Camping trips can take you to some of the most amazing locations worldwide. If you prepare for your trip ahead of time, you can ensure that you get there and back without any problems.
With all preparation, one of the most important parts is deciding how to get there. If you’re planning on taking your car, SUV, or even a mini-van on your camping trip, it’s important to make sure that it’s suitable for the journey.
If you don’t own a vehicle that is suited for camping, you may want to consider renting a vehicle that can handle the road conditions that might be unsuitable for some vehicles and living arrangements while you are camping.
Small sedans or hatchbacks are easy-to-park vehicles that are ideal if you’re using your vehicle as transportation rather than a dedicated campervan, since they may not have enough interior space to accommodate luggage for a weekend away. As they tend to be smaller in stature, these vehicles can also handle narrow back country roads more easily than larger vehicles.
The other downside to them is that their compact size means they don’t offer much in terms of sleeping arrangements. They may also not be suitable for taller drivers who may not fit comfortably while sleeping or behind the wheel.
SUVs are no longer considered gas-guzzling behemoths and some of their big tires provide better traction on slippery or uneven surfaces, and their high ground clearance keeps them from getting hung up on bumps or even rocks on the back road that you might be traveling to for your camping destination.
The Honda Element is one monster of an SUV when it comes to outdoor recreation with its stain-resistant seating and washable floors. The height of this vehicle allows for more storage and larger items like coolers, chairs, grilling equipment, and other must-haves while you are camping.
You can get a fully loaded Nissan Juke all-wheel drive with enough power to tow up to 2,500 pounds and plenty of storage space behind its rear seats as well as under its floorboards for more camping supplies.
If you are planning a camping trip with a large family or group of friends, then you should consider investing in a full-size van. A full-size van will offer more interior space for storage than any other vehicle and it even can handle some off-road terrain thanks to its raised ride height. But most full-size vans are not designed for camping, and they might not be ideal if you plan on sleeping in them.
The Honda Ridgeline drives like an SUV but with the convenience of a pick-up truck. With four doors and a truckbed to boot, this is the ideal option for heavy packers looking to hit the road without the hassle of the packing process since you can place most of your supplies in the bed of the truck. Honda kept campers in mind as they offer a specialized fitted tent that fits inside the truck bed, making it one of the best cars to sleep in for camping.
A Jeep Wrangler is in a league of its own for the outdoors and is one of the few vehicles that probably will perform better on the off-roads than it will on the highway. Jeep offers an array of camping accessories, including air beds, hammocks, and even tents, and beats all the cars on the market for camping.
A large rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive pickup truck are essential for those who love to get out into nature often and head off on their camping adventures. A large truck will hold plenty of supplies and equipment, letting you take almost anything that you might need along with you.
If you are going to be traveling on rugged terrain, opting for 4WD may make sense. But keep in mind that these types of trucks tend to cost more than their 2WD counterparts.
While picking up the right vehicle for your trip is very important, what is even more critical for a perfect trip is finding a great camping site and enjoying your time outdoors camping.
Don’t forget to get all of your camping supplies. You can read the Top 31 Practical Gifts for Hikers & Campers and get some ideas and places like Walmart offer a wide variety of camping supplies.
