Two vehicles pull up in the shade of a lone baobab in Botswana. A major unpacking exercise ensues as, bickering and blaming, the first family start digging around in the back of their 4x4 for their lunch goodies, buried underneath all the camping gear.

The spectacle amuses the second family, happily munching on their droëwors and sarmies, washed down with a frosty, all of which is within easy reach, after having quickly set up their table and chairs.

What’s the happy family’s secret? Before leaving on their trip, this highly organised bunch had a packing system installed in the back of their 4x4.

This gives them quick and easy access to their kit without having to unpack everything, and makes it easier to keep everything neat and organised.

Their system has separate drawers for clothing, food and utensils and even for recovery gear.

They also had a fridge slide installed for their camp fridge, so grabbing a cold one is a cinch.
Sold? Good.

On the following pages we not only tell you what to consider when purchasing a packing system, but we give some handy advice, and give you the lowdown about the products.

Before selecting an off-road packing system …

First think about the following

1 What do you use your vehicle for?
As a packing system is heavy and not easily removable, it reduces boot space. This is no problem if you use your 4x4 exclusively for play, but it can be a major drawback if your vehicle doubles as Mom’s taxi or work vehicle − no more taking the Great Danes to the park or carting building rubble to the dump.

On the upside, some people like having a drawer system in the back for around-town driving because it provides a lockable, covered space to hide things like toolboxes or laptop computers.

2 How big is your budget?
A packing system, especially a drawer system, is a biggish investment − expect to pay around R10 000 for a standard factory-made unit, and up to R15 000 for a custom-made one.

More basic models are available, including a simple sliding plate that you can stack ammo boxes on, but these still retail for around R6 000.
Some folk have constructed their own packing system, which seems to be much cheaper. More on this later.

3 Enough power?
Depending on the model, a packing system can add up to 80 kg to the weight of the vehicle. This will obviously affect fuel consumption and the suspension.

4 What are the pros and cons?
While a drawer system provides easy access to your kit, packing and unpacking can be tedious as drawers are generally not removable.

Ammo boxes, on the other hand, are removable and can therefore be filled with items indoors before being packed into the vehicle.

Sounds good, but …

Do ready-made units fit all four-by-fours?
Most manufacturers like Front Runner and African Outback Products supply ready-made units for all current, popular four-by-fours, but if you drive something old or obscure a custom-built job might be your only option.

Can I have a drawer system installed in my trailer?
Yes, provided the trailer has side or rear access.

Does a drawer system offer protection from dust?
Drawer systems offer very little dust protection. While this isn’t such an issue in station-wagon-type 4x4s, dust often penetrates into the load bin of bakkies. Special dust kits to seal off the gap around the tailgate are offered by African Outback Products.

Are drawer systems lockable?
All models we encountered were lockable, which enhances security. Consequently, as your kit is hidden, the chances of opportunistic break-ins are reduced.

Do drawer systems rattle?
The systems we tested (Front Runner, African Outback and a custom-built Burnco 4x4 system) were reassuringly solid and rattle free. Indeed, the carpet lining in the drawers helps reduce the jangling of loose items.

What about my fridge?
Some manufacturers offer systems that include a pullout platform for your fridge. Alternatively, you can purchase a dedicated fridge slide and bolt it onto the drawer system.

TIP:
Carefully measure the space between the top of the drawer system and the roof, as it may be too small for a fridge. Moreover, reaching into a fridge that’s too high can be a bit of a nuisance.

Can I fit it myself?
Standard fitment of a packing system should take a workshop between one and three hours (at around R250 per hour).

Although systems are mostly designed to utilise existing holes in the vehicle such as tie-down points in a station wagon’s boot, four to six holes may have to be drilled in the floor or load bin. Jump seats in vehicles such as a Land Rover Defender will have to be removed.

But yes, if you enjoy DIY and want to save some cash, you can install a system yourself.