If you’re anything like me, you live out of your truck come fall. Between dogs, hunting and dog gear, first aid and safety equipment, and more, your truck needs the proper organizational system and accessories to safely get you and your pups in and out of the backcountry. Here’s my go-to truck system and kit.
Decked Drawers provide storage and organization for your upland hunting gear. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) Having Gear Storage in Your Upland Hunting Truck I was tired of digging to the bottom of storage bins or crawling in the bed of my truck for a loose piece of gear—the Decked Drawer system came to my rescue. Two full-bed length sliding drawers allow me to store everything from shotguns and ammo to dog collars and dog bowls. Drawer dividers let me section off the drawers for organization, while heavy duty bins help to keep my toolkit and miscellaneous gear locked in one spot.
In my drawers you’ll find shotguns, shells , and CableGangz stakeouts; while dog collars and chargers sit next to a GoalZero YETI 300 so I can charge on the go. You’ll also find first aid kits, dog bowls, Jetboil, dehydrated food, toolkit, jumper cables, tent, sleeping pad, and more.
Topers keep your gear dry and out of the elements. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) A Quality Truck Topper My trucks traditionally have not had a topper, and I don’t know what I was waiting for. My dogs and gear are now secure, dry, and warm in the winter. I wanted the lightest topper I could find and one geared toward upland adventure. The new Venturous Ozark Cab-High Cap is made with PolyFuse Technology, a unique injection molding manufacturing technique that makes the topper 38 percent lighter, while maintaining triple the strength of other truck toppers on the market.
I decided on sliding windoors for the sides of the topper to keep airflow for the dogs, and a flip up back window with a custom door skirt to help keep rain and dust out of the bed. For late nights back in camp, an access strip light automatically turns on when the back window opens to help light up the inside of the bed. Rhino Rack crossbars on top of the topper allow me to mount my rooftop tent if wanted, or strap down other gear as needed.
The right tires will get you where you need to go, even on rough roads. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) Tires for Rough Roads My go-to guys at Ultimate 4x4 in Orem, Utah helped install rugged tires and wheels that could handle the stress of National Forest and BLM roads. Toyo Open Country A/T III has been my favorite tire for years. The tire features staggered shoulder lugs to help enhance off-road traction, while an advanced tread design grips tight in wet weather. I paired the tires with KMC GRS wheels because they are made specifically for off-road use. A beadlock ring with split-spoke design allows debris to easily pass through.
Dog Gear for Your Upland Hunts To keep my dogs secure and comfortable while driving, I have two Lucky Duck Intermediate Kennels that fit nicely under my Venturous Topper. Lightweight yet durable, the kennel is 5-Star Crash Test Rated and features strategically placed ventilation holes for maximum airflow. For a comfortable spot to rest after long days afield, inside of the kennels I have elevated Lucky Duck Kennel Cots that are made of Teslin to help drain water from wet, soggy dogs. Each kennel is fitted with a Lucky Kennel Fan which is a must for off-season training and the early season days where temperatures can still be high. The fan attaches easily to the kennel door and has dual fans with two speeds.
