Exploring car/van/truck camping -- tell me your stories/give me advice

[lhamo]

I feel a little bit like I'm asking somebody to hook me up with their drug dealer, but nothing ventured nothing gained, so....

One of the things I would like to incorporate into my new post-divorce and kids about to be fully launched life is more travel.  But I need to be mindful of my budget.  On my way back from Moab a couple of years ago I did sleep in my car comfortably one night (a Ford Cmax -- I'm only 5'3" so it works for me).  But I skipped the second night because heavy rain in low 40s temps in Couer D'alene did not seem like a recipe for success (and I got a cheap hotel that was perfectly fine as a compromise).

So I've been zipping through various Youtube videos and while the fancy pre=built Class Bs and such are lovely, I am NOT going to be blowing 100k+ on a new hobby.  Or even $30-50k (though I am toying with the idea of buying a lower cost van or truck and seeing what I can do with it -- can always resell if it turns out to not be a good fit).  What I will probably do is invest a few hundred $$$ on some of the things that seem to make sleeping in hatchbacks MUCH more pleasant/viable.  Maybe build a removable sleeping platform (though I'm not sure I need one). Get a little power cube and a fan to help with ventilation/condensation.  Try to make some window blockers from repurposed materials (though maybe investing in the pre-made ones from Weathertech is worth it?).  Several 2-3 gallon water containers (5 gall are too bulky/heavy)

I'm a middle aged lady who can live without a shower for 2-5 days but probably isn't going to be doing a ton of remote boondocking on my own to start with.  Will probably do a lot of stuff in/adjacent to national or state parks where I will have access to running water, toilets and showers.  Maybe a bit of BLM and Forest service camping (mostly with an eye to getting to popular trailheads early)

I know @NinetyFour has an amazing camper setup, but I'm not quite ready for that level of investment yet.  IIRC @spartana has done a lot of camping in the back of her truck (this is something I might consider since a small truck would be useful for hauling stuff for house/yard projects). And IIRC @2Birds1Stone and partner might be experimenting with kitting out a relative's van for their upcoming cross country adventure. 

Looking forward to people's stories and suggestions!

[VanillaGorilla]

My wife and I have spent a lot of time car camping in recent years, usually with our dog. I've spent tons of time in the mountains over the years too, but that's a pretty different activity.

I don't see the appeal of sleeping inside my car, I'm much happier with a decent tent setup. My go-to car camping tents are cheaper REI-branded tents, they work fine for car camping when weight and bulk are inconsequential. For backpacking and alpine stuff I prefer much lighter and much more expensive solutions. The tents last about a decade before the urethane coating wears off and they stop being waterproof.

We have found that the single biggest impact on our happiness is high quality inflatable mattresses (4+ inches thick). We have two Exped pads, but Thermarest and other manufacturers make similar products. They're very expensive but provide the same quality of sleep as our mattress at home. An inflatable pillow is also very nice. Combined with a decent mummy sleeping bag, we sleep nearly as well as at home.

Other excellent gear: a two burner propane stove allows for elaborate cooking, where a single burner backpacking stove doesn't allow for much beyond boiling water. A lantern is also well worth the money - the battery powered lanterns now available are amazing. A halfway decent cooler is also helpful if you're out for a few days.

With the above setup we've spent tons of time on the road. Just this spring we went on two week-long trips and were perfectly comfortable, we didn't want to go home. It's a great way to cheaply live out of a compact car.

A camper van or RV would probably be much nicer for spending time in bad weather, or multi-month trips, but they're crazy expensive. It's much cheaper to just get an airbnb or a hotel room when desired. Though I'll admit that sleeping in a vehicle probably feels safer, if that's a concern.

[lhamo]

Thanks!  I do have both an Exped (bought at the recommendation of an MMMer who was at the Moab get together and well worth the investment) and an REI tent.  You are correct that that opens up more options.  I had a kind of bad experience with tent camping a couple of years ago before I got the Exped -- used a very thin thermarest pad and basically didn't sleep all night because I could feel every bump underneath me.  But I should probably give it another try.  Especially for places where I am planning to stay more than one night.  I find the set-up/take down process to be a bit annoying and if you need to get an early start you are often stuck with packing up a damp tent and its hard to get all the pine needles, etc. off.

One additional factor I probably should have mentioned:  I have moderate sleep apnea and sleep MUCH better with a CPAP. I guess I could run it off a power bank in a tent, but having a more or less permanent spot for it in the car simplifies things.

[uniwelder]

My wife and I have rented a campervan on two different occasions, for about 5-7 days each.  It was a fantastic experience for our road tripping loops.  I highly recommend renting one for a week and see how you like it, before committing to buying or building out one.  Total cost might be $400-600, depending on dates and vehicle, and sometimes you'll find deals where they need them relocated.  Here's the last company we used with their smallest/cheapest/newest van--- https://www.escapecampervans.com/campervans/mavericks/

edited to add--- and here are their current relocation deals https://www.escapecampervans.com/special/summer-one-way-sale/  If you ever wanted to do a cross country trip, there are two offers from Las Vegas or Los Angeles over to New York, priced 90% off the regular rate.

[Dee18]

One of my favorite trips was in Alaska where my daughter and I camped 2 or 3 nights and then stayed in a hotel or Bnb one or two nights, for a total of 2 weeks.  I love that combination.  I do not like sleeping in a car (even though I am 5'3" also) because of the problem of letting in air while keeping out bugs.  Our tent was a "3 person" North Face that was quick to set up and take down.  If I were doing it today I would take a single induction burner and a good extension cord for when I had electricity.  Back then we had a single burner that used Coleman fuel which was adequate. 

[lentil]

Great thread!

I am also a middle-aged woman who camps solo at least a few nights a year. As a general rule, I much prefer sleeping in a tent to sleeping in my car. Lots of reasons for this -- I've been sleeping in tents for most of my life (so usually sleep better in them than in my own bed), packing the car is easier if I'm not also planning on sleeping in it, etc..

But there are times when I prefer the car. Usually having to do with storms, bears, or creeps (or just the hyper-vigilant feeling of camping solo in super remote places, even without obvious creeps). I've thought about buying a van at some point too, but I'm not quite there yet, for some of the same reasons you mention.

I think setting up/taking down a tent gets less irritating once you do it frequently. It helps to have a simple, lightweight tent, but it sounds like you're already on top of that. If I have to pack my tent up wet, I just pack it loosely into a couple of trash bags (one for the tent, one for the fly) and then dry it out later when the weather improves. But I also mainly camp in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, so dry weather is easy to rely on. We took a road trip to the PNW a couple of years ago and were constantly drying gear inside our car as we drove, so location matters ;-P

Unless I'm backpacking, I leave my sleeping bag at home and bring an old down quilt. It's a lot comfier than a mummy bag, and I've got one that's so thick & heavy that I can sleep comfortably through basically any weather. I also bring my pillow from home, 'cause why not. It sounds like you've already got a good tent & pad, which is a great place to start from!

I don't have experience with a CPAP machine, but it sounds like a good reason to think about figuring out a vehicle set-up at some point. I do know people who tent-camp with CPAPs, so I know it can be done, but am far from an expert.

I'm about 8-9 inches taller than you, so definitely cannot fold myself into a hatchback. We have an old Subaru Outback though, and if I lay the seats flat and fill the gap (the space between the back of the driver/passenger seats and the edge of the cargo area) with gear to create some extra inches of platform, it's just exactly long enough for me to sleep in. So a larger wagon-type car might be one place to start for you, if you're looking for a vehicle to sleep in...you'd have more space to work with, while still keeping costs low. Or I've seen minivan setups that seem pretty cool.

I'll also add that a friend bought an old VW Eurovan camper a few years ago. I think she paid about $26,000, and it had plenty of miles and eventually a few mechanical issues. But she loves it, and it meant she spent TONS more nights camping than she otherwise would. Not sure of your budget or goals, but I think there can be value in a piece of gear that really enables more adventures. It's just hard to figure out the exact right thing, I know.

[lentil]

Oh, and for water containers, I personally like Nalgene Cantenes (and various off-brand imitations). They take up almost no space when they're empty, so I can bring as many as I like and then just fill as-needed. They are not as sturdy as hard-sided water jugs, but I've only had a few break over time & with hard use.

[uniwelder]

I just posted about our experience renting a campervan, which I believe is the best for a first step toward knowing whether that style of travel suits you. 

For us, the next step will probably be buying a minivan.  The company is out of business, but Jucy (out of the business in the US, but operating in New Zealand) retrofitted Dodge Caravans with a pretty nice setup.  It had a full bed, and in the rear, there was a nice kitchen (fridge, sink with 5 gallon water tank, camp stove, etc).  We'd probably buy one from our local university auction, and recreate the same style.  When we're not traveling in it, I'd be using it as a replacement for my work truck, along with a trailer.

[Sandi_k]

We bought two Ford Econoline vans for our camping; the first one had only one airbag.  When DH started whining about laying down to get dressed because he hit his head on the roof, I insisted on getting a newer van, with dual airbags, and we put in a Fiberine top that gave us an extra couple feet of height.

We also added in some shelving over the captain chairs in the front; a rubber mat on the floor to protect my knees, window shades; insulation; and a backup camera. The best part? A 6" foam mattress fits perfectly between the wheel wells, so we sleep very comfortably.

There is a commercial used truck place over on the peninsula, south of SF, so we got our E350 for ~ $17k in 2010, and it still had a manufacturer's warranty. We spent ~ $6k customizing it. We did not add the second battery (which I wanted for things like inverters and fans) but it's still possible. I like that the van is secure at night - not something I felt assured of in a tent camp situation.

Because we went minimalist, it's still usable as a tow vehicle, and as a cargo van. The bubble top does mean we have to be careful with some parking garages, but that's a rare limitation.

We found the Sportsmobile forums to be really helpful in planning out what we needed. There's a DIY Build sub forum that is awesome and helpful.

[2Birds1Stone]

Love this thread, thanks for the batsignal.

Mainly posting to follow, since we're also in the planning stages and have no experience sleeping/camping out of this van.....however we have done long trips in it so have a good idea for how much space there is.

So far, our plan is more or less outlined below, and any feedback/criticism is welcome. FWIW vehicle is an older minivan (2003 chevy astro).

The van has all rear seats removed, so our footprint in the back is roughly 96" by 56" (50" at the rear wheel-wells).

For sleeping system in the van, we're likely going to purchase a tri-fold mattress from amazon in a full size (https://www.amazon.com/MLILY-Tri-Fold-Mattress-Collapsible-Washable/dp/B0BVVY5FZV) In addition to this we have a very large double size 0 degree sleeping bag (https://tetongear.com/products/mammoth-0-f-double-sleeping-bag), which on hot nights we can sleep on top of and when it gets cold a combo of blankets or sleeping in the bag should keep us comfy down to any temps we are likely to encounter in the Western USA from August-October. This sleeping bag has been used a LOT over the years and it's useless for backpacking but perfect for car camping (weighs 17 lbs packed!).

We plan on traveling with an REI type 3-person tent and when we're sleeping in the tent we can simply move our trifold memory foam mattress and sleeping bag from vehicle to tent and back pretty easily. For a footprint for the tent, we plan on using a large piece of Tyvek type material. This should minimize the issues with tent breakdown on wet ground, it can also be used as a "floor" between the car and the tent so we don't track dirt/mud into either vestibule when we're moving around.

In addition to the sleeping system, we're keeping things really minimal. Bringing a cooler (size TBD) but likely large enough to use two frozen 2L soda bottles for ice and enough space to fit some cold cuts, cheese, yogurt, milk, fruit etc for a couple of days. Two camping chairs, two hammocks, two ~50L backpacks which will be used for hiking as well as storage in the van for clothing, and we're planning on brining 4 stackable rubbermaid style bins that will hold our dry food, shoes/camping/hiking gear, van stuff (extra fluids, jumper cables, etc), and our kitchen/cooking system which is still TBD but likely a dual fuel single burner stove, french press or Aero Press, some titanium pots and light weight synthetic plates/bowl/cups. Besides that, some water storage (likely ~10 gallons worth) and that's about it.

We do plan on getting seat covers for the front captain chairs that have pockets on the back, or some sort of back of the car seat type storage system with large pockets for our toiletries, flashlights, head lamps, flip flops and other things we will be needing to grab constantly. The other consideration is using a 5 gallon home depot bucket with an emergency liner and toilet seat cover for obvious bathroom emergencies when we're not somewhere that allows to go outside or use a public toilet. When not using this bucket for bathroom activities, it can also serve as additional storage for cleaning supplies and/or dirty laundry, as well as a vestal to do some "sink" laundry when needed.

So yea......this is all theoretical at this point. Our van should have enough space that when we move some stuff to the front passenger seat and stack the cooler/bins the mattress should be able to unfold flat on the floor with enough space to sleep, but our preference will likely be to sleep inside the tent when in/near national parks/forests which is where we plan to spend most of our time.

For showers, we plan on using our Planet Fitness membership, as well as paying for day passes to gyms, truck stop showers, campgrounds, friends/family moochdocking, public water sources, YMCA's etc.

Speaking of which, we're leaving NY in mid August and driving across the country towards the PNW by last week of August, then working our way through the parks in WA/OR/north CA through Sept 14th.......so if you're on our route and wouldn't mind freezing some water bottles for us and letting us park somewhere safe......holller!!!

 

[Sandi_k]

For sleeping system in the van, we're likely going to purchase a tri-fold mattress from amazon in a full size (https://www.amazon.com/MLILY-Tri-Fold-Mattress-Collapsible-Washable/dp/B0BVVY5FZV)

Yep, we bought a trifold futon from a local futon shop; it's about 6" thick. We also have older sleeping bags; we use an Ikea Dimpa bag for storage of the bags and pillows. We have another Dimpa bag for used towels, as most of our camping is at a lake, where we are in the water a lot.

In addition to the sleeping system, we're keeping things really minimal. Bringing a cooler (size TBD) but likely large enough to use two frozen 2L soda bottles for ice and enough space to fit some cold cuts, cheese, yogurt, milk, fruit etc for a couple of days.

We bought a fridge for camping - an ARB 50 qt. It has a drain, so you can add ice and keep food cold for 3-4 days.

Two camping chairs, two hammocks, two ~50L backpacks which will be used for hiking as well as storage in the van for clothing, and we're planning on brining 4 stackable rubbermaid style bins that will hold our dry food, shoes/camping/hiking gear, van stuff (extra fluids, jumper cables, etc).

Yep, we did this too; easy to download when you get to a campsite after dark. We had one "tool" box, one "kitchen" box, and one "lake" box.

Our kitchen/cooking system which is still TBD but likely a dual fuel single burner stove, french press or Aero Press, some titanium pots and light weight synthetic plates/bowl/cups. Besides that, some water storage (likely ~10 gallons worth) and that's about it.

We just used a Melitta cone and filter for coffee. The propane stoves you can get at Asian grocery stores were much more powerful than our dual fuel stove, especially at higher elevations. We bought a camping-specific pots and dishes set from REI - very compact. Like this one:
https://www.rei.com/product/234636/gsi-outdoors-bugaboo-backpacker-ceramic-cookset

We also added some other items that made camping much more pleasant.

- A tablecloth and clips. Public camp site tables can be icky.
- A collapsible trash can (sort of like the springing dorm laundry hampers). Packs v. small.
- A small cutting board, a couple of butter and steak knives, and a silicone spatula.
- Road flares - instant camp fire, even with damp wood.
- Quarters for campsite showers.
- A DC-plug fan
- A solar lamp that has a USB connector for cell phone charging without plugs. Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Camping-Lantern-Solar-Phone-Charger/dp/B08JX5STJ6?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

Hope this is useful!

[Dancin'Dog]

 Many of the state campgrounds around here, the SE, are on lakes.  You might want to carry a kayak or paddleboard along so you can get out on the water.  There are inflatable versions that pack down so you don't always have to keep them strapped onto the rooftop. 


We also enjoy birdwatching, so we pack binoculars and bird ID books & pamphlets.  (Of course, Google works fine if there's cell service.) 


I enjoy sleeping in a hammock sometimes.  The generic Eno type is cheap and they pack down to the size of a softball.  Learning to lay in them correctly is a little tricky, but it's fun figuring it out. 


If you're into biking you might enjoy carrying a bike along. 


If your vehicle seems a bit claustrophobic with all your gear a hitch carrier might be a handy option that would allow you to carry a jumbo-size tote for things you don't need inside the vehicle. 


A minivan seems like a practical vehicle that would be great for solo camping.  A cargo version might be less expensive and would have a roomier layout than a passenger van with all the seating taking up space.

[aloevera1]

Camping is such a great activity! I hope you have a lot of fun exploring the outdoors!

Here are my tips in no particular order:

1. Don't get sucked in endless gear optimization if you are doing car camping for a few nights. There are both expensive options for every single thing and VERY expensive options for every single thing. For car camping you do not need as much weight or space optimization. You would care a lot less about modularity. I suggest starting with "common folks" options and then adjusting if you need something extra.

2. You can buy a lot of decent stuff in Costco or even Walmart. Yes, it does not look glamourous but for a lot of car camping uses it's enough. Costco hammocks are great! Don't shy away from Dollar store either. They sometimes sell decent rope or even pads to put under your sleeping mats for isolation. In short, explore the non camping stores for stuff that might be useful. You will not pay tourist premium then.

3. If you live around national parks, there would be tons of used stuff on Kijiji or Facebook market place. People are constantly circulating gear. You could buy decent stuff for pennies if you look hard enough.

4. Depending how long you go for, you probably just need a cooler for food. We bring 2: one would be only for meat and the other one for everything else. Meat one is almost never opened so the temp is very stable there.

Will write later if think of something else too.

[FINate]

I've had RVs and we do a lot of tent camping (family of 4), but my go-to for solo or with DW is my pickup.

The setup: Topper on a truck bed long enough lay down. The topper and bed of the truck is carpeted, which provides padding for crawling around and prevents stuff from sliding in transit. We use thick Exped sleeping mats in the back of the truck. All of our kitchen and other camping gear is packed in ActionPacker type storage containers.

Loading up to go camping with this setup takes ~15 minutes -- just throw the ActionPackers, sleeping bags, and mats in the back. Plus whatever food and other comforts we want. It also keeps things nicely organized in the garage. At the campsite it's a simple matter of pulling out the ActionPackers and inflating the sleeping mats. Very quick and easy.

The 4x4 truck means we can reach camping areas most cars/minivans/RVs cannot.

For a camp sink we use a water container with spigot and we place this over an oil drain pan (e.g. water container on picknick table with oil pan on bench) as a catch basin. This provides running water in camp w/o creating a muddy mess. We drain the grey water in the forest and/or use it to extinguish the camp fire in places where we've packed our own water.

[spartana]

Been offline and just saw this. More once I've read the whole thread!

[spartana]

I finally caught up on the thread. Very fun and great ideas!

As you know @lhamo I've done lots of longer term solo "car" camping in various ways including by bike, motorcycle, van, truck with a shell, and by car! My preferred method is pretty minimalist using a tent and I like to stay in one place for a week or so. I like a van better than a truck because you can go from front to back without having to go outside. There's more head room too unless you have a tall camper instead of just a shell/topper and easy to make a sleeping and sitting area just by removing the seats without having to do an expensive convertion to a camper. More leg room too since most trucks only have 6 ft beds and can be squishy if you have Lots of things like ice chests, toys etc. With a van you can put stuff more easily (and more accessible) in the front. Stealth camping is easier because you don't have to go outside the vehicle to sleep so no one knows you're there. A big safety factor too if you are a women travelling alone.

So for longer term car camping I think a small cargo van would be great. A DIY conversion with a couch/bed platform and some storage underneath. Or even a mini van. When I had my truck - small ford Ranger - I had one of those carpet kits I could use to sleep on with lots of storage underneath but if was cramped so a small van would work best imho.

Even if you mostly tent camp like I do it's easy to bring extra stuff like bikes and gear and leave them safely locked in the van or truck (with a shell)  while you sleep in the tent. Plus you can bring a giant cabin tent and all the fancy glamping things of your dreams in a van or truck with room to spare for sleeping if needed.

Another option is a car tent for you C-Max. It's basicly a tent that encloses the cargo or hatchback part of trucks, Suvs, van or hatch hacks to give you added space. I've never used one so no opinion on if good or bad but cheaper than buying a newer vehicle!

As for stuff to bring...well I'm a pretty minimalist camper so just bring a few basics and not much else. I generally set up a tent "base camp" for a week or 2, park the vehicle and ride my bike everywhere. I break it up with cheap motels occasionally and if I'll be somewhere longer term I'll often get a monthly airbnb type rental. But I've been getting back to my basic minimalist camping lifestyle again and doing more bike camping.

ETA: I don't actually own a car myself since 2019 but I rent for a month  longer road trips and usually get a small to midsized SUV. Not that roomy to sleep in but lots of room to bring a tent and gear. When (if) I buy again I'd get a small cargo van.

This is what my "carpet kit" looks like. Very light weight and easy to put in and out quickly. Lots of storage too. You can even build it yourself pretty easily. It basicly modular and stacks smallish for easy storagecat home (mines in My garage now)My sister had one for her truck too and slept in it almost every night for a year while doing a long solo trip around the US. Again if you're doing limited car camping and just sleeping in it occasionally while reroute to somewhere your car will he fine but for extended trips I'd look at a small van or small cargo van

[spartana]

@JoJo had a good small cargo van set up and went all over the place - including to the Arctic! Solo too I believe.

ETA maybe this thread should go on the ask a mustacian forum since lots of people like me don't read the DIY forum so you'll get more replies

[Shamantha]

I have a Citroen Berlingo with an Amdro Boot Jump camping insert, see http://www.amdro.co.uk/boot-jump-camper-car/. You can of course DIY a similar concept.

I have had this set-up for 9 years. It includes a small pull-out cooker, water tank and mini fridge. I have removed the back seats of the car and built storage space instead. I have a boot tent to extend my living space when I am staying multiple nights in one location. Everything I need for camping is permanently in the car, so I only need to throw in some clothes and food. Even for day hikes the set up is great, as I always have it set up in the "picnic mode" with table, so at lunchtime it is very easy to pull out the cooker, fry some eggs or make tea. At night the car front seats fold down into a double bed.

It is the best holiday item I have ever bought, and now I am FIREd I make use of it to camp in multiple times a month.

Note: This is of course a European car so not sure if there are similar smaller cars in the US with similar height (which makes this so comfortable).

[shadowmoss]

For multiple examples of camping conversions in everything from a small Fiat (respect for that woman!) to SUV's to full size high top vans, check Bob Wells' CheapRVLiving YouTube channel.  Once you look at one video, check the side bar for suggestions of similar videos.  I know we've talked about this, so you probably already heard me say that.  When looking to buy a vehicle to camp in, consider a hybrid as they have climate control 24/7 if you want.  The air conditioning and/or heat can be left on and the engine only comes on periodically to charge the batter in the car as necessary.

I can camp comfortably in my Mazda 3.  I did finally figure out how to remove the bottom cushion of the back seat, which helps.  My car is a sedan so I have a trunk instead of a hatchback, but I can make it work.  I bought a Bluetti power station which give me a way to split the 12V cigarette lighter in the car into usb and normal 120V AC power ports.  If I was actually living in it I'd get a portable solar panel (lightweight) setup to charge it when I wasn't driving.  A power station would be almost a necessity to power a CPAP if you aren't actually campingn in a campground with electricity. 

My most recent addition is a 12V cigarette lighter splitter that has 3 individual sockets with shutoff buttons so I can stop the charging from the car battery when I'm not driving.  Only one of my 12V outlets is switched from the ignition so this helps.  I also have a 12V fridge that plugs into the Bluetti that uses the power station to bridge over when the car isn't running.   Those of you who have been to a Moab meetup have seen my setup in action.

I prefer to sleep in my car.  For one, I can do it comfortably, and it stays setup so I can just move to the back and go to sleep.  I find I feel safer, less exposed.  When I travel I tend to park truck stops and/or casinos or Cracker Barrels, etc.  Those are free places to park, but not usually good places to put up a tent.  I do carry a small backpacking tent in case I need it.  I have put up and taken down enough tents in the rain that I very much enjoy just moving to the front and starting the car to leave camp.  I can also enjoy hearing the rain knowing that my stuff will stay dry.  I tend to travel in my car more than actually camp so my setup reflects that.

[lhamo]

Forgot to tag you @shadowmoss -- glad you found the thread.

I cleaned out my car today (inside at least -- trying to decide if I have the time/energy to wash it before I need to shower and then go pick the kiddos up at the airport) and discovered I have an AC power plug built in!  I guess that means I can run things off the car battery if I need to?  Also a lot more 12 v ports than I realized -- in addition to the visible one in front of the shifter, there is another one (and a USB slot) inside the little storage thing between the front seats, and one at the back of the car.  There are also a lot more interesting little spaces I can use for creative storage.  The C-Max really is a great little car.  Sad they stopped making them for the US market.

Can you explain to me like a 5 year old what the difference is (if any) between a Bluetti and a Jackery?  Those are the two main brands I see people talking about.

I think my best way forward is just to -- move forward?  Do a couple of overnight/ 2-3 day trips with my current car and gear/maybe investing in a stove and a few other useful things (try to find second hand or borrow from friends if I'm not sure how useful they will be.  See what works/what doesn't and change up the things that don't on the next trip.  I can also do a couple of dry runs in my own yard -- I've got the attic/crawlspace cleanout scheduled for the end of the month, and the rewire will hopefully be the week after that.  I don't need to move out of my house for either of those things, but it is a good chance to try out both sleeping in the car and in the tent. 

Oh, and I have gone pretty deep down the Youtube van-life/car camping rabbit hole.   Love Bob Wells' channel, especially the van/car tours.  Many resourceful and adventurous folkds there.  Also loving Lulu's Way and the people who seem to gravitate around her/her gatherings. 

It's kind of funny that I am finally starting to get into this now that I have my own little house that I love, but I guess it is all part of figuring out what exactly my version of a Rich Life is going to look like over the coming decades.  I do want to incorporate more travel and more visits with friends, so this is an economical and adventurous way to do that.  And as much as some of those fancy rigs look really nice/comfortable, I admire and aspire to emulate the folks who are able to do it all more cheaply/resourcefully.  Very much the same mindset I have brought to gardening, which I have learned to do in a very low-cost/low=impact way.

[shadowmoss]

For me to tell you the difference between a Jackery and a Bluetti would be like trying to explain the difference between a Chevrolet and a GMC.  They do the same thing, the devil is in the details.  If you have someone local who is loyal to one brand or the other I'd go with that.  There is also something called an ecoflo? Ecoflow? And maybe others.  Whichever is cheaper that meets your needs, as in is big enough to power what you need and has the ports you need, will most likely be fine.  However, look around and ask questions.

The difference between a 12V fridge and a cooler with ice is that when used long term the 12V fridge will be cheaper than constantly buying ice.  No need to jump into that right now.  When the time comes you are fed up with buying ice you can look at fridges then.

Also, having several 12V and USB ports around the car is great.  Just remember that they run off the starter battery.  Be careful not to run it down using them when the engine isn't running.  This would be another point in favor of a hybrid vehicle ( not for you right now, of course) in that they can be set so the gas engine charges the battery even when not going down the road.  The use of the power station is to keep from running down the starter battery.  It can then be charged while driving or with a separate backpack/portable solar system.

One difference to look into with the power stations is the solar hookup situation.  I think my Bluetti station has to use proprietary solar setups from Bluetti, but I've seen Bob Wells videos testing different portable solar panels so I just don't know right now.  I'll research it more when I'm ready to buy the panels.

Anyone else who knows more about this stuff, please jump in.  I know just enough to be enthusiastic and possibly dangerous .

[shadowmoss]

Replying to myself to say Bob Wells just put out a video today explaining power stations.  He doesn't like Jackery, does like Bluetti and Ecoflow.  He does go into what to look at when sizing the power station so it does what you need.

https://youtu.be/DzhlXmSEVDg?si=L_IfjHvOCdv6uIC4

edited to add:  He also sort of describes a DC to DC charger (I think I know them as isolators...) which is something to look at so that the power station doesn't run your starter battery down.  I know, it's a lot.  Luckily you don't need it all right now, or maybe ever.

[lhamo]

My Cmax is a hybrid!

I think Bluetti is having a big sale during Prime Day.  Maybe I should go ahead and get one and try it out...

[shadowmoss]

Make sure it is big enough to do what you need.  Take the wattage of your CPAP and whatever else you plan to power, and multiply it by the hours you want to use it between charges and that is the needed watthours.  Also make sure the inverter (what changes the 12V to 120VAC) is big enough to power the wattage of your CPAP.

Cool Beans! your car is a hybrid.  That gives you a big margin of safety on all of this.

[Telecaster]

My wife and I have a rooftop tent, and we like it a lot.   There are some disadvantages, but the advantages are pretty good. 

--One of the main advantages it is easy to use normal bedding.  We use sheets and a down comforter.  I sleep way better that way than in a sleeping bag.

--it comes with a 4" foam pad, which is sufficient for us, but some people use inflatables on top that. 

--The ground is never lumpy, because you aren't on the ground.   You may have to level the vehicle, however (we use traction boards). 

--If you are doing dispersed camping, you only need enough space for the vehicle.  And you don't need to find a good spot for the tent.

--Deployment is faster than easier than a regular tent, and it can be done by one person.

There are some downsides too, but right now my wife is staying at her mother's and sleeping in the tent because it is more comfortable than a mattress on the floor in the house.  The top of the tent also has plenty of room for solar panels, which I don't use but plenty of people do and might be a good fit for your application.

Some rando camping thoughts in no order:  I've thought about going electric and the induction burner, but then you need the Jackery, etc.   So I'm sticking with propane for now.   A regular two burner Coleman type totally gets the job done.  Great stove. For camping at concerts and such I have big two burner Campchef (I like to cook and like to feed people) but that is way over kill in most cases.   Anyway, I use refillable 1 lb canisters like this: 

https://flameking.com/product/flmkng164lp/

They are about $30.  It takes about seven or eight refills before you break even over using those shitty disposable Coleman tanks.   Yes, some people refill them but that's stupid.   

For coffee, I use a moka pot (just as I do at home).  Works great. 

A collapsible fabric bowl for washing stuff is invaluable.   

I like having backups for my backups.   I always have several ways to start fire, same with can openers (P-38s cost less than a buck), and utility knives.  I never want to be in a position where I forgot something or something critical broke and I'm stuck. 

Learning to tie knots has been hugely beneficial for me.  I need to refresh occasionally (good to do while camping!), but very handy. 

Costco occasionally sells a rotomolded cooler (Coho brand) that is a carbon copy of a Yeti, but at about a third the price.   Sometimes they go on sale.   With good cooler management, I easily keep food as cold as it needs to be for five days without adding ice.  That eliminates the need (for me anyway) of a vehicle powered refrigerator.   

Speaking of Costco, Ecoflow is a Costco Next partner, and I've even seen Ecoflow stuff in Costco occasionally.  So definitely check there.  They sometimes go on sale as well.   

Yep, we did this too; easy to download when you get to a campsite after dark. We had one "tool" box, one "kitchen" box, and one "lake" box.
<snip>

- Road flares - instant camp fire, even with damp wood.

We have the "Kitchen Box" and everything else goes in the "Shit Box."   

Re: Road flares.   I grew up going on hunting and fishing trips with my dad and his friends and they commonly used road flares to start fires.   If it is cold and raining, hell yeah I'm using the flare. It is a good idea to have some flares anyway.    But you can make homemade firestarters yourself for a fraction of the cost and they work great.  My dad really hammered upon me that in the outdoors you must be able to make a fire in any condition at all times.  So a firestarter is a life safety item. 

The Mustachian take is you can easily make firestarters for dirt cheap.   There are a number of ways to do it, but in nutshell you simply dip cotton balls or cotton pads into a pot of melted paraffin and maybe some lighter fluid.   The balls will ignite easily, even if they are wet. 

[Just Joe]

We have a popup camper from the 1980s. It has always been a garage kept camper so it has aged well. Comfortable, etc. A/C works. I repaired the gas furnace for ~$120. Easy to tow with a V6 SUV. ~1300 lbs (Jayco 1008DD). There are smaller popup versions from different brands.

$750 purchase and I put another $750 into it in upgrades/maintenance. I won't suggest this only b/c setup and tear down is ~20 minutes or so with a bit of practice. I don't mind it.

If you like to move every night, you won't like this. Or maybe you will. Also can't stop along the way for a nap like a van or pickup truck conversion might allow.

Anyhow it sleeps 8 people! That is four adults and four children.  I know this isn't what you imagined. Just thought I'd throw that out there as food for thought.

Homebuilt options:
https://youtu.be/kIO0FdW_GHo
https://youtu.be/_mW6fvMlXxs

We also have owned a vintage VW camper van. Best benefit of a van is setup/teardown is quicker. Problem: need to teardown/setup every time you want to run to a store. Also, limited space if you have alot of camping gear. You may want to hide the contents so someone doesn't break-in to see what you have. I won't leave a campervan at a trail-head b/c it has all my stuff in it. On a group trip once, we returned to find everyone's vehicle had a smashed window. Oddly enough except mine. Missing were purses, tablets, etc.

The popup trailer is probably safer setup in a campground while your empty tow vehicle is at the trailhead. A soft side trailer though is zero protection for your expensive gear. Don't cut it, just push the fabric out of the groover along the door frame. Just push the fabric away from the door frame. Mine has a steel locker bolted to the floor under a seat that has proper locks. 

A Sprinter size van would be ideal but something smaller with a poptop for camping with the kids is easier to drive and live with the rest of the week. 

Another good solution would be a smallish cargo trailer with popout beds on each side. Can carry mtn bikes or a four wheeler (don't own one) or lawnmower (chores). Like the InTech Flyer series. Not sure I like the pricetag though it is better than last time I looked. Seems like a few years ago it was $10K more. Don't forget the used market for deals.

https://intech.com/rv/models/flyer/discover/

Once upon a time I did the homework to buy a small used cargo trailer similar in size to the InTech for ~$3500 and source the popout beds to retrofit the trailer. Something like <$6K if I did the work myself.

Whatever you do, consider your gear list. There are packing lists that can be downloaded for ideas. On a popup group I subscribe to online people will post questions about how people carry all the stuff on their trips. They post a few pictures and its clear that camping means alot of different things to different people.

I camp in the camper like I camp w/o the camper. Just have beds and in theory air conditioning (never camped in a campground with hookups). Other folks take toaster ovens, microwaves, coffee makers, portable grills, ice makers, bicycles, kayaks, canoes, etc. That all sounds fun too if it fits. My final camper upgrade project is a roof rack so we can take our mtn bikes ~x3.

[spartana]

My wife and I have a rooftop tent, and we like it a lot.   There are some disadvantages, but the advantages are pretty good. 

--One of the main advantages it is easy to use normal bedding.  We use sheets and a down comforter.  I sleep way better that way than in a sleeping bag.

--it comes with a 4" foam pad, which is sufficient for us, but some people use inflatables on top that. 

--The ground is never lumpy, because you aren't on the ground.   You may have to level the vehicle, however (we use traction boards). 

--If you are doing dispersed camping, you only need enough space for the vehicle.  And you don't need to find a good spot for the tent.

--Deployment is faster than easier than a regular tent, and it can be done by one person.

There are some downsides too, but right now my wife is staying at her mother's and sleeping in the tent because it is more comfortable than a mattress on the floor in the house.  The top of the tent also has plenty of room for solar panels, which I don't use but plenty of people do and might be a good fit for your application.

Some rando camping thoughts in no order:  I've thought about going electric and the induction burner, but then you need the Jackery, etc.   So I'm sticking with propane for now.   A regular two burner Coleman type totally gets the job done.  Great stove. For camping at concerts and such I have big two burner Campchef (I like to cook and like to feed people) but that is way over kill in most cases.   Anyway, I use refillable 1 lb canisters like this: 

https://flameking.com/product/flmkng164lp/

They are about $30.  It takes about seven or eight refills before you break even over using those shitty disposable Coleman tanks.   Yes, some people refill them but that's stupid.   

For coffee, I use a moka pot (just as I do at home).  Works great. 

A collapsible fabric bowl for washing stuff is invaluable.   

I like having backups for my backups.   I always have several ways to start fire, same with can openers (P-38s cost less than a buck), and utility knives.  I never want to be in a position where I forgot something or something critical broke and I'm stuck. 

Learning to tie knots has been hugely beneficial for me.  I need to refresh occasionally (good to do while camping!), but very handy. 

Costco occasionally sells a rotomolded cooler (Coho brand) that is a carbon copy of a Yeti, but at about a third the price.   Sometimes they go on sale.   With good cooler management, I easily keep food as cold as it needs to be for five days without adding ice.  That eliminates the need (for me anyway) of a vehicle powered refrigerator.   

Speaking of Costco, Ecoflow is a Costco Next partner, and I've even seen Ecoflow stuff in Costco occasionally.  So definitely check there.  They sometimes go on sale as well.   

Yep, we did this too; easy to download when you get to a campsite after dark. We had one "tool" box, one "kitchen" box, and one "lake" box.
<snip>

- Road flares - instant camp fire, even with damp wood.

We have the "Kitchen Box" and everything else goes in the "Shit Box."   

Re: Road flares.   I grew up going on hunting and fishing trips with my dad and his friends and they commonly used road flares to start fires.   If it is cold and raining, hell yeah I'm using the flare. It is a good idea to have some flares anyway.    But you can make homemade firestarters yourself for a fraction of the cost and they work great.  My dad really hammered upon me that in the outdoors you must be able to make a fire in any condition at all times.  So a firestarter is a life safety item. 

The Mustachian take is you can easily make firestarters for dirt cheap.   There are a number of ways to do it, but in nutshell you simply dip cotton balls or cotton pads into a pot of melted paraffin and maybe some lighter fluid.   The balls will ignite easily, even if they are wet.

Flip Pac roof top tents if you have a small truck like I did. Can stay inside the vehicle and plenty of room to stand and have everything you need and just sleep over the cab. But expensive and heavy.  Random online photos. Some are small some are Huge and pretty luxurious with built in cabinets etc in the truck bed.

[shadowmoss]

Wow!  I really like that.

[Telecaster]

I love it too!  The problem is you basically can't buy a small truck anymore.  Not new, anyway.    They are all crew cabs with short beds.   

[spartana]

^^^Smaller trucks are hard to find AND super expensive! Unfortunately all the newer trucks have crew cabs and 4 foot beds instead of single cabs or the extra can like I had on my (2) Rangers.. I'd love a Ford Maverick Hybrid but they only come in crew cabs with short beds. Newer Frontiers and Canyons have a extra cab version (and a crew cab) with 6 foot beds but $$$$!  For shorter trips solo I'm fine in a regular car but for extended trips I'd lime something I could sleep inside of comfortably and safely. Being a solo woman who camping  (although BF tags along sometimes now) isn't always the safest thing.

[sonofsven]

I love it too!  The problem is you basically can't buy a small truck anymore.  Not new, anyway.    They are all crew cabs with short beds.

You can still buy a smaller truck with a six foot bed; I bought one two years ago.
Frontier, Tacoma, Canyon, Ranger- all classed as midsize, but they're smaller than the full size versions. They don't get substantially better mpg than the full size, but I still prefer them. I'm on my 4th Nissan .
All come in extra cab with six foot beds.
I paid $34k for a 4x4 Frontier in '22, so you could probably find a used one in the 20's.
I looked at the Maverick but the bed was too small and the payload/towing capacity too low for me.
Toyota's are just too expensive, the Nissan's are just as good. Toyota excells at high resale value. And, they cost more.
If I was really on a budget I'd look at the first gen Frontier, 1998-2004, with low miles and a manual transmission, and four wheel drive. Very underrated. They came in a four or six cylinder. Some of the automatics had a problem where the trans could leak into the radiator, causing SMOD (strawberry milkshake of death), which was, uhh, not good!
I buy new because I work out of them and get a nice tax break.

[NorCal]

I'm responding here having read part of the thread, but probably missed a few things. 

My advice is to start adventuring with what you have, or with a few add-ons.  Camping is something that can be ridiculously cheap or stupid expensive.  It's up to you how expensive to make it.

For the few things you need, check with friends (borrowing), then check Goodwill, then check places like REI's used gear sale.  The goal when you start is to get going.  You'll find items you maybe want to spend more money on as you travel.  But you won't know what this is until after you've done it a few times. 

I'm someone that does now have some expensive camping gear, but it's been built up over 20+ years of camping and learning what's important to me.  I sleep in a $50 coleman tent while car-camping, but sleep on an expensive XPED mat (found used at REI).  I cook on an induction stove, and have a Yeti cooler.  I use kitchen utensils bought for $4 at goodwill (my plastic ones broke).  Some expensive items bring great value and some are pointless.

The things that add real expenses are vehicle enclosed spaces (vans/campers/etc) and stuff for ultralight backpacking.  I'd say you need to go camping for many weeks a year before you invest in vehicle upgrades.  Many people pay way too much money for such things before deciding that they're only going to use them a week a year.  Or less.  Go with the vehicle you have for at least a year before you make a financial commitment.  You'll probably also change your mind on what type of vehicle you want after being outside for enough time. 

When you are ready to make a commitment on a vehicle, look for anything that has a power outlet.  I have one now, and it makes a MASSIVE difference in camping.  I use the induction stove.  There's a coffee maker that lives in the car.  It would work well for your CPAP. 

[spartana]

I love it too!  The problem is you basically can't buy a small truck anymore.  Not new, anyway.    They are all crew cabs with short beds.

You can still buy a smaller truck with a six foot bed; I bought one two years ago.
Frontier, Tacoma, Canyon, Ranger- all classed as midsize, but they're smaller than the full size versions. They don't get substantially better mpg than the full size, but I still prefer them. I'm on my 4th Nissan .
All come in extra cab with six foot beds.
I paid $34k for a 4x4 Frontier in '22, so you could probably find a used one in the 20's.
I looked at the Maverick but the bed was too small and the payload/towing capacity too low for me.
Toyota's are just too expensive, the Nissan's are just as good. Toyota excells at high resale value. And, they cost more.
If I was really on a budget I'd look at the first gen Frontier, 1998-2004, with low miles and a manual transmission, and four wheel drive. Very underrated. They came in a four or six cylinder. Some of the automatics had a problem where the trans could leak into the radiator, causing SMOD (strawberry milkshake of death), which was, uhh, not good!
I buy new because I work out of them and get a nice tax break.

My sister had a 2000 manual 4 cylinder extra cab (king cab) Frontier she bought new and had it for 20 years until it got totalled. Well over 200k miles on it and zero problems. As I mentioned above she did a year long cross country and back solo camping trip in it plus numerous camping surfing/kayaking trips down to Mexico and elsewhere and ski trips to the Sierras - all mostly solo too. That thing just kept on going! She was constantly getting notes left on it even in 2020 asking her if shed sell for pretty high prices (and would probably still be high even that old and high mileage post pandemic. We are both basic campers and really didn't use electric sources for anything so not sure about that kind of thing in her frontier or my 2001 Ranger.

[ptobest]

What a great thread to read! I'm just getting started car camping, did a trip last month and hoping to do another soon. My new(ish) to me Subaru Crosstrek easily handles off-road situations that would have bottomed out my old VW, and for a single person who is 5'5", feels pretty spacious in the back (though I could see how someone a bit taller might struggle).

My sleeping setup is: foam workout mats as a base, then Therm-a-rest pad, then synthetic sleeping bag. I brought my own pillow from home because my car has space & it's comfy. Planning to add a single sheet to the mix for hot nights when I need *something* to cover me but certainly not a sleeping bag. My sleeping bag is rated to 20 degrees F, and I'm curious to see how cold outside I can comfortably sleep to (I've been as low as high 30s at this point), and if I can go lower by bringing a weighted blanket & throwing it on top (thinking in advance for some winter holiday travel).

Breeze is a struggle, when it's getting cooler outside at night but that air just isn't making it inside of the car. Curious if anyone has a good solution for a fan setup.

I have a 2 person tent, it's an automatic popup - setup is about 8 seconds and super easy, and takedown is 15 minutes of me cursing the tent as it keeps flipping out of my hand while I stare at the pictures in the instruction manual. Nice to sleep outside, but a pain if I'm only camping somewhere 1 night, and as a solo female traveler I'm only inclined to use it if I feel sufficiently safe in the location where I'm staying to the point where my anxiety regarding being safe won't keep me up all night.

For food prep I have a Korean single-burner butane stove, and really enjoyed the process of using it to make french press coffee & oatmeal in the mornings while sitting in nature.

I like to do water sports, my most recent trip I brought my (inflatable) kayak with me. Would like to take my SUP as well but will have to figure out space strategy in the vehicle to do this, invest in a topper for the car for storage, or cave to my desire to get a nice kayak that could live on the top of the car.

I'm dabbling at this car camping thing at this point and happy to get as many tips as I can, glad to see there's plenty of other on here interested in vehicle camping as well!

[Just Joe]

There are some creative fan solutions available. If you go to Amazon search for "car window fans for side windows". Open one window a little, blow cool air in, vent out the other side.

If you don't like to fund Jeff Bezos, I'm sure everything is available somewhere else. One way is to save a picture of what you want and do a reverse image search to find that item elsewhere on the web. Retailers often use the same stock photos.

A friend has a Ryobi fan that runs off of cordless tool batteries. That might be a solution to chase. Charge during the day while you drive using a car inverter.

I have a pair of 4" fans (one at work, one in our bedroom) that run on a single 18650 lithium cell. One came from WalMart, the other from Aldi. Very cheap.

They will run most of the day or most of the night on a charge. You can also run them while charging. Charges from a mini-USB cable. The bedroom fan travels with me. At my parents' house I can't charge my phone or fan conveniently b/c the bedroom 120V outlets are not convenient to the side table so I carry along a $20 15000mAh power bank that allows me to charge the phone and run the fan overnight (x2 USB ports). That gets me through a couple of nights on one charge. I'm usually not there more than that. Could charge the powerbank during the day.

A little fan like that works wonders on a hot night if you sleep in minimum sleep clothes. I'm a hot sleeper. Also makes just enough white noise which I also appreciate. At work whit enoise is important for concentration.

[Dicey]

I used to follow a vlog that I can't remember the name of. Every year they tried out a different set-up. They always used to say start small and use what you have. If writing this nudges something in my brain, I'll post a link.

[Telecaster]

My sleeping bag is rated to 20 degrees F, and I'm curious to see how cold outside I can comfortably sleep to (I've been as low as high 30s at this point), and if I can go lower by bringing a weighted blanket & throwing it on top (thinking in advance for some winter holiday travel).

This is probably won't work the way you want it to.     The way a sleeping bag works is the loft of the fill traps air, which is what provides insulation.  So if you compress the bag it loses its insulation ability.   You want the bag nice and fluffy.   What you can do if you want more warmth is to put the blanket inside the bag.   

[couponvan]

Ooh-I just want to follow to see your adventures! I did car camping solo as a 21 year old though out CA at campgrounds and my best suggestion was to scope out the “normal looking” couples and camp hosts at the campground and let them know that 1) you were solo camping and 2) would check in with them in the morning before leaving. They keep an eye out for you and by having a backup to the eye out, in case you are axe murdered they will report it.

My mom’s downstairs neighbor car camps solo throughout CA in her car (in her 70’s). She says a 4” foam mattress with washable (she sewed it herself) cover is her best advice. She sleeps better camping than at home. I hope I am adventurous at that age as well.

CPAP - my hubs invested in a travel 12v CPAP, which has been great for travel and battery usage.

[lhamo]

Thanks for all the additional information/feedback!

I charged up my Bluetti last night.  Nice little machine!  Once I figured out I needed to put the DC power on to charge my phone, it worked great.  I need to charge a bunch more stuff today to run down the battery a bit and then I'll get the solar panels out and see how/how well they work. 

I also took advantage of a Prime Day deal on a little self-contained water boiler.  It looks like a typical thermos, but it is basically a mini kettle.  It should make it super easy to make a nice cup of pourover coffee -- as well as things like instant soups, etc -- without hauling out the butane stove. 

Still need to get a fan, make window coverings, etc.  The AC went out in my house yesterday -- I think because of a dirty filter and I'm hoping once I change that it will work again.  But if not maybe I should just set the car up for sleeping sooner rather than later and start working out some of the inevitable kinks.  I've also talked with DD about checking out a place not far away that has yurts and camping and alpacas and other stuff.  Looks like it might be a good place for a Camp Mustache add on or alternative.  Anyhoo, was thinking she and her BF could sleep in the tent and I could sleep in the car.  Might try it out when my house is uninsulated (especially if I don't have AC back by then!)

https://pacaprideguestranch.com/

[Dicey]

Found this today. Some of it was consumerist BS, but there were some pretty intriguing, well-priced items on the list as well. What a nice surprise.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/products-that-make-camping-easier-ud_l_66981cbbe4b053ef7d6c5b83/amp

[lhamo]

I'm having my house rewired this week and since they had the power shut down all day yesterday to put in the new panel I took the opportunity to take the Bluetti for a little test drive. It successfully ran the fridge all day and only used up 2/3 of the battery juice!  Very good to know as we do sometimes get extended power outages with winter wind storms, etc.

I also took the solar panels out and experimented with recharging it that way.  The panels are quite big/heavy and I need to think if they are worth keeping and if so where to keep them in the car -- might be better to go to the smaller version for portability.  They were also quite slow -- only got from 32% charged to 49% charged in a bit over an hour, though the fact that it was late in the day may have been a factor.  In contrast, just driving down to my community garden and back (about 5 minutes drive each way) got me from 49% charged to 59% charged.  And plugging in at home charged fully in about 30 additional minutes.

Thinking about working on templates for blackout shades and making those with reflectix today, since I need to make a Home Depot run to get some light fixtures (rewire crew is down to install for me).

[the_hobbitish]

PTF mostly

SO and I are in the middle of building a truck camper setup on a 1990s ford350 flatbed. We got a flip out tent. I always knew this wouldn't be a frugal project, but I've had a lot of sticker shock. It does seem like every piece of gear has a $100s version and a $1000s version. If the model in the photos is a youngish male with military-esque/mountain man beard styling then I add a couple 1000 to what I think the price will be.

Does anyone have recommendations on toilet options? Some of the parks around moab have rules about packing out all your waste. The camping toilets I've seen online are really expensive. We're about settled on going with the 5 gallon bucket, fancy seat lid, and wood pellets. Then there's the whole question on pee separators. I'm fine with peeing in the woods, but when you're not allowed to pee in the woods what's the best mix of budget friendly comfort?

[NorCal]

Attaching camping gear to a vehicle is a good way to take camping gear that costs hundreds of dollars and turn it into something that costs thousands of dollars. Usually with limited increase in functionality.

I’ve had good luck with the toilet found at Cleanwaste.com. The bags are pricey, but they work. I don’t use too many bags, as it only comes out at campgrounds with limited toilet options.

[couponvan]

If you are at all handy with sewing, you can get a tent that is taller than your trunk opened and remove the back wall and create your own car tent with some strategic velcro.  We made a screen room for our travel trailer for very little money.  We rarely use it, though because I'm afraid of wind!

[therethere]

PTF mostly

SO and I are in the middle of building a truck camper setup on a 1990s ford350 flatbed. We got a flip out tent. I always knew this wouldn't be a frugal project, but I've had a lot of sticker shock. It does seem like every piece of gear has a $100s version and a $1000s version. If the model in the photos is a youngish male with military-esque/mountain man beard styling then I add a couple 1000 to what I think the price will be.

Does anyone have recommendations on toilet options? Some of the parks around moab have rules about packing out all your waste. The camping toilets I've seen online are really expensive. We're about settled on going with the 5 gallon bucket, fancy seat lid, and wood pellets. Then there's the whole question on pee separators. I'm fine with peeing in the woods, but when you're not allowed to pee in the woods what's the best mix of budget friendly comfort?

Where are you not allowed to pee in the woods? I've been dispersed camping for years out west and didn't know that was a thing. We use the same setup as you. And just do #1 before sitting down. Otherwise, I guess I'd get a second bucket with a SmartSeal lid (screw on waterproof lid) with some rv tank stuff. That's what we use when rafting.

[lhamo]

Several of the middle aged lady van/car life people I've seen on Youtube advocate using bedpan liners in a bucket for an easy/cheap toilet alternative.  SOme also use horse bedding pellets, but those come in 40lb bags so not ideal for a car camping situation.

[the_hobbitish]

The Maze part of canyonlands doesn't have any bathrooms and the permit says you have to pack out waste because of the type of earth crust formations. It doesn't say whether that's all waste or just #2. I haven't found anything online that confirms either way.

[the_hobbitish]

We splurged on our tent setup. We got a roofnest during one of the big sales. It's overkill and too heavy for regular car camping.
 We plan to overland for weeks at a time in places or cars couldn't go and move every couple nights so the benefits of quick setup made sense to us. There are definitely many ways to do it cheaper. This was more of the less expensive option compared to a slide in truck camper.

[jeninco]

This is great!

We were driving and camping in a 1974 Chevy Blazer (the kind with the fully removable roof -- we got a soft/convertible roof kit) until we had kids, then bought (new, with cash) a VW European with the weekender package. We're still using it a fair but, but the transmission is going...

Things we found that make life easier:

Pack your stuff in bins -- the easier you can make it to get things in/out of both storage and the car, the lower the energy barrier to going. We kept a bin that was the car kitchen, a couple empties for food (the VW has a rear deck, and we sized the bins so they fit neatly under that), and a bin of "misc camping gear" that included useful things that varied depending on the ages of our kids.

Everyone gets one duffle bag, which contains one dirty-clothes bag inside it.

Be sure to test out the sleeping plan. My DH really doesn't like feeling any rocks or sticks while he's sleeping (and thus uses a thicker-than-typical thermarest). I DGAC. If you leave the pads partway inflated in the morning, you can use them to shade/block your windows, which matters if you're in a place that's hot and/or sunny.

Use Ice blocks -- some grocery stores here sell I think 10 lb blocks of ice? (Maybe they're 15?). You can also buy dry ice if you're planning to be out for days and days, but be aware that using dry ice will do strange things to your beer. a block of ice and a bag of ice, along with strategic packing and careful cooler management (don't open it until you've thought through what you're getting and where it is!) generally gets us a week or so.  We also freeze not-quite-full 1 liter containers of water and use them as additional ice blocks -- as a bonus, you can drink them when they're mostly thawed! (We tend to camp in the high desert, so water is our limiting factor.)

Also, for desert camping in particular, having a place where you can get out of the wind and/or the gnats is really helpful in the case where one or the other of those is bad. The van works great for this, but pitching a tent in a sheltered spot will also work.

Fast-to-cook food is also just lovely. We sometimes planned for one dutch-oven dinner (which takes Hours to cook): if we take the dutch oven, we also take wood/charcoal and an old oil-pan to use as a firepan so there's no fire scar. But other evenings, we'd take: premade chili, and make nachos with chips, cheese, shredded carrots (dress with a sprinkle of vinegar), pickled jalapeños, salsa. Or instant refried or black beans, and make burritos. Or pesto and make a fast-cooking pasta, with some frozen green beans, for instance. We don't eat a lot of breakfasts, but sometimes I'll make granola bars ahead of time to cut down on the garbage.

We also upgraded to an Aeropress and a hand grinder (even at home) so we can have coffee by just boiling water: everything else is easy. Drip coffee works about the same.

We're trying to think of how to replace the European when the transmission dies, so I love the FlipTop tent. MrInCO has back problems, so being able to stand up while the vehicle is at rest is pretty important, but we live in the mountain west, so driving a high-profile vehicle in the wind is no fun (and sometimes both dangerous and prohibited).

[spartana]

Several of the middle aged lady van/car life people I've seen on Youtube advocate using bedpan liners in a bucket for an easy/cheap toilet alternative.  SOme also use horse bedding pellets, but those come in 40lb bags so not ideal for a car camping situation.

Cat litter? Also consider getting a small screen tent to sit inside if you are in an area with lots of bugs. Most are super light weight and fold up small. It makes eating, cooking and just hanging out a million times better then having to sit inside your car when bugs are bad.