Why did I become a car camper? It was a very simple decision. I didn’t have the finances to buy an RV. My car was paid for, and I had the ability to outfit it for my needs. Exploring is something I love, but I didn’t want to pay for a hotel or Airbnb. Car camping gives me the ability to head to quiet areas and enjoy the great outdoors without spending a lot of money.
The idea began quite simply when I decided I wanted to go to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. I started to look at my choices of places to stay and saw that there was a campground within walking distance of the cave. It was an easy decision to stay at the campground, but since I didn’t own a camper or a tent, what was another option? It came to me in an instant, my wonderful Kia Soul. I had always had a love affair with my tiny car since I purchased it and knew that it was the perfect solution to my camping problem.
I thought long and hard about how to outfit my car for a camping trip. Keeping it simple was the way to go, and I only wanted the basic necessities. Since my car was so small and I use it on a daily basis, I didn’t want to have to modify anything.
What Was Needed?
- A place to sleep, of course
- Food storage
- A way to stay comfortable in all kinds of weather.
- Privacy
- Clothes storage
- A safe place for my camera gear and computer
- Power and wifi sources
- A place to store all the extras, like kitchen supplies, bathroom essentials and emergency gear
Sleeping
Since I didn’t want to modify my car, I had to look at the easiest way to create a sleeping area. The solution was to fold down the driver’s side back seat and spread a sleeping bag out over the area. I quickly discovered that I needed some type of cushioning and that even though I was short, I would need to sleep on my side. Did this discourage me? Not at all and I found solutions that worked.
I managed to find a sleeping bag that fits my shorter height perfectly. The camping pillow I chose is incredibly convenient, as it easily squishes back into its bag. Additionally, the cushion I selected is ideal for tight spaces, making it perfect for my needs.
Food Storage
I wanted to bring both cold and shelf-stable food with me while keeping things simple. I realized I had enough room in the back for a cooler and a small storage box, both easy to reach at night if I wanted a snack. I splurged on a Yeti cooler, confident it would keep my things cold. For my dry food, I opted for a 20-quart Sterilite Gasket Box, which stores everything neatly without taking up too much space.
Staying Comfortable
Car camping in a small vehicle presents some challenges when it comes to staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but there are solutions. I didn’t mind snuggling under the covers to create body heat during a cold snap, but dealing with the summer heat was more challenging due to limited space for equipment. However, I found a few things that worked for me:
- 12-volt heated car blanket: This is a great way to warm up my sleeping bag before crawling in.
- All-season sleeping bag: I use a sleeping bag that is good for all seasons.
- Hangable camping fan: I was able to hang this from the clothes hook opposite my sleeping area, and it helped cool down the interior of the car. It also has a light, so I can read at night.
- Privacy curtains: There are tons of these on the market, and I found some that fit my car.
- Windshield sunshade: I used one of these on the front and a retrofitted one for the back window.
Image: Carrie Hanrahan
Where to Put Clothes?
The easiest solution also provided a place to lay my head when sleeping. I have a small, hard-sided luggage bag that fits perfectly between the front seat and the folded-down backseat. At night, I can lay my pillow on the bag and get a comfortable night’s rest. It is a bit of a hassle to have to take the bag out and access it each day, but with such a small space, it was the best solution for me.
Safe Storage for Electrical Gear
I found that I needed a safe way to transport and store the camera and computer that I use for work when I travel. I had tried many different bags for the camera and the computer but decided that a combo bag worked best and took up the least amount of space. I can easily tuck it behind the passenger seat when traveling or put it up front when I need easy access.
How to Power It All and Have Wi-Fi Access
There are many options for portable power stations, and I knew I only needed a limited amount of power for the few things I needed to charge. The power station also needed to fit easily on the floor, so it wouldn’t get in the way. Here are the options I considered:
- CTECHi GT200 Portable Power Station: This was a great solution for me with my limited budget.
- Jackery Portable Power Station: Another great option for a slightly larger budget.
Reliable Wi-Fi
Reliable WiFi can be an issue anytime I travel. I started off just using the hotspot on my phone but found that I was going through data quickly. There was also an issue if my carrier couldn’t find towers in the area. I finally landed on a portable mobile hotspot that seemed to do the trick for me:
- Travelfi Journey1: I am still new to using this, but so far have had great results.
How to Store All the Extras
I am fortunate that my little Kia Soul has a liftable floor area at the back that is completely empty. There is plenty of room there for me to store items that I only pull out at the campsite, like my camp chair, container of dishes, and rug for outside. I also am able to store items that I don’t use regularly, like my car emergency kit, health emergency kit, and things I pick up during my travels.
So why did I become a car camper? Choosing this camping lifestyle is a budget-friendly way to get out and enjoy getting back to nature. I chose to keep it simple, but you could always do so much more to your own vehicle. Will I keep car camping in the future? If and when my budget allows for the purchase of a campervan, I will definitely be upgrading, but for now, I will continue the adventure in my car camper.
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Thank-you Carrie for the insightful article. Even though I personally don’t have any issues with car camping, just remember that many places, including parks and recreational areas, have instituted regulations that restrict people from living inside their cars. Many believe this portrays homelessness and believe it draws a less than desirable group of people. In many cases this is true, and we shouldn’t encourage that behavior. I applaud you in being so creative using your Kia Soul. My wife and I own one and it is a wonderful little car. We also own a 37′ 5th wheel toy hauler and the diesel truck to pull it, so we don’t need to use it as a camper.
Hello James,
Thanks for being a Vanlifers reader and for your thoughtful comment. You’re right that many places have cracked down on parking lot car living. However, car camping isn’t just limited to parking lots and public streets. Anywhere a tent camper can set up is typically open to car camping as well.
The idea that car camping portrays homelessness and draws a less desirable group of people isn’t necessarily accurate in all cases. For example, my father and I used to go truck camping on fishing trips all the time. It’s also worth noting that a custom-built van is essentially a big car for camping, which is a big part of our Vanlifers community.
While it’s great that you have a 5th wheel, there are plenty of reasons someone might choose a more minimalistic approach:
Solo campers who don’t need much room.
People who want to stay in national park campgrounds and explore more roads and tighter spaces.
Those who enjoy boondocking off the beaten path.
People who want to experience nature and camp without spending a small fortune on (or can’t afford) a truck and a fifth wheel.
Travelers who prefer overnight stays at rest stops (where legal).
Regarding those who may be homeless by circumstance or even by choice, if the information shared by Vanlifers can help someone in need feel a bit more comfortable during a tough time, we’re making the world a better place.
Thanks again for your support,
Levi
Editor of Vanlifers