Nomad Kitchen Co. LT Overlander Kit Review

As overlanders, we always seem to struggle with finding more storage. That’s especially true when dialing in a kitchen setup and fighting the age-old problem of being organized. Storage bins and rugged cases certainly get you by, but at the end of the day, we’re always wishing for more.

Packing and unpacking are among the worst parts of traveling. Not only is it a hassle, but you also risk forgetting essential equipment! After learning from my mistakes, I concluded that less is more, and having a permanent space for my gear to stay organized is the way to go.

Enter Nomad Kitchen Co. – a one-stop shop for creating an organized space that helps you spend less time packing and more time enjoying your adventures.

Let’s get started!

Find It Online

• Nomad Kitchen LT Overland Kit: Check Price
• Organizer Bag Sets: Check Price

Specifications & Features

Specs

• Total Weight Of Unit: 162lbs
• Drawer Tested Weight: 200lbs
• On Top Tested Weight: 500lbs
• Easy 2-strap mounting
• Wood-Construction
• Custom Soft-Touch Bed Liner Coating

Features

• Kitchen
  • Stainless Steel Wash Basin
  • Designated Stove Cooking Top
  • Rear Pantry Storage With Cutting Top
  • Bamboo Cutting Board
  • 2 Hooks (Trash Bags, Storage Bags, Etc.)
• Pantry
  • 3 Included Dividers (Can hold up to 5)
  • 1 Countertop Insert (Can hold up to 3)

Company Overview

Nomad was established in 2019 by an engineering graduate who loves the outdoors, camping, exploration, and design. Wanting more out of a camp and cooking setup, they started working hard to develop the first Nomad Kitchen.

Since then, Nomad has grown and built its company into a renowned brand that produces high-quality and functional products built right here in California! They strive to achieve quality craftsmanship, affordability, and customizability. Let me tell you, they sure do uphold those standards.

Configuration Options

The kitchen and pantry can be set up on either the driver’s or passenger’s side. They can also be mounted in several configurations:

• Split – Allows for a walkway between the two as they’re mounted up against the wheel wells.
• Stacked – On top of each other anywhere in the bed (middle or sides)
• Adjacent – What I have, side by side in the middle of the bed

As you can see, there’s a ton of customizability to suit your exact needs.

I was able to walk around the Nomad facility and get inspiration from other setups before picking out my own setup and accessories. If you’re local to the Bay Area, I highly recommend scheduling an appointment to do the same!

Unboxing

Nomad’s goal was to ship the unit fully assembled right to your doorstep with regular shipping (no freight)! This was to minimize any headaches related to damage, cost, accessibility, etc. The packing is custom-cut for your order.

If you’re local to the Bay Area, you can save some money and schedule a pickup time at their facility. They can also install your drawer system for you.

Installation

Included in the Overland LT Kit are both the kitchen and pantry drawers, along with all the necessary hardware and mounting straps. There are (2) pantry tops, (1) bamboo cutting board, (1) stainless steel wash basin, and (1) stove strap!

Nomad also provides some of the most detailed instructions I’ve ever seen come with a product before, leaving no room for error when you install it.

Step 1. Place Drawers

The installation of the Nomad Overlander is super simple! The drawers are already pre-assembled, so all you need to do is install some hardware and anchor points to secure them.

First and foremost, pick the side you want the kitchen on vs. the drawer. With another set of hands, slide them into the truck bed. I placed the pantry on the driver’s side and the kitchen on the passenger’s.

Step 2. Install Footman Loops

Next, install the footman loops on the outside of the drawers with two Philips head screws.

Footman loops help strap them down to prevent them from shifting when out wheeling.

We decided to install the loops on the inside lower portion of the setup to feed the strap through. The drawer housings also have indentations to help guide the straps!

Step 3. Install Anchor Points

Installing the anchor points to secure the drawers to the bed is as easy as installing the footman loops! Depending on your bed setup, this step may vary.

For example, I’m using my previously installed bed stiffeners as my strap attachment point nearest the tailgate. As for the attachment point nearest the cab, we’ll be using the provided anchor points.

With a Sharpie and anchor point in hand, line up the anchor with the strap indentations on the kitchen length-wise. If installing in a Tacoma bed, it’s recommended to push the anchor points as close as possible to the wheel well while keeping them flat and flush with the bed floor. Mark where you will be drilling the holes.

Using a 3/16″ bit, drill the two holes per anchor point. The bed is composite and doesn’t require a lot of force to go through it. Secure the anchor points with the provided Phillips head screws and repeat on the other side.

Install ratchet straps and snug them down until there is no wobble!

Step 4. Secure Drawers

Pictured: Riser Beam (bottom) used to elevate over bed stiffeners.

At this point, your drawers are installed! The process is incredibly simple and only requires basic tools.

The beauty of this setup (which I’ll talk more about later) is how easy it is to take in and out. If you want your bed space back to do truck things, just remove two straps and take them out! This also makes switching up your setup super easy.

This is how the pantry and kitchen look empty – (3) dividers, a designated stove area, and the wash basin. The two countertops are not pictured.

Nomad Vs. Others

Nomad combines the best features into one compact unit. So far, it’s felt like the perfect solution for both a storage and cooking setup. While companies make one or the other, they may be the only company that does both. This gives overlanders everything they could want.

While there will always be questions about building vs. buying, I think this is a great product for someone who either doesn’t have the time or knowledge to create a system like this. After all, it ships to your doorstep ready to go and installs in about 30 minutes!

Highlighted Features

• Highly customizable wood construction
• Textured bed liner-like finish
• No plastic materials
• Easy installation & removal

Close-Up Details

Pictured above are the empty drawers, with two countertops and a wash basin installed.

Bags

Nomad partners with ILE in Berkley, California, to bring these awesome custom bags that fit specifically into the drawers. These bags are extremely high quality and handmade just down the street from Nomad’s HQ.

You can purchase these bags as a whole set or individually, depending on your needs! I picked up the sink and tool roll bag for now.

Some unique bags they offer are:

• Propane Tank Bag
• Utensil or Tool Roll (Hooks onto the end of drawer)
• Multiple-size packing cubes
• Wash Basin (Sink) Bag

Customizability

With the setup constructed out of wood, the customization options are endless. Nomad also provided pre-threaded holes to mount things on the go easily. Whether they’re tie-downs or to secure your fridge slide, there’s an option for everyone.

As previously mentioned, the textured bed liner-like material is very durable and will hold up to whatever you throw at it!

Unique Features

Cutouts on both sides of the designated stove area allow the propane line to route through and keep it out of the way.

The cutout on the bottom was made to save weight and access anything that may’ve fallen!

There’s even a trash bag hook next to the wash basin!

Pantry Features

Pictured: Two countertops on the pantry side plus a bamboo cutting board.

The pantry side is awesome and can also be used as a storage drawer, which is exactly what I’ve done with my setup! Using up to (5) dividers and (3) countertops, there’s total customizability. This kit comes standard with (3) dividers.

The pantry is 5″ tall, a good height to stack your stuff while keeping a low profile just below the height of the wheel well. I’ve added recovery gear, camping necessities (lights, cleaning, utensils, etc.), and other niche items I like to have around.

Kitchen Features

Oh boy, is the kitchen awesome! It’s a serious luxury coming from a minimal tailgate setup.

First and foremost, having a designated place to cook every night is a big stress reliever. Slide out the drawer, revealing everything, and you’re ready to go!

The stove top is far enough off the tailgate so that heat isn’t an issue but also close enough so that a 270-degree awning covers it in case of rain. The biggest stove that can fit is 23″ wide; I decided to go with an 18″ model, which gives me plenty of room on both sides.

The wash basin or sink is most definitely my favorite feature. The ability to do dishes, wash your hands, or soak something in water is a luxury when camping. Yes, there are collapsible sinks, but the convenience factor of having it right next to your stove and countertop is awesome.

You can also option your setup with a faucet. I went with the Dometic faucet and water jug.

Pictured: Removable sink with faucet hole 

Like the pantry, the kitchen also has a storage drawer on the rearward side. I’ve designated that one for cooking items while we’re “cheffing” it up.

Initial Review

I’m very excited about this product, if you haven’t already guessed. I love everything about the Nomad Overlander setup and can’t find any flaws. It exceeds my expectations and performs amazingly; nothing has broken down.

The only thing I could complain about is the price. At $3,500 (fully equipped—including every accessory), it’s steep, but you are paying for quality. The age-old saying, “Buy once, cry once,” definitely applies here. The kitchen alone costs $1499, and the pantry alone costs $1249.

In all seriousness, the kit is amazing. Being able to go out on an adventure and set up camp in minutes has made the experience 10x more fun. As someone who struggles to cook a good meal at home, let alone while camping, I get excited every time I use this setup and make a meal.

I’ve had this for about 4 months and have been dialing in my setup over that time. I have yet to perfect it since there are so many options. After recently picking up a Dometic fridge, I plan on adding a fridge slide to the drawer and will continue to tweak my setup.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for something like this, I wouldn’t look any further than Nomad Kitchen Co. As mentioned above, there are many reasons why this product is great. Ultimately, this product helps you get out there, have fun, and cook some good meals while doing it.

Be on the lookout for the long-term review as I continue to use this setup and get it even more dialed!

Till then – Happy Trails!