Car camping charts

Updated 2026-09-24 · Researched from published specs and verified owner reviews

• Camp chair weight capacity chartRated weight capacity by camp chair style, from standard folding chairs around 250 lb up to oversized heavy-duty chairs rated 500 lb.
• Car cargo volume chartTypical cargo volume behind row 2 and behind row 1 by vehicle class, plus how much of that space you can actually pack for a car camping trip.
• Cooler size chartHow many quarts you actually need by group size and trip length, plus can capacity and typical exterior dimensions for every common cooler size.
• Ice retention chartAdvertised ice retention days rarely match real-world results. Here is the honest gap by cooler type, and the packing factors that matter more than the brand.
• Propane burn time chartHow long a 1 lb propane cylinder or a 20 lb tank actually lasts at different burner outputs, plus butane canister comparisons.
• Sleeping bag temperature chartEN/ISO 23537 comfort and limit ratings explained, plus the working rule for picking a bag: choose one rated about 10F below your expected low.
• Sleeping pad R-value chartThe ASTM F3340 R-value scale tells you exactly how much pad insulation you need for a given overnight low. Here is the full chart plus real pads by R-value.
• Tent size chartManufacturers rate tents at roughly 16 sq ft of floor per person, but comfortable car camping needs closer to 30 sq ft per adult. Here is the real chart.

Researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures are published specifications or clearly labelled conventions; check your own gear's manual and your campground's rules.