Gear Review: REI's Camp Pack-N-Prep Tote/Table

I have been mulling over the thought of making a chuck box.  A box, usually made of plywood, that stores most of your camping gear in one place.  These make it easier to store, organize, and carry your smaller items to and from the campground.  A chuck box also makes life easier in camp by placing everything you need right at your finger tips.  Unfortunately I had a few problems with the idea of a chuck box.  First, they are, or can be, heavy.  Second, I don't have the tools or space to make one in my current living situation.  Third, unless you make legs, making it even heavier, you need a table to set it on to make it effective in camp.  Finally, they are usually pretty darn bulky.
The solution?  The REI Camp Pack-N-Prep Tote/Table (yes this is the actually name, not just a description). The name does kind of say it all though doesn't it?

The stove itself doesn't fit into the tote with
all the other gear, but that doesn't bother me much.

You have a cooler sized bag, connected to a frame, with multiple pockets, and a table attachment.  It comes with a divider for the main section, that turns into a hanging utensil pouch when the table is set up.  There are three colored bags that fit into the main compartment for easy division and storage of smaller items.  A paper towel rack, in table mode, allows for easy access for clean ups.  On one side of the bag there is an external water resistant pouch that hold a small dish washing bag.  Two other external pouches hold more gear, and the fourth pouch on the back holds the table top components.  A video on the REI website shows all these features and how they are used.

All packed up and ready.

The pictures below show what I have been able to fit into the bag.  All this gear was held in three different bags or buckets before getting this REI Tote.  Filled to the brim it is no heavier than a cooler full of food, and the frame keeps it nice and sturdy.  The table accommodates our Coleman camp stove and, though not pictured, there is even room for the fuel canister to rest on the side.

All this gear used to be in three different places,
now it is all together and ready in a  flash.

This new equipment is going to allow us to go camping with the piece of mind that we have everything we need.  Our car trunk will be filled with this tote, our cooler, stove, bags of clothes, Rubbermaid tote full of sleeping bags, tent, and tarps.  We are good to go in 5 minutes if we wanted.  Even without having the chance to use the tote in the field yet, I know this new piece of camp kit is going to make our trips into the woods much easier and more enjoyable.  Thank you REI.

Cost: $129.00

Find at: REI.com (free shipping for items over $50 if you are an REI member)