Car Camping Checklist for Couples (PDF): What you Actually Need

When we lived in our SUV for 2 years, people always asked us “Where did you keep all your stuff?”

And, to be honest, it was a LOT to keep track of!

We left towels, pillows, chargers, and food behind anytime we’d visit someone.

But, in time, we actually got really good at packing everything (and packing it fast) with our own car camping checklist.

And I want to share it with you because I know a checklist would have helped me a lot when I first started car camping!

Whether you’re going on a weekend trip or living in your SUV, this checklist will:

• Clarify what the essentials really are so you can pack faster
• Include gear that makes like comfier without being totally unnecessary
• Give you some basic storage tips

I will say – our actual checklist was a disorganized mess in our Notes app, but I’ve put it together in a PDF now so that you can use it.

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The Problem with Most Car Camping Lists

First, let’s clarify what car camping is.

Car camping doesn’t mean having your car is close by. Car camping is sleeping in your car.

That’s something a lot of people (and checklists online – like this one, which recommends packing a DUTCH OVEN) don’t get.

If car camping meant tent camping with your car nearby, you could fill your car up top to bottom with gear.

But actual car camping – sleeping in your car – requires a lot of thoughtful storing and quite a bit of minimalism.

Especially if it’s 2 people sleeping in there!

That’s why a packing list for car camping is so practical: you need very specific things but can’t have a lot of them.

The list helps keep you in check.

That was frustrating to me, especially when I was starting out my SUV camping journey. And it’s why I’m now creating all these car camping resources.

Now that I’ve lived in my SUV for 2 years, I know exactly what I actually needed and definitely didn’t need.

Car Camping Gear you Actually Need

The first things that should be on a car camping checklist are key items you really can’t go without.

Comfort and fun aside, these are the categories that CANNOT be left behind:

1. The Bed

Because where else would you sleep?

You need a mattress and bedding for car camping, but a good car camping sleep setup involves more than that for comfort.

You also need window covers and you might need plywood bed extenders.

2. The Kitchen

Because how will you make food while car camping?

Now, “kitchen” can mean a lot of things, but a good car camping kitchen is simple and doesn’t take much space.

To be honest, if you have a gas stove, pocket rocket, gas cannisters, and food… you’re mostly ready!

3. Storage Methods

Because car camping can get messy and disorganized QUICKLY!

We made a lot of storage mistakes over 2 years of car camping, but I feel like we had it down by the end.

You need mostly plastic bins for storage, as well as some bags and backpacks.

But these things are the bare minimum.

If you’re car camping for more than a few days (or full-time), you need some extra accessories to add a little bit of comfort and fun.

Car Camping Accessories that Make Life Better

The secret to long-term SUV camping is to love it.

You’re not going to last if you don’t love car camping… it can be uncomfortable.

But you’re out there to have a good time, after all!

These accessories are essential parts of our car camping checklist:

1. Gear for Lounging

Sometimes you camp next to a picnic table, but when you’re camping for free in the wild, you often have no amenities.

I seriously recommend investing in some good outdoor chairs.

We never got chairs, and it is the main thing I would have changed about our setup.

Our dream chairs are these Helinox chairs from REI.

A couple things I did use SO much were my French press and our Kindles.

2. What’s your “Why”?

Why are you going out car camping?

For us, it’s most often to rock climb, so we NEED our climbing gear.

You’re hiking? You NEED your boots and backpacks. You’re fishing? You need your gear… you get the point.

We usually aren’t car camping just to car camp. There’s almost always an activity behind it, and your gear for that is indispensable.

3. Safety on the Road

On the other side of fun and comfort is safety.

We always make sure we have a road safety kit, first aid kit, and spare tire and car jack.

But the only safety tool we’ve actually used a lot is our car battery jump starter + air compressor. I was surprised to find it’s actually a small device that’s easy to store.

And it’s that simple!

Of course, you’ll want to add some gear and amenities to suit your lifestyle.

But with my checklist, you’ll have everything you need to get going!

Grab the checklist here before you pack:

4 Practical Storage Tips

Here are some tips Lala and I learned about storing everything you own in your car.

• Don’t build a platform: If your back seats fold nearly flat, you really don’t need to build a sleeping platform. I honestly think it’s over-romanticized. It takes away storage space and living space, which you already have too little of.

• Use solid containers: We started our 2 years of SUV camping by storing all our kitchen and daily gear in individual backpacks and grocery bags. It was a mess! Plastic bins give you structure, and it is SO worth it.

• Separate by daily-use and “Every Once in a While:” Daily things went in the car, while things we didn’t use every day went in the cargo box. That cargo box held most of our stuff, to be honest… we couldn’t have car camped so long without it.

If you’re interested in how we stored everything in our Subaru Forester, check out my blog post on car camping storage!

Next Steps

• If you’re just now learning about car camping, consider reading my comprehensive guide to SUV camping that applies to all SUVs.
• If you’re ready to get your gear, check out my guides on how to set up your car camping kitchen or how to set up your SUV bed.
• If you’re ready to GO, download my car camping checklist below, pack your car and let me know how you adventure went!