Nowadays, people tend to camp inside their cars and call it car camping. Car camping is a fun activity, whether you do it alone or with a group of people, but most of us do not know how to do car camping in summer. For those who haven’t done car camping yet and are looking for guidance for how to camp in your car in summer, well look no further as we will explain all sorts of activities and dos/don’t during car camping.
Yes! Everyone loves to camp, whether it’s in the green forest or the snowy mountains, but the majority would prefer the summery forest camping during the summer season as there are fewer chances of freezing to death. On the other hand, we can also make car camping more enjoyable if we know about the facts. This article will help those who are intended for going car camping for the first time, as well as who had bitter experiences previously. We have tried to explain all the difficulties as well as practical facts that we have experienced so far. You can also learn more about how to camp in your car.
HOW TO CAMP IN YOUR CAR IN SUMMER
Tip #1: Choosing the most suitable spot
You will be camping in your car most of the time, so you need to sure that your car is parked in a shady spot. To make that happen, look for large trees that have their branches and leaves spread out so that you can get the maximum shade possible. Now you might ask why do we need to keep our car under some shade? Well, the reason you need to park under some shade is due to the heat that falls on your car in the form of direct sunlight.
At first, this direct sunlight won’t do you any harm but as time passes by the heat will start to make the interior of the car hot and as it starts to become too hot, you won’t be to seat or breathe inside the car. In addition to that, the engine and the other components of the car will heat up to a maximal temperature, which will end up over-heating the car and cause several problems. Therefore, it is ideal to look for a shady spot and park your car there during the whole time to prevent such difficulties, and plus your car interior stays cool during the blazing hot summer.
Try to make sure to park your car somewhere soaring while car camping. It is because higher sites are known to be cooler than lower sites, and you will feel more windy breezes to keep yourself and your car cool during the hot summer days. So, in that case, try to take the upper hand on cold windy breezes as much as possible.
Tip #2: Fish out of the water
Water is one of the most important necessities when it comes to summer camping. Sun and its heat have one job only. To take away all sources of water and dry up everything else within its range. To clarify, you need to re-hydrate from time to time and make sure that you don’t pass out due to dehydration. According to statistics, around 2,000 people die every year due to dehydration.
Now, to make sure that you don’t pass out, you need to make sure you have a water bottle with you at all times and make sure that it has water in it so that you can easily re-hydrate yourself and save yourself from dehydration.
When looking for places to park your car, you need to make sure that there’s a lake or a river nearby so that you can access water anytime you need. It’s easy to get dehydrated while camping under the hot sun. Make sure you check the radiator from time to time and refill it with water, as it can get dry pretty quickly during the summer season and later on cause problems for your car. Make sure you take a mini shower or at least splash water on your face and arms to keep them cool.
Tip #3: Rotate your cooking style
While you are car camping in the wild during summer, you can already expect the weather to be scorching hot. Now imagine, if you use a stove to cook your food in this scorching hot weather. You could be causing more harm than good to yourself. Using a stove creates a hotter environment as it uses heat to cook food, so I would suggest not getting it while you are trying to stay cool during summer car camping.
Since you are car camping, lighting up a stove inside your car or RV could be dangerous since it’s a closed, small space and chances are that it can easily catch on fire. Lighting up a stove inside can also make you suffocate as it releases a massive amount of carbon monoxide gas, and you will feel it hard to breathe in there. By avoiding using a stove, you
- Save space and weight in your car and can bring other valuable items in its place
- Save money on purchasing a stove
- Keep the environment cooler by not using it and being eco-friendly
Instead of cooking meals using a stove, you can get ready-made packet foods like nutrient bars, bread, and fruits. You can also get a bunch of cucumbers to keep yourself hydrated, as cucumbers contain 96% water in them. Don’t forget to get a bunch of carrots too, as one bar of carrot consumption can provide your body with enough energy to run 3 miles at once. Pretty incredible, isn’t it?
You can get cereal and milk for breakfast and eat other ready-made packet food for lunch and dinner. You can take a leap of faith and also go for food hunting out in the wild, but make sure to get food that doesn’t need to be cooked.
Tip #4: Creating your own shade
All the trees that are found in nature grow by themselves however they want. It could either be in a twisted formation or it could be in a horizontal formation, or it could just grow all the way up high into the sky. In that case, it won’t be easy to look for a shady spot to park your car and enjoy a nice little car camping trip. So what can you do in this case?
Well, in that case, you can always create your own type of shade. But how? Well, I’ll tell you how. By getting your own canopy. What is a canopy, one might ask? It is an extra-large piece of cloth that you can use as a form of shade when there isn’t any form of shade nearby.
All you need to do it take 4 sticks and make them stand upright and then put the piece of cloth on top of it and there you go. You just fixed yourself up with a canopy, which will now provide protection from direct sunlight and keep yourself and your car cooler. It can also keep your car clean from all sorts of falling leaves and floating unwanted items.
Tip #5: Keeping yourself cool at night
While trying to car camp during the summery days, one of the most important factors is staying cool by taking advantage of the wind as much as possible. It’s easy to keep yourself cold during the day as you can easily take a small shower or even splash water onto yourself to keep yourself cool while also exposing yourself to cold, breezy winds. Nevertheless, the main problem comes when you will be trying to sleep at night and stay cool at the same time. There are quite some solutions to that situation.
Firstly, the easiest solution would be to turn on the car AC and let the car cool down for some time. The downfalls are that when the car cools up, you will need to get up from your comfortable sleeping position and turn off the car and if you plan on keeping the AC on overnight, then you will end up using your entire tank of petrol or gas. This could lead to an empty tank, and you will end up being stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Secondly, you can get a battery-powered fan, and it will work like a charm to keep you cool while you are sleeping. Make sure you pack up some extra batteries so that you don’t run out of batteries. They don’t weigh much and take much space, so you don’t need to worry about their packaging in the car. They are also much cheaper compared to portable mini air conditioners.
Thirdly, you can use a mini air conditioner to keep yourself cool at night. They are slightly more expensive compared to battery-powered fans but will make you feel like you are sleeping comfortably at home with the air conditioner on. They are portable, small, and don’t weigh much, so you don’t have to worry about any of those.
Finally, you can open your car windows midway and let the exterior cold air get in your car and keep you cool. It is very essential that there is an exchange between the inner airflow and the outside airflow. You could possibly suffocate in there without proper ventilation. Now, you might be worried about insects and small animals getting in your car, but don’t worry about that. You can use a mesh-like cloth and put it out on the window to prevent any sorts of insects or animals from getting in and causing havoc.
Advantages of camping in your car in summer:
Camping in your car in the summertime has several advantages over camping in a traditional campground. Here are some of the advantages of camping in your car:
- For one, you don’t have to worry about finding a campsite since you can just park your car anywhere. This also means that you don’t have to carry all of your camping gear with you
- You have easy access to all of your supplies. This includes food, drinks, camping gear, and anything else you might need while you’re out in nature.
- You can avoid paying campground fees, which can add up quickly if you’re staying for an extended period of time. You also have the convenience of being able to drive right to your campsite, which is great if you want to explore different areas or if you’re bringing along a lot of gear. Additionally, since you’re not limited to designated campsites, you can find a spot that’s perfect for you and your group – whether that’s by a river, near some beautiful scenery, or in a more secluded area. And finally, camping in your car is perfect for hot summer nights when sleeping outdoors would be uncomfortable or even impossible.
- You don’t have to pay for a campsite or for any other amenities like showers or toilets.
- You don’t have to set up or take down a tent each time you camp. This can save you a lot of time and energy, especially if you’re camping multiple times throughout the summer.
- Your car can act as a makeshift shelter from the sun and rain. This can be really helpful on hot days when you want to take a break from the sun, or during sudden rain showers.
- You can easily drive to different locations without having to pack up all of your gear each time.
Disadvantages of camping in your car in summer:
There are a few disadvantages of camping in your car during the summertime.
- For one, it can be very hot and uncomfortable inside the car, especially if you don’t have air conditioning.
- Secondly, it can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep if you’re parked in a busy area or near other cars.
- Additionally, you may not have enough room to store all your gear and supplies.
- Finally, it can be hard to stay cool and comfortable while you’re driving.
FAQ’s:
Q1: How to keep car camping cool in the summer ?
Ans: If your car does not have AC, then please list below things for your car camping in summer :
- Fans must be battery operated otherwise if you do not have much oil for your car you will not use your car current for long time .
- Portable Air cooler
- Park your car under the tree shade and river side
- Drink plenty of water for controlling body temperature .
Or if you have an AC system in your car, then you must make a plan for how many days you are going to stay camping. On basis of that, you will take fuel for your car.
Q2: What to put in a care package for summer camp?
Ans: A care package for summer camp is given below according to our experiences:
- Books or Magazine
- TENTS
- Toys for Kids
- Liquid or fresh water
- Dry food
- Tarpaulin
- Portable freeze
- Portable air cooler
- Portable fan
Q3: Is it possible to pass out from the heat while you are trying to sleep?
Ans: Yes, you can pass out if you are on the brink of dehydration, and you don’t have proper cold airflow inside your car while trying to sleep.
Q4: What will happen if I park my car on a low level even though it’s shady?
Ans: You will get shade with is an advantage but then since it’s a lower ground level, you won’t be able to experience the cold breezy winds.
Q5: What kind of other fruits and vegetables I can take with me besides cucumber and carrots?
Ans: You can take oranges as they are a great source for vitamin C and a good option for rehydrating your body, bananas as they are a massive source for potassium, broccoli as they provide lots and lots of protein, and corn as they have the highest levels of carbohydrates in them.
Q6: Which time of the summer is preferable for car camping?
Ans: Anytime during the summer is, but it is better to choose a time when the hotness isn’t too extreme, and you can handle the heat.
Conclusion:
In light of these facts, summer car camping is a fun-loving activity that can be done by anyone who has access to a car, and if you don’t then you can always borrow one from your friend or even rent one. Summer car camping is preferably easier compared to winter car camping. While you can always camp by yourself, the real fun begins when you go with a group of people who shares the same interest in camping, just like you. Happy Camping!
