Car Camping in An SUV: Setup, Space and Gear
WildFinder SUV Tent
$119.99An SUV or tailgate tent attaches around the open hatch, adding a room to an SUV. Check the listing's fit notes against your exact model.
Check price on AmazonSpecsSUVs are the sweet spot for car camping: enough cargo floor for one or two people to sleep inside with the rear seats folded, a tailgate that an SUV tent can wrap around, and room for a family load behind row two when you pitch a tent instead.
| Cargo behind row 2 | 30 to 40 cu ft |
|---|---|
| Cargo with rear seats folded | 65 to 80 cu ft |
| Typical sleeping length | about 5.5 to 6.5 ft with the rear seats folded and the front seats slid forward |
| Couple's camping load | 18.7 cu ft packed: it fits, with 8 cu ft spare |
| Family of four load | 32.2 cu ft packed: over by about 6 cu ft |
Typical ranges for the class, not a specific model. Load volumes are estimates from typical packed sizes, via the cargo calculator.
How do you set up an SUV for camping?
- Fold the rear seats and check whether the floor is flat; many are angled a few degrees, which a thick self-inflating pad or a folded blanket under the seat backs levels out.
- Park nose-uphill slightly so your head is higher than your feet.
- Crack two windows diagonally opposite and fit mesh window socks, or condensation will soak the headliner by morning.
SUV and tailgate tents for an SUV
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
What should you sleep on in an SUV?
Measure the floor with the seats folded before buying anything. A thick self-inflating pad (3 to 4 inches) follows small slopes and steps in the folded seats better than an air mattress, and insulates the cold floor. SUV-specific air mattresses that fill the rear footwell suit people who want the widest bed and do not mind the pump. Either way, add a foam layer when nights drop below about 50F: the car floor is cold.
Pads and mattresses for the cargo floor
Screens, shades and comfort
Includes listings made for the SUV; confirm the model years on the listing.
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 an SUV?
Yes. Typical sleeping length is about 5.5 to 6.5 ft with the rear seats folded and the front seats slid forward. Measure your own from the tailgate to the back of the front seats with them slid forward, then pick a pad or mattress about 2 inches shorter. Ventilate with two windows cracked behind mesh screens, and never idle a gas engine for heat while you sleep.
Will a family camping load fit in an SUV?
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. SUV usable cargo is about 26 cu ft by our estimate, so it runs about 6 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 an SUV?
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.