Car Camping in A Jeep Wrangler: Setup, Space and Gear
WildFinder SUV Tent
$119.99An SUV or tailgate tent attaches around the open hatch, adding a room to a Jeep Wrangler. Check the listing's fit notes against your exact model.
Check price on AmazonSpecsThe Wrangler Unlimited has respectable cargo volume but a short floor, so most owners sleep in a tent beside it and use the Jeep as a gear locker.
| Cargo behind row 2 | about 31.7 cu ft |
|---|---|
| Cargo with rear seats folded | about 72.4 cu ft |
| Couple's camping load | 19.6 cu ft packed: it fits, with 4 cu ft spare |
| Family of four load | 32.2 cu ft packed: over by about 9 cu ft |
Manufacturer-published figures for the JL, 2018 on Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, rounded; they vary by trim, moonroof and year, so check your manual. Load volumes are estimates from typical packed sizes, via the cargo calculator.
How do you set up a Jeep Wrangler for camping?
- A tailgate or SUV tent that wraps the swing gate gives you a covered kitchen and gear area.
- Soft tops are not weatherproof enough to sleep inside through a storm.
- The two-door Wrangler has far less space: plan on a roof or hitch carrier.
SUV and tailgate tents for a Jeep Wrangler
WOLFWILL SUV Tailgate Tent with Awning Waterproof SUV Tents for$61.95Check priceSpec sheet
Economical Car Camping Tent$89.99Check price
Napier Sportz Cove$111.98Check price- WildFinder SUV Tent$119.99Check priceSpec sheet
TIMBER RIDGE 5-9 Person SUV Tent with Screen Porch and Awning for$229.99Check priceSpec sheet
Napier Sportz SUV Tent$399.99Check priceSpec sheet
Where do you sleep with a Jeep Wrangler?
Pitch a tent beside the vehicle and use a Jeep Wrangler as your gear locker and rain shelter. A 4-person dome is the right size for two adults, and the tent size calculator covers larger groups.
Tents and pads
TaskStar 4" Self Inflating Sleeping Pad for Camping with Pillow$49.99Check priceSpec sheet
UNP 6 Person Tents for Camping Waterproof Family Cabin Tent with$129.99Check priceSpec sheet
Coleman Skydome Dark Room 4/6/8/10 Person Camping Tent with Rainfly$179.95Check priceSpec sheet
Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad$449.95Check price
Screens, shades and comfort
Extra cargo space
A roof box needs crossbars and your vehicle's roof load limit; a hitch carrier needs a receiver.
Keep planning
Frequently asked questions
Can you sleep in a Jeep Wrangler?
Not comfortably for most adults. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited campers usually pitch a tent beside the vehicle or use a tailgate tent, and use the cabin as a gear locker and rain shelter.
Will a family camping load fit in a Jeep Wrangler?
A family-of-four load of a 6-person tent, two coolers, four chairs, bags, pads, stove, table and duffels comes to about 32.2 cu ft packed. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited usable cargo is about 23 cu ft by our estimate, so it runs about 9 cu ft over: a rooftop cargo box of 14 to 18 cu ft usually solves it.
Is it safe to run the engine while sleeping in a Jeep Wrangler?
Do not idle a gas or diesel engine for heat or air conditioning while you sleep. Exhaust can leak into the cabin, and snow or a nearby wall can trap it, and carbon monoxide is odourless. Use insulation, a warm bag and a pad for cold, and a battery fan and window screens for heat. Carry a battery carbon monoxide detector either way.
Get the car camping checklist
One printable page: the full packing checklist plus our three complete setups with current prices. No sales sequence.
Used only to send the list. You can also read every setup free on this site.Researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures are published specifications or clearly labelled conventions; check your own gear's manual and your campground's rules.