2018 GMC Acadia on the road

How can I camp in my car?

Tips for camping in a car

Getting all of the gear you need to go camping can get expensive. To save money, and just to be more mobile, you can camp in your car! There are a few ways you can make your experience better, check out these tips!


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How to camp in your car

rear seats folded down in 2018 GMC Terrain

  • It’s all about the location. Whether you want to park your car at an actual campsite, or just want to camp out along your road trip route, finding the right location to park your car is key. If you are parking at a campsite, keep in mind the cost of reserving the site and be courteous of your camping neighbors by not leaving your engine running for too long. If you are camping along your travel route, there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure you are parking legally somewhere (truck stops and Wal-mart parking lots are typically good options), and if you are parked on an incline, turn your wheels and pull the emergency brake to avoid rolling, and make sure you sleep with your head on a higher incline than your feet.
  • It’s also all about the vehicle. Camping in compact sedans and smaller cars is not an ideal situation. Trucks and SUVs, on the other hand, are usually spacious enough to make a comfortable sleeping spot. Most of the time, putting your head toward the front of the car will give you more elbow room, because most cargo areas have wheel wells that cut into the interior space. Bringing a variety of blankets and pillows or a small air mattress (test it out beforehand to make sure it fits!) will help you get comfortable too.
  • Prepare for the trip like you would any other camping trip. Make sure you have the necessary amounts of food and water to last through your trip, a first aid kit, fire starting materials, bags for garbage, electronics chargers, flashlights, toiletries, clothes and more.
  • Make sure you can get fresh air. To avoid windows fogging up, you should create ventilation in your car by cracking the windows. To help keep bugs out, you can bring some mesh along with you, cut and secure it to cover each window.

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We hope these tips help you camp in your car safely. Let us know about your summer camping adventures in the comments section of this post! For all of your automotive needs, come to Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac today!