Can You Go Camping in Your SUV?

With a few adjustments and the right gear, your SUV can be transformed into a cozy and functional mobile campsite. Whether setting up for a quick overnight road trip or a longer off-road adventure, camping in your vehicle offers convenience, safety, and comfort. 

We’ll explore all the camping essentials you’ll need to bring, learn how to set up your SUV and provide some comfort and safety tips to help you have a stress-free, relaxing adventure. 

Let’s get started so you can hit the road.

Can You Sleep in an SUV?

Yes, you can sleep in an SUV. At the very least, you can just toss a sleeping bag in and go to sleep. However, with a little planning, preparation, and the right equipment, you can sleep in comfort. 

Additional gear like an air mattress will ensure a much more comfortable sleep. Additionally, if you are travelling with a family, you may want an SUV tent to expand your sleeping area so everyone can rest well. 

SUV Camping Essentials

Getting prepared before you leave is critical for an enjoyable camping trip. There are plenty of camping essentials you should bring with you in your SUV. Here are some of the most important ones. 

• An air mattress that fits in the back of your vehicle. 
• Sleeping bag and pillow. For warmer nights, you may want a sheet, which you can use as a blanket and sleep on top of your sleeping bag. 
• Propane cook stove with 1 or 2 burners. 
• Cookware: pot, frying pan, cooking utensils, forks, spoons, and knives. 
• Coffee cup and instant coffee or small portable coffee maker.
• Portable solar ovens are great for cooking larger meals. They fold up nicely and take up very little space. 
• Personal hygiene, including shampoo, soap, and towels. Small portable showers that run on rechargeable batteries are even available.  
• Sunscreen and bug spray.
• Appropriate clothing for the weather.
• Plenty of water for drinking, cooking, washing, and topping up the radiator if needed. This is especially critical if you aren’t staying in a campground and don’t have access to running water. Never underestimate how much water you might need. If you are camping off-grid and don’t have a cookstove, bring water purification tablets in case you get stuck somewhere longer than expected. 
• Food: dried and canned goods are great if you don’t have a fridge. Otherwise, you can pack yogurt, eggs, meats, and other perishables in your portable refrigerator. 
• The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max Portable Power Station is compact and lightweight for car travel but packs a lot of power in a small unit. This will keep your essential devices charged and ready to go. 
• Lighting: both headlamps and a lantern are essential camping gear. Both should be USB rechargeable so you can easily charge them with your portable power station. 
• SUV tents are a great option for attaching to the back of your vehicle. They extend your sleeping space, making them a great option for small families. They can also be made into a portable office for those who like to combine work and camping. 
• Rubbish bags in case there aren’t any trash bins nearby.
• Screen to put on your window for hot nights to let the air in. 
• Complete first aid kit.
• Tyre repair kit and 12V air compressor, which can also be used to inflate your mattress. 

How To Set Up Your SUV for Camping

Setting up your SUV for camping is very easy. No matter what size SUV you have, you can make a bed in the back. 

Larger SUVs are better for two people, while smaller SUVs and crossovers work fine for an average-sized single person. Here is what you do to set up your SUV for the night. 

1. Remove Your Gear

When you arrive at your spot for the night, remove the extra gear from the back and put it in your front seat, in your footwells, and even on your dash to maximise your space. As long as you won’t be driving again that night, none of it will be in your way, and you will have a more comfortable sleep without wrestling all night with your gear.

2. Fold The Rear Seats Flat 

Fold all the rear seats flat if you can. Some seats won’t go completely flat, which could leave you uncomfortable. You should check this before you leave and bring extra padding to raise the low side if necessary so you can get more comfortable. 

3. Lay Your Air Mattress Out 

It’s a good idea to put the air mattress in place before you inflate it, especially if you have a wide one that will barely fit. If it is so wide that it barely fits, no worries—just fill it up, and it will fit into the available space. If you haven’t bought your air mattress yet, avoid the extra-thick ones; the thicker the mattress, the less headroom you will have inside once it’s inflated.  

4. Inflate the Air Mattress

Once in place, inflate it as much as possible to ensure a cozy sleep where you don’t feel the lumps and bumps of your vehicle. Don’t worry if it buckles a bit; it will flatten out once you lay on it. A 12V-powered pump will make this step much faster than trying to blow it up using lung power. If using a 12V pump, be sure to put the inflation valve close to the 12V plug so that it reaches. 

5. Add Pillows and Sleeping Bags

Just add your pillows and sleeping bags and that’s it! You can get your bed set up in 10 – 15 minutes, much faster than most camping set-ups. 

6. Set Up Your Power Station

For those of us who enjoy watching our favourite shows at night on our phones or tablets, you will want to set up your EcoFlow RIVER 2 Series portable power station nearby. They are compact and lightweight, with plenty of output ports so you can charge your phone, keep an LED light on to read with or watch shows on your tablet. In fact, you might be surprised at what the EcoFlow RIVER 2 can do.

In the morning, just deflate the air mattress, fold it up, and put the seats back up. Put your power station away and pull all the gear out of the front seat and put it back where it was. Essentially, just do it all in reverse and you can be back in action in about 15 minutes. 

Comfort & Safety Tips for SUV Camping

Evaluate Your Spot

Always evaluate each place before you park for the night. Make sure it is somewhere you feel comfortable and safe. Privacy is nice but also optional. If you are in the wilderness, look for a nice flat spot to park so you are not sleeping on an angle. 

If you’re camping in town somewhere, look for signs that say no overnight parking. There’s not much worse than sleeping in your vehicle to be woken up with a tap on the window and a torch in your eyes being told to move. 

Another thing to consider is that many places either don’t allow overnight camping or require permits, so research ahead of time. 

Keep Food Inside

Animals will always be attracted to food, so keep your food inside your vehicle or inside your cooler or portable fridge while you are parked. Never leave it outside unprotected, or you may invite unwanted guests. Wildlife is better viewed in nature than rummaging through your camping gear. 

Lock Your Doors

If you are worried about safety, close the doors and lock them at night, then you won’t have to worry about anyone surprising you in the middle of the night. 

Portable Refridgerator

Who said camping means you have to make sacrifices? The EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator is the size of a standard cooler but comes with a refrigerator, freezer compartment, and even a built-in ice maker. Talk about travelling in comfort.

Install Tinted Windows

Tinted windows are a real bonus for sleeping in your SUV. They will help keep you cooler in hot weather and a little warmer in cold weather. Perhaps most important is that they will also give you that extra bit of privacy, which is nice so you don’t feel like you are on display for everyone to see.  

Portable Air Conditioner

Sure, you can use window screens over a window and catch a little breeze, but why not travel in style? The EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable AC is essential for comfort if you are camping in very hot weather. It’s small and compact but works amazingly well; you can use it wirelessly inside your SUV, your tent, or even outside. 

It lasts 8 hours on a charge, and you can always charge it again with your portable solar panels. The added bonus is that it also doubles as a heater if you are camping in cold weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Camping in your SUV is a practical, convenient, affordable, and enjoyable way to explore the great outdoors without sacrificing the comforts of home. With a little preparation and the right setup and gear, you can turn your vehicle into a versatile, mobile basecamp. 
Don’t forget that air mattress, portable fridge, cooking accessories, food, and your EcoFlow Portable Power Station keep your lights and devices charged and ready to go. Pack smart, plan ahead, and enjoy the adventure, knowing you have everything you need right in the back of your vehicle.