THE STORY OF ARDEN PACKEER

> FROM SCREENS TO DIRT TRACKS

By trade, Arden Packeer is a software developer. His weekdays are spent indoors, building systems and solving problems on a screen. It is a career that demands precision and time in front of a computer, but it also left him craving something different. After long hours of coding, he wanted to disconnect, head outdoors, and take on challenges that were a little less digital and a lot more raw.

The idea to build a rig came during COVID. Stuck at home, Arden found himself drawn to overlanding and 4x4 videos online. “I remember watching those channels and just thinking, I gotta go do this. I wanna go see Australia,” he says. That moment was the spark. If he was going to chase the outdoors properly, he was going to build something capable of taking him, his family, and all their gear anywhere he wanted to go.

> BUILDING WITH PURPOSE

Arden’s Ford Ranger looks tidy on the outside, but open the Centurion canopy and it is clear this is more than a weekend toy. “This side’s basically my kitchen at home,” he says, pointing to a microwave, coffee machine, fridge-freezer, and induction cooktop. “I’ve got 400 amp hours running through it, and all my controls right here where I can see them. Every bit of space is usable.”

For some, that might seem like too much. A coffee machine and microwave in the bush? Arden sees it differently. “I like tech, so why not? If I’m out here, I want to be comfortable. There’s no reason you can’t enjoy both.” He built the rig with his own lifestyle in mind. What matters is that it works for him and his family, and it keeps them coming back for more time outdoors.

That attention to detail is no surprise given his background. As a developer, Arden spends his days structuring code and troubleshooting systems. He approached his Ranger in the same way: plan the requirements, build with intention, and test every part until it worked seamlessly.

> A DREAM CANOPY FOR THE DREAM BUILD

The canopy was always going to be the centrepiece. Arden chose to keep the tub rather than go with a tray because of the streamlined look and practicality. “It’s got a wide enough opening that I can put the kids’ bikes in the back sometimes as well. The main thing I was worried about was dust, but with this setup, it’s not an issue. No drama at all.”

The Centurion’s lightweight alloy construction was another key factor. “I wanted something lightweight that could still carry the load I need. Rooftop tents, awnings, just about everything. It’s hard to get that rating, but this does it. While I’m off-road, I can carry everything. No dramas.”

> LOOKING AHEAD

For now, Arden is using his build for weekenders and week-long trips. It is the perfect testing ground, a way to refine his setup before the big goal. “The eventual plan is to take the kids around Australia. That’s what I’m building towards.”

And he is confident he has nailed it. “To be honest, I don’t think I’d change anything. It does everything I need it to. The amount of research I did, this was the way to go. I’m preparing as best as I can to take the kids around Australia, and this setup does it all.”

Arden’s rig is not about showing off or ticking boxes for other people. It is a system built for his own needs, combining comfort, toughness, and technology. It gets him away from the screen, keeps him connected to the outdoors, and brings his family along for the ride.

This is Arden Packeer. This is Doing More of What Matters.