After years of camper van travel, we’ve taken a step—not back, but sideways—into the world of Overlanding. With our van in for some work, we decided it was the perfect opportunity to test out a rooftop tent setup and see how it compares. So, welcome to our new adventure: camping under the stars with our Overland rig!
The Heart of the Setup: TentBox Lite 2.0 Rooftop Tent
Our home for this trip is the TentBox Lite 2.0, mounted securely on our vehicle’s roof. It’s easy to set up, with a blind that rolls up and hooks above the flysheet window for ventilation. Inside, the sleeping space is a compact but comfortable small double, perfect for us—even if you’re on the taller side.
One of the tent’s best features is its airflow system. With ventilation points on both sides and at the foot of the tent, plus moonroof vents in the ceiling, it’s well-designed for warm summer nights.
The transition from camper van to tent camping feels like a new Overlanding challenge, but we’re excited for the experience!
The Kitchen & Storage System
A huge shoutout to Steve, who built our custom sliding drawer system in just one weekend! Here’s how our mobile kitchen is set up:
Left Side: The Fridge Setup
- Our fridge is mounted on heavy-duty sliding rails (rated for 225 kg, so technically, we could sit on it—but we won’t test that theory!).
- Tie-down straps secure the fridge in place, and a slide-and-lock mechanism allows full access without hassle.
- Inside the fridge: Some road trip essentials—boxed Bordeaux wine, Panaché, and the all-important 0% alcohol gin, which is hard to find in Europe!
Right Side: Storage & Cooking Space
- Stacked Euro crates (60×40 cm) provide dry food storage and organization.
- A pull-out utility drawer below the crates stores our compact cooker, cutlery, and kitchen essentials.
- Additional space for camping gear, including a breaker bar, fire extinguisher, and emergency road safety kit (a must-have in France!).
Everything is efficiently packed, making meal prep and daily tasks seamless.
Final Thoughts: The Overlanding Experience
This setup is definitely a shift from the all-in-one convenience of a camper van. But Overlanding brings a new kind of freedom—one where we can explore further, set up camp anywhere, and enjoy the adventure of road-tripping with a rooftop tent.
So far, so good! We’re looking forward to seeing how this setup holds up over the trip.
Thanks for following along—don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join us on our Overlanding adventures! 🚙⛺✨
Cheers to the open road! 🍻
