What is Goose Gear?

Goose Gear is an American company producing storage, sleep-and-storage platform kits, drawer modules, interior furniture and accessories for overlanding and van life. They deal in vehicle-specific modular designs: separate kits for separate trucks, SUVs, and vans, with seat-delete systems, drawer slides, fridge modules, rear utility plates, etc., as options.

Their “goose gear collections” include items such as the Go Fast Camper series, IceBox modules, seat deletes, drawer systems, etc.

Strengths: Goose Gear Does Well

Quality of materials & craftsmanship

The products are well constructed: most kits employ Baltic birch plywood cores, tough phenolic surfaces, quality hardware and drawer slides. These are constructed to withstand the rigors of off-road shaking, vibration, and exposure to moisture.

Custom fit / vehicle specific

Instead of universal cabinets, Goose Gear designs their systems to fit particular vehicles. That equals improved fit, reduced wasted space, sometimes simpler install.

Modularity and flexibility

You get to choose what you want: drawer modules, fridge slides, utility plates, seat deletes, or complete sleep & storage platforms. If your requirements shift, you can add or redo.

Ease of install

Several users comment that the systems are easy to install with existing bolting points etc. They are not always a case of massive carp and fabrication.

Appearance & finish

The styling is clean, considered. The “look and feel” tends to be high end vs. sparsely assembled build-outs. This also contributes to resale value: a tidy, professionally executed van conversion usually retains value better.

Weaknesses / Things to Consider

Cost

Goose Gear products are not cheap. You’re paying a premium for quality, fit, durability, and modularity. For many people building van conversions, budget is a big concern, and some cheaper DIY or local solutions may cost significantly less.

Lead times /shipping

Since most things are made to order or at least produced in batches, there could be waiting times. Shipping fees (depending on your location) can be high, particularly beyond the continental US.

Weight

Although most kits are constructed to eliminate excess weight, the addition of drawer systems, plywood platforms, modules, etc., always increases weight. Based on your vehicle and payload capacity, this might be a factor.

Overkill for simple builds

If you don’t use your van much — maybe weekend adventures, very minimal setup — then some of Goose Gear’s more advanced modules may be more than you require. You’ll end up paying for things you don’t do frequently.

Modifications & access

In some models of vehicles, you may need modifications or extra effort to access bolts, conduit wiring, or module alignment beyond what the instructions require. Custom tweaking is sometimes needed for users.

Is Goose Gear Worth It?

Whether Goose Gear is worth it really hinges on your priorities. These are some points to decide upon:

• If you desire a premium, solid build that is decent-looking and retains its looks over time, and have a reasonable budget — then yes, Goose Gear is highly likely worth it.
• If your conversion is simpler, budget-constrained, or you’ll be doing a lot of it yourself, then you will have a lower cost preference or simpler parts.
• Think about how much use you’ll get out of the build: for long-term or full-time van life or extreme off-road use, spending money on something durable is worth it. For weekends away, the cost benefit ratio isn’t the same.
• Also examine your vehicle’s payload, weight limits, where you’ll ship the parts from, and if you’ll need to make custom modifications.

Tips If You Choose to Use Goose Gear

Measure correctly: Even with vehicle-specific kits, tiny variations (trim, interior panels, etc.) count. Double check dimensions.

Plan your design early: Consider where drawers fit, how you get to your fridge, how the sleep platform relates to storage. Planning up front prevents reconfiguring later.

Consider extra hardware: Mounting brackets, electrical for lighting or fridge slides, ventilation — sometimes more cost/time is required beyond what is in the module.

Think about spare parts: Drawer slides, latches, etc. It’s nice to have spares or understand how to replace components.

Inspect warranty/support: Positive customer support can really make the difference if something goes wrong or requires adjustments.

Conclusion

Goose Gear is a good recommendation for serious van conversion endeavors. If, above all, you value durability, solid design, modularity, and precise fit, then its products are worth the price. But if you’re performing a minimalist conversion, tight on money, or just require the bare minimum functionality, you may get along with less complex or do-it-yourself solutions.