Inside the ski box is where the awkward gear goes:

• Hammock stand
  
  

• Longer items that don’t pack neatly
  
  

• Anything that’s difficult to secure inside the car
  
  

It keeps the cabin clear and the cargo area usable for the kitchen system and fridge.

Why the Roof Is Raptor Coated

I get asked this fairly often.

Why raptor coat the roof?

Simple — it was already scratched. Deeply scratched. The previous owner had done some damage, and loading and unloading gear over time wasn’t going to help.

Rather than baby it, I decided to protect it.

The raptor coating adds a durable layer that handles:

• Sliding gear
  
  

• Loading traction boards
  
  

• Shuffling the box around
  
  

• General overland wear and tear
  
  

It’s not about aesthetics. It’s about protection and practicality.

If I’m going to use the roof as functional storage, it needs to be able to take abuse.

Rear Storage Plans

I also have a hitch basket that I’ll be experimenting with this season.

The plan is to test mounting options inside the basket — possibly including the bike(s) — to improve security and organization. The goal isn’t to pile more gear on.

It’s to:

• Keep items secure
  
  

• Keep weight distributed properly
  
  

• Reduce roof load when possible
  
  

• Make camp setup faster
  
  

Everything is still evolving. That’s part of the process.

Making It Work

Downsizing from the Explorer forced me to rethink how I pack and carry gear. The Volvo has less space, but that’s pushed me to be more intentional.

The roof box handles the awkward stuff.
The rack handles recovery gear and bikes.
The hitch basket may handle overflow or heavier items.

It’s not about building the biggest setup.

It’s about building one that works.