How to camp in an SUV in an affordable and comfortable way
Many of us enjoy the great outdoors, but tent camping isn’t for everyone. Being exposed to wildlife and the elements, then shoving a wet tent into a storage bag gets old after a while. Cabins and semi-permanent structures like Parks Canada’s oTENTiks can be great alternatives. But if roofed accommodations aren’t available or you’re on a tight budget, read on to learn how to camp in an SUV instead.
We’ve been car camping this way for years, and it’s by far our preference over sleeping in a tent. You’ll need to bring some equipment along, but these are most likely items you’d bring to a campsite anyway. Camping this way is especially helpful in natural areas with fewer roofed accommodations. Consider giving this a try on a Lake Superior camping road trip.
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How to pack for camping in your SUV
Here’s a list of the equipment you’ll want to pack for camping in an SUV:
- A quality air mattress. Some manufacturers offer custom-fit, low-profile air mattresses for this purpose, and they’re excellent if they work for your budget. We received an SUV camping mattress set from Luno for evaluation and fell in love with it. Otherwise, a cheap single-height double air mattress will do the job. Unless you have a very tall vehicle such as a minivan, don’t use a double-height air mattress here. The taller your air mattress is, the less height you’ll have for yourself inside the vehicle once it’s inflated.
- A vinyl patch kit designed to work with your air mattress.
- An air pump. You can use a manual one, but a powered one will make things easier. If your SUV has a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area, you can use a 12-volt air pump. If you camp at an electrical site and pack an extension cord, you can also use an air pump with a household plug.
- Sleeping bags and pillows. Be sure your sleeping bag’s temperature rating matches the outdoor conditions, especially if you plan to use the window screens linked below.
- The rest of your usual camping kit, such as food, kitchen tools, toiletries, a hatchet, etc.
- Optional: these universal window screens for your car to improve air circulation while keep mosquitoes out at night.
- Optional: a small fan to improve air circulation, such as this USB and battery powered fan or one you can power with an extension cord at a campsite with electrical hookups.
How to set up to camp in an SUV
Size-wise, we recommend using a mid-size two-row SUV for this setup at a minimum. The Nissan Murano, Honda Passport, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross are examples of mid-size two-row SUVs. Smaller compact SUVs can work, but most adults will find they don’t offer enough room to stretch out. A larger mid-size three-row SUV such as a Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, or Subaru Ascent will be even better.
A Chrysler Pacifica minivan with second-row stowaway chairs or a minivan with removable second-row seats will also work. Most other modern minivans don’t allow the second-row seats to be removed. This means they don’t provide a long and flat sleeping surface.
Ideally, your SUV will have as flat a floor as possible with all the rear seats folded. If the seats don’t fold completely flat, your mattress may rest at an uncomfortable angle. Be sure to check for this before you depart for your car camping trip.
How to sleep comfortably in the back of an SUV
When you arrive at your campsite and are ready to set up, follow these steps:
- Check your vehicle settings and turn off as many external beeps and sirens as possible, especially any car alarms, tailgate beeps, and rear seat reminder alerts. This will keep overnight disturbances to a minimum for yourself and your campground neighbours.
- Remove your bags and supplies from the back and place them in the front-row seats. You can also carefully place things into the footwells and on top of the dashboard to make the best use of space.
- Fold all of the rear seats flat. Don’t worry if there are any small gaps around the seats or between rows. You likely won’t notice these once everything is set up.
- Roll your air mattress out across the load floor. Make sure the inflation valve is at the rear of the vehicle and the other end as close as possible to the first-row seats.
- Once the mattress in place, use your air pump to inflate it as much as possible. If you’ve chosen a standard air mattress, it will take form around the SUV’s interior components as it inflates. Don’t worry if it buckles slightly: it will flatten out once people lay on top of it.
- When the mattress is fully inflated, it may extend slightly past the edge of the cargo area. If this happens, lift the mattress slightly so it doesn’t catch in the tailgate, then close the tailgate door quickly and firmly. Enter the SUV through the rear side door and push the mattress flat against the tailgate door. From this point, you’ll find it easiest to enter the SUV from the side doors so you don’t disrupt your setup.
- If you’re using the fan and window screens, set these up now. Crack the rear windows slightly. We recommend you open the windows just a couple of centimetres. This will let air flow but improve your safety and keep the bugs out. If you need power for the fan or other devices, you can run an extension cord under a screen and through the window.
- Place your pillows and sleeping bags on top of the air mattress, and you’re ready to call it a night!
You’ll be ready to hit the road again in no time
One of the best parts about using this method to camp in an SUV is that it’s easy to break camp and get under way the next day. It generally takes us less than 15 minutes to reverse this setup, and we can have it up and running again the next night in half the time. This is very helpful when we’re traveling longer distances and staying for only one night in each location.
First, deflate the mattress. If you need the second-row seats to be upright, fold the mattress so it will fit in the cargo area, leaving the bedding in the middle. Fully deflating it is the best plan to avoid damage, though if you’re not as concerned you can deflate it just enough that you can fold it in half, which saves time when you need to inflate it again. Take your gear out of the front row and place it on the folded mattress in the cargo area. You’re ready to drive, and you can reverse this progress to set up camp again later that day.
How to be comfortable and safe while you camp in an SUV
A set of universal SUV window screens and a fan will help keep fresh air moving. This will prevent humidity from building up inside. You can open the rear windows under the screens as much as you like, but opening them just a centimetre or two will allow plenty of air while keeping you safe. Note that it’s best to skip the window screens when heavy rain is in the forecast.
When you camp in areas with wildlife and especially bears, don’t sleep with open food in your vehicle if your windows are cracked open. Only store food inside the vehicle that’s still in its unopened packaging or sealed within a cooler. Seal scented toiletries such as toothpaste inside a resealable bag. Open food should be kept in the campground bear locker or suspended from a tree. Make your campsite less tempting for wildlife by cleaning dishes and tidying open food and beverage containers immediately after using them.
Don’t forget to use your key fob to lock the doors before you fall asleep!
These tips have allowed us to camp in an SUV for many years while making great memories. What are some of your favourite car camping tips? Share them with us in our Facebook community!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs):
Can you sleep in your SUV?
You definitely can! With an affordable air mattress laid out across the folded rear seats, a sleeping bag and pillow, an air pump, and a few more optional accessories, you can comfortably camp in an SUV and wake up refreshed the next morning.
Do I need to open the window when sleeping in a car?
It’s a good idea. Sleeping in a car with closed windows traps the humidity and condensation as you breathe, which gets uncomfortable after a while. A simple set of window screens to install over your rear door’s windows allow you to crack a window for fresh air and circulation while keeping bugs out.
What precautions should be taken while sleeping in a car?
Be sure to lock the doors before you fall asleep. Turn off your car’s notification beeps or alarms so your movements at night don’t disturb yourself or others. If you’re camping in an area with wildlife, especially bears, don’t keep open food or beverage containers in the car to ensure you don’t attract them.
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We have tried suv camping using a suv tent and sleep in back of suv. This way we have storage and privacy when having to pee late at night.we have owned 4 trailers and this is more room and less hassle when travelling.what do you do at night when short taken?
Hi, Henry! Adding a custom tent to the back of the SUV is definitely an option. I prefer not to use them as I find the interior of the vehicle stays warmer without the tent and I prefer to secure my belongings in the locked vehicle. It’s an option worth considering for those who want more space and have the budget, though!
Great article about SUV camping.
Thank you, Linda! I’m so delighted you find it helpful.
Stephanie I use a Breathing machine a cpap and have tried to rent an EV spot to park my suv and hookup power to the vehicle and use it as a camper but apparently using an sug as a sleeping unit is called “sleeping in your car” or some such. Other campers expressed fear with some “sleeping in their car” and management made us leave. Is there a way to park with power hookup on west coast i5 corridor that allows one to sleep jn their suv and not be ejected from their reserved space?
Hi Peter — I’m afraid I’m not familiar with what the regulations would be in California. I can only report that I’ve camped in an SUV at many campgrounds in Canada without issue, including at electrical campsites, and I know several others who have as well. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!