Camping trips can take you to some of the most amazing locations worldwide. If you prepare for your trip ahead of time, you can ensure you get there and back without any problems.
Decide what to camp in
With all the preparation, one of the most important parts is deciding how to get there. If you’re planning on taking your car, SUV, or even a mini-van on your camping trip, it’s important to make sure that it’s suitable for the journey.
If you don’t own a suitable vehicle for camping, you may want to consider renting one that can handle the road conditions that might be unsuitable for some vehicles and living arrangements while you are camping. Devices for emergencies, such as a tire inflator, are also important to bring along on the trip.
Small sedans or hatchbacks are easy-to-park vehicles that are ideal if you’re using your vehicle as transportation rather than a dedicated campervan. Since they may not have enough interior space to accommodate luggage for a weekend away, these vehicles tend to be smaller in stature. They can also handle narrow back country roads more easily than larger vehicles.
The other downside is that their compact size means they offer little in terms of sleeping arrangements. They may also be unsuitable for taller drivers who may not fit comfortably while sleeping or behind the wheel.
Use an SUV for your camping trip
SUVs like the Mazda CX-70 Crossover are no longer considered gas-guzzling behemoths, and some of their big tires provide better traction on slippery or uneven surfaces, and their high ground clearance keeps them from getting hung up on bumps or even rocks on the back road that you might be traveling to for your camping destination.
The Honda Element is a monster SUV for outdoor recreation, with its stain-resistant seating and washable floors. Its height allows for more storage and larger items like coolers, chairs, grilling equipment, and other must-haves while camping.
You can get a fully loaded Nissan Juke with all-wheel drive, enough power to tow up to 2,500 pounds, and plenty of storage space behind its rear seats and under its floorboards for more camping supplies.
How many people are on your camping trip?
If you plan a camping trip with a large family or group of friends, you should consider investing in a full-size van. A full-size van offers more interior storage space than any other vehicle, and thanks to its raised ride height, it can even handle some off-road terrain. But most full-size vans are not designed for camping, and they might not be ideal if you plan on sleeping in them.
The Honda Ridgeline drives like an SUV but with the convenience of a pick-up truck. With four doors and a truckbed to boot, this is the ideal option for heavy packers looking to hit the road without the hassle of packing since you can place most of your supplies in the truck’s bed. Honda also kept campers in mind, offering a specialized fitted tent that fits inside the truck bed, making it one of the best cars to sleep in for camping.
A Jeep Wrangler is in a league of its own for the outdoors and is one of the few vehicles that will probably perform better on the off-roads than it will on the highway. Jeep offers an array of camping accessories, including air beds, hammocks, and even tents, and it beats all the cars on the market for camping.
A large rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive pickup truck are essential for those who love to get out into nature often and head off on camping adventures. A large truck will hold plenty of supplies and equipment, allowing you to take almost anything that you might need along with you.
If you plan to travel on rugged terrain, opting for 4WD may make sense. However, keep in mind that these types of trucks tend to cost more than their 2WD counterparts.
Don’t forget about the tech conveniences
You also might want to consider power for phones or laptops, and the Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station is a perfect solution. It can power up your devices wherever you go or during emergencies.
Find the right place
While picking up the right vehicle for your trip is very important, what is even more critical for a perfect trip is finding a great camping site and enjoying your time outdoors camping.
Don’t forget to get all of your camping supplies. You can read the Top 31 Practical Gifts for Hikers & Campers and get some ideas and places like Walmart offer a wide variety of camping supplies.
