http://www.gocarcamping.com/Car-Camping-Checklist.html Get a complete list of everything you need for your car camping trip - without overloading you car. Checklist includes important outdoors items like safety gear, supplies for an emergency - or to prevent one, things for unexpected weather and more. A camping vacation can quickly go sour when you don't have the right items - whether it's too much or too little. This checklist covers not only the items you want to have with you, but where to find the best prices and how to find lightweight and compact options that are easy to carry and can actually fit in your car. There are even specialty car camping tents and heated sleeping blankets designed for camping in your car. Need more space and want to know how you can convert your van into an inexpensive camper? The camper van conversion guide will show you how. You can download the checklist for free.

2. CAR CAMPING CHECKLIST
the stuff you need to bring - without breaking your car,
or the bank

3. CAR CAMPING TENTS
Sportz SUV Tent: The Sportz SUV Tent goes one step beyond the standard tent. It
attaches and wraps around the cargo area of your SUV, which gives you extra sleeping
space and convenient vehicle access from within the tent.
You can sleep 5-6 people in the tent itself, plus the additional vehicle sleeping space. It
comes with an attached screen room to keep flying insects out and make your trip
more pleasant. The screen room can also be easily detached if not needed. In addition,
the tent can be used separate from your SUV, so you have lots of options with just one
tent.
Other features include large entryways, windows and skylights to bring the outdoors
in. There is a rain fly that comes with the tent for added protection from rain, and
although the tent gives you lots of space, it's easy to set up.Sportz SUV Tent with
Screen Room
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Car-Camping-Tents.html

4. SLEEPING BAGS
Suisse Sport Ultra Compactable Sleeping Bag: This
super small and lightweight (2.9lbs) sleeping bag is
designed for size and weight conscious hikers, but
can come in very handy for car campers who are
short on space. If you are hiking, you can easily fit it
in your hiking pack.
Although lightweight, the Suisse Sport Adventure
sleeping bag still provides plenty of warmth for
spring, summer and fall camping trips, with materials
that ad up to a 30-degree F temperature rating.
And you can throw it in the washing machine.
Resource & More Information: http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Sleeping-Bags-for-Car-
Camping.html

5. SLEEPING PADS
ALPS Self-Inflating Air Pad: Whether you are sleeping in a tent or in the back of your truck, getting
a good night's sleep while car camping takes some getting used to. A large air mattress is
cumbersome and takes up space, but the ground can get cold and difficult to sleep on - and can
ruin a vacation.
Lightweight sleeping pads are comfortable and take up very little space. They are easy to transport
and take seconds to set up (and break down). The self-inflating type is the way to go - once you
try one, you'll never go back.
The air pads are durable and can last a long time, and are well worth the money spent for the
number of times you can use them. A repair patch kit comes standard with many air pads /
sleeping pads just in case you need it.
The ALPS Mountaineering Air Pad is weighs less than other sleeping pads because it is considered
a "short air pad", being only 4 feet in length. This makes it a great pad for those who plan on hiking
with their sleeping pads or or need lightweight gear that doesn't take up much space.
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Self-Inflating-Air-Pad.html

6. HEATED TRAVEL BLANKETS
RoadPro Heated Polar Fleece Blanket: The nights can get cold when you're
camping, even if you're not traveling in freezing temperatures. A heated
blanket is nice for sleeping, but you don't need to be sleeping to use it.
Heated blankets are a small price to pay for a large amount of comfort
they provide, especially if you plan to camp regularly. It plugs directly into
the lighter socket in your car and has a 8-foot power cord, so you can
easily move the blanket where needed.
It doesn't draw much energy, so you can sleep knowing it won't drain your
car engine battery. It folds up and doesn't take up much space when you're
not using it.
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Heated-
Travel-Blanket.html

7. PORTABLE CHAIRS & STOOLS
Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler:
When it comes to car camping, chairs are
considered an essential item to have by most.You
have a variety of options for different purposes
and the storage space available. The nice thing is
that camping chairs can be used over and over
again for all sorts of events and activities, so they
quickly pay for themselves. Now, you just need to
decide which style is best for you.
Collapsible Stool:You don't get any back support,
but this is a cheap seating option that you can use
virtually anywhere. Handy carrying strap for easy
transport and folds up small.
Comared to other larger chairs, this
smaller stool can be more easily transported on
your back if you are hiking fishing.
Resource & More Information: http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Car-Camping-
Chairs.html

8. CAMPING STOVES
Coleman 2-Burner Camping Stove: This Coleman 2-burner propane stove
makes campside cooking easy.You don't need a match to light the burners, and
the stove has a built-in windbreak to keep the burners lit and cooking your
food.
As usual, Coleman thought beyond just the task at hand. They did a great job
with the design, as it is easy to clean and transport (it folds, small, latches shut
and comes with a carrying handle).
The stove's 10,000 BTU burners are adjustable and the cooker advertises a
"PerfectHeat" technology for faster cooking time. Multiple burners allow for
quicker cooking as well. With this handy gadget, you can feel like you are
camping out while still enjoying the conveniences of a home stove.
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Coleman-2-
Burner-Stove.html

9. COOKWARE
Camping Cookware Pots & Pans Set: This
cookware is hard anodized, meaning it's
abrasion-resistant. It is twice as hard as
stainless steel and the surface cooks food
evenly. The pots are durable and long-lasting, a
feature many campers like.
In addition to being tough and durable, the
cookware is convenient to use. The pots and
pans are fairly lightweight and have a non-
stick interior surface which make them easy
to cook on and clean. The pot handles stay
cool while cooking and fold for easy
transport.
Ideal for 2-person cooking, but can easily
handle cooking for 4 people.
Resource & More Information: http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Camping-
Cookware.html

10. CAMPING COFFEE MAKERS
Coleman Camping Coffee Maker: With the
Coleman Camping Coffee Maker, you can go
camping and still have a great cup of morning
coffee without the hassles of a drip filter or a
french press. With easy set-up, easy clean up and
delicious coffee, it's hard to turn this one down.
The coffee maker is designed to work on op of
your camp stove burner (ideally the Coleman 2-
or 3-burner stove) and it can brew up to 10
cups of coffee at a time. It takes approximately
10 minutes to brew an entire pot, and the coffee
maker has similar features to those you would
find on your home coffee maker.
Not only can it be used for coffee - but you can
use it at night for tea or hot chocolate.
Resource: & More Information http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Camping-Coffee-
Maker.html

11. CAMPING DISHES
Coleman Camping Dishes & Utensils: You could
pack up paper plates and plastic forks, but
camping dishes are worth the money. Not only
can use use them over and over again, they hold
with heavier or liquid items and hot surfaces.
This 4-person set works for camping, but also for
picnics, tailgaters, outdoor concerts and even in
your back yard. The set includes four 10-inch
dinner plates, four 10-ounce mugs, and four 6-
inch bowls, 4 knives, 4 spoons, and 4 forks.
The red-speckled enamel dinnerware surface
holds up to heavy use, and you can conveniently
throw it in the dishwasher. Like most other
Coleman gear, it comes with a compact carrying
case, so you don't need to figure out how to
store it.
Resource: & More Information http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Camping-Dishes-and-
Camping-Utensils.html

12. METAL SKEWERS
What's a camping trip without a cookout over a campfire? Kids love
this stuff.
With this metal skewer set, you can cook virtually anything - with
ease.You don't have to worry about too few skewers, skewers that are
too short or skewers that you can't hold because they get too hot.
This set includes four 22-inch picnic forks, two 33-inch hot dog forks,
two extension forks (up to 32 inches long) and one hot dog roaster.
Quality, chrome-plated steel construction.
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Metal-
Skewers.html

13. THE CAR COOLER
The Koolatron Voyager: The Koolatron Voyager thermoelectric cooler keeps your food and
beverages cool without requiring ice restocking. Plug it into your vehicle's 12-volt lighter
socket, and keep items at about 40-45 degrees cooler than the air temperature outside the
cooler.
Save time and money by keeping food cool and drinks cool - and not having to stop all the
time to buy food, or worse yet -eat out!
Drinks can be kept cool for weeks at a time, save leftovers without having to throw food out,
and have ice cubes on hand when you need them. The Koolatron works for you 24 hours a
day. Imagine that!
And if that wasn't enough, you can also use the Voyager to heat food up to 130 to 140 degrees
F. While you're not camping, you can use it for tailgate parties, boating excursions, other road
trips (even on your patio or deck at home) where you want to keep food hot or cold. Talk
about spoiling yourself!
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Koolatron-Voyager-Cooler.html

14. LANTERNS & HEADLAMPS
Coleman Rechargeable Lantern: Forget spending
more on batteries than you did on your lantern -
the Coleman Rechargeable Lantern gives up to nine
hours of light on a single charge.
You can, of course, charge your lantern at home, but
the lantern can also be re-charged while you are
camping - from the lighter socket in your car. The
cord is included to recharge in a 12-volt DC power
port. (Another nice feature is the built-in nightlight).
Resource & More Information: http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Coleman-Rechargeable-
Lantern.html
The Streamline Enduro Headlamp: Headlamps are a
great accessory for campers, as they give you hand-
free lighting at night. So convenient, they are often
used instead of flashlights.
Resource & More Information: http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Streamlight-Enduro-
Headlamp.html

15. SURVIVAL KITS
Off-Road Survival Kit: Be prepared for
unexpected situations while camping, because
they will most likely happen. When you have
tools on hand to handle circumstances that you
didn't predict, a small condition doesn't turn into
a big problem.
With gadgets like a saw, flashlight, cutter, axe, first
aid kit or small shovel, you are able to tackle
tasks that you might not otherwise have a chance
at. If you need to chop wood for a campfire, you
won't get the job done with a kitchen knife.
You don't need much, and of course you don't
want your tools to take up lots of space. The
Gerber Off Road Survival Kit has taken this into
consideration and put everything campers might
need into a compact case for travel.
Resource & More Information: http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Off-Road-Survival-
Kit.html

16. PEPPER SPRAY
Sabre Red Compact Pepper Spray: Part of survivin' when you're camping is
protectin' yourself in hazardous situations. If you can prevent a bad situation
from getting worse - or avoid a bad situation altogether - why not? And speaking
of hazardous situations, you don't have to be car camping to be in one.
If you're looking for a simple form of protection, you can't get much cheaper and
easier than a full-stength pepper spray in a compact container that gives you up
to 25 shots per container - AND shoots up to 10 feet!
It comes with a 4-year expiration date, so you don't need to go shooting it off
right away, especially if you are in Michigan, Hawaii, New York or Washington
DC, because it can't be shipped there due to state laws.
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Pepper-Spray.html

17. GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
Waterproof Earthmate GPS: The Earthmate PN-40 is a high-
performance handheld GPS with up-to-date DeLorme Topo USA
topographic maps, color aerial imagery, USGS 7.5-min. topographic
quad maps and NOAA nautical charts. It's fast, easy to use, has
tons of features and is customizable to the user's needs.
This GPS unit is tough enough to stand up all sorts of weather and
conditions such as rain, humidity, extreme cold, vibration from off-
road driving.
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/
Waterproof-Hiking-GPS.html

18. FIRE STARTERS
Magnesium Fire Starter: An emergency fire
starter is good to have on hand, even if you
have waterproof matches. It's cheap, small
and lasts a long time. This one even comes
on a keychain, so you can always have it
handy when you need it.
The magnesium fire starter comes with a 3"
by 1" piece of magnesium, flint and serrated
striker. The fire starter works by shaving a
small amount of magnesium onto a pile of
kindling, leaves, grass, etc.. with the serrated
end of the striker.You then strike the flint
with the striker and let the sparks fall on
the shaved magnesium to start the fire.
Resource & More Information: http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Fire-Starter.html

19. WATER PURIFIERS
Water Disinfectant with Iodine Crystals: You may
have fresh clean water available where you are
camping, but what if your only option is that
nearby creek? It's important to be able to purify or
disinfact your water, as drinking bad water can
really ruin a camping trip.
Polar Pure Water Disinfectant is simple to use. It is
a liquid solution that you can carry with you, and it
destroys waterborne pathogens, including Giardia
and microorganisms when you add it to water. The
small bottle treats up to 2,000 quarts of water, and
the product had a super long shelf life, so you can
keep using it for a long time.You can measure the
solution using the bottle cap.
Even with a great water filter, you'll find it difficult
to destroy water-borne pathogens, including
Giardia cysts that can pass through really small
filters. This disinfectant destroys these hazards with
the power of pure Iodine Crystalline.
Resource & More Information: http://
www.gocarcamping.com/Water-Disinfectant.html

20. HYDRATION PACKS
Camelbak Hydration Pack: A hydration pack is ideal for hands-free free hiking trips,
with storage for water and other small items. It also carries much more water than
a regular water bottle. For example, the Cambelbak Rogue has a 70 ounce water
capacity, where a traditional water bottle might only hold 24 to 30 ounces.
There are so many hydration packs on the market, it can be overwhelming when
shopping for one. Start by deciding on how much water capacity and storage space
you need, and then look for packs that match your needs.
You want to also make sure that the hydration pack fits and is comfortable, and then
you want to look for additional features that you may like. For example, this pack
has a front strap that holds the pack in place, a mesh back panel to ventilate and
keep you cooler and organized storage.
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Hydration-Packs-for-
Hiking.html

21. SUN SHOWERS
Stearns Sun Shower: If you are camping in a campground that lacks a shower facility, or
you are hiking in the wilderness where there are no showers available, the solar sun
shower can be the ideal solution. Keep in mind that if you want a warm shower, you will
need some sun.
Just fill up the four gallon bag with water, and lay it out in the sunshine. When you are
ready for a shower, just hang up the bag on a tree branch or other tall object. We used
the roof rack on our truck. One side of the bag is clear plastic to let the sunlight in,
while the reverse side is black, to absorb the heat. Some bags have a temperature gauge
right on the bag, so you can see how warm the water is before you take your shower.
Twist the nozzle on the end of the shower arm to release water. Adjust the water
pressure to the desired strength and wash up. The movable and flexible arm makes
showering easy. The four gallon bag provides approximately 3-4 showers.
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Sun-Shower-for-Car-
Camping.html

22. DISPOSABLE URINALS
Travel John Disposable Urinal: Will you always have a bathroom nearby where you
are camping? With some popular campgrounds, facilities are numerous, but out in the
wilderness, make it easy on yourself and get some sort of disposable urinal or
commode.
TravelJohn disposable urinals are convenient, unisexed, sanitary, personal urinals. They
contain "Liqsorb", which is a biodegradable pouch with a substance that absorbs
liquid waste and stops bacterial growth fast. Liquid waste is then turned into a spill-
proof gel for easy and safe disposal.
Use the TravelJohn and throw it away without hassling with messy clean up. Come to
think of it, TravelJohn could come in handy in more situations than just camping -
traffic jams, boating, hunting, golfing, biking, hiking or very unsanitary public restrooms.
Resource & More Information: http://www.gocarcamping.com/Travel-John-Disposable-
Urinal.html

23. NOW GET CAMPING!
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