Car Camping for Beginners: What Fits Your Vehicle
Car camping starts with one question: where do you sleep? Truck bed, SUV cargo area, sedan, or tent beside the car each changes what you need. Here is how to decide.
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Gear guides for real bodies and real trips
Camping gear that fits every body and every situation.
Most gear guides are written for one average person with one average car. We answer the specific question: will this pack fit a short torso, will that tent fit your SUV, what does a four-year-old actually need. Based on specs, manufacturer fit notes and a lot of user reports, said plainly.
Women's and Plus-Size FitKids' Gear and CarriersCar, Truck and SUV CampingBig and Tall Fit
Three questions we answer first
Women's and Plus-Size FitPacks, bags, pads and boots for women and for short, tall or plus-size bodies: torso lengths, hip belts, sleeping bag girth and what actually fits.9 articles →Kids' Gear and CarriersCamping and hiking gear for babies, toddlers and kids by age band, plus child carrier packs: what to bring, what to skip and how long each piece lasts before they outgrow it.11 articles →Car, Truck and SUV CampingSleeping in or beside a vehicle: SUV tents, truck bed tents and caps, car mattresses, and the "will it fit my model" questions nobody answers.9 articles →Big and Tall FitCamping gear sized for tall and heavy adults: sleeping bag length, cot weight capacity, chair ratings and large boot sizes, read from the specs.3 articles →
Latest articles
Car Camping in Winter Without a Heater
A parked car holds almost no heat, so sleep as you would in a tent: a pad with R-value 5 or more, a 0F bag, covered windows, one cracked. Never run the engine for warmth.
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Is Sleeping in a Car Warmer Than a Tent? Usually Not
Both leak heat. An unheated car measured 2 to 24F above outside air; a tent adds about 5F. Glass and steel make the tent warmer unless it is windy or wet.
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How to Keep a Toddler Contained While Camping: What Works
Pop-up pen, panel fence, activity seat or harness: which contains a toddler at each stage, when each stops working, and the campsite fire, water and road rules.
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Camping Chair for Heavy People: 500 lb Ratings, Wide Seats
Standard camp chairs are rated about 250 to 300 lb. For a 300 lb person buy 500 lb or more, then check the armrest gap: the strongest chairs are not the widest.
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Best Camping Cot for Big and Tall: Length, Width and Weight
Add 5 inches to your height for length and 100 lb to your weight for the rating. Which big and tall camping cots actually clear those numbers, from the specs.
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Sleeping Bag for Tall People: Which Size Fits Over 6 ft
Regular bags fit to 6 ft and Long to 6 ft 6 in at the brands we checked, so a 6 ft man buys Long. Above that: 7 ft bags, X-Long quilts and 84 to 98 in bags.
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Camping With a Baby in Cold Weather: Layers and Sleep
Keep a baby warm camping with a foam pad under the crib, a wool or fleece base layer, footed fleece and a cold-rated wearable sleep bag. No loose blankets, no shared bag.
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Best Camping Cot for Kids: Sizes, Sides and Weight Limits
A kids' camping cot should sit under 12 inches off the ground, hold 75 lb or more, and fit the tent with room to walk. Under 4 and rolling? Mesh sides, or stay on a pad.
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