Six car camping essentials

Imagine a sunset-soaked evening enjoying a gurgling stream with a campfire warmly crackling in front of you. Car camping lets you drive and park right at your campsite, saving you both time and effort for the entire event. 

Unlike tent camping or backpacking, car camping allows for more luxuries and a shorter packing list.  

When you’re camping, it’s not always about what you have planned. Rather, it’s how you react to any situation you find yourself in. 

Consider the Boy Scout motto: Be prepared. That statement has stood the test of time for a reason! 

Here’s a list of six car camping essentials to keep in your car for enjoyment, emergencies, and cleaning up after your getaway.

First aid kit 

Nearly half of Americans are unprepared for emergencies with a first aid kit.  

Whether camping or not, having one in your vehicle is a responsible measure for many occasions. Cuts, bug bites, or other minor accidents can occur anywhere. 

First aid kits range in size and can be great for the glove box or perfect for the back of the trunk. 

Extra batteries 

Judging how long a set of AA or portable batteries lasts is mental math you shouldn’t have to stress over. Whether used for lanterns, fans, or portable chargers, you don’t want to run your car for hours to get light or to charge your phone.  

Like the first aid kit, keeping these in your car regularly is never a bad idea. Especially when the chances of finding a wall outlet are pretty slim.  

Car air mattress 

Car camping is generally defined as being able to park at your campground. Too many bugs or rain, however, could keep your getaway less outdoorsy and turn your vehicle into your tent for the weekend. 

An inflatable car air mattress makes sure your sleep isn’t something you need to worry about. And if things clear up, it could always fit in the tent too!  

Since most air mattresses collapse and store well, keeping this car camping essential on the packing list is a good idea.  

Trash bags and plastic bags 

Have leftover food you need to store in the cooler? Or what if the kids find something cool by the river, and you don’t want it getting sand all over the car?  

Or, even worse, your clothes get soaked, and you don’t want everything to smell like wet socks?  

Extra trash bags and resealable bags are car camping essentials in a league of their own. Stuff a few in the side pockets of your car doors, and you’re good to go.  

Tommy’s Express Interior Detail Kit  

Long weekends spent outdoors tend to bring in a lot of unwanted dirt, grime, and smudges in your car, especially with kiddos.  

Come prepared and keep cleanup simple with a Tommy’s Express Interior Detail Kit. It comes with surface and glass cleaners in case of spills and smudges, plus a super absorbent microfiber towel.  

The air fresheners are a plus for the long, potentially smelly drive back to civilization.  

Where do you purchase a Tommy’s Express Detail Kit? Your local wash will have them for sale onsite. You can also purchase them online.  

Duct Tape 

Let’s face it, if something goes wrong on a camping trip, there’s a good chance duct tape can fix it.  

Be sure to have a fresh roll in your car for tent mishaps, clothing tears, or makeshift shelter building for the adventurous. The endless colors and patterns can make it fun for the kids to pick out too. 

We hope these six car camping essentials help you get your brain and backpack in a good place for your next adventure. Being prepared can save you time and frustration.  

It lets you spend more time doing what you want outdoors, even when the unexpected happens.  

Keep us in mind on the way back home if your car comes back wearing more of the dirt road than you’d prefer.  

We’re happy to see a filthy car after a long, wonderful weekend, and get it cleaned up and ready for whatever your week holds.

Happy camping season from Tommy’s Express!