9 Best Gear Options For Hauling Firewood And Supplies On Your Rig Exterior

Stepping into a warm rig after a long day on the trail should be a relaxing experience, not a chore of sweeping up wet bark, pine needles, and hitchhiking wood beetles. Hauling firewood and muddy recovery gear inside your living space ruins the comfort of a tiny home on wheels and introduces unwanted moisture. Moving these dirty, bulky supplies to the exterior of your rig frees up interior space and keeps your living area pristine.

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Why Exterior Storage is Essential for Dirty Gear

Inside a van, truck camper, or small RV, interior space is the most valuable currency. Firewood takes up massive physical volume, but more importantly, it carries bark beetles, spiders, and dampness that can trigger interior mold. Keeping these organic materials outside preserves your air quality and keeps your living space hygienic.

Beyond hygiene, safety is a massive factor. Loose logs or heavy metal recovery gear inside a living space can become lethal projectiles during a sudden stop or a rough off-road transition. Securing these heavy, awkward items on the exterior ensures they stay put, no matter how bumpy the road gets.

Spare Tire Bag – Trasharoo Spare Tire Bag

The space in the center of your rear-mounted spare tire is prime real estate that often goes completely wasted. A dedicated spare tire bag utilizes this dead space to carry heavy, dirty, or wet items without cluttering your interior or your roof rack. It is the ultimate spot for damp firewood, muddy recovery straps, or camp trash.

The Trasharoo Spare Tire Bag is the undisputed standard for this category because of its rugged 900-denier canvas construction and heavy-duty wide buckles. It easily handles up to 50 pounds of cargo, featuring built-in drainage grommets at the bottom to let rain or wood debris escape. The dual wide nylon straps wrap securely around tires from 29 to 40 inches, making it incredibly versatile across different rig platforms.

Keep in mind that UV rays will eventually fade the heavy canvas over years of exposure, so treating it with a UV-protectant spray helps extend its lifespan. Additionally, ensure your spare tire carrier can handle the extra weight of a fully loaded bag before stuffing it with heavy oak logs. This bag is perfect for overland rigs, SUVs, and vans with rear-mounted spare tires, but it is useless if your rig carries its spare underneath the chassis.

Hitch Cargo Carrier – MaxxHaul 70107 Steel Carrier

When you need to transport bulk firewood, heavy generators, or coolers, hoisting them onto the roof is a recipe for back strain. A hitch-mounted cargo carrier keeps heavy loads low to the ground for easy loading and unloading. It shifts the weight to the vehicle’s frame, which is designed to handle heavy tongue loads.

The MaxxHaul 70107 Steel Carrier stands out because of its robust all-steel construction and generous 500-pound load capacity. The basket features 6-inch high side rails that keep firewood bundles from rolling out, while the mesh bottom prevents water and dirt from pooling under your cargo. It fits standard 2-inch receivers, making it compatible with almost any truck, SUV, or RV setup.

You must account for the decreased departure angle when driving on steep off-road trails, as hitch carriers can scrape on deep dips. It is also highly recommended to purchase a heavy-duty hitch tightener to eliminate the wobble and rattle that naturally occurs with slide-in receivers. This carrier is ideal for budget-conscious campers needing massive hauling capacity, but it is not suited for rigs that frequently navigate technical, high-clearance 4×4 trails.

Roof Cargo Basket – Yakima MegaWarrior Cargo Basket

For odd-shaped gear, extra gear bags, and tightly wrapped firewood bundles, a heavy-duty roof basket offers unmatched flexibility. It allows you to utilize the entire footprint of your roof rack without the restrictive walls of a solid box. You can easily loop straps, bungee nets, and locking cables through the steel bars.

The Yakima MegaWarrior Cargo Basket is a top-tier choice built from heavy-duty, weather-resistant steel that shrugs off harsh weather and rough handling. Its classic, rugged profile looks great on any rig, and the included wind fairing significantly reduces highway wind noise and drag. It is fully customizable, allowing you to add an optional extension insert if your rig has the roof space for a longer basket.

Mounting gear high on the roof raises your vehicle’s center of gravity, which affects handling on winding roads. You will also need to physically lift heavy logs or gear bags up to roof height, which can be challenging on taller vans or lifted trucks. This basket is perfect for active travelers with mid-to-large rigs who need adaptable, open-air storage, but it is less ideal for those with physical lifting limitations.

Storage Case – Roam Adventure Co. Rugged Case

Some exterior gear needs protection from the elements, dust, and potential theft, which open baskets simply cannot provide. A heavy-duty, lockable storage case keeps expensive tools, dry kindling, camp stoves, and recovery gear safe and dry. It provides peace of mind when you leave your rig parked at a trailhead or a grocery store.

The Roam Adventure Co. Rugged Case is built like a tank, featuring a military-grade dust and waterproof gasket seal that keeps the elements completely out. The integrated gas struts automatically lift and hold the lid open, which is a lifesaver when your hands are full of gear. Heavy-duty steel latches are fully lockable, and the molded grab handles make it easy to carry the box around camp.

These cases are heavy even when empty, so you must factor their baseline weight into your roof or rack load limits. Mounting brackets are typically sold separately, meaning you will need to plan how to secure it to your specific rack system. This case is the ultimate choice for overland travelers seeking premium, weather-tight security, but it may be overkill and too expensive for casual weekend campers.

Rooftop Cargo Box – Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box

If you want a streamlined, highly aerodynamic way to store sleeping bags, dry firewood kindling, and camp chairs, a rooftop cargo box is the classic solution. It keeps your gear completely shielded from rain, highway grime, and snow while maintaining a quiet, fuel-efficient profile. It is the perfect closed storage option for long-distance highway travel.

The Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box excels with its durable, scuff-resistant Aeroskin texture and highly convenient dual-side opening feature. This allows you to access your gear from either the driver or passenger side of the vehicle, which is incredibly useful in tight campsites. The tool-free PowerClick quick-mount system clicks when it is securely tightened around your crossbars, taking the guesswork out of installation.

Keep in mind that these boxes are designed for bulky, lightweight items rather than dense, heavy hardwood logs. Overloading the plastic base with sharp, heavy firewood can crack the box and exceed your roof rack’s dynamic weight limits. It is best suited for families and travelers needing dry, secure storage for soft goods and lightweight supplies, and not recommended for hauling raw timber.

Jerry Can Holder – Smittybilt Jerry Can Holder

Carrying extra fuel or water is essential for off-grid survival, but keeping these liquids inside your living space is dangerous and smelly. A dedicated exterior jerry can holder mounts these heavy, high-hazard liquids safely outside the vehicle’s cabin. This minimizes the risk of fumes, spills, and fire hazards inside your living area.

The Smittybilt Jerry Can Holder is a rock-solid, all-steel cage designed to securely cradle a standard 5-gallon (20-liter) jerry can. It features a heavy-duty adjustable strap that locks down tight to prevent noisy metal-on-metal rattling during bumpy off-road travel. The frame has pre-drilled holes, making it easy to bolt onto rear bumpers, tire carriers, or trailer walls.

Mounting this holder requires a solid, load-bearing surface, which may mean drilling into your rig’s exterior panels or buying a dedicated bumper system. A full 5-gallon jerry can weighs roughly 40 to 45 pounds, so ensure your mounting bracket can handle this cantilevered weight over long washboard roads. It is a must-have for remote off-grid explorers, but unnecessary for campers who stick to developed campgrounds.

Exterior Molle Panel – Cali Raised LED Bed Molle System

When space is tight, utilizing the vertical flat surfaces on your rig’s exterior can unlock massive storage potential. An exterior Molle (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) panel allows you to mount small gear, axes, shovels, and traction boards directly to the side or bed of your vehicle. This keeps your most-used tools highly accessible and organized.

The Cali Raised LED Bed Molle System is constructed from heavy-duty, laser-cut, and powder-coated steel for maximum durability and rust resistance. It is custom-engineered to fit specific truck beds and rig profiles seamlessly without wasting an inch of space. The precise grid pattern accepts standard Molle straps, Quick Fist mounts, and bolting brackets, giving you infinite customization options.

Because the gear mounted on these panels is completely exposed to the elements and theft, you must invest in high-quality locking mounts and weather-resistant gear. Installation may require basic hand tools and alignment, but the clean, rattle-free storage layout is well worth the effort. This system is perfect for truck campers and overland rigs needing fast access to trail tools, but it is less practical for closed vans or fiberglass RVs.

Rear Ladder Box – Aluminess Deluxe Universal Box

On van builds and large RVs, the rear door is a goldmine for exterior storage. A rear ladder box mounts directly to your rear door or ladder system, providing massive storage volume without extending your vehicle’s footprint too far backward. It is the ideal place to lock away muddy recovery gear, wet firewood, or auxiliary power cords.

The Aluminess Deluxe Universal Box is a premium storage solution crafted from lightweight, marine-grade aluminum that won’t rust or overload your door hinges. It features a highly secure locking latch and a robust weatherproof rubber seal to keep dust and rain completely away from your gear. Its sleek, black powder-coated finish gives any camper van a clean, professional, and rugged look.

This box carries a high price tag and requires a compatible rear bumper, swing-out, or ladder rack system to mount securely. You must be mindful of the weight you pack inside, as overloading a rear door box can strain your door hinges and cause alignment issues over time. It is the ultimate choice for dedicated camper van owners looking for premium, secure storage, but it is not a budget-friendly option.

Bungee Cargo Net – Powertye Heavy-Duty Cargo Net

Even the best roof baskets and hitch carriers are useless if your gear can slide around or bounce out on the road. A heavy-duty bungee cargo net acts as a flexible, form-fitting safety blanket over your entire load, pinning loose items down. It is the easiest and fastest way to contain bulky, irregular loads like firewood bundles, sleeping pads, and camp chairs.

The Powertye Heavy-Duty Cargo Net is engineered with thick 5/16-inch latex rubber cord that retains its elasticity far better than cheap natural rubber alternatives. It features tight 3-inch by 3-inch mesh grids that prevent smaller logs and loose gear from slipping through the gaps. The heavy-duty ABS plastic hooks are non-scratch and adjustable, allowing you to tension the net perfectly across your load.

While highly durable, all elastic materials will eventually degrade under constant, intense UV exposure, so storing the net out of the sun when not in use is highly recommended. Remember that a bungee net is designed for containment, not primary securement; heavy items still require structural straps to prevent shifting during sudden stops. It is an indispensable, low-cost accessory for anyone using a roof basket or hitch carrier, but it should never be used as the sole tie-down for heavy loads.

How to Secure Firewood and Prevent Shifts on the Road

Securing loose logs requires more than a simple bungee cord. The vibration of washboard roads can turn a tightly packed stack of wood into a loose, dangerous pile in a matter of miles. To prevent kinetic energy from building up, always pack your firewood as tightly as possible, filling any voids with smaller kindling or cardboard.

Use high-quality ratchet straps with a high working load limit as your primary securement method. Run at least two straps over the pile from different angles, ratcheting them down until the wood does not budge when shaken. For open baskets or hitch carriers, throw a heavy-duty cargo net over the ratcheted pile as a secondary containment layer to catch flying bark and small wood fragments.

Watch out for friction points where the rough bark of the firewood can rub against your rig’s paint or soft gear bags. Laying down a heavy-duty tarp or canvas sheet before stacking the wood protects your gear from scratches and makes clean-up incredibly easy. Regularly stop and check your straps after the first few miles of driving, as wood piles naturally settle and loosen over time.

Weight Distribution Rules for Exterior Rig Cargo

Proper weight distribution is a critical safety consideration when hauling heavy gear outside your rig. Stacking heavy items incorrectly can severely degrade your vehicle’s braking distance, steering responsiveness, and overall stability. The golden rule of cargo loading is to keep your heaviest items low and centered, and your lighter items high.

Heavy firewood, water jugs, and recovery gear should ideally live on a hitch carrier or a low rear bumper mount. This keeps your vehicle’s center of gravity low, reducing body roll and sway when cornering or navigating off-road terrain. Only reserve roof-mounted storage for light, high-volume items like sleeping bags, camp chairs, and dry kindling.

Always consult your vehicle’s manual to find its dynamic roof load limit and tongue weight capacity before loading up. Remember that dynamic weight (the weight of cargo when the vehicle is in motion) is much lower than static weight (when parked). Staying well under these limits ensures your suspension and frame remain undamaged over years of adventurous travel.

Conclusion

Equipping your rig with the right exterior storage gear transforms the quality of your road trips and off-grid camping experiences. By moving dirty firewood, bulky supplies, and hazardous liquids outside, you keep your interior living space clean, safe, and spacious. Invest in high-quality, durable mounts today, secure your loads properly, and enjoy a cleaner, more organized alternative living lifestyle on the road.