10 Car Camping Items You Didn't Know You Needed

In this video I go over some car camping items that make trips just a little bit easier. Comment below if I missed some must-have items in this video.

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Intro music- 'Memories' by Sappheiros

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[rickpeoples]

Great video. Those hatch tents can get a little pricey, so I bought a free standing bug tent at a garage sale, removed the poles and cut it in half. All I had to do is add some elastic on the cut side and it fits my 4runner snug. The hatch holds up the top, I stake out the corners. Makes a huge difference on hot nights, and rolls up into nothing to store. I try to buy camping gear at garage sales, cheaper and keeps a lot of plastics out of the landfill.

[barbaragodwin]

When you freeze water in big gallon jugs, make it potable water. Saves having to carry extra drinking water.

[marygallagher]

After my first car camp trip, I bought a pop-up shower tent that also came with a foldable camp toilet. For this 69 yr old woman, peeing in the car and getting dressed there as well takes too much contortion!

[landroamer]

I always start off with everything in the car organized, but usually by the second day it looks like a tornado went through the back of the car

[nhungbui]

I share many items that you show here. I would add car window mesh for rear windows to have the windows down during the night and a little fan to provide some air circulation.

[gwb]

I make my own ice blocks. I take an empty gallon water jug and fill it almost to the top with tap water. Freeze it solid. Then put in cooler. It lasts a long time and cools cooler. You don't get any melted water in the cooler. When completely thawed you can use it as wash or drinking water!

[ImTheDudeMan]

I have a truck w shell topper. I pitch a large inexpensive tent, unload the cooler, stove, duffle bag, folding table and chairs into the tent. I sleep in the truck bed shell topper. It's great when windy and raining.

[nguyengineering]

A game changer for me was a cargo box on the roof. They are expensive new, but can be found second hand for a fraction of the price. Storing items up top gives you more space inside to set up a sleeping area, and you can carry dirty items up top that you don't want to bring inside the car. The aerodynamic style boxes don't make any noise on the road and hasn't effected my mpg enough to notice a difference.

[teacherjohnsadventure]

Nice video...I always carry a head light to use at night you can adjust the straps as needed and it helps when you need to leave your vehicle at night plus always carry a lighter and pocket knife...

[hoser]

Tips for lights. Luci solar lsnterns. Deflate them, leave on your car dash to charge any and all days for a reliable light.

[JustJoshInYa]

I'm living in my 2002 Tahoe and have been buying Ice from Walmart, so that Ice Tip alone was worth the video. I just though about it tonight but freezing individual bottles of water, then I seen this, so thank you!!

[wildman]

A block of ice certainly lasts longer than a bag of cubes. I've found that a well-rinsed milk jug, filled with water (leave room at the top for expansion!) then frozen - will give you cold drinking water once they start to thaw out.

[mrjeff]

1. Pay a visit to Harbor Freight and pick up a couple of the el cheapo moving blankets. Another helpful hint: Stop by Safeway, Krogers, WalMart, etc and acquire at least one 3 or 5 gallon food grade bucket (FREE) from the cake/donut bakery. A nice little Clorox wipe and rinse with fresh water and you have a potable water supply for camping. Great for the times you take Rover camping with you! Finally, the 5 gallon shower bags sitting on your pickup between the roof and shell really do get pretty warm for that shower time!

[lilylelob]

I simply freeze my bottles of drinking water, it saves space and money. You are very right: bigger blocks of ice last longer as functioning like a bigger thermostat. Just make sure you remove a small amount of water from each bottle to allow expansion

[theflatlandfanatic]

Great video. One thing I use instead of the expensive, outdoor rubber mats are padded moving blankets from Harbor Freight. A 6x8 (or so) blanket is about $6. They are padded for when you kick off your boots at the end of the day and dry quickly should they get wet. I was very glad to see you carry a paper map of your state. These are vital. I camp so many places where cell service is non-existent (even with my WeBoost) and I cannot pull up a gps map/location. Another tip along this line is to download a mapping app that allows you to download maps to your phone. Use an old phone and keep this mapping on it for when you need it. It won't show you your location, but you will at least have a map of the area. Safe travels!

[mbsekmp]

Yeah Frozen 1 gallon water bottles are way better than any type of ice cuz when it melts you can drink it

[prof.crastinator]

Tips: wool blanket, window covers, windshield reflector, portable charger at least 20k mah., buddy heater for cold winter nights, and getting a car that has completely fold down seats (like a pre 2010 honda element). I lived in my honda civic when I was 20- I had a gym membership for showers and grooming. I always chose industrial areas for low profile- but lived in a relatively safe area. I used many 12v accessories like fans and lights, but battery packs make that way easier now.
I also put an extra battery in the trunk that was parallel to my starting battery (with no fuse- I was 20 and dumb. Not smart to sleep with enclosed lead acid batteries as they offgas).

Now with solar and battery packs and sprinter style vans- I could see it being much easier than the miserable nights I had.

[DestinationsChronicles]

Yes, yes, yes on the block ice!! Also, I freeze things like Chili and Tri Tip (etc) Extra "ice" but is food later as it thaws using less space.

[wayneburbage]

Floor mat idea: Dollar tree carpet squares are neat in the van. I used to get out into Mt hood NF roads primitive areas past ripple brook frequently. LNT. I miss that. Keep up the good positive work.

[shawnstarr]

Portland native here. Just found ur channel! Nice to see people from my home state making great content!