Just because you’re going to be spending the night outside doesn’t mean you have to suffer. To the contrary, SUV camping can be a comfortable and convenient way to enjoy the great outdoors.
With a little preparation, you can make your SUV the ultimate camping machine. It’s a great idea to save some money on a road trip or just for a long weekend. A lot of these tips can apply to trucks or SUVs.
You can get SUV tents, or tents that attach to SUVs, all over the place. They are ideal for SUV camping. Most hook onto the open tailgate, while others connect to an open door. Just remember to switch off the dome lights, or you might find starting your vehicle to be impossible in the morning.
These are great options if you want to access stuff in your SUV, without walking outside. They also make use of the SUV’s interior, so you combine it with the tent area. Of course, you can buy SUV tents in all kinds of sizes. Some even stand up on their own, so during the day you can go somewhere in your SUV and keep the tent in your spot to keep it reserved.
I’ve slept in SUVs many, many times. Let me tell you, sleeping in the cargo area, with the rear seats folded flat, is never comfortable. That’s why I highly suggest getting an air bed for SUV camping if you’re going to sleep in the back. If you’ve got a big SUV, this won’t be any issue.
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An air bed will be the difference between being groggy the next day and having energy for a long hike. You also won’t have horrible back pains, which can make riding on a trail, rowing in a boat, or doing basically anything else unbearable.
Some people say sleeping in your SUV isn’t really camping. Considering that you’re in a locked, secure area, it’s not a bad idea. If it rains hard, you don’t need to worry about the rain fly on your tent failing, or the stakes in the ground coming loose.
If you’re not going to sleep in the back of your SUV, that area is great for storing gear. Instead of having to climb in to find stuff, invest in cabinet or shelf storage solution.
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The aftermarket is full of sliding storage racks and shelves for a variety of SUV models. They make finding what you need quickly and without moving other items possible. It’s an organization freak’s dream come true.
You should know the downside of these sliding storage products is that most require you to bolt them in place. While some might use factory mounting locations, you might have to drill into your vehicle to install others. Not only that, removing this modification is a process, if later you want to haul a large item and you need the full storage capacity of your SUV.
If you live where there are bears, which I always have, you should keep your food secured. A bear can smell food from miles away. Of course, so can other wildlife, like raccoons. But a bear, if determined, can really damage your SUV trying to get to your food.
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That means if you want to keep food secured inside your ride, you need something that will seal the smell, completely. While Yeti coolers are fashion statements for some people, their original claim to fame was the ability to keep bears away. You can also get a bear-proof canister.
The solution, if you don’t want to invest in a bear-proof container, is to use a bear bag. You throw it over a skinny tree branch well above the ground, so bears can’t get to the food, and tie the attached rope to a tree trunk or something else secure.
You might not want other campers staring through your car windows, for a variety of reasons. After all, if you’re using your SUV for changing clothes or sleeping, it should be a private place.
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If your SUV has privacy glass in the rear, that’s a big plus. Consider having your windows tinted if that’s not the case. That still leaves the front windows and windshield as ways for people to see inside.
Those fold-up shades for windshields are an invaluable asset when camping. They provide excellent privacy. As for the front windows, hang a towel over each one. Clip the towels in place, attaching them to the grab handles and sun shades.
Take your SUV camping site to the next level. Thanks to the wonders of LED technology, you can enjoy plenty of lighting at your campsite, thanks to your SUV. Aftermarket companies like Rigid Industries make LED lights in a variety of sizes and beam patterns. Some can even swivel some, so pointing them where you need to see is easy.
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You don’t have to attach lights just to the front of your SUV. Put them on the back, and even the sides of the roof. That way you can light up all around your vehicle, so you can see if you need to set up camp in the dark, want to keep animals away, or don’t like tripping on rocks.
I always take way more water than I think I need. If I return with some extra water, that’s never a bad thing. You never know what’s going to happen that might require some precious water. It’s always better to have than to want. Your car may need it just as much as you do.
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The big advantage to camping out of your SUV is that weight isn’t as much of a factor as if you’re backpacking. Bring twice as much as you think you’ll need, because most people way underestimate what they need. While it’s true some campsites have water, unless you know there’s plenty and it’s potable, throwing multiple water containers into your SUV’s cargo area is a wise move.
I’m a big fan of cooking with cast iron, especially when SUV camping. It’s easier to care for than other types of cookware, plus makes your food cook and taste better.
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Since you’re not carrying everything to your campsite, throw all the cast iron cookware you desire into your SUV. Wrap each piece in a thick blanket, so it doesn’t break anything, or you might regret it.
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