Camping trips are always fun, but you have far more options when you plan on bringing a large vehicle. In addition to bringing your standard gear, like tents and sleeping bags, you can bring larger items that will make your camping trip more fun.
Here are 6 ideas to get started:
A fire pit
You can’t go camping without having a fire, but space is usually an issue. When you’re backpacking, you can’t expect to have room for anything more than a simple, small fire ring. When you’re camping with a bunch of people, however, it’s nice to be able to have a bigger fire.
Depending on where you camp, you might not want to build a traditional campfire right on the ground. A fire pit will be easier to contain, manage, and clean up, but the only way that will work is if you bring a large vehicle.
Is it worth bringing a fire pit to your campsite? Absolutely. Imagine how much fun it will be to build a fire quickly with no need to hunt for rocks and haul them over to your campsite.
Firewood
When you’re driving a large car, you’ll have room for some firewood, which will help you build a strong fire quickly. Sometimes it’s fun to gather branches and dead pieces of wood onsite, but it can also be exhausting.
If you arrive at your campsite close to the evening time, you’ll have an easier time building your first nightly fire when you already have seasoned firewood to burn.
A car mattress
One of the biggest advantages of having a large vehicle is the ability to sleep in the car comfortably. You can’t really do that in a small sedan, especially when you’re tall. You really need the length of a truck bed or the back of an SUV to stretch out and sleep well.
If you have back problems or can’t sleep on the ground for any other reason, you won’t be comfortable in a standard tent. You may not even be able to get into a tent suspended in the air between a couple of trees. The ultimate solution is to use an inflatable car mattress.
You can get a special inflatable mattress built to fit into the exact dimensions of your vehicle. These work for both SUVs and trucks, and they’re pretty affordable.
Even if you prefer sleeping in a tent, you might have a friend or family member who can’t sleep on the ground. At the very least, bring a car mattress for them so they don’t have to miss out on the trip.
A tarp and cordage
If you plan on sleeping in the back of your truck out in the open, you’ll have to change your plans if it starts raining. Weather predictions aren’t always accurate, and things can change at the last minute.
Bring a tarp, cordage, and bungee cords with you on any camping trip where you plan on sleeping out in the open just in case you need to shelter from rain or even snow.
It’s technically always a good idea to bring tarps and cordage for your camping trips. If it rains and you want to build a fire and sit outside to talk, you’ll be glad you brought a tarp or two.
A thick smell-proof metal trash can
When it comes to trash and camping, you can’t risk leaving any of it around where wild animals can smell it. The traditional trick is to tie your trash bag closed, put a rope around it, and hoist it up over a tree limb as high as possible. However, that’s inconvenient when you’re camping for a few days.
If you can find the right style that comes with a tight-fitting lid, take a metal trash can to your campsite so you can dispose of your trash easily. Some animals might be able to smell the trash through the metal, so keep it a good distance away from your campsite just in case.
Stools or folding chairs
Sitting around a campfire is fun, but it’s hard to sit on the ground sometimes. When you have a larger vehicle, you can load up some comfortable chairs for everyone to use outside.
Make your next camping trip amazing
Next time you go camping, use some of these ideas to make your trip more fun. Whether you’re hauling stuff in a trailer with a hitch, or you’re looking for a little more comfort, your next camping trip will be amazing.