Explore My Ultimate Setup for Maximum Car Camping Comfort
I’ve been an avid hiker for several years now, and my ultimate goal is to one day have my dream van built so I can live life on the road—traveling, hiking, and photographing the outdoors. Until that dream becomes reality, I’ve turned my Volkswagen Tiguan SUV into a fully functional car camping setup that lets me explore comfortably and affordably.
Over time, I’ve refined my gear to find the perfect combination for comfort, convenience, and adventure. If you’re looking to outfit your vehicle for hiking trips or weekend getaways, here’s a breakdown of my favorite car camping essentials and tips for making life on the road easy and fun.
1. Sleeping Setup: The Best Car Camping Mattress
The first and most important piece of gear I invested in was a high-quality car camping mattress. I love the ones from Luno, which are designed to fit the back of a variety of vehicles, including SUVs like my Tiguan. These mattresses are comfortable, durable, and come with an air pump that plugs into your vehicle’s lighter socket, inflating in under a minute. They’re a bit of an investment, but worth every penny for a good night’s sleep on the road.
2. Staying Warm: Rumpl Blankets for Car Camping
For cold nights, I swear by Rumpl blankets. These water-resistant, insulated blankets are made from recycled materials and provide incredible warmth. I have two, and they’ve kept me cozy in my car even when temperatures dropped into the low 40s. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and versatile enough to use for camping, hiking, or lounging around the campfire.
3. Keeping It Dark and Cool: Window Covers and Shades
To get a good night’s sleep, I like my space as dark as possible. I use windshield covers for the front and back, plus magnetic window shades for the driver and passenger sides. For airflow, I have mesh sunshades for the rear windows so I can leave them cracked open overnight during summer trips. This setup keeps things cool, dark, and bug-free—essential for comfortable car camping.
4. Temperature Control: The Venty Fan
Another must-have for summer is the Venty fan. This rechargeable, portable fan is adjustable up to four feet tall and includes a built-in light, remote control, and USB charging ports. It’s perfect for circulating air in my car or at a campsite. It even comes with a sleek carrying case, making it one of the most versatile car camping gadgets I own.
5. Staying Organized: Smart Storage Solutions
Organization is key when living out of your vehicle. My backseat organizer is one of my favorite pieces of gear—it has multiple hooks and pockets to keep essentials like my phone, flashlight, keys, cords, and power banks easily accessible.
I also use small items like headrest hooks, string lights, zip ties, retractable clotheslines, and carabiner clips to make setup and storage more efficient. Little gadgets like these make a big difference when space is limited.
6. Cooking on the Road: My Car Camping Kitchen Setup
For food prep, I rely on two stoves: a Coleman gas stove for bigger meals and a Jetboil for quick coffee or dehydrated food. My RTIC coolers (both soft-sided and hard) keep food and drinks cold, and I store all my kitchen gear in a single waterproof tote for easy access.
My favorite item, though, is my Hibear Adventure Flask. It’s a multipurpose bottle that works for cold brew, pour-over coffee, tea, or even cocktails. It’s stainless steel, insulated, and includes a silicone sleeve that doubles as a cup—perfect for life on the go.
7. Real-Life Experience: 3 Years of Car Camping Adventures
I’ve been using this setup for over three years now for everything from weekend trips to long-term road travel. In 2024, I even took my Tiguan on a three-week cross-country car camping road trip—and this gear held up perfectly. Every piece of equipment on this list has been tested and loved through countless hikes, campsites, and miles of open road.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re prepping for your first SUV car camping trip or building a setup for full-time road life, investing in the right gear makes all the difference. My Volkswagen Tiguan has become my home on wheels, and with the right setup, you can turn any vehicle into an adventure-ready camper.
