Camping season is here! Turn your backseat into a basecamp for under $100
We independently evaluate the products we review. When you buy via links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read more about how we vet products and deals .
Camper vans have been having a moment — and by "moment," I mean a years-long parade of Instagram posts showcasing tiny stoves, hidden toilets and fairy lights that somehow make sleeping in a parking lot look magical (I've done it. It's not). These builds are beautiful. They're also wildly expensive. Some cost as much as an actual house.
Van life used to be for people who were down on their luck. Now it's aspirational. But here's the thing no influencer tells you: At some point, you're going to wake up at 2 am and desperately need a bathroom. Good luck with that.
So no, I'm not converting my everyday cars into full-time campers. They carry groceries, car seats, friends, family and my dog. There's no room for a built-in bed or a tiny farmhouse sink. Instead, we've landed on a way to camp in the car for under 100 bucks. There are no cedar-paneled ceilings, but we sleep just fine, and in the morning, the car goes right back to being a car. It gets the job done — and it leaves us with more money for, you know, actual adventures.
Sleeping Setup
Amazon Intex Air Mattress - Twin Size
$15
$20
Save $5
Before you buy anything, grab a measuring tape, fold those seats flat and see what size mattress you're working with. In my case, a twin fits snug in the back of my Subaru. My larger vehicle has room for something bigger, but I kept it simple and stuck with the twin since I wanted one setup that works in both. It's not fancy, but considering I've paid more for a six-pack, it does the job just fine.
Posh upgrade: Exped MegaMat Auto Sleeping Pad
$15 at Amazon
Amazon Inflatables Air Pump for Air Mattress
$10
$15
Save $5
A plug-in air pump feels like a luxury I shouldn't need — and yet, every time I use one, I wonder why I ever did it the hard way. Maybe I used to think camping meant earning your sleep by nearly passing out blowing up a mattress. But these days, when all vehicles have a 12V and/or an AC outlet, why not let the car do the work?
$10 at Amazon
Amazon Mesh Car Window Shades, 2-Pack
$12
$14
Save $2
Stagnant air in the car at night is the worst. Well, second worst. Mosquitoes are the worst. Thankfully, these window screens solve both of those problems. They slide over the entire window, so you can open them completely if you want to. I only roll them down a few inches so that they're open enough for quality air flow, closed enough that if a bear or other creature with teeth wanders by, they can't easily get into the car before I wake up and get the heck out of there.
If you're sleeping in the great outdoors, there's no reason to wake up to the smell of morning breath and sweaty feet — not when fresh mountain or lake air is just a window crack away!
$12 at Amazon
Amazon Car Window Sun Shades Covers
$15
$18
Save $3
Just like the windshield shade, these magnetic shades cover your side and rear windows to keep things dark and cool — or warm, depending on how you use them. They stick right to the metal window frame, so setup takes about two seconds. If it's cold out, I flip them black-side-out to soak up a little extra warmth from the sun. Not exactly high-tech, but it works.
$15 at Amazon
You might be wondering where the blankets and pillows are. Answer? In your home! Just grab what you already use, maybe an extra blanket or two, and bring them along with you. There is a caveat, though: if you're going to be camping somewhere colder, you should bring a sleeping bag rated for cold temps with you, not only for your comfort, but for your safety as well. Sleeping bag temperature ratings are for survival, not comfort, so go 15-20 degrees lower than you think you'll need. Here are a few of my favorites:
Kitchen Setup
Amazon Portable Camping Stoves Backpacking Stove
$7
$11
Save $4
Sleeping's important, sure — but so is eating. And while a lot of campsites come with fire pits or grills, the last thing you want is to arrive somewhere and find out you don't have a way to heat your food or water. This little ultralight stove was designed for backpacking, but it works just as well at a car campsite. It barely takes up any space; I keep one stashed in the car year-round. That way, even on a random road trip, I can fire it up for a hot cup of coffee when the nearest café is 60+ miles away.
Posh upgrade: Coleman Peak1 Portable 2-Burner Camping Stove
$7 at Amazon
Amazon Folding Camp Table
$20
$22
Save $2
This is another item that you'll probably find if you're spending the night at an established campsite, but if not, it is so much easier to prepare dinner on a table than try and balance everything in the back of the car without spilling it. It's also the most expensive item on this list, so if you're looking to save cash, this is what I'd get rid of.
Posh upgrade: REI Co-op Camp Prep Table
$20 at Amazon
Amazon WaterStorageCube Water Container with Spigot
$13
While it may be last on the list, water is the most important thing you'll bring on any camping trip. You can find jugs for cheaper, but the spigot is the real game-changer here — no more awkwardly lifting and tilting a sloshing 40-pound container just to fill a cup. This one makes it easy, and when you're using water for cooking, cleaning, drinking and doing dishes, easy matters.
Posh upgrade: Rtic Halftime Water Cooler $13 at Amazon
The total for all of that? $97. Not bad at all. That leaves you three bucks for a coffee and you'll be ready to hit the road for a camping adventure. Is your budget a bit higher than $100? Check out some splurges below.
Nice extras if you have the cash
Amazon All-Top Vehicle Awning
$148
$160
Save $12
Awnings are great. They protect you from the sun and weather and, depending on your car, are way easier to set up than a tailgate tent. This one from All-Top isn't the cheapest one out there, and far from the most expensive, but it is a good middle ground of ease-of-use and features. Just throw a few camping chairs underneath, crack a cold drink and you're golden.
$148 at Amazon
$100 can go a long way into turning a run-of-the-mill camping trip into a relaxing weekend you'll remember forever. (Getty)
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
4-car crash causes mile-long backup on I-5 in South Seattle
SEATTLE - A crash involving multiple vehicles caused traffic back ups in South Seattle on Saturday morning. In total, four cars crashed on southbound I-5 at Spokane Street on June 21. The crash site and emergency responders blocked three of the leftmost lanes and the HOV lane, causing a backup stretching more than a mile. The Seattle Fire Department reports that there were no serious injuries and that no one was trapped in their vehicles due to the crashes. Lanes were slowly reopened about 45 minutes after initial reports of the crash came in to emergency stations. The Source Information in this story came from the Washington State Department of Transportation. 2 dead after car submerges at WA's Edmonds Ferry Dock following pursuit Travis Decker update: Search teams close in on WA triple murder suspect Travis Decker manhunt echoes 2020 hunt in same WA wilderness Everything to know about WA laws going into effect July 1 Tacoma dad defends man at center of Amber Alert case involving 2-year-old Seattle-based Amazon announces 'workforce reduction' due to AI Immigrants suddenly summoned by ICE via text during Seattle-area protests To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Newsweek
Woman Planning Wedding—Then Car Crash Erases Her Memory in an Instant
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Just hours after slipping into her wedding gown for a final fitting, Kristen, 34, was behind the wheel on a dark winter highway. A spinning car collided with hers, setting in motion a series of events that would erase her memory of one of the most important days of her life. "I remember thinking we missed the car and that everything is fine," Kristen, from Vancouver, Canada, told Newsweek. "But I looked over and the whole right side of my car was busted up and mangled." The crash left her with a traumatic brain injury that was not fully recognized until weeks later, despite clear signs of memory loss and disorientation. Kristen has since been diagnosed with a concussion, stroke, and brain atrophy—and she has no memory of her wedding day that followed the crash. A video posted to Instagram in April by Kristen and her husband Troy (@tandkaythespectrumway) showed her standing in her wedding dress at the fitting, smiling. An overlaid text on the video read: "She doesn't know it yet but after her final wedding dress fitting, a car will spin out on the highway, erasing her wedding day memories in an instant." The clip has since sparked widespread conversation and support among viewers. The couple frequently share content about their experiences as a late-diagnosed couple with ADHD and autism. Their online presence began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has grown into a platform focused on autism awareness, particularly within relationships. "There just wasn't really a lot out there that talked about that specific dynamic," Troy told Newsweek. Kristen recalled how watching the reality show Love on the Spectrum led to her own diagnosis. "I could totally relate to these people," she said. "And then that's kind of what started the journey of hyperfixating and discovering myself." After moving in together, she was officially diagnosed, and the couple began using their platform to help others understand what it means to be autistic in a neurodiverse partnership. Navigating the Recovery With Autism Following the crash, Kristen's symptoms were immediate, but the medical response was not. "The emergency doctor saw me and didn't take it seriously," she said. "They asked if I hit my head, and I said I didn't remember. "So they didn't check my brain," she added. Kristen was sent home after cursory checks for her neck and stomach. The next day, she went to her bachelorette party—unaware that she was concussed. From left: Troy and Kristen embrace on their wedding day; and Kristen holding her wedding bouquet of flowers. From left: Troy and Kristen embrace on their wedding day; and Kristen holding her wedding bouquet of flowers. @tandkaythespectrumway The wedding and honeymoon went ahead as scheduled, largely due to the cost—a $50,000 investment—and lack of cancellation insurance. "The morning of, there was literally no one setting up the wedding," Kristen said. "I didn't remember to get that going." Her bridal party handled the setup without her, and she got ready alone. "Everything's kind of a blur," Kristen said. "I just knew I was marrying my man that day, and that was it." Kristen's memory of the event remains fragmented. "Our videographer gave us the entire raw footage," she said. "It was the first time seeing it. "I don't remember my wedding, and that's why I post videos—just so I can try to look back on it," Kristen said. The footage, and the outpouring of support it received online, has become an important part of her recovery. "I was unmasked, but it wasn't by choice," Kristen said of how her autism and injury affected her demeanor. "I've never been more myself." The couple credits their unfiltered portrayal for being able to connect with others, especially parents of autistic children. Kristen said she shares videos of her childhood to help parents understand their own kids, and that parents of autistic children that struggle to socialize may find reassurance in seeing her within a loving and fulfilling relationship. "It really helps parents see that it's not that we're disabled, it's that we're different," Kristen said. Despite the love and support online, her road to recovery has been slow and complicated by insurance hurdles. Under British Columbia's no-fault system, Kristen said, pain and suffering are not compensated. "They pay for your treatment, but anything abnormal from standard—like a neuro—they won't cover," she said. "There has to be a point where the patient is believed." Recently, a CT scan revealed Kristen had suffered a stroke, likely as a result of her injury. "I've been gaslit by my medical team for almost a year-and-a-half," she said. She also reported ongoing physical symptoms, including weakness on her left side and persistent speech difficulties. Despite her ongoing symptoms, Kristen's concerns were often minimized or attributed to anxiety. She said this dismissal by medical professionals may be tied to her autism diagnosis. "People think that we feel things more sensitively, so it's taking longer to recover," Kristen said. "They keep trying to prove something else is going on." The couple is also navigating the emotional toll of Kristen's recovery, alongside the medical hurdles. For one, the former business owner can no longer sing—her lifelong passion—due to throat blockages from the accident. Despite this, Kristen continues creating social-media videos as a form of therapy and advocacy. Troy, reflecting on the relationship, said Kristen's acceptance of her autism diagnosis and how she has coped since the car accident have pushed him to be more emotionally open with his own feelings. "You've really challenged me to be more honest and authentic," Troy said. Though the trauma has upended the beginning of their married lives, the couple continues to lean on each other—and their audience—for strength. "Authenticity creates authenticity," Kristen said. "When I'm authentic, it gives permission for other people to feel safe being themselves as well." Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Motor 1
11 hours ago
- Motor 1
‘That's $70 Worth:' Subaru Impreza Driver Walks Away From Leaking Gas Pump Because He ‘Doesn't Want to Blow Up.' Now What?
In a viral video, a man appears to abandon a Shell gas station after a pump starts uncontrollably spewing fuel. 'I don't want to blow up,' Yungnfl (@yungnfl03) exclaims in the video posted to TikTok earlier this week. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . In the clip, Yungnfl walks away as gas gushes out of an unattended pump that's still attached to a four-door Subaru Impreza . The display shows that it's pumped roughly 30 gallons when the clip ends, with gas still gushing out. Given that Imprezas' gas tanks hold less than 20 gallons, it's possible that upwards of 10 gallons or more of gas had spilled out by then. As of this writing, the video has been viewed 1.5 million times. What if This Happens to You? If a gas pump won't stop pumping fuel—even after your tank is full—it's likely due to a malfunction in the pump's automatic shut-off mechanism. That failure could stem from an issue with the nozzle, the vent system, or the fuel tank itself. While a runaway pump situation like the one Yungnfl experienced can be scary, there are ways to stop the flow quickly. They do require someone to stay near the pump, however. In his video, no one is near the Subaru. Trending Now 'That's Obviously a Villain Car:' Man Spots Honda Fit in Parking Lot. Then He Notices the Back 'Enjoy That Day Off:' Man Asks People to Photoshop a Video to Look Like He Crashed His Car to Skip Work. The Internet Complies Every gas station has a large red emergency shut-off button that immediately stops all pumps when pressed. These buttons are usually marked with clear signage, though not always in the most eye-catching way, so it helps to know what to look for before you need it. If you can't get to the emergency button fast enough, there's also a manual lever inside the pump holster itself. Pulling or flipping that lever will shut off that pump. In either case, it's important to alert an attendant or, in extreme cases, call emergency services. Gasoline is highly flammable, and a major spill is both dangerous, even deadly, and expensive to clean up. That's why it's important not to start any vehicle near an active spill until the area is cleared by gas station staff or first responders. Public awareness of these safety features seems spotty. In the video, Yungnfl and others appear more concerned with the price of the gas spilling out than with stopping it. 'That's $70 worth of gas,' he says. 'It's still going.' 'Could've Easily Just Stopped It' Commenters who watched @yungnfl03's video were quick to offer advice and critiques. Many urged him to stay calm and try one of the simple emergency methods available. 'Hit the emergency stop button,' one person wrote. 'Gas stations all have a pump emergency cutoff on the building,' another echoed. 'You could have just hit the lever that the pump sits on,' a third added. Others, though, took the clip as a broader commentary on how unprepared people are for real-life problems. 'Bro could've easily just stopped it but he be watching too many movies,' one commenter said. 'America is doomed,' another declared. 'Blow up?' a third asked. 'This gen is lost in the sauce.' 'This captures the world in a nutshell right now,' a fourth said. 'Things going wrong, people complaining and watching, [and] no one doing anything to fix it.' Still, not everyone was quick to judge. Some admitted they'd be just as unsure in the same situation. 'As a woman, if that was my car, I would've grabbed it and put it back on the thing,' one admitted. 'Am I wrong? Why would it blow up if it's not ignited? I'm confused.' Motor1 has reached out to Yungnfl via a TikTok comment. We'll be sure to update this if he responds. More From Motor1 Mercedes Makes 'Course Correction' to Extend Combustion Engine Life Kia Is Worried That Selling Too Many Gas Cars or EVs Could Hurt the Business Audi Changes Its Mind. Will Make Gas Cars For Another 10 Years 'It's for Weight Reduction Ofc They Use Cheap Plastic:' Why Is the Interior of This $250K Lamborghini Crunchy to the Touch? Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
