Affordable Gear To Kickstart Your Car Camping Adventures
IN-CAR COMFORT
This gear helps you make the most of your vehicle.
Basic Bunk Bed Platform from Camp N Car
The Basic Bunk is our sturdy and lightweight sleeping platform that is perfect for solo adventurists looking to get a comfortable night’s rest in their car, plus it gives you room underneath for storage. It is also made from sustainably sourced maple plywood in the Pacific Northwest! And there’s a sale right now: use the discount code summergear for a $50 discount off any kits of $250 or more.
Power Your Gadgets: Jackery
Jackery makes world-class mobile power units.
Your car can only power so much, and you don’t want to wear down your battery. But fear not, Jackery has your portable power needs covered. Whether you’re powering your mobile weekend workspace, your portable fridge, or just need to keep your cell phone charged, Jackery’s portable batteries and solar power stations are a reliable and powerful upgrade to any car camper’s gear. And, we have a special discount code for $50 off for orders of $250 and more. Available now through June 30th, 2024! Use checkout code: summergear
Turn Your Steering Wheel Into a Table: Steering Wheel Table
A steering wheel table? Absolutely!
This handy device is perfect for parking and eating on-the-go. It also works as a laptop rest so you can get work done from the car.
Keep the Bugs Out & Get Airflow: Window Mesh / Bug Net
Keep the bugs out with these car window mesh screens!
These easy-to-install mesh window coverings are great for keeping bugs and harmful UV rays out of your car.
Window Rain Guard: Bug net with rain guard
Rain protection and ventilation all in one with this product from SUVTent
If you live in rain country, like the Pacific Northwest, try these window coverings with a rain guard. They keep out the rain and they have a mesh screen to keep bugs out.
Privacy for Your Windows: WeatherTech Window Shades
These WeatherTech Sun Shades are a game changer!
We love WeatherTech, and they offer a wide variety of window shades for many popular vehicles! Their window coverings are made-to-fit and last for years, providing insulation and privacy when you’re camping in your car.
Basic clip-on fan for Airflow: Alagoo Car Fan
No Maxxair Fan? Try a Clip-on Fan!
Most cars can’t have a Maxxair fan installed in the roof, and you don’t want to idle all night so you can get some airflow. These cool little clip-on fans work wonderfully for moving air throughout your car while you sleep!
Keep Your Car-Carpet Clean: Tiny Vacuum
Keep it clean with a portable vacuum!
A vacuum may seem like a silly thing to keep in your car but trust us, you’ll be happy you have it! These little vacuums work great and are perfect for cleaning up crumbs, dirt, and so much more.
Sleep Softly: Thermarest
Thermarest has tons of sleeping pad options!
Thermarest is a household name in the backpacking world, but they’ve got some great offerings for car camping too. Mattresses like the MondoKing and LuxuryMap can make for great inflatable options for sleeping in your vehicle. If you need something with a smaller footprint, they have a whole range of backpacking mattresses that are comfortable and pack down super small! Whatever your mobile sleeping needs are, Thermarest likely has a mattress for you.
KITCHEN GEAR
Gear to upgrade your campsite kitchen.
Keep Your Food Cool: Setpower Coolers – Setpower
Setpower coolers are a fantastic value for a portable fridge.
There are a lot of brands to explore for mobile coolers and chest fridges, but SetPower is one of our favorites! They offer high-quality options in all sorts of sizes at great prices. If you don’t have a ton of space, the 21 Quart FC Series is a great choice. Need a fridge and freezer? Check out some of their dual zone options like their 37 Quart PT35! They even have some larger more rugged models with wheels in their RV Series.
Stay Hydrated: Coleman Water CubeSetpower Coolers – Setpower
The Coleman Water Cube is a great way to store water on the go!
Don’t forget to bring water for drinking, hand washing, hygiene, and dishes. The Coleman Water Cube is a great way to cheaply store lots of H20 with an easy-to-use spout.
Grill On the Road: Coleman 2 Burner Propane grill
The Coleman 2 Burner Propane Grill is iconic!
Don’t forget to bring your portable propane grill. The Coleman 2 Burner Propane Grill is a great way to cook veggies, eggs, meat..whatever you need!
Kitchen In a Bag: Camping Cooking Set
These Camp Kitchen utensil sets are awesome!
Don’t forget your cooking utensils, you won’t be able to make much without them! This basic cooking set has you covered and is small enough to work great in a variety of builds.
Boil Water Fast & Cook Food With Minimal Fuel: Kelly Kettle
The Kelly Kettle is a great option for a portable stove!
Limited on space, time, and fuel? This super-portable kit heats water in its chimney and cooks your food quickly at the top, all with minimal fuel. Use whatever sticks, grass, and pinecones you find on the ground (so long as you’re in an area that allows this), to boil your water and make a meal quickly.
CAMPSITE COMFORTS
Gear that features the comforts of home, from the great outdoors.
Have a Seat: iClimb Portable Chair
Compact chairs like this one from iClimb are great to have on hand!
If you’re having a good adventure, your car isn’t the only place you’ll sit. Take this portable chair with you so you can enjoy the campfire and the views from all of the epic campsites you’ll be staying in!
Stay Dry or Beat the Heat: Texas Bushcraft Tarp
A camping tarp can be useful no matter how you like to get outside.
Sometimes you need a little extra shelter from the weather, after all not everywhere is as full of trees as the PNW. We love the Texas Bushcraft tarp, perfect for repeated use, no matter the weather.
An Awning Anywhere: Adjustable Tent Poles
An awning doesn’t have to be expensive!
Most of the awnings you’d buy for your car are kind of spendy and require the use of your roof rack. Simplify your shelter setup with these super cool adjustable tent poles that let you set up an awning-style shelter wherever you go!
When Nature Calls: The Vevor Cassette Toilet
Need a loo on the go?
We always get asked how people deal with the call of nature on their car camping trips. This portable toilet is sit-down-ready and features a flush, as well as a built-in waste tube that lets you easily empty it into a toilet or sewer line. This item pairs well with mini pop-up tents for added privacy.
Luxury for Your Backside: Toto Portable Bidet
SAFETY CHECKLIST
Gear and items to help keep you safe on your journey.
Emergency Contact Device: Garmin InReach
Communicate from anywhere when you need it most with an inReach.
If you’re gonna be out in the middle of nowhere without reliable service it’s good to have options for communicating with the outside world when things go sideways Garmin is known the world over for their safety and GPS devices and the InReach may be the best product on the market for emergency satellite communication and so much more.
Navigate, Without Cell Reception or Power: National Geographic Adventure Atlas
Find Your Direction With Ease: Cammenga Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass
This compass won’t let you down when you need it.
There are times when a compass is necessary, and most of the small compasses that are sold on the market are unreliable at best. This one from Commenga will make sure you know where you’re going!
First Aid: Surviveware Comprehensive First Aid Kit
Have a nice kit so you’re prepared to handle those cuts and scrapes!
Whatever you do, don’t go camping without a first aid kit! Outdoor adventures can mean scrapes, bruises, and burns and you’ll want to have the essentials on hand to take care of those. This is a great kit that doesn’t take up too much space and has everything you need!
Fire extinguisher: LifeSafe Portable Fire Extinguisher
Put those fires right out with a portable fire extinguisher!
With the ever-increasing risk of wildfires, it is essential that you have the means to stop a small out-of-control campfire from becoming a big out-of-control wildfire. Small compact fire extinguishers like this are perfect for keeping on hand in case of an accidental fire on your camping adventures.
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By Steve Moore, founder of Camp N Car
ABOUT CAMP N CAR
Camp N Car makes high-quality modular camping furniture to transform your vehicle into a comfortable home on wheels for a better night’s sleep on the road. Camp N Car’s products are made in America, at our shop in Port Townsend Washington, by skilled professionals who take pride in their work. We also create world-class custom van conversions for people ready to take their road adventures to the next level. Our employees enjoy a 4-day work week, generous time off allotments, and a work-life balance that gives them the time and means to enjoy the good life. When you buy from Camp N Car, you’re putting people over profits, and making a decision to support a company that’s changing corporate culture, and building a better world, one car at a time. For more, visit: https://campncar.com
