When you’re overlanding, there are a million and one things to think about. There’s always something new to consider, from the supplies you pack to the route you take. However, one of the most important things is ensuring you have everything you need to stay clean and dry. We like the Quick Paper Towel Holder (QPTH) from Expedition Essentials – it’s a handy gear for anyone looking to travel off the beaten path!
In the past, I kept a roll of paper towels bungee-strapped to the back of the headrest. This was a cheap and easy solution. Unfortunately, though I was driving with the windows open, sometimes the wind would catch towels and unravel the roll.
I like QPTH because it prevents the paper towels from unrolling, and I can easily reach it from the driver’s seat. I have steel molle panels from Built Right Industries on the back of the seats. The magnets keep the paper towels secure behind the passenger seat in my 4×4.
Features of the Overlanding Paper Towel Holder
As a quick overview, the QPTH has the following features:
- Lays flat when not carrying a roll of paper towels
- Made from powder-coated hammered aluminum that won’t rust
- Rubber coated magnets attach to any ferrous metal surface without scratching the finish
- The magnets are removable, allowing you to mount the holder with screws or bolts
- Mount to nonferrous surfaces like the aluminum walls with adhesive disks (e.g., the Airstream Interstate 24x)
My only complaint with the QPTH is that sometimes the paper towels the roll jumps off the roller. My solution is to use a couple of carriage bolts. I slide them into each end, and now the holder is very reliable.
If you don’t want to shell out the sixty-plus bones for the QTPH, you may want to check out the U.S. General Paper Towel Holder from Harbor Freight.
Either one of these paper towel holders is excellent. If you want, attach them to a metal surface and move them around without worrying about scratching your paint. However, I do prefer the Expedition Essentials version for my vehicles.