I Turned My SUV Into a Camper Van for a Weekend for $50
The No-Build Build
I wanted the camper van experience without the cost or the complicated build. I decided to turn my SUV into a camper for a weekend trip. I just folded down the back seats, laid down a cheap foam mattress topper, and put up some simple, pre-made window covers that I bought online for privacy. For my “kitchen,” I used a simple plastic storage bin. That was it. No drills, no wood, no complicated construction. I had a comfortable, stealthy, and surprisingly spacious camper for a tiny fraction of the cost.
The One Piece of “Glamping” Gear That’s Actually Worth the Money
The Power of the Portable Power Station
I used to think that “glamping” gear was a waste of money. Then I invested in a small, portable power station, like a Jackery or an Anker. It was a complete game-changer. It’s essentially a giant, silent, fume-free battery that I can use to power my lights, charge my phone and my laptop, and even run a small electric cooler. It brought a level of comfort and convenience to my car camping setup that made every trip more enjoyable. It’s the one luxury item that is absolutely worth it.
How to Find Amazing, Free Car Camping Spots (No Reservation Needed)
The Magic of iOverlander
I was tired of paying for crowded, noisy campgrounds. I discovered a free app called iOverlander. It’s a crowd-sourced map of thousands of informal and wild campsites all over the world. The users leave reviews, photos, and information about each spot. Using this app, I have found stunning, completely free campsites on the edges of canyons, in beautiful national forests, and on secluded beaches, all without ever having to make a reservation. It’s the ultimate tool for the spontaneous road-tripper.
The Camp Kitchen “Box” That Revolutionized My Trip
Everything in its Right Place
My car camping kitchen used to be a chaotic mess of stuff thrown in a grocery bag. I built a “chuck box.” I took a simple, large plastic storage tote and organized all my kitchen gear inside it—my stove, my pots, my utensils, my spices. Now, when I get to camp, my entire kitchen is in one, easy-to-carry box. It’s organized, it’s efficient, and it makes cooking and cleaning up a breeze. It’s the most important organizational hack for any car camper.
Stop Buying Firewood: The “Swedish Fire Log” You Can Make in 2 Minutes
The One-Log Bonfire
I was tired of buying expensive bundles of firewood for my car camping trips. I learned how to make a “Swedish Fire Log.” You take a single, decent-sized log and, using a chainsaw or an axe, you cut a cross into the top, going about three-quarters of the way down. You then pour a little bit of cooking oil in the cracks and light it. The log burns from the inside out, creating a perfect, self-contained, long-lasting fire that you can even cook on top of.
The Most Comfortable Way to Sleep in Your Car
The Inflatable Mattress Secret
I tried sleeping directly on my folded-down car seats, and it was a lumpy, uncomfortable nightmare. The secret to a truly comfortable night’s sleep in a car is a dedicated inflatable mattress that is specifically designed to fit in the back of an SUV or a car. These mattresses have cutouts for the wheel wells and are shaped to fit the contours of your specific vehicle. They are relatively inexpensive and they turn the lumpy cargo area of your car into a perfectly flat and incredibly comfortable bed.
I Made a Gourmet Meal on a $15 Camp Stove
The Humble Butane Burner
I used to think camp cooking meant burnt hot dogs. I bought a cheap, single-burner butane stove for $15. It’s a simple, flat stove that is incredibly stable and has excellent flame control. That night at camp, I was able to properly sauté garlic and onions, simmer a delicious pasta sauce, and cook my noodles perfectly. It felt like I was cooking in a real kitchen. It proved that you don’t need a fancy, multi-burner propane stove to make incredible, gourmet-quality food in the outdoors.
The Car Camping Mistake That Attracts Bears
Your Toothpaste is a Tasty Treat
When I started car camping, I was meticulous about storing my food in a locked car. But I made a critical mistake: I kept my toiletries bag in my tent. I learned that bears are attracted not just to food, but to anything with a strong, pleasant smell. This includes toothpaste, deodorant, and soap. A bear’s sense of smell is so good that they will rip open a tent or a car to get to that minty-fresh “snack.” Now, everything with a scent goes in the bear-proof locker.
How to Power All Your Electronics While Camping for Free
The Power of the Sun
I wanted to keep my devices charged on longer camping trips without having to run my car. I invested in a small, foldable solar panel. It was a game-changer. I would just lay it out on my dashboard or on a rock during the day, and it would slowly but surely charge my portable power station. This gave me an endless, silent, and completely free source of electricity to power my lights and my devices, allowing me to stay off-grid for much longer.
The Best (And Cheapest) Way to Make Camp Coffee
The Aeropress Advantage
I tried cowboy coffee, I tried a French press, and I tried instant coffee. They were all either messy or disappointing. The best camp coffee solution I have ever found is the Aeropress. It’s a small, lightweight, and virtually indestructible plastic coffee maker. It makes a single, perfect, grit-free cup of coffee in about 60 seconds, and the cleanup is amazing—you just push the plunger, and the compressed puck of coffee grounds pops right out into the trash. It’s the perfect combination of quality and convenience for camping.