Camping in an SUV

[XelaM]

Ok, I know this sounds a bit weird, but we don't own a caravan as we don't really go camping, but I would love to try camping for a long/short weekend and I have seen online that people do manage to camp in their SUVs. We have a Toyota RAV4 and could definitely fit some kind of a mattress inside the boot/back seats. But is do any caravan sites in the UK allow camping in a car/SUV? Would it be totally embarrassing and would we be asked to leave? Has anyone done this and could recommend anywhere to ho where we wouldn't be looked like as total weirdos? 👀 It's only me, my 13-year-old and our dog.

Did you do it OP?
I have converted my Volvo into a car camper. Absolutely brilliant. Stealth camping at its finest. I have thought about the same issue as you..cud I go to a campsite and just sleep in my car. I haven't done it yet as I sleep for free in other places, but if I did go to a campsite, I'd take the cheapest, smallest, quickest pop up tent. Pitch it in 5 mins. Then it looks 'normal' ... Like Ur camping. But u just stay in Ur car. I don't think anyone cud quibble with u about that. And I agree .. sleeping in a car is a million times comfier and I think safer than in a tent. If you are still active and interested in this I can give u lots of top tips. I've spent loads of time car camping..feels amazing to have that freedom and none of the ££££.
I'd love to know how u got on..

In my 20s I did this all around NZ, just bought an estate car & slept in the back of it for weeks and loved it. Actually felt safer as I could lock my doors at night and stayed in a mix of campsite and stealth camping. I hanker to do it again but would like to get a van this time for headroom.

Thanks for replying! Hardly anybody car camps and I don't understand it... I loved it too💃 likewise I have considered a van to take it up a level since I enjoyed it so much but I do have reservations. Firstly I worry that a van may be more interesting for a burglar to break into during the night. That thought is not a good one if I'm by myself. Then it's the thought that vans are so much more eye catching than a ubiquitous car. People notice vans. Why is it parked there? And if it's got any of the campervan 'look' ,well bang goes Ur stealth camping. To me the fun was to get a night literally anyway, in total comfort for free. Whereas a van is much more likely to invoke curiosity 😬 and cheap or free they most certainly are not.
So I go round in circles thinking a van is a great idea, then the cost, perceived danger of break ins and lack of stealth put me back off.
Do I really want to be in a campsite with lots of other people? Hmmmm.
Just my tuppence worth 😜

We have a RAV4.
When the rear seats are down, there's still not enough stretch room. If you also have a dog then I think you're pushing it tbh.
Also , the boot and the back of the rear seats are very hard. We have a dog bed in the back of hours.

I'm not convinced that this is a great idea, if I'm honest.

You should be fine at a simple, laid back campsite. I've done it several times with a Peugeot estate/ Ford Escort van. Having said that, if the whole car is taken up with bed, you might want to consider some kind of tailgate awning to store your stuff in. I also don't understand why people travel in a warm comfy vehicle and then pitch a damp little tent! Or maybe they do use it to store their stuff in...🤔

But for the PP who mentioned doing it at a festival: that IS different, if it's a festival of any size. They usually don't allow sleeping in cars- you're either in a tent or paying extra for the camper van field, in which you have to have a properly converted camper. It's something I find bloody annoying!

I love this thread! I have been thinking about doing exactly this.

@Winnipeg23
Please give us your tips !
What do I need to know?

I've done it when night fishing, we had a Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, we folded the back seats down like you do when wanting the full load space & put an airbed in the back. We kept the tailgate open so we could hear the bite alarms.

I have done it, I found it colder than using my tent and not as comfortable.
It did mean I didn't have to pitch a tent but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would.

Just got Volvo for just this reason and already have small tent for overnight storage and proof of camping!
Would love your top tips!
TIA

Sorry
Above msg for Winnipeg23

Just spotted your message. I'll give full list of top tips when I get back from work! Happy days.

I'll write a full list after work today!

@Winnipeg23
So happy you are back on this thread.
Give us your tips!

Okay...just a few things they never mention on you tube.

1. you got to park somewhere flat otherwise u feel u gonna slide up or down.
2. you need to learn how to disable your car alarm so when you lock yourself in, you don't set the car alarm off. I learnt that the first time I went car camping.
3. volvos have a 12v socket in the boot, so I found this converter thing that is amazing. I'll post a pic of it on here. I have one of those heated blankets I use in the winter and I can run it for about 3 hours easily without running the car battery down. And if I want to charge my car battery up again, just take it for a bit of a drive. Sorted. It's a great device. Worth every penny.
4. black out for windows and behind the front seats. I made my own insulated window covers and easily moveable black bulkhead thing. I put duck tape round the window covers and if you do it properly you can have absolutely no light visible to the outside. Total stealth! I have camping light on inside the car and u can't see any light from the outside. I would hate anyone to know I was there or be able to see in.
5. I use a three way folding single mattress. 10cm thick. I'll post a pic. Then I put a sheet on it and proper duvet, pillows , heated throw. Am so toasty and comfy.
6. clutter is your enemy. I use a few of those really useful boxes to keep all my stuff in. One box for snacks/food. One box for electrical things like clock, phone chargers and a box for things like glasses, contact lense solutions etc a place for everything so things don't swill around the car. Everything needs a place. I'll come.back with more..give me a second..

Here's some pics..that's a pic of my car set up. And the 12v transformer thing.

Oh yes, I have a rucksack with all my wash stuff and toiletries, so I can go into a services on the motorway and get washed and do my hair and makeup...I go in early so it's always pretty empty.

Also if you are stealth camping good to park up near a 24 hour supermarket incase u need the loo. I carry a she wee incase I get caught out but I just make sure I go last thing before I turn in and first thing when I get up...so supermarket or a McDonald's sort of thing.

Having a nice place to shower and get clean is essential if u are doing it for more than a night...so I joined a very nice gym when I was doing it for work over a few months. I took my different outfits in a suit.bag and laid it out on bed in back when I was driving and when I was in the back I'd hang it in the handle thing on the passenger's seat.

Hmmmm I thinknill take more pics to show u the window coverings when I have time. My car isn't set up.as a camper at the moment but still got a couple of covers on. So u will get the idea.

There's more I'm sure that I'm not remembering at the moment..any questions just ask! It's such a cheap and I find really comfortable way to have a night away or en route somewhere..so much less hassle than going to a hotel..and.all your own stuff too. Thars what I love.
I also have a little stove and coffee making facilities for when I want to brew up. Sometimes it's just easier getting a McDonald's coffee and putting it into my Starbucks coffee cup and stays hot for ages.
Oh yes and keep plenty to drink in back as well. Sometimes in the night u get thirsty and well Ur pretty stuffed if u haven't remembered a spare drink or two.

The mattress I use.
My Volvo.v70.can take 190cm length mattress. So it's ideal. And the seats fold totally flat. Ideal as.well.
Yes that's some thoughts for tonight! Hope.it helps.

I'm another one who has camped in a Kangoo and Berlingo. Absolutely fine. If you get into it you can buy cooking units, table units etc - CamperCars is one iirc.

Look at Will's Whereabouts on YouTube, he started stealth camping in a Ford S Max before buying a builder's van & converting it into a campervan. If you decide to buy a van to convert, look at Urban Vanlife, they have converted a long wheelbase van into a camper and with a good kitchen, shower & toilet.

Winnipeg23
Thanks. This is SO helpful. Still to make window covers so pics (when you have time) would be great. Love that everything folds completely flat. So many cars don't. Didn't know about that converter. That's a game changer!
Can see minimalism will be key!
Thank you so much

I put a full size single mattress in the back of a Volvo XC90 and had a very comfortable night after a party once, couldn't be bothered putting a tent up for just me

Regarding weeing: this seems to be such a barrier for women. Be reassured that I must have done about 100,000 stealth wees in my time (keen camper, hiker and allotmenteer with a bladder the size of a walnut) and been caught....once.

There is a Facebook group called "Women who car camp" where people discuss doing this and you can ask advice etc.

Thanks @Winnipeg23
Can't wait to do this

You could swap the 12v converter for a portable power station (Jackery, Anker, Ecoflow, etc) that has it's own battery and inverter, so no risk of running the car battery down. Some great deals on Amazon Prime on these today.

Also, as a top tip, avoid using the 3-pin plug on the transformer/inverter/power station as much as possible. Charging your phone, tablet, or laptop from the 12v cigarette lighter (or a built on USB socket on the transformer) is much more efficient and will stretch the battery capacity further.