Car camping - what have you got?

[FuntimeFelicity]

So far we've successfully camped with the equipment tetris packed in the large boot of our Ford Focus and with the rest packed around our 2 dc's car seats. However, we're planning on trading the car in and I was wondering what cars other cars campers have and maybe would recommend.

I might also get a roofbox but as a complete shortarse, I'd prefer not to have to rely on one.

We're thinking of getting an estate at the moment.

Don't camp, but if you can manage with a Focus salon, my focus estate would suit you fine. My old one had roof bars so it would have been easy to fit a top box. You might need a low step, but it's not people carrier high.

We have a Freelander, we never get stuck on muddy sites but we have very little space to pack stuff. Borrowed a roofbox a few times and I never even saw in it, it was so high up! Do not recommend a Freelander for camping!!!

Campervan!

Skoda Ocatavia estate. Big boot, good cabin space. Available is 4x4, or full on off road versions for seriously muddy sites.

Mazda 5 - mpv, so it's high rather than long like an estate, we have a couple of tall suitcases which use the height, then pack bulky but light stuff behind them and above the seat line, for safety. We do also have a top box, I'm 5'4" and DH not much taller, but as the rear doors slide we can use the car itself to stand on to pack and unpack.

Grand voyager, you won't need a roof box! Really comfortable for long journeys and loads of power points- we have a large electrical cool box in ours!

volvo v70

can fit in EVERYTHING we need for 2 adults and 3 kids, including giant tent, pushchair etc etc etc

We had an old style Astra and now have an Octavia. Used a roofbox on both, but there is loads more boot room in the Octavia. We can get four adults in with camping and climbing stuff between the boot and roofbox.

The reason we're trading the Focus in is because of a recurrent problem with water getting into the spark plugs so I'm a little wary of getting the Focus estate.

Interesting that some of you are saying the Octavia, we were looking at that one. The reviews say something about an annoying 'lip' in the boot. How have others found it?

Get a Touran... they're mahoosive inside

We went through this exercise last year when we traded in our Fiesta. We had lots of recommendations on here and eventually decided on a Vauxhall Zafira. It has loads of bootspace and electrical points in the boot for the coolbox too. If you are not using the boot space there are two extra fold down seats which could come in handy.

I must admit we have ended up with a roof box too but we are terrible overpackers (or, at least, I am).

I find the car, which is an automatic diesel, really good to drive and we have not regretted our choice.

Normal estate (Passat), we do strap a few bits on the roof for long trips but only because we have an unnecessarily big tent.

We've got an octavia hatchback and the boot is huge I've also just traded my weeny aygo in for a zafira (which feels like a bus at the mo to me!) But not been camping in it yet..... Lip on the octavia boot not a problem for us, it actually gives more room imo as the boot is deeper).....

Ooh, thanks MrsMc. I hadn't really thought of getting another hatchback as it appeared that the Focus boot was a freak of hatchback nature.

We hadn't expected to need to change the car only a couple of years after buying it, so a cheaper model would be good (we tend to buy cars which are 2-4 years old).

I've always avoided people carriers as they look like a bus to park . Are they more expensive to run, especially in terms of petrol? We don't do the mileage any more for diesel, I don't think, but I've not been that impressed with petrol cars so far.

Renault Scenic. Lots of space and handy cubbyholes, you can take seats out to get more in. Easy to park, drives like a car, not a people carrier.

We usually manage to get everything in but we're taking a roofbox for our two week holiday.

We're going to replace it this year and have been looking at the Mazda 6 and Mondeo estates. We might just go for an updated Scenic though as it's been so good.

Our Octavia has a removable platform in the boot to make the floor level with the edge. We like it as it it make sliding bikes and heavy things in easier, and ice axes and other spikes fit nicely underneath. It's also got a compartment in each side wall to give space for the triangle, first aid kit, snow chains and whatnot Germans have to carry (not supplied).

We have a renault grand scenic but it is not big enough, so we use a top box and a trailer. Thinking an estate would be better for camping as the boot might be bigger.

We have a Golf estate but still need a roofbox, though we do have a dog.

I don't know if it is this size, but we have one of these, which means we can take it off when we get there and store it in the side porch of the tent.

Ford Galaxy, bought to fit the camping gear in. Before that we had a shit heap Vauxhall vectra which was full to the rafters even with roof box.

Love the galaxy, there is only 4 of us so loads of room. The rear seats move forward a long way and fold down individually. We can fit in all our stuff comfortably, even for 2 weeks and still breathe. We don't camp light either, I'm sure I've spotted the kitchen sink in there somewhere

Mondeo estate with roof box (and small portable step so that shortarse me can reach in!)

Nissan Micra with roofbox and trailer.

Renault grand scenic .

passat estate no roof box - also pack like tetris! rubbish economy and high tax (got the petrol one) is good workhorse car but looking at replacing with mazda 5 as the height seems to really work for space and could add a roof box if wanted more room friend has one and they are v flexible as have extra seats etc as well........... either that or nicer smaller car and trailer...... dh thinks i need a transit with my camping shopping list though

Xsara Picasso plus roofbox. Could really do with a trailer as well. Aspire to a Volvo V70.