SUV Camping is a growing phenomenon among outdoor enthusiasts. In the past year alone, I’ve camped in my SUV during a deer hunting trip with my dad, visited professional disc golf tournaments with my daughter, and stayed at state park campgrounds.
An SUV camper has many benefits over a tent or RV but also has a few downsides. This article is intended to help you prepare for your first SUV camping trip based on my mistakes and smart decisions.
I’ve compiled a list of do’s, don’ts, and essential gear and provided several tips on remaining safe while camping in an SUV.
SUV Camping Do’s (Tips for Camping in a SUV)
I treat SUV camping like hiking by packing light. Approaching SUV camping with a minimalist mindset will make it much more enjoyable, trust me. You should be doing several other things while packing and camping in an SUV.
- Test everything out before leaving
- Pack light
- Go on a short trial run
- Expect the best and prepare for the worst
Inspect Your Gear and Don’t Pack Too Much
One of the biggest mistakes I made on my first kayak camping trip was not inspecting all of my gear and knowing how it worked.
In my car, I needed to leave my back hatch open to attach an SUV tent. But, that left a light on, potentially running my battery down and keeping me awake most of the night. Thankfully, I disconnected my battery to start my car; however, I couldn’t roll up my windows when it began raining.
Another mistake I’ve made is cramming too much gear into my Toyota 4Runner. Overpacking sounds like a good idea. That is, until you get to the campsite and have to unload all of it while looking for the lighter to start a campfire.
I’ve adopted a minimalist mindset while packing for an SUV camping trip and only pack the things I will need, not the “nice to have” items.
Do a Trial Run and Plan Ahead
My best decision was to take my SUV on a trial run to a nearby state park for a night of camping. This allowed me to realize what I was missing and what I didn’t need to bring along on longer trips. A short trial run will help you better prepare for your extended trips.
I also recommend camping close to civilization during your trial run. If you forget anything, you can quickly run to the store and pick it up.
My wife is the family planner. I’m more of a “go-with-the-flow” guy, but I appreciate that she helps me prepare for possible situations.
Even though you expect the best, it’s best to devise a plan for likely instances (flat tires, dead batteries, wasp stings, fire ant bites, and inclement weather). Share this plan with a close friend or relative so they can help you in an emergency.
SUV Camping Don’ts (What Not To Do in an SUV Camper)
All of the SUV camping do’s can be inverted and transformed into a don’t. You should be aware of a few don’ts before your first time in a camping SUV.
- Don’t just wing it
- Don’t expect perfection
- Overpack
On a recent trip, I decided, against my wife’s better judgment, to camp at a first-come, first-serve-only campground despite knowing I would get there late at night. When I pulled in, all the sites were full, and I was out of luck.
I had to find a new place to camp, but there wasn’t another campground nearby. Luckily, I found a public land parking lot a short drive down the road to stay the night. So don’t be like me. Plan your trip correctly, and ensure you have reservations at the places you plan to stay!
Go into the camping adventure, knowing that not everything will go perfectly as planned. Murphy’s Law (anything that can go wrong, will go wrong) suits SUV camping. Don’t be afraid to adjust your plans; the adventure will be much more enjoyable.
I’ve already mentioned this once, but it’s worth stating again, don’t overpack. On one of my first trips as an SUV camper, I packed everything I could need for work and the trip.
I had my fishing gear, camera gear, camping gear, food, water, and clothes. Luckily, I own a cargo rack trailer hitch adaptor; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to cram it all in my Toyota 4Runner.
How To Stay Safe While SUV Car Camping
I feel much safer camping in an SUV than in a tent. However, there are still several risks involved. One such risk I discovered the night I failed to ensure I had a spot to stay. In the middle of the night, someone pulled up on a motorcycle and acted suspiciously.
I had my 45 ACP and CCW permit with me; thankfully, I didn’t have to use it as they stayed away from my SUV. I always recommend carrying a form of protection, whether that’s pepper spray, taser, knife, or a firearm (if it’s legal).
On one of my first car camping trips, I had to leave the doors open while we slept to get a draft and cool the car off. I woke up to a raccoon staring me in the face. Lucky for me, it wasn’t a Buddy the Elf replay because the raccoon decided to turn and run.
Wild (or not so wild animals in this instance) are dangerous and should be treated with caution and respect. This also means keeping your food put away, as I realized the raccoon was after our food bag and wasn’t trying to cuddle with me.
Running your AC or heater the entire trip probably isn’t an option, as it will burn too much fuel, so be sure you’re prepared for the conditions. If it’s hot, bring a fan and a way to keep cool; if it’s cold, bring a suitable sleeping bag and warm clothes.
Lastly, I’ve SUV camped in remote areas. While beautiful, they can also be dangerous if something goes wrong. Having an emergency kit isn’t enough; you must know how to use it on others and yourself to ensure rescue is possible, even if it’s hours away.
Car Camping Essential Gear List
Here’s a quick checklist of gear I always bring on my SUV camping excursions:
- Fan
- Sleeping pad
- Sleeping bag
- First-aid kit
- Cooler
- Lighter
- Flashlight
- Knife
- Trash bags
- Camp stove/cooking gear
- Food
- Water
- Mosquito net window covers
- Window blockers
Fan and First-aid Kit
I’m naturally hot-natured, so a fan is a must, regardless of location or season. I also love my inflatable sleeping pad; it’s lightweight, compact, and comfortable. I also use a sleeping bag designed for backpacking, as it’s lighter and compact than traditional sleeping bags.
Always bring a first-aid kit and know how to use the items in it. A cooler keeps food and drinks cool and out of reach of curious critters.
Speaking of food and drinks, I prefer to bring freeze-dried food and lots of water. Sometimes, I’ll pack water-flavoring pouches to spice things up, but you can never have too much water.
Fire-starting Method and Camping Stove
Unless there is a burn ban, I always like to start a fire, either with a lighter or firestarter or by rubbing two sticks together. (That’s a lot of work, and I don’t recommend relying on the second method.) The fire is great for cooking, purifying water, keeping warm, warding off animals, and entertainment.
Hopefully, you can use a camp stove for cooking if you’re under a burn ban. I use a simple propane camp stove that’s incredibly compact and easy to use. It quickly heats a cup of water and is perfect for the freeze-dried meals that I enjoy.
Other Things to Bring
A headlamp or flashlight is necessary; I always bring a few to ensure I can see in the dark when needed.
A knife and other utensils are great for eating and treating an injury if needed. I’ve performed many surgical splinter removals with a knife while camping!
You’ll likely create a lot more trash than you think, and if you pack it in, you’d better pack it out! Always bring trash bags and put them out of reach of animals when you’re not around. That doesn’t mean in a tree either, raccoons, squirrels, and bears are excellent climbers.
Two of the best investments I made are mosquito net window covers, which allow me to roll down my window without worrying about bugs getting in, and I made some “window blockers” that block the light and will enable us to change in privacy.
I also built a sleeping platform while all my gear was stored underneath. This was more of a project than I expected. However, it was well worth it because I have much more room for storage, and I don’t have to unload everything when I want to sleep.
Packing Up & Heading Home
SUV camping is a lot of fun and is my preference over tent camping in most instances, but I have not mastered it. I’m still experimenting with what works and what doesn’t, and I encourage you to do the same.
It may take a while to try different setups, but with time you’ll start to recognize what works best for you and your family.
Take what’s helpful from above and modify it to fit your scenario, and feel free to discard the rest! There is no one best way to camp in an SUV!
Head out there and create your adventure!
Leave your questions and comments down below!
