backed by a lifetime warranty so you buy it once.
−Because it's a niche product, there's limited real-world feedback from other owners to reference.
−You're somewhat early-adopter territory.
Power & Electrical
Portable power
Top Pick9/10 community rating
Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 100/30↗The sweet spot for most overlanding solar setups — 30A handles one or two panels, and Victron's ecosystem is unmatched for monitoring.
Why this over others
- +Victron's MPPT tracking extracts maximum power from panels even in partial shade.
- +Bluetooth monitoring via app.
- +Handles up to 440W of solar input.
Also consider
+Shows exactly how much power remains and predicts when you'll run dry.
+Bluetooth lets you check battery status from inside the tent.
−Shunt must be installed in a specific wiring spot — plan layout first.
−Pricey for a device that only reads data, not stores or produces power.
+50A capacity supports larger solar arrays for full-time living setups.
+Same excellent Bluetooth monitoring.
9/10$233
+Modular design daisy-chains with other Lynx components.
+Individual Mega fuse per connection. 1000A capacity handles any build.
Recovery
Muddy access roads and boat ramps
Top Pick9/10 community rating
Factor 55 ProLink Winch Shackle Mount↗Safer alternative to a winch hook that eliminates the risk of a loaded line slipping off during recovery. 16,000 lb rated with titanium pin and aircraft-grade aluminum at just 2 lbs. Made in USA and trusted by first responders.
Why this over others
- +Eliminates the dangerous hook that becomes a projectile during winching.
- +Machined from solid billet aluminum with a 16,000 lb rating.
Also consider
9/10$280
+Rated for 9,900 lbs — cheaper boards crack under heavy trucks.
+Proven across 30+ countries by aid workers and expeditions.
−Bulky to store unless mounted on your rack externally.
−Three times the price of budget alternatives.
+Comes with 40 repair cords — enough to fix many flats over years of trail use without restocking.
+Repairs tires trailside without removing the wheel, getting you moving again in minutes.
−Costs more than generic plug kits from auto parts stores.
−You're paying for the completeness and quality of the kit rather than the basic repair concept.
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