Sure, having an RV or travel trailer is convenient when heading to the campground with your family... But isn't there something authentic and intimate about camping in a tent or out of your SUV? If that hits close to home, here are some of the best car camping accessories and parent-friendly gadgets to pack up on your next weekend getaway.
Thermacell Mosquito Repellent
If you plan to camp in the Ozarks, prepare to get a few 'squito nibbles. You can reduce the number of bug bites with a large Thermacell repellent device. Many of their camping accessories offer hours of continuous repelling power, allowing you to enjoy the evening campfire without nary a skin slap or hand wave. (Yes, they really work!)
In lieu of car camping lights, which use either your vehicle's battery or on-site power, these Luci Solar String Lights are an excellent alternative to pack with your camping gear. They provide nighttime illumination and charge entirely by the power of the sun, meaning you don't need an electric plug-in when stumbling around the campsite.
Car Sunshade (MoonShade)
Attach the MoonShade right to your vehicle and you'll always have a reprieve from the sun. This convenient car camping attachment is easy to set up, packs into a single yoga mat-sized tube, and provides a shaded area large enough to fit most families.
Jump Starter & Air Compressor
Don't get stuck at the campsite with a dead battery or low tire. Always pack a multipurpose jump-starter and air compressor to ensure you're never stranded. This device from Schumacher offers 1000 amps of power to charge up a battery or inflate tires, air mattresses, pool inflatables and more.
SUV or Truck Tent
Without a camper trailer, you're most likely looking at tent camping. While many people enjoy setting up right on the ground, others prefer sleeping on a flat surface without tree roots digging into their backs. If a mixture of camping and glamping sounds like your cup of tea, we recommend getting a tent for your vehicle, like the Honda Ridgeline tent pictured above.
Any Honda dealer near you should be able to order and show you how to use the Ridgeline bed tent. (Other genuine Honda accessories include CR-V, Pilot and Passport SUV rear hatch tents, as well as large Honda Odyssey tent attachments.)
It's important to be aware of weight limits with all vehicle tents, but especially so with camper tops for trucks and SUVs. Many rooftop tents for vehicles aren't rated to hold a family of four, as doing so could dent the roof or damage the frame!
Sand-Free Tent Mat
Kids are, for the sake of brevity, disgusting beings. Even if they've just sat next to the campfire all day, they'll somehow track everything—mud, sand, dirt and probably foreign materials that have yet to be discovered by science—right into your tent. The CGear Sand-Free Mat aims to keep all that debris from ruining your temporary home away from home.
Hammocks
Not into family tents? Get each of the kids their own hammock from Coalatree. They're lightweight, easy to set up and secure enough to hold up to 660 pounds.
Kayak or Bike Attachment
Half the fun of camping with the family is enjoying the outdoors. Install a rooftop bike, paddleboard or kayak carrier on the top of your SUV, and you'll give everyone an opportunity to experience nature.
LifeStraw Water Pitcher
Don't lug heavy packs of plastic water bottles to the campsite—you need that cargo space for important things, like cornhole and ladder ball—when you can downsize and get a filtering water pitcher. Simply fill it up with the campground's water and taste the difference.
Movie Projector
Just because you're off the grid doesn't mean your kids should suffer through a digital-less existence. Bring the living room or movie theater right to your campsite with a portable projector, like the XGIMI MoGo Pro. This device is small yet powerful, delivering 1080p video, great sound quality, and Bluetooth connectivity that enables you to stream straight from your phone.
Cargo Mat or Tray
Protect your SUV's carpet from stains, tears and dirt by installing a high-quality cargo floor mat. The Honda Pilot folding cargo tray, pictured above, offers molded ribs and raised sides to keep everything clean, safe and secure.
Sink with Drain Plug
No one likes doing the dishes, but camping with a portable wash basin will save you money in the long run and reduce your single-serve plastic waste. Most camping sinks, like this Joseph Wash&Drain product are cheap, too!
Walkie Talkies
You make your kids use the bathroom before getting in the car, just in case—right? For the same "just in case" reasons, you should always bring walkie talkies with you when camping as a family. If you're hiking and get separated or someone even suffers an injury on the trail, these could save a life. These budget-friendly Midland X-Talker T10s are great starter options for families who are just going to a campground near them, though there are much more capable (and expensive) walkie talkies out there.
Portable Coffee Maker
You wouldn't start a Monday morning off without coffee. Don't interrupt your routine when camping, either. With the AeroPress Coffee Maker, you can get your A.M. java without bringing your Keurig or Mr. Coffee to the campsite. There's a reason this is on every "best car camping gadgets" list.
Car Power Inverter
As one of the most popular car power inverters in America, the BESTEK 300W power inverter lets you easily fill up an air mattress or charge devices without any electricity hook-ups.
Electric Cooler
Tired of visiting the campground shop to pick up bags of ice? An electric cooler can eliminate the need for ice altogether, which is one of the biggest inconveniences when camping. Ice not only takes up space, but it can also melt and leak into your Tupperware, bags and otherwise "sealed" containers, leaving you with gross, mushy meals. Yuck. Although expensive, an electric or battery-powered camping cooler, like the WORX 20V model above, can be an excellent investment if you camp often.
Roof Basket
Aching for more room inside? Stack some of your camping gear on the roof with a durable rooftop basket, like the Honda HR-V basket pictured above. It can hold up to 150 pounds—more than enough for cumbersome yet light objects like tents—and has raised side walls with bars for added strap-in security. As far as SUV camping accessories go, this one is essential. (Read more about how the Honda HR-V is a surprisingly great vehicle for camping.)
Need help ordering a rooftop cargo basket or other genuine Honda accessories near Joplin? Contact Roper Honda at (417) 625-0800 to get a price quote before your next voyage into the Ozarkian wilds!