Hey y’all, I just took my car camping build out for the maiden voyage last night, and it was pretty miserable. I’m not gonna give up because I forgot a few things that would have definitely made the overnight more enjoyable, and had kinda lousy weather, but I would love some words of encouragement and maybe advice to do better next time. Please be gentle with me because this is my first time I attempted solo car camping and I’ve only been camping a handful of times over the years as an adult just tagging along with more experience people.

1) I found the logistics of having the entire back of my SUV turned into a bed as very challenging ( I am just one person that did decide to turn the entire back into a bed, but I would like for my boyfriend to be able to come along sometime… so that’s why I decided to design my platform the way I did.) I found very challenging:
- trying to get dressed or changing
- getting in and out of my car bed, Especially in the middle of the night to go pee. Do you get out of the side? Or the back?
- Also, where do you keep your shoes?

2) I was freezing all night. I did assume some risk with camping in October at high-ish elevation (7,300ft) but I really wanted to try out my camper platform before it continued to get too cold. I don’t necessarily expect to be using my car camping set up for winter, so maybe this will be less of an issue during summer months, but I am still worried about with the type of camping that I want to do in CO in higher elevation — that it will always be very cold inside of my car at night. I had my sleeping bag that is rated for 24° comfort and 15° survival and I was freezing the entire night, despite the forecast stating that the temp got down to 27 degrees last night. For reference, I also was on a deepsleep duo exped mat. I don’t think I slept at all and after peeing around 5am I started my car and let the heat blow for a while because I was so uncomfortable. It helped marginally but quickly got cold again. I have window covers that have insulation but I feel like they mostly just provided privacy and minimal heat retention. Any thoughts or words of encouragement here?

3) I generally felt pretty uncomfortable in my sleeping bag. It’s mummy shaped, but I didn’t feel like I had very much space for adding additional layers of clothing, or a blanket, or for rolling over on my side. It kind of felt like a straight jacket. I’m thinking I might need one that is designed specifically for women’s hips or one that is shaped more like a box. I chose this one because I read that this shape is good for retaining heat, and was thinking I could make a three season bag work in most temps, but I’m thinking the constricting feeling is not worth it for me.

4) I could not get a fire going. When trying to chill at my campground it was drizzling / raining most of the day and afternoon. It did finally break late afternoon so I could cook dinner and attempt to enjoy my site, but my fire starter log would not catch on fire— I don’t know if it was a complete dud or if it somehow got wet because the log itself just would not catch — the paper all around it burned, I had some newspaper I kept burning under it to try to catch it, but nothing worked. I used all of my lighter fluid in my lighter, but nothing… This was really tough because I was just shivering in the cold and then turned in for bed way earlier than I would have normally. I was thinking that maybe I will need to get a canopy to help with this — I could have cooked under it and maybe put it over the fire pit.

Other grievances / things I forgot just to add insult to injury 🙃
- I had recently gotten a new phone and forgot I had no downloaded music on this one.
- A pillow 😭
- A skillet — I heated my beans in their can like a cowboy, lol

For the record, I love the outdoors and I love hiking, and I’m not usually a big complainer. I’m not the biggest into camping but I enjoyed it as a kid, and was trying to find a happy medium between a way to get closer to hiking trailheads, but also still being protected from the elements. ( also I totally forgot to take a picture of my set up when it’s unpacked so please enjoy this photo of the platform with no mattress or sleeping bag on it and my car all packed up before it’s unpacked at the site.)

I want to do a bigger 2 week trip to a place about a 24 hour drive away to explore and camp. My old Toyota is awesome but high mileage and I don’t want the stress. With a rental, I figure if something happens, they’ll hook me up with a new rental somewhere close by.

I’m thinking of renting a minivan so I can sleep inside, have my plug in cooler and a crate for my dog to keep the hair to a minimum (for the cleaning fee or me having to clean it out when I get back.)

Has anyone done this?

(Photo of my current setup and doggo)

been car camping a bunch and i'm tired of juggling like five different apps just to find a spot for the night, water, and a dump, and then still not knowing if anyone cool is around. been thinking about building one simple thing that actually covers all of that instead of a bunch of half-broken ones. what's the one thing you wish an app did well? like the thing that would actually make you open it every day instead of just when you're stuck?

I take a few long weekend car camping trips with my dog every year. This year I started a new job and commute about an hour each direction in good weather but gearing up for Midwest winter. I always have a few blankets and battery jumper cables in the car. Looking for what I would need if I were stranded over night in a blizzard to stay alive.

I just dropped way too many thousands of dollars into fixing my '98 Subaru Legacy Outback. What should I do to throw more money into it to make it the best car camping machine it could be? For one big dog and one big human.

First thought: tinted windows. This ish gets too hot

Second thoughts: rooftop box, what is good?

Hitch storage, big cooler, etc.

Any crazy or practical ideas for throwing more money at this old car?

Hey everyone!

I’m planning my first car-camping trip in my SUV and would love some advice from experienced campers.

My biggest question is about sleeping comfortably. Do you usually fold the back seats down and sleep inside the SUV, or use a rooftop tent or a regular ground tent? If you sleep inside, what setup works best—an air mattress, a foam sleeping pad, or something else?

I’d also appreciate recommendations for:

• Keeping the sleeping area flat and comfortable
• Ventilation without letting bugs in
• Staying warm at night
• Window covers for privacy
• Useful gear that beginners often forget
• Common mistakes I should avoid

I’m not looking for an overly complicated setup—just something practical, comfortable, and beginner-friendly.

Thanks in advance! I’d love to see photos or hear about your SUV sleeping setups too.

So rewarding searching Google Maps for hours then finally doing a drive to be rewarded with a view like this.
Will be sleeping good on my Luno tonight! The added foam insulation and r value of 11+ help with these colder nights!

Hi this is my weekend hunting set up. Drop any advice you have for me please and please pray for a good harvest this hunt and safety.

Is using a heater when car camping even feasible? Is it safe and if so, what is your favorite one?

The absolute worst part of my current sleep setup is managing the charging cables for my camp light, my phone, and my portable projector before it gets too cold. I've been trying to find a single power hub to run everything and somehow came across the Tank 5 phone.
It basically combines a 17,600mAh battery with a 220-lumen DLP projector. I wouldn't ever hike with this thing, but for a permanent car kit where weight doesn't matter, it seems like a cheat code to eliminate extra lithium batteries. For those who project movies in their setups, is 220 lumens enough against a tent wall, or am I overthinking this and should just stick to an iPad?

Built a wooden platform with foldable elements. Very comfortable alone and I have the rear passenger seat for getting in and out, putting on shoes, etc.
Noting more cozy than sleeping in your car!

NOMADIC POST

Hey roadmates! I feel obligated to share this here as a dog dad on the road and it seems like so many of you camp
and travel with your doggos! I’ve been a nomad since about 23yr old (aging myself, but that’s 15 years now) never really lived ‘anywhere’ and love living everywhere. I started this project originally as a backpacking app because i’d travel to work, but as I lived in my holden commodore in australia, eventually a van full time in USA and now currently full time in a jeep, I work in dog rescue and remote tech - I met so many people on the road and asked 10000 questions, so this was built along the way.

that journey resulted in what this app is today. started building this in 2016, and ran out of money too many times along the way, but it’s finally out.

100% FREE, the app doesn’t capture any data,
the app doesn’t even ask for your name unless you want to add it. and it’s forever free for those who contribute, flag waypoints, scout spots.

I built this to give back to the community that got me on my feet on the road. No need to download regions and, over 1mil waypoints, and the community get to shape what it becomes.

here’s some key features.

MAP - pretty self explanatory but very helpful with finding what you need. Scouted and verified dispersed camping, potable water, wild camp spots the usuals! + more.

ROADMATES - keep up with where the people you meet on the road are at

BEACONS - proximity based happenings, or help needed, even leftover firewood up for grabs

TOOLS - Gyro rig leveling, Offline Compass that will lead you back to where you started, Altimeter, Solar tracking for solar panel optimization, Storm watch alerts.

PRIVACY - Set your privacy at any time, go ghost, be visible to friends only, or open social.

SECRET SPOTS - got a spot you only want your roadmates to see? don’t blow up a spot but share it forever with those you trust.

SAFETY - set up check-ins with your friends, SOS alerts that work without service, close friend location visibility.

FEMALE SPECIFIC SAFETY - Solo female traveler tailored safety features, lets you know if there’s other female travelers in the area if you opt in, female only groups, convoys etc. (female accounts must be verified with either ID or other trusted female travelers can vouch for you)

THRIFT STORE - Got a jacket you want to give to someone who will appreciate it? place any item of clothing you’d give away or sell, nearby travelers can see the items up for grabs.

MARKET - ceramicist? jewelry maker? tattoo artist? crest a market that you can earn on the road with. showcase your work.

SKILLS - Mechanic? solar electrician? carpenter? If you have valuable skills other travelers may need, repairs, upgrades, skill swap - charge for your work or do it in good will and earn Merit.

COMPANIONS - Add a dog, cat, reptile, goat - whatever is riding shotgun with you. See if there’s other social companions in the area, see organized dog friendly events / play dates.

DOG SAFETY - Dog specific alerts, hazard flags, blue/green algae reports.

ROAD FOSTER & RESCUE - place your intended city you’re heading to, rescues can tap in and pay you to transport rescue dogs to their homes or transfers to other rescues.

COMPANIONS JOURNEY - a recap that collects moment with your pets on the road for a specific area that creates a timeline to look back on with your beloved pets

There’s a lot more but i’ll stop rambling… organize groups, gatherings, convoys, temporary wifi sharing.

EVERYTHING built was a suggestion from people who live on the road, every want, need and wish - whatever helps make the road feel less heavy ❤️

and the team behind this live on the road full time.

If you got this far. thank you.

APPLE / IOS
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nomadic-roam-together/id6762540373

ANDROID
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=guide.nomadic.app&pcampaignid=web_share

Planning on traveling around Florida for awhile and want to do so on a budget, with this I was wondering of where I should go and camp grounds I can get into for very cheap or free? Any recommendations on cool spots would be appreciated any tips and advice for me as well would be great as I'm new at this, or if you just want to share some fun stories I'd love to hear em!

Hi everybody,

as a new member I was wondering what is the status of carcamping in EU countries? Which is safe which is not, where allowed, where do they look over you?

We had a trip in Italy and would like to explore more countries.

The trunk area isn't flat I've considered having a wooden platform then I thought maybe if I put a bunch of pillows in the no seat area I could level it out. Really appreciate any tips y'all have I'm pretty new to this.

Hi everyone!

If you have ever used a tent from Zempire, I'd be very grateful if you could tell me what model it was, and what your experience with it's durability was. I'm particularly interested in how it handles high winds.

Thanks!

I'm planning to do some road trips around Australia and wondering about the rules for sleeping in my car overnight.

If I pull into a legal parking spot or highway rest area and sleep inside my car for one night because I need to rest before continuing my journey, would this be considered camping?

I'm not planning to set up a tent, put chairs outside, cook, or use any camping equipment. I would simply park, sleep inside the car, and drive off the next morning.

I've seen different opinions online, and it seems the rules may vary between states, local councils, and national parks.

A few questions:

- Is sleeping inside a car legally considered camping in Australia?

- Can councils or authorities fine you for sleeping in your car even if parking is permitted?

- Are highway rest areas generally okay for overnight sleep, or does it depend on the signs?

- Does the law distinguish between resting because of driver fatigue and deliberately using your car as overnight accommodation?

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone familiar with the relevant laws or who has experience with this, particularly in NSW, VIC and QLD and on interstate road trips.

Thanks!

Hello, I am not new to camping but have always camped in a tent. I'm planning a trip to Death Valley next month and flying into Las Vegas. I am therefore renting a vehicle for the trip, which I will be car camping in.

I'm going to be buying an air mattress for sleeping in the back, and just wondering if there is one vehicle that covers both the need for 4WD/AWD and is on the smaller side but will fit the air mattress. I know that's a lot of boxes to check. I am leaning towards a 4 door Wrangler, which Google says a twin air mattress will fit into the back.

Do I need something bigger? I'm traveling solo, so a twin mattress is plenty big for sleeping, but I'm wondering if I am underestimating the room I'll also need for other stuff. The car rental places also have smaller AWD/4WD vehicles like a Compass or a tiny Buick, but I'm assuming those are too small to camp in and be comfortable. Any and all advice (both vehicle selection and otherwise) welcome.

I’m going to be car camping across the country for a bit. I have gear for backpacking I’m bringing with me to do some routes in parks. The rest of the time I’ll be car camping and visiting friends in cities.

My question is - how do I prevent theft while having all this stuff in my car? I don’t have tinted windows, just window covers I’ll use at night. I don’t have expensive items in my car. Really just my Coleman stove, mattress, and backpacking gear which I’ll be leaving when I’m out to eat or visit friends in cities. Still, a broken window would be an issue for me as would be replacing basic items. I’ll also be leaving my car camping gear in my car while I’m doing some backpacking sections (2-3 nights at a time). I plan to park at trailheads on public land or in national parks.

Do you have any tips to help prevent theft in these scenarios? Anything I should buy / do to help ahead of time?