53 Item Guide for Car Camping Beginners
A couple weeks ago I lost my mind and decided extended car camping (ECC) is the life for me. Going from a 1,500 sq ft. apartment to a midsize SUV requires a serious lifestyle overhaul. And so began the research portion of the preparation process.
My takeaway thus far: The internet can be really annoying.
This search of “what the f*** do I really need?” for living life on the road, turned into a thirty minute deep dive in an article on “The Cost of Living full time on the Road in an RV.”

Then, enter the ridiculous results of outrageously expensive on-the-road items, deemed necessities. Some items were:
- Dyson hair dryer (seriously, click and laugh with me)
- Cashmere socks
- A ‘killer soundtrack’
- Vogue also chimed in with “mints”…
Odds are if you plan on ECC, cashmere socks and hair dryers aren’t must-needs. You need to know which camping items transfer from ECC to, well, regular camping/backpacking.
Honestly, I’m a little lazy and was looking for a bulk listing of everything I’d need. No dice. I needed to do the legwork myself *insert groan*.
Only three sources have proven helpful for conveying the gear I’d need: The Outbound Journal’s “How To” section, The Manual and Roots Rated. I’m sure there are other helpful sources which I’m not familiar with — feel free to clue me in.
In case the internet fails someone else like me, I created this 53 item list with links and pricing. This list is preemptive and not yet proven accurate.
This listing contains the most sensible, reasonable priced items I could find. I’m cheap, let’s not pretend like you’re not either.
1. Food & Cooking
My dietary restrictions are ridiculous so this section isn’t long. I included two vegan-friendly non-perishables and essential kitchenware.
- Lenny & Larry’s The Complete Cookie (12 pk) ($21.49)
- Clif Bar Nut Butter Filled Bars (12 pk) ($17.37)
- Sawyer — Mini Water Filtration System ($20.75)
- Platypus Platy Plus Bottle ($9.71)
- Jetboil Flash Stove ($79.95)
- Stanley Camp 24oz. Cook Set ($11)
- GSI Outdoors Destination Kitchen Set (24-Piece) ($42.99)
- GSI Outdoors Water Cube ($8.50)
- GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug ($9.95)
2. Tech
It’s difficult to make a living as a freelance content marketer without internet access. Time will tell if these items are functional.
- Goal Zero Yeti 150 ($199.99)
- Goal Zero Nomad 20 Solar Panel ($159.15)
- Goal Zero 8mm to 12v Adapter Cable ($17.17)
- Peak Design Capture ($59.95)
- Spy Tec STI GL300 Mini Portable Real Time Personal and Vehicle GPS Tracker ($49.95)
- Kizen Solar Powered LED Camping Lantern ($16.97)
- Edimax wifi adapter ($8.99)
- TEP Wireless hotspot ($99 + $8.99 use fee)
3. Cleaning & Medical
Because I’m a human, not an animal.
- Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (32 oz.) ($16.07)
- Packtowl Original Towel ($19.16)
- Scrubba Wash Bag ($48.01)
- Hawatour Portable Clothesline ($9.99)
- Manduka Organic Yoga Mat Cleaner ($11.00)
- Leukotape P Sports Tape ($9.04)
- Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit($25)
4. Outdoor
How could one dream of ECC without exploring the outdoors?
5. Sleeping
A note on items #33, 34 and 38: The idea here is to halve my full-size mattress topper, fasten together within a twin-sized mattress cover. In a perfect world, #38 will fit in my car, allowing more storage room. Half-DIY for the win.
- ENO Singlenest hammock ($59.95)
- ENO suspension system ($29.95)
- Mattress Topper ($120.35)
- Mattress Cover ($26.97)
- Pendleton Yakima Camp Blanket ($139.00)
- Mountainsmith Foothills Camping Blanket ($49.97)
- ALPS Mountaineering Crescent Lake Sleeping Bag: 0 Degree Synthetic ($40.50)
- Handy Living Wood Slat Bed Frame Twin ($52.18)
- Carcoo window shade (2pk) ($12.97)
6. Clothing
I need articles that can stand a bit more wear-and-tear than my normal Topshop. I’ll be passing through a multitude of climates so layering is necessary.
- Mid Cushion Low Hiking Camping Multi Performance Socks($19.99)
- Ahnu (Women’s) Sugarpine Hiking Boot ($114.17)
- prAna Women’s Halle Short Inseam Pants ($80)
- Chacos ($93)
- The North Face Adventuress Hike Pant ($38.47)
- The North Face Sunblocker Shirt ($30.22)
- Buff UV Half Buff ($14.95)
- Patagonia Happy Hike Shorts ($38.50)
- Dakine Heather Beanie (10.48)
7. Storage
My usual backseat clutter isn’t going to fly. Bring on the bins and cubes.
- Sterilite® Ultra™ 74 Qt Clear Underbed Storage Tote ($17.99)
- Grand Trunk Getaway Compression Pack Cube ($35.98)
- Underbed bags ($14.99)
- REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set ($29.95)
Aside from Amazon and Target, here are a few retailers that I pulled from:
There you have it. A bull-homeless-ad-free guide for ECC. Maybe I’m completely wrong or maybe I’m right on the money. What works for me may not work for someone else.
Interested in my successes & failures of life on the road? Follow along.
You’ve got one life, #liveit.