Car Camping 101

CAR CAMPING "BUILD OUT"

Back to our trial period, and the point at which car camping came into the picture: While the simplest plan would have been to rent a fully built out camper van, once again we did not choose to take the easy route. Instead, we decided to outfit our little CRV for car camping. The only actual build-out we had to do involved making a "mattress extension platform" which was basically a long narrow panel of wood supported with legs on one side and with our refrigerator on the other. We designed it to bridge the gap between where the cargo area base ended and the front seats, so that the mattress could be supported across its full length. Here’s what our car looked like when we had it packed up for our first shake down trip.

PACKING FOR  SUCCESS

We’ve since refined our packing list and method to make this as convenient as we imagine it could be in such a small rig. For a detailed list of everything we took with us and the updated items, including links and our opinions of each item, click here.

Below are two sketches. The first shows how we pack our car for traveling and the second shows how we rearrange things when we set up camp. Below that I talk about the supplies needed, go through the contents of each box, and explain the step by step process we use to get things set up quickly and easily to make the car camping experience as stress free as possible.

WHAT WE PACKED

SPECIALTY/CAMPING GEAR

ESSENTIALS:

• Full size, Tri-Fold foam mattress
• Black-out and/or insulating window covers
• Jet Boil with extra fuel tanks (boils water fast- add a small pot, coffee and freeze dried meals and you're all set!)
• Window and sunroof screens (to ventilate car while keeping insects out)
• Camping chairs and table (in a rig this small, you'll definitely want to be able to relax outside)

NEXT LEVEL: (Gear we think is great to have, but not absolutely required)

• Portable toilet and pop up privacy tent (plus composting material and bags)
• 12 Volt DC Refrigerator (or cooler with ice)
• Portable propane grill (with extra fuel tanks)
• Jackery portable power station (we use this for our refrigerator, as well as for charging phones, tablets, and rechargeable lights and fans)
• Trailer plus rear cargo box (See Miscellaneous Items for information on what we store inside this box. It’s helpful but not absolutely necessary since all of these items can be carried inside the car, if desired.)
• Car Tent (attaches over hatchback and extends the living area and storage space)
• Bear spray and Bear bags (recommended in some locations)

EVERYTHING ELSE, ORGANIZED BY BOX:

BOX A: This is actually one of two small laundry baskets we packed. About 18” x 18” x 14” high. The one labeled “A” is easily accessed from the passenger side door. It holds items we want to have handy when we head out on a hike, or even take a walk to check out a new town.  It holds our backpacks, hiking boots, our dog’s leash and harness, a camera and my travel art kit. It might also hold our jackets in cooler weather.

BOX B: The 2nd laundry basket, also about 18” x 18” x 14” high. This one holds our clothing, sorted into 2 sets of packing cubes. Each set we purchased came with 1 large, 1 medium and 1 small cube and this is how we packed those:

• SMALL CUBES: Smaller items like socks and underwear
• LARGE CUBES: Larger items like pants and shirts
• MEDIUM CUBES: Our “overnight" bags - Think about things you use for your bedtime and morning routine: for me it’s my toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, contacts case, moisturizing cream, a small hand towel, plus the clothes I plan to sleep in, and maybe a book to read or my iPad and my AirPods.

BOX C: Holds cooking-related items. Our box is about 15” x 21” x 9” high.

The necessities we packed:

• A jet boil, extra fuel canisters, a lighter
• A small pot for boiling water
• Bowls, mugs, plates, silverware
• Prepared snacks and meals (Freeze dried camping meals are the easiest)
• Coffee maker (simple pour over or French press) and ground coffee
• Cleaning supplies (sponge, scrub brush, earth-friendly dish detergent)
• Dog food and treats

Recommended Additions: (for those planning to take more than just coffee, tea, processed snacks and freeze dried food)

• Additional pots and pans
• A sharp knife and cutting board
• Cooking Utensils (spatula, large spoon, etc.)
• Corkscrew
• Bottles of wine

BOX D: Holds our snacks for the drive. We keep this right behind the seats for easy access when traveling.

BOX E: Electrical stuff- battery operated lights, lanterns/flashlights, clip on fans

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:

• Sleeping bags or blanket; full size fitted sheet; pillows
• Water (a large refillable container with a spout works great here)
• Axe
• Shovel
• Tire levelers
• Tire chains (if traveling in winter conditions)
• Utility knife
• Brush and dustpan
• First aid kit
• Paper Towels and/or cloth towels
• Toilet Paper
• Wash bin (helpful for washing your face, your dishes, your dog)

NOTE: We keep most of the larger and “dirtier” items listed below and in Specialty/Camping Gear section above in an exterior cargo box that sits on a little trailer on the back of our car. And we stash the bedding and some of the smaller items inside the car (For example, the first aid kit and utility knife go in the glove box. At least one roll of paper towels and one gallon of water goes on the floor behind the front seat. These are things we like to have in easy reach.)

THE SIMPLE STEPS TO GET SET UP

Getting Set Up at the Campsite:

• Adjust driver seat and passenger seats to their max forward positions.
• Open sunroof and windows*
• Bring outside: Chairs, table, food and cooking supply boxes, refrigerator and Jackery power station
• Put up window and sunroof screens*
• Position fans* and portable lights.
• Put up window covers.
• Transfer laundry baskets and remaining small bins to the front seat and floor area.
• Unlock the big box on the back to access grill, toilet supplies, sleeping bags, etc.
• Unfold the bed, cover it with the sheet, toss on the pillows and sleeping bags.

* Warm weather = more need for ventilation so open windows, fans and screens are more of a necessity then.

Final Steps to Get Ready for Bed

• Move refrigerator to floor behind the driver seat
• Move Jackery to armrest between the front seats
• Bring any remaining food into the car (or store in bear bag)
• Grill and “dirty” items can stay outside or be packed into the exterior box*
• Grab your “overnight” cube which should have everything you need for your bedtime routine. On your way inside to bed, place your shoes on the floor behind the passenger seat, click on the portable lights, lock doors and place keys and phones in the door bins.

Happy Camping!