Car Camping Gear & Setups
Best Cars or SUVs for Comfortable Car Camping Setups
Choosing the right vehicle is key. Look for reliable models with ample interior space and seats that fold flat, like a Subaru Outback, Toyota RAV4, or Honda CR-V. Good ground clearance helps reach more remote spots. Alex and Sam debated between a sedan and an SUV for their camping trips. They chose a used Subaru Forester, loving how the rear seats folded nearly flat, creating a surprisingly spacious sleeping area perfect for weekend adventures exploring national forests.
Best Sleeping Platforms or Systems for Cars/SUVs
A sleeping platform levels the cargo area over folded seats, providing a flat surface and often creating storage underneath. Many build simple DIY platforms from plywood, while companies offer pre-fabricated systems. David, tired of sleeping slanted in his Jeep, built a simple wooden platform for under one hundred dollars. It leveled his sleeping surface perfectly and gave him organized storage drawers underneath for clothes and gear, transforming his car into a cozy micro-camper.
Best Mattresses or Sleeping Pads Specifically Designed for Car Camping
Comfort is paramount when car camping. Options range from inflatable air mattresses (ensure they fit your car’s dimensions) to self-inflating pads or thick memory foam toppers cut to size. Prioritize thickness and insulation (R-value) over weight. Maya initially used thin backpacking pads but upgraded to a four-inch thick self-inflating mattress designed for car camping. The extra cushioning dramatically improved her sleep quality, making her feel refreshed for hikes, proving good sleep is worth the space.
Best Rooftop Tents for Cars (Hard Shell vs Soft Shell)
Rooftop tents (RTTs) mount to your vehicle’s roof rack, offering quick setup and an elevated sleeping space. Soft shell RTTs are generally lighter and more affordable but less aerodynamic. Hard shell RTTs set up faster, offer better weather protection and aerodynamics, but cost more (often two thousand five hundred dollars plus). The Miller family, tired of ground tent setup, invested in a hard shell RTT. Popping it open in minutes after a long drive felt luxurious, keeping them off the wet ground.
Best SUV Tents or Hatchback Tents That Attach to Your Vehicle
These tents connect to the open rear hatch of your SUV or hatchback, extending your living space significantly. They provide a sheltered area for changing, cooking, or lounging, integrating seamlessly with your vehicle. Sarah loved her SUV but felt cramped on rainy days. Adding a Napier Sportz SUV tent (around three hundred dollars) connected to her tailgate gave her a large, sheltered “room” accessible from inside the car, perfect for setting up chairs and waiting out the storm comfortably.
Best Window Covers or Screens for Privacy and Ventilation While Car Camping
Window covers provide privacy, block light for sleeping, and offer insulation. DIY options using Reflectix insulation are popular and cheap. Custom-fit magnetic screens allow airflow while keeping bugs out. Solo traveler Chloe crafted her own window covers from Reflectix for about twenty dollars. They blocked prying eyes at night and kept the morning sun out, allowing her to sleep in comfortably and feel secure when parked in more exposed areas.
Best Portable Power Stations for Car Camping (Charging Devices, Running Appliances)
Portable power stations (like Jackery or Goal Zero) are essentially large batteries with AC outlets, USB ports, and DC sockets. They recharge via wall outlet, car charger, or solar panels. Choose capacity (measured in Watt-hours, Wh) based on needs – charging phones/laptops (300-500Wh) or running small appliances like fridges (500Wh+). Photographer Ken relied on his 500Wh power station (around five hundred dollars) to recharge camera batteries, his laptop, and phone deep in the backcountry, ensuring he never missed a shot.
Best Portable Refrigerators or Electric Coolers for Car Camping
Ditch the soggy ice! Portable 12V refrigerators (like Dometic or ARB) run off your car’s power or a power station, keeping food consistently cold or frozen. They are expensive (five hundred dollars plus) and require adequate power but offer incredible convenience for longer trips, preventing food spoilage and eliminating the need for constant ice runs. Foodie campers Lisa and Mark splurged on a Dometic fridge. Having fresh ingredients and ice-cold drinks readily available transformed their camp cooking experience.
Best Camp Kitchen Chuck Boxes or Organizer Systems for Car Camping
A chuck box or kitchen organizer keeps all your cooking gear – stove, fuel, utensils, spices, plates – in one portable container. This streamlines camp setup and breakdown immensely. Options range from DIY wooden boxes to sophisticated pre-made systems. Greg built a simple chuck box from a large plastic tote bin, adding dividers. Pulling out one organized box containing his entire kitchen setup saved him time and frustration compared to rummaging through multiple bags for cooking gear.
Best Two-Burner Propane Stoves Suitable for Car Camping Cooking
A reliable two-burner propane stove (like classic Coleman models, often under one hundred dollars) is a car camping staple. It provides ample cooking power for diverse meals, runs on readily available propane canisters, and is relatively compact. Maria and Stefan loved cooking elaborate camp meals. Their trusty two-burner stove allowed them to simmer sauce on one burner while boiling pasta on the other, making delicious dinners possible far from home kitchens, fueled by standard one-pound propane tanks.
Best Way to Organize Gear in Your Car for Camping Trips
Effective organization maximizes space and makes finding items easy. Pack heavier items low and centered. Use storage bins for categories (kitchen, clothes, tools). Keep frequently needed items accessible. Utilize vertical space and roof racks if necessary. Before his trip, James Tetris-packed his hatchback. Sleeping gear went in last (first out at camp), kitchen bin near the tailgate for easy access, and recovery gear tucked away but reachable. This thoughtful packing made setting up camp much smoother.
Best Storage Bins and Containers for Car Camping Organization
Durable plastic storage bins (like Rubbermaid Action Packers or Front Runner Wolf Packs) are essential. Choose sturdy, stackable bins, ideally in consistent sizes. Clear bins let you see contents, while opaque ones offer a cleaner look. Labeling is key! Anita used several labeled bins: “Kitchen,” “Dry Food,” “Tools,” “Clothes.” This system kept her SUV tidy and allowed her to quickly grab exactly what she needed without unpacking everything, making camp life much less chaotic.
Best Water Storage Solutions for Car Camping (Large Jugs, Filters)
Car camping allows for larger water containers than backpacking. Rigid jugs (like Scepter or Reliance Aqua-Tainer, often 5-7 gallons) are durable and easy to dispense from. Collapsible containers save space when empty. Always bring more water than you think you’ll need, or have a reliable filter (like Sawyer Squeeze or a gravity filter) if water sources are available. The Chen family carried two seven-gallon jugs, ensuring enough water for drinking, cooking, and washing for their weekend desert trip.
Best Portable Toilets or Privacy Shelters for Car Camping
For convenience and Leave No Trace ethics, especially in popular or dispersed areas, a portable toilet is invaluable. Options range from simple bucket systems (Luggable Loo) to cassette toilets with flushing mechanisms (around one hundred fifty dollars). Pair with a pop-up privacy shelter for comfort. Traveling with young kids, the Davis family found a portable cassette toilet and privacy shelter indispensable. It made nighttime needs and remote camping far more comfortable and hygienic.
Best Camp Chairs That Are Comfortable but Pack Reasonably Small
Car camping means you don’t need ultralight chairs, but space is still valuable. Look for chairs offering good back support and comfort that fold relatively compactly. Brands like Kijaro, ALPS Mountaineering, or Nemo Stargaze offer great options balancing comfort and packed size (often thirty to one hundred fifty dollars). After years of using cheap, flimsy chairs, Ken invested in a supportive Kijaro Dual Lock chair. Finally relaxing comfortably by the fire instead of fidgeting felt like a major upgrade.
Best Awnings for Cars or SUVs to Create Shade
Vehicle-mounted awnings attach to your roof rack and roll out to provide significant shade or rain protection next to your car, instantly creating a more comfortable outdoor living space. They come in various sizes and styles (often two hundred to four hundred dollars). During a sunny desert trip, Maya’s rollout awning became the central gathering spot. It provided essential shade for cooking, eating, and relaxing, making the midday heat much more bearable and extending their usable campsite area.
Best Interior Lighting Solutions for Car Camping (LED Strips, Lanterns)
Good lighting inside your car makes evenings much more pleasant. Battery-powered LED lanterns (like Luci Lights) are versatile. USB-powered LED light strips offer customizable ambiance and widespread light, often powered by a portable power station. String lights add a cozy touch. David installed USB LED strip lights inside his SUV. Being able to easily illuminate the entire interior for reading or organizing gear at night felt much homier than fumbling with a headlamp.
Best Way to Level Your Vehicle for Sleeping Comfortably
Sleeping on an incline is uncomfortable, and some fridges require leveling to function properly. Use leveling blocks (like Camco blocks, often under forty dollars) placed under tires on the low side. Apps on your phone can help check levelness. Small ramps or even strategically chosen rocks/wood can work in a pinch. Sam always kept leveling blocks handy. On uneven campsites, spending two minutes placing blocks under his wheels ensured a flat sleeping surface and a comfortable night’s sleep.
Best Portable Camp Showers or Shower Systems for Car Camping
A portable shower adds comfort, especially on longer trips or after sweaty activities. Options include simple solar shower bags (heat water using the sun, around twenty dollars), battery-powered pump showers drawing water from a container, or more complex propane-heated systems. After a dusty hike, rinsing off with their simple solar shower felt amazing to Lisa and Mark. Even a quick rinse significantly boosted their comfort and feeling of cleanliness while camping off-grid.
Best Bug Nets or Screens for Car Doors and Windows
Enjoy fresh air without mosquitoes! Custom-fit magnetic window screens or universal mesh covers that slip over door frames allow ventilation while keeping insects out. This is crucial for sleeping comfortably, especially in buggy areas during warmer months. The Rodriguez family camped near a lake notorious for mosquitoes. Their slip-on mesh window covers allowed a cooling cross-breeze through the car at night while ensuring they weren’t eaten alive, making sleep possible.
Best First Aid Kit Essentials Tailored for Car Camping
While pre-made kits are a start, customize yours for car camping. Include plenty of bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, allergy medication, blister treatment (moleskin!), insect repellent, burn cream, and any personal medications. Add tweezers and trauma shears. Check and restock regularly. During a trip, young Leo got a nasty scrape. Thankfully, his dad James had a well-stocked first aid kit with large bandages and antiseptic, allowing him to clean and dress the wound quickly and properly right at the campsite.
Best Navigation Apps or Devices for Finding Campsites (Dispersed Camping)
Don’t rely solely on cell service. Apps like Gaia GPS or onX Offroad allow downloading offline maps showing public land boundaries, forest roads, and potential dispersed campsites. iOverlander is crowd-sourced, great for finding established spots and reviews. A dedicated GPS device offers rugged reliability. Using Gaia GPS with downloaded offline maps, Maya navigated remote forest service roads confidently, finding a secluded campsite far from crowded campgrounds, guided by detailed topographic layers.
Best Way to Find Free or Dispersed Car Camping Spots Legally
Free camping (dispersed camping) is often allowed on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest land, away from developed campgrounds. Use apps like iOverlander, Campendium, or FreeRoam to find potential areas. Always check local regulations (MVUM maps for National Forests are key), practice Leave No Trace, stay on durable surfaces, and respect stay limits. Alex used the iOverlander app and cross-referenced with Forest Service maps to find a beautiful, legal dispersed spot by a river, enjoying solitude for free.
Best Camp Tables That Are Sturdy and Packable
A stable table is crucial for cooking prep, dining, or games. Look for aluminum roll-top tables or folding tables that offer a good balance of sturdiness, surface area, and packed size. Ensure it’s tall enough to use comfortably while standing or sitting. The Park family’s roll-top aluminum table (around seventy dollars) became the heart of their campsite kitchen. It provided a sturdy surface for their stove and ample space for chopping vegetables and serving meals, folding down compactly for travel.
Best Sleeping Bags Rated for Car Camping Temperatures (Comfort Over Weight)
Since weight isn’t a primary concern, prioritize comfort and warmth. Rectangular bags offer more room to move than mummy bags. Choose a temperature rating appropriate for the expected lows of your trip (err on the colder side). Synthetic fills handle dampness better than down. Sarah chose a roomy, 20-degree Fahrenheit rated synthetic sleeping bag. It kept her toasty warm during a crisp autumn camping trip, even though it was bulkier than her backpacking bag – comfort was worth it.
Best Camp Pillows or Inflatable Pillows for Car Camping Comfort
Don’t underestimate the power of a good pillow! While you can use home pillows, dedicated camp pillows pack smaller. Options include compressible foam pillows or inflatable ones offering adjustable firmness. Some hybrid pillows combine both. David switched from using a bundled-up jacket to a compressible foam camp pillow (like Therm-a-Rest or Nemo Fillo). The difference in neck support and sleep quality was immediate and significant, making it a small but essential comfort item.
Best Way to Cook Meals Efficiently with a Car Camping Kitchen Setup
Efficiency comes from planning and organization. Prep ingredients at home (chop veggies, marinate meats). Plan simple one-pot meals or foil packet dinners. Keep your kitchen chuck box organized so everything is easily accessible. Set up your stove, table, and wash station logically. Greg pre-chopped all his vegetables and portioned spices at home. At camp, he could quickly assemble delicious meals on his two-burner stove without extensive prep time, maximizing relaxation time.
Best Coffee Making Methods Suitable for Car Camping
Get your caffeine fix! Simple methods work best. An AeroPress offers great coffee with easy cleanup. A classic percolator or French press works well on a camp stove. Pour-over setups (like Hario V60) are popular for quality brews. Instant coffee is the quickest option. Mark, a coffee lover, brought his AeroPress. Each morning, boiling water on the camp stove and pressing a rich cup of coffee while enjoying the sunrise view felt like a simple yet essential luxury.
Best Fire Pits or Grills Suitable for Car Campsites (Where Allowed)
Check fire regulations FIRST! If allowed, portable fire pits (like Solo Stove or BioLite) contain embers safely and minimize ground scar. Small portable grills (like Weber Q or Coleman RoadTrip) are great for cooking over charcoal or propane. Always ensure fires are fully extinguished. The Jackson family loved campfires but disliked leaving burn scars. Their portable Solo Stove provided warmth and ambiance while containing the fire safely and efficiently, adhering to Leave No Trace principles.
Best Ways to Stay Warm While Car Camping in Colder Weather
Layering is key – base, mid, and outer layers for clothing. Use a well-insulated sleeping pad (high R-value) under your warm sleeping bag. Wear a hat and socks to bed. A hot water bottle in your sleeping bag works wonders. Consider a portable propane heater only with extreme caution and proper ventilation (carbon monoxide risk!). Anita camped in the mountains during fall. Her high R-value pad, zero-degree bag, wool layers, and a Nalgene filled with hot water kept her surprisingly warm overnight.
Best Ways to Stay Cool While Car Camping in Hot Weather (Fans, Ventilation)
Choose shady campsites. Maximize ventilation using window screens and cracking windows on opposite sides for cross-breeze. Use battery-powered fans (USB fans run off power stations). Stay hydrated. Use light-colored window covers (Reflectix, silver side out) to reflect sun. Park facing away from the afternoon sun. During a summer trip, Sam’s small USB fan running off his power station and mesh window covers created enough airflow inside his van to make sleeping tolerable despite the humid heat.
Best Bear Safety Precautions and Food Storage for Car Camping
In bear country, proper food storage is mandatory. Never leave food, trash, or scented items (toiletries!) unattended or in soft-sided containers. Store everything inside your hard-sided vehicle with windows closed, or in a certified bear-resistant container away from your sleeping area. Keep a clean camp, free of food scraps. The Lee family camped in Yosemite. They diligently stored all food and scented items in provided bear lockers, ensuring they didn’t attract unwanted wildlife to their campsite.
Best Multi-Tool or Basic Tool Kit for Car Camping Emergencies
A good multi-tool (like Leatherman or Gerber) is indispensable for quick fixes. Consider adding a basic automotive toolkit with wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, duct tape, zip ties, jumper cables, and a tire pressure gauge. Knowing you can handle minor repairs provides peace of mind. When a camp chair bolt loosened, Sarah’s Leatherman pliers tightened it in seconds. Having the right tool readily available prevented a minor annoyance from becoming a bigger problem.
Best Leave No Trace Practices Applied to Car Camping
Car camping still requires respecting LNT principles. Pack out everything you pack in, including trash and food scraps. Camp on durable surfaces (established sites, rock, gravel) at least 200 feet from water sources. Dispose of waste properly (use toilets or catholes far from water). Minimize campfire impacts. Respect wildlife and other visitors. David always did a final sweep of his campsite, ensuring he left it cleaner than he found it, packing out even tiny bits of trash.
Best Way to Charge Electronics Using Your Car Battery (Safely)
You can charge devices via your car’s 12V outlet (cigarette lighter). It’s safest to charge while the engine is running to avoid draining the starter battery. Alternatively, use a portable power station recharged while driving. Be cautious not to deplete your car battery, especially if camping for multiple days without driving. Maya plugged her phone into the 12V socket only during her drives between trailheads, ensuring her car would start reliably each morning.
Best Portable Solar Panels for Recharging Power Stations While Car Camping
For extended off-grid trips, portable solar panels (often 100W-200W, costing two hundred dollars plus) can recharge your power station during the day. Choose panels compatible with your power station, considering wattage and connectors. Position them in direct sunlight for best results. During a week-long desert trip, Ken’s 100W foldable solar panel kept his Jackery power station topped up daily, allowing him to run his fridge and charge devices indefinitely without needing to run his car engine.
Best Car Camping Setups for Solo Travelers
Solo setups prioritize simplicity, efficiency, and security. Often utilizing smaller vehicles, minimal gear, DIY platforms, and good organization. Security measures like window covers and choosing safe locations are important. Solo camper Alex perfected his setup in his small hatchback: a simple sleeping pad, one storage bin for essentials, a small cooler, and Reflectix window covers. It was minimalist, quick to set up, and felt secure for his adventures.
Best Car Camping Setups for Couples or Families
Couples and families need more space for sleeping, gear, and living. Larger vehicles (SUVs, vans, trucks with toppers), rooftop tents, or attachable SUV tents are common. Organization is crucial, often involving modular bins, roof racks, and well-planned kitchen systems to accommodate multiple people’s needs. The Garcia family used a large SUV with a rooftop tent for sleeping and an attachable awning for daytime living space, plus clearly labeled bins to manage everyone’s gear efficiently.
Best Budget Car Camping Gear Hacks and DIY Solutions
Car camping doesn’t have to be expensive. Make DIY window covers from Reflectix (around twenty dollars). Build a simple sleeping platform from plywood. Use sturdy home storage bins instead of specialized ones. Cook simple meals on a basic stove. Use home blankets and pillows. Student Liam outfitted his old wagon for camping on a shoestring budget using mostly DIY solutions and thrift store finds, proving adventure is accessible without high-end gear.
Best Way to Pack Food to Minimize Waste and Maximize Freshness
Plan meals to avoid overpacking. Remove excess packaging at home. Pre-chop vegetables and store in reusable containers or bags. Freeze water bottles to act as ice packs that become drinking water. Use a well-organized cooler or fridge, keeping raw meat separate and sealed. Sarah prepped all her meals, storing chopped veggies and pre-cooked grains in reusable containers. This minimized packaging waste and made cooking at camp incredibly fast and easy.
Best Entertainment Options for Car Camping Evenings (Games, Books, Projector?)
Keep it simple! Pack travel-sized board games, card games, or a good book. Download podcasts or audiobooks. A portable Bluetooth speaker for music (respect neighbors!). Some enjoy small portable projectors for movie nights (requires power). After sunset, the Miller family gathered around their camp table playing Uno by lantern light, enjoying simple, screen-free time together under the stars – a welcome break from digital distractions.
Best Security Measures for Your Vehicle While Car Camping
Choose campsites wisely, opting for well-lit or moderately populated areas if feeling uneasy in remote spots. Always lock your doors and keep valuables out of sight or secured. Use window coverings for privacy. Inform someone of your location and planned return time. Solo camper Chloe always locked her doors at night and kept her keys readily accessible, providing peace of mind while sleeping alone in dispersed campsites.
Best Way to Deal with Condensation Inside Your Car While Sleeping
Condensation builds up from breathing overnight. Combat it with ventilation – crack windows on opposite sides of the car (use screens to keep bugs out). Use moisture absorbers like DampRid (calcium chloride based) if needed. Wipe down windows in the morning with a small towel. David learned cracking his front windows about an inch and using magnetic bug screens dramatically reduced morning condensation, preventing damp gear and foggy windows.
Best Pre-Trip Checklist Specifically for Car Camping
Create a checklist covering: sleeping gear (pads, bags, pillows), kitchen setup (stove, fuel, pots, utensils, food, water), clothing layers, toiletries, first aid, navigation tools, lighting, power sources, tools/repair kit, chairs/table, and vehicle essentials (fluids check, tire pressure). Reviewing his detailed checklist before each trip helped James avoid forgetting crucial items like propane fuel or his headlamp, ensuring smoother and safer adventures.
Best Way to Transition from Tent Camping to Car Camping
Embrace the comfort! You can bring bulkier sleeping pads, pillows, and kitchen gear. Focus on organizing within the vehicle space using bins and platforms. Invest in window covers for privacy. Gradually acquire car-specific gear like power stations or awnings. Lifelong tent camper Sarah tried car camping in her SUV. She loved the quick setup, protection from weather, and ability to bring a thicker mattress, quickly appreciating the increased comfort and convenience.
Best Resource Websites or Apps for Car Camping Tips and Locations
Online resources are invaluable. Websites like The Dyrt, Campendium, and blogs (like Bearfoot Theory or Fresh Off the Grid) offer gear reviews, tips, and campsite information. Apps like iOverlander, Gaia GPS, and onX Offroad help find campsites and navigate. Before planning a trip to a new area, Maya spent hours browsing The Dyrt and iOverlander, reading reviews and looking at photos to find the perfect campsites and gather local tips.
Best Car Roof Racks or Cargo Boxes for Extra Gear Storage
When interior space runs out, use the roof. Roof racks (brands like Thule, Yakima) provide a base for mounting gear. Cargo boxes offer enclosed, weatherproof storage for bulky items like chairs, sleeping bags, or duffel bags (often three hundred to seven hundred dollars). The Garcia family’s Thule roof box was essential for fitting gear for four people, keeping bulky sleeping bags and camp chairs out of the main cabin, freeing up valuable interior space.
Best Tire Inflation Devices for Off-Road or Remote Car Camping
If venturing onto rough roads where airing down tires improves traction and comfort, a portable air compressor is crucial for airing back up before hitting pavement. Choose a reliable 12V compressor (like VIAIR or Smittybilt, often seventy-five to two hundred dollars) that connects to your car battery. After navigating a sandy track, Ken used his VIAIR compressor to quickly reinflate his tires to highway pressure, a vital tool for safely accessing more remote campsites.
Best Recovery Gear Basics if Car Camping Off-Pavement (Traction Boards)
Even mild off-pavement travel carries risks of getting stuck. Basic recovery gear includes a sturdy shovel, tire pressure gauge, air compressor, and traction boards (like MAXTRAX or X-BULL, often one hundred to three hundred dollars per pair). These boards provide grip under slipping tires in mud, sand, or snow. Getting stuck in unexpected mud, Lisa and Mark successfully used their traction boards to drive out, avoiding a long wait for help and proving their value.
Best Feeling of Waking Up to a Beautiful View Right Outside Your Car Door
After a comfortable night’s sleep nestled in her SUV, Maya unzipped her sleeping bag and sat up. Through the back window, the sun was rising over a vast mountain range, painting the sky pink and gold. No tent fabric obscured the panoramic vista. Making coffee steps from her bed, immersed in the quiet beauty of the wilderness accessible right from her vehicle – that immediate connection to nature was the ultimate reward of car camping.