Everything You Need for a Car Camping Trip

Now that summer is upon us, many of us will be embarking on camping trips. Some travelers opt for traditional tent camping, and others will be renting RVs this season, but car camping is an option not to be overlooked. You do not need a spacious RV or camper; in fact, no matter what kind of car you drive, you can enjoy car camping; if you have the right gear, that is.


If you prefer to the tent route versus sleeping inside your car, a rooftop Car Tent is a solid choice. Depending on what kind of car you have, there are a variety of different rooftop tents out there that are spacious, comfortable, and ideal for stargazing.

Given that camping has been around since Homo erectus came down from the trees, it wouldn’t seem like we have many innovations left in the art of sleeping under the stars. That said, roof-top tents, pitched atop their lofty perches, are getting double-takes from a lot of ground-dwelling campers these days.


If you are thinking about buying a Car Roof Tent, here is what you will need to know.

Pros and cons of roof-top tents: Quick setup vs. steeper cost are key considerations.

How to know which tent works with your vehicle: Check tent, vehicle and rack specs carefully before you buy.

How they attach to your vehicle: The floor bolts to your roof rack, so make sure you have an adequate setup.

Though roof-top tents have become a phenomenon in the U.S. in recent years, they’ve been around for decades, gaining greater popularity initially in places like Australia, where camping above the realm of creepy crawlies was instantly recognized as a genius idea.


Many roof-top tent owners today talk about how a high vantage point resonates with them on a primal level. Perhaps it’s harkening back to childhood and a love of treehouses—or deeper in our psyches, when we slept in trees so we could survey our surroundings from a safe vantage point before drifting off to dreamland.

Pros of a Roof-Top Tent

Pitching ease: It’s engineered for quick setup. Once in camp, you undo a few straps, pop it open and deploy the poles and ladder.

Beefy construction: Generally, the floor, Camping Tent fabric and pole materials are extra robust and able to withstand stormy weather.

Comfort: Most come with a super-plush foam mattress.

Camp anywhere: Set up in a campground, parking lot, remote dirt track, wherever.

Camp above the ground: Keeps your tent floor clear of rainwater runoff, crawling creatures and rocks and sticks.

Camp on the level: Strategically placed blocks or rocks under tires can help you keep things on an even keel.

Fitting a Roof-Top Tent to Your Vehicle

Most roof-top tents weigh more than a hundred pounds, so you need to be sure that your rack is up to the task. If you do not have a roof rack yet, then you will need to consider your tent weight as you shop for a rack to serve as its foundation. The specs you need are not always easy to find, so you might have to contact your vehicle manufacturer and rack manufacturer directly to get the information you need.

In its simplest form, a Camping Tarp Shelter is simply a rectangular piece of waterproof fabric. You hang the tarp above your body with a series of ropes, poles, and stakes. Tarps do not include a floor, bug netting, or walls. The purpose of the tarp is for protection from wind and rain while you sleep. There are dozens of ways to pitch a camping tarp in order to achieve this. Camping tarps range in size from 5” X 7” for an individual all the way up to 12” X 16” for multiple people.

Tarps offer a more modular sleep system- In my opinion, this is the biggest benefit to tarp camping. You can easily adjust your setup to fit the conditions of the region where you plan to camp. For example, if there are no bugs, you do not need to bother with setting up your bivy or bug net. If there is no rain, you do not need to bother with the tarp. If the night is wet and buggy, you can set up your tarp and bug net. Your options are open.

After a daylong adventure away from camp or along the trail, you have earned a comfy place to perch. Chair designers have gone a little wild in recent years, so you have a lot of options for your downtime gear.

When choosing an Outdoor Camping Chair, consider the following factors:

End use: For backpacking, weight and packed size are the key stats. For front country camping, comfort is what matters most.


Size/height: If you need a roomy chair, bigger is better. Low chairs are nice for concerts and uneven or sandy terrain. High chairs are easier to get in and out of.

Design preference: Options include classic, two-legged, three-legged, rocker, glider and more. If an innovative chair is intriguing, give it a sit test before you buy it.

When looking to invest in the best Outdoor Parasol and a sturdy parasol base, it is important to take in both style and function. Ask yourself how big your garden parasol needs to be to cover both guests and your garden table, if alfresco dining is your priority. Look at where the sun falls on your garden and whether a parasol needs an angle function to provide shade throughout the day. It is also important to consider how decorative you want your garden parasol to be – will it draw the eye or simply act as a subtle accessory to provide shade.


When it comes to your garden parasol base, think about how often you intend to move your parasol. Does it need to be light and agile or heavy and sturdy? The size of your parasol base will also be determined by how large your umbrella is. Some parasols come with their own base but, with others, there is the option to mix and match.