Top 10 Items
for SUV Camping
When we were preparing to hit the road, we had no idea what we would need! We watched countless Youtube videos, read several articles, and brainstormed our own list based on the things we knew would help keep us comfortable. At the end of the day, we purchased some things we did not need and missed others that we now could not imagine camping without!
Here’s our complete list of our favorite items we have purchased for camping in our RAV4 that we use every time we head out on a road trip!
Curious about SUV Camping? Head over to our SUV Camper Build Guide to get started!
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Milliard Tri-Fold Mattress
When we first set out on the road, we purchased several mattress toppers, thinking they would be less expensive and easy to maneuver. We were wrong. They were not comfortable & we kept purchasing “just one more” to help us achieve a more comfortable night’s sleep. At the end of the day, we wasted $75 and should have just purchased this Milliard mattress from the beginning! It made a HUGE difference in our quality of sleep from the first night we used it! I would highly recommend going ahead and upgrading the mattress rather than spending money on a cheaper, uncomfortable option. As a note: We did take the foam out of this and cut it to size with a box cutter because we wanted it to fill the entire bed platform. Make sure to measure your platform and adjust accordingly!
Total Cost for 1 Mattress: $149.99
Honeywell Personal Fans
These fans are a game changer for night’s where the weather is a little less than cool! These specific Honeywell fans have a USB plug, allowing them to run off of a rechargeable battery throughout the night. We loop a bungee cable through the hook, plug in a battery, and hang up the fan so that we can circulate cooler air while we are sleeping! While there are other brands on the market, we once bought a different personal fan which immediately started smoking. Yikes. This fan, however, has worked perfectly for over 2 years!
Total Cost for 2 Fans: $25.98
Microfiber Towels
When occupying a space that is a bit on the…smol side, it’s important to have quick dry towels if you plan to shower! The towels that we bought are out of stick, but these quick-dry towels are very similar. We bought for our first trip and have loved them. They are also a bit on the small side, so if having a full sized towel is a non-negotiable to you, then I would recommend going with another option. Nonetheless, they are compact, dry very quickly, and are quite inexpensive!
Total Cost for 2 Towels: $17.48
Drawer Bins
We purchased these Better Homes & Gardens fabric bins to slide underneath our platforms and serve as “drawers” for our clothing (& anything else we want to store under there!). They are 6” tall, allowing them to fit perfectly underneath our 6.5” platform and they actually store a surprising amount of clothing! I have found that 2 bins work perfectly for about 1.5-2 weeks worth of non-bulky clothing without having to rewear anything!
Total Cost for 4 Bins (2 2-packs): $21.26
Mesh Window Screens
These EcoNour mesh window screens are a must-have for car camping! If you don’t buy anything else, buy mesh window screens (& the Milliard mattress!). These screens allow you to crack your windows which is important for air circulation & ventilation, while keeping bugs out AND even doubling as a window shade for extra privacy. It’s a win win. To use these screens, you simply open the car door, slide the screen over the entire door frame, close the door, & crack the windows! Easy peasy. We use these screens every single time we camp.
Total Cost for 2 Screens: $11.99
Small Cooler
We looked everywhere to find a small cooler that fit perfectly both behind our seat AND within the width of the platform legs. This small, inexpensive cooler was the perfect size and it does not contain a spout, making it a great option for preventing leaks. It does not have a ton of room, but it is perfect for storing a few things that you want to keep cool.
Total Cost for 1 Cooler: $10.88
Dashboard Shade
While not a necessity, this dashboard shade is helpful in providing a bit of extra privacy as you have been sleeping at night. We love this specific shade because it folds nicely and the straps help keep it from unfolding while traveling. We put the shade up at night so we can relax without worrying about people spying on us!
Total Cost for 1 Dashboard Shade: $15.99
Bungee Cords
This purchase is one that has ended up being incredibly handy to have and it fits perfectly in the “garage” area of the back of our RAV4 (this is what I lovingly call the small inset pocket on the right side). We have found a multitude of uses for these cables, including using it as a clothing line to hang dry our towels and other items, as a strap for securing items while on the road, and as a cable for hanging our personal fans so that they can keep our faces cool throughout warm camping nights. We will always bring a few mixed-size bungee cables on the road!
Total Cost for 1 pack of bungee cords: $5.89
Power Banks
This is something that we already had in our possession before we started camping, so we are all in on this item for $0! Small power banks that will last at least 8 hours without needing a recharge will allow you to run your personal fans throughout the night. These banks also give you a great option for charging your phone or other small electronics while sleeping or even on a hike! Recharge them while on the road (or hanging out at a campsite if you have electricity!).
Total Cost for 2 power banks: $17.99
Portable Lantern
While phone flashlights will help do the trick, it’s helpful to have a lantern in the back of your car to make it easy to maneuver as you settle in the for the night. Having a lantern in the back also makes it easy to read while on the road without having to hold your flashlight the entire time! The lantern we have was purchased at a dollar store (for $5!) and is no longer available, but this lantern is similar.
Total Cost for 1 portable lantern: $13.97
Honorable Mention: Electric Kettle
We are coffee fiends, so we were desperate for a solution to make our own coffee while on the road. While we could start a campfire each morning, this felt a bit cumbersome with the length of our trip. Ultimately, we decided to purchase this Hamilton Beach 1L electric kettle and we have not been disappointed! Even if your campsite does not have electricity, we have only stayed at one campground thus far that did not have any electricity available at the facilities. This item is a bit bulky, but it is a perfect road trip companion if you need your caffeine in the mornings like we do.
Total Cost for 1 electric kettle: $19.96
Ready to hit the road in your built-out SUV camper? Check out our destination guides for road trip ideas & what we spent in our first month on the road for an idea of what to budget for full-time travel in an SUV camper.
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