The Ultimate Guide to Packing Your Car for a Camping Trip
Heading out for a camping trip is always so exciting! Setting up your campsite and basking in the fresh outdoors is quite a rewarding experience. However, one of the most important parts before you can even start to enjoy your camping adventure is the packing of your car. Knowing the right way to pack a car for camping is essential to make sure you have everything you need, whilst still having room to move around and get comfortable during the drive. Here is the ultimate guide to packing your car for a camping trip, so you can make the most of your time outdoors!
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Step-by-Step Packing for a Camping Trip
As an experienced camper and a father of three, I’ve learnt the hard way that it pays to be organised when it comes to packing for a camping trip. Having everything you need in an organised manner can make a huge difference when it comes to setting up and tearing down your camp – and you can save a lot of frustration when you get there! Here are my top tips for packing your car for a camping trip.
Start with a Checklist
Before you start packing, make a checklist of everything that you’ll need for your camping trip. This includes items for the car, for the campsite, and for personal use. When making your list, make sure to think through every step of the camping trip – from the time you leave to the time you get back home. Consider how the weather might affect your camping, and include everything you need for the camping gear, meals and activities along the way.
Pack Heavy Items at the Bottom
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Once you have your checklist sorted, it’s time to start actually packing your car. Start by placing your heavier items first, such as the tent, tables, sleeping bags and other heavy camping and outdoor equipment. Put these at the bottom of the car and secure them properly so that they won’t slide around during the drive.
Pack Soft & Delicate Items Carefully
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Once you’ve packed the heavier items at the bottom, the next step is to package your softer items. Pack these items with protective materials such as bubble wrap or cloth, and place them between the heavier items. Make sure to spread your items out around the car so the weight is balanced, and nothing will slide around during the drive.
Secure Items in the Car
Image Source: CampKulin.com.au
Once you have packed all the items into the car, it’s time to make sure everything is secured so that it won’t move around during the drive. Use ropes and bungees to secure larger items on the roof or in the back of the car, and use heavy-duty webbing or straps to secure items inside the car. Make sure everything is secured properly so that nothing falls out during the drive.
Hire a Trailer or Caravan
If you are going camping with a large group or have a lot of gear to bring, it might be worth hiring a trailer or a caravan instead of packing everything into your car. This will save you a lot of time and stress when it comes to packing, unloading and setting up the campsite.
Be Prepared for Any Unexpected Circumstances
No matter how well you plan and pack for a camping trip, there will always be a chance of unexpected circumstances along the way. That is why it’s important to be prepared for anything that might come up. Be sure to include a first-aid kit, basic tools and extra supplies to make sure you can handle any potential problems that might arise during the trip.
There’s no doubt that learning how to pack a car for camping can be a bit overwhelming. However, the great thing is that once you have done it a few times, it will become second nature. Knowing how to pack your car correctly will save you a lot of time, energy and stress when it comes to setting up your campsite. So, next time you are planning for a camping trip, use this ultimate guide to packing your car for camping!