Glad that you are planning ahead, there is plenty of time to get input from all kind of sources. Please remember on all of them that it is (this is what I like) not what you will need or want because only the two of you can make this decision. So here goes -- put a flat bed on the truck (because I did) build down under the overhang so there is more outside storage, on our trip to AK., things carried outside the camper were -- 10'X10' popup canopy - 2000w onan iu gen set, chairs, tool box for (me), outside grill W/ collapsible table and 5# propane bottle for grill, rug for the deck I built for rear of camper, extra drinking water and other drinking products, this all under the overhang, in the cab area put up a pole in rear seat area to carry extra clothes and rain gear. Feel free to PM me for other things we took with us that upon leaving was 200# under the GVWR of the truck as we went to the Highway Dept. scales on the day and hr we headed North. JMHO