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Best Trucks, Cars, and SUVs for Camping

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Best Trucks, Cars, and SUVs for Camping

No matter what kind of camping you’re into, you have to get to the campsite before you can start camping, so you’ll need a car, truck, SUV, or van that will get you, your stuff, and your companions there in comfort, safety, and style. Not every car is well-suited to the demands of camping, whether you’re at your nearest carefully manicured state park or deep in the wilds of America. Still, fortunately, many are, and you won’t even have to break the bank to afford one.

That’s not to say you can’t spend six figures on a camping vehicle — you can, quite easily, and that’s before you start customizing — but it is to say you don’t have to. In fact, it’s possible to get a great vehicle for camping for around $10,000. Buying used can also allow you to afford more vehicle than you would when buying new, so it’s not only about tight budgets, either.

Whatever kind of vehicle you’re looking for, we’ve put together a list of some of the best camp vehicles on the market today. We’ve also compiled some great camping advice from Ben Stewart in the links below to help ensure your camping vehicle purchase is the right fit for you.

Best Trucks for Camping

2023 Ram 2500

Starting Price: $44,205

The 2023 Ram 2500 is a heavy-duty pickup with heavy-duty towing, hauling, and even off-road capability. That combination means it’s great for reaching remote places, even if you need to tow a trailer or haul a lot of gear — and that’s a fantastic set of capabilities for camping. The available trailer reverse steering system makes hooking up your camper trailer a breeze. If you opt for the Ram 2500 Power Wagon trim, you’ll get some serious off-road upgrades like a disconnectable front anti-roll bar, a Warn winch, electronic locking differentials, and more. See Ram 2500 models for sale near you

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2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

Starting Price: $46,800

If serious capability in a pickup is appealing, but you need something more compact, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is a great choice, especially in range-topping, off-road-focused Colorado ZR2 form. The ZR2 trim upgrades ground clearance to 10.7 inches while adding Multimatic off-road dampers, unique fenders and body trim, 33-inch off-road tires, and more. The Colorado’s smaller size means it tows and hauls a bit less than a full-size pickup, but its smaller size means it can access even more rugged and remote areas. See Chevrolet Colorado models for sale near you

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2023 Ford F-150

Starting Price: $34,445

One of America’s most popular trucks is also a great choice for camping. The 2023 Ford F-150 is Kelley Blue Book’s Full-Size Truck Best Buy of 2023, thanks to its capability, comfort, and extensive range of available configurations. Features like Pro Power Onboard generator make it easy to keep your camping must-haves powered up. Off-road biased trim levels can get you further into the woods. Whether you’re a trailer camper who loves staying in state parks or a more adventurous wild camper who likes to explore BLM land, the F-150 has a variant for you. See Ford F-150 models for sale near you

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2023 Honda Ridgeline

Starting Price: $38,800

Refined and comfortable in a way no other midsize truck is, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline‘s unibody construction takes the best from the world of cars and crossover SUVs and blends it with the practicality and utility of a pickup truck. The Ridgeline is packed with features that make it a great campsite companion, including standard all-wheel drive (AWD), an in-bed trunk for secure storage, a 2-way tailgate that makes for easy access, and even power and audio directly in the truck bed. See Honda Ridgeline models for sale near you

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2023 Jeep Gladiator

Starting Price: $38,775

The Jeep of pickups, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator combines midsize pickup utility with Jeep’s go-anywhere ability. The result is a vehicle that was seemingly made for the dedicated camper, the removable doors and roof immersing you in the outdoors even when you’re on the move. There is also a huge range of trims and options in the Gladiator line, with models like the Mojave adapted for desert use and the Rubicon setup for maximum trail capability. See Jeep Gladiator models for sale near you

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2023 Toyota Tacoma

Starting Price: $28,250

The Toyota Tacoma has long been a favorite of campers and off-road enthusiasts, and the 2023 Toyota Tacoma is no exception. There are several trim levels that cater to off-roaders, including a choice of TRD models. Look for the Trail Special Edition for lockable, insulated bed storage that can serve as an ice chest. With decades of camping and trail-busting use behind it, the Tacoma has extensive aftermarket support, allowing owners to build on the packages offered by Toyota to create their ideal midsize camping pickup. The Tacoma is also Kelley Blue Book’s Midsize Truck Best Buy of 2023. See Toyota Tacoma models for sale near you

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Best Cars, SUVs, and Vans for Camping

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Starting Price: $39,535

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee is excellent on- and off-road, with genuinely premium materials and features in top trims. It’s also roomy and powerful, giving it serious cargo space and up to 7,200 pounds of towing capacity. The Quadra-Lift air suspension on 4WD-equipped Overland and Summit models adds extra ride height when off-road, and it tucks back down again for more efficient cruising on the highway. See Jeep Grand Cherokee models for sale near you

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2023 Ford Bronco Sport

Starting Price: $29,215

If you’re looking for funky, rugged style in a modern SUV, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport has plenty, as well as solid safety scores, standard AWD, and a range of trims and styles to suit different needs. There’s an available MOLLE strap system inside so you can store bottles, multitools, and more. The cargo floor is rubberized, making it easy to clean. Mountain bikers can fit two upright bikes in the interior with the available rack. For the campers out there, Ford offers a Camp Outfitter bundle that includes roof rail crossbars, a Yakima Skyrise HD two-person rooftop tent, a Yakima awning, and all-weather floor mats. See Ford Bronco Sport models for sale near you

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2023 Ford Bronco

Starting Price: $34,890

When it comes to outdoor adventure, you can’t mention the Bronco Sport without including its bigger, highly capable Ford Bronco sibling. Available with two or four doors, hard top or soft, the Bronco has a 4WD powertrain that works with a Terrain Management System, making it easy to go exploring. Electronic locking front and rear differentials, disconnecting front anti-roll bar, and Trail Turn Assist give the Bronco incredible off-road capability. The Bronco can get you far beyond the campground, deep into the backcountry. Ford also offers roof rails with crossbars, rooftop tents, camp shower, and several canoe and kayak carriers. See Ford Bronco models for sale near you

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2023 Subaru Outback

Starting Price: $28,895

The 2023 Subaru Outback is the all-arounder wagon-meets-SUV you never knew you needed. With SUV-like ground clearance, standard AWD, and a capacious rear cargo area, as well as plenty of room for five adults, the Outback is an excellent camping companion. The Wilderness model gets even more ground clearance, underbody protection, roof rails upgraded to support a roof-top tent, and even an upgraded AWD system with special modes. See Subaru Outback models for sale near you

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2023 Toyota 4Runner

Starting Price: $40,155

Brand new but old school, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner is the best of both worlds in many respects. It’s loaded with safety features and modern tech (including smartphone integration) but it’s built with a truck-style body-on-frame structure that makes it extra rugged on the trails, especially when equipped with the optional part-time 4WD system. There’s even a TRD Pro trim level that includes Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, as well as a TRD roof rack. See Toyota 4Runner models for sale near you

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2023 Volvo V90 Cross Country

Starting Price: $58,650

Like a more luxurious, refined version of the Outback, the 2023 Volvo V90 Cross Country combines the space, comfort, and convenience of a wagon with more off-roadable ride height (8.3 inches of ground clearance) and suspension setup. The result is a wagon that’s just as at home making the morning coffee run as it is sidling down a dirt path to the campsite. See Volvo V90 models for sale near you

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2023 Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition

Starting Price: $47,695

What’s this, a minivan? Yes, the 2023 Toyota Sienna is not only Kelley Blue Book’s Minivan Best Buy of 2023, it’s also a fantastically practical and capable camp vehicle, especially when outfitted in Sienna Woodland Edition form. The Woodland package adds AWD and a modest suspension lift to give the minivan more SUV-like capabilities. It also comes with easy-to-wash SofTex-covered seats and a 1,500-watt power outlet — and it’s packed with tons of Toyota conveniences. See Toyota Sienna models for sale near you

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2023 Mercedes-Benz Metris Getaway

Starting Price: $69,319

If you’re looking for a van you probably won’t see coming and going, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Metris is a great option. Available in both cargo and passenger versions for those who’d prefer to upfit their own, there’s also the Metris Getaway, complete with a pop-up roof and camper that sleeps up to four. Optional extras include a pull-out kitchen, an 8-foot awning, and a solar panel for recharging the van’s second camp battery. As an upfitting package, the Getaway treatment adds $25,719 to the Metris’ Passenger Van $43,600 base price. But you may need to hurry, as Mercedes announced that 2023 is the last year of the Metris. See Mercedes-Benz Metris models for sale near you

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10 Best Used Cars and SUVs for Camping

2009-2011 Honda Element

Price Range: $10,000-$15,000

The Honda Element has been popular with outdoorsy people since its introduction, thanks to its rugged, washable interior, ample cargo space, and myriad accessories. Honda’s all-wheel drive is available for excursions farther afield, and the rear seats flip up to make stowing camping gear or hauling bikes a lot easier. See Honda Element models for sale near you

2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler

Price Range: $20,000-$35,000

The Jeep Wrangler needs no introduction, its long lineage of war-born and trail-tested off-roading ability having built a reputation around the world. It’s that off-roading ability that makes the Wrangler a great camping companion, with the potential to get you to sites you wouldn’t be able to get to any other way. See Jeep Wrangler models for sale near you

2016-2020 Toyota Land Cruiser

Price Range: $50,000-$90,000

For excellent off-road ability and legendarily plush on-road comfort, a recent Toyota Land Cruiser is an excellent option. Advanced safety and driver assists, as well as 9,300 pounds of towing capacity, make light work of the road trip to your destination. The Land Cruiser’s 381-horsepower V8 and advanced 4WD system are ready to tame the trails once you’re there. See Toyota Land Cruiser models for sale near you

2017-2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

Price Range: $20,000-$30,000

More civilized campers will appreciate the all-purpose flexibility of a car like the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack. You typically won’t need wild ground clearance and 4WD to make it to your local state or national park campground, and the Alltrack’s spacious cargo area, standard AWD, and 30 mpg highway rating are great features to have when you’re not camping, too. See Volkswagen Golf models for sale near you

2014-2018 Subaru Forester

Price Range: $11,000-$22,000

The Subaru Forester is the roomier, taller cousin of the Outback, and all the reasons that make the Outback a great choice for camping apply here, too. As a bonus, the Forester is typically less expensive than the Outback (while also a bit less luxurious), yet it still offers EyeSight advanced driver assists, X-Mode AWD with hill descent control, and more. See Subaru Forester models for sale near you

2012-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500

Price Range: $20,000-$35,000

If off-roading isn’t a significant part of your camping adventure, or you’d like to build your campsite right into your vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is an incredibly flexible option. With a range of heights, wheelbases, and fitments, you can make a Sprinter for nearly any occasion. The Sprinter 2500 offers extra payload capacity over the Sprinter 1500. There’s even the option for 4WD, though the height and length of some models of Sprinter will make it a challenge to fit, let alone maneuver on rough trails. See Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models for sale near you

2016-2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Price Range: $22,000-$27,000

Everything you love about the RAV4, with the added benefit of hybrid efficiency, make the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid a great vehicle for just about any use, including camping. The RAV4’s sensible balance between cargo space, passenger capacity, compact exterior size, and fuel efficiency is a perfect complement to the “leave only footprints, take only memories” school of camping. See Toyota RAV4 models for sale near you

2010-2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500

Price Range: $15,000-$25,000

If you need to do a bit of everything while bringing along seven or eight of your best friends, the extreme capability and size of the Chevrolet Suburban 2500 are just what you need. With seating for up to nine, the ability to tow more than 9,000 pounds, available 4WD, and a standard V8 engine, the Suburban 2500 is up to the challenge — provided your wallet is up to the task of feeding it. The 6.0-liter V8 under the hood rates 10 mpg in town and 16 mpg on the highway. See Chevrolet Suburban models for sale near you

2011-2015 Nissan Xterra

Price Range: $10,000-$22,000

The Nissan Xterra, like the 4Runner, is a newer SUV built with older methods, and that body-on-frame construction does lend it old-school ruggedness and ability. While it never got quite as popular as the Tacoma, there is good aftermarket support for the Xterra, especially when it comes to outfitting it for adventure. The Xterra PRO-4X model includes a nice setup from the factory, with 4WD, a locking differential, and more. See Nissan Xterra models for sale near you

2008-2014 Chevrolet Express 1500 AWD

Price Range: $10,000-$25,000

Van fans who don’t want to spring for the Sprinter will find the Chevrolet Express 2500 a fantastic alternative as well as a great value. While it’s less than optimal off-road, it also offers AWD. For those with serious camping trailers, the Express 2500 van can tow more than 10,000 pounds when properly configured. If you’re angling to tow heavy while also hauling lots of gear, consider the 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8. See Chevrolet Express Van models for sale near you

Related: SUVs With the Most Cargo Space

The Features Your Vehicle Needs for Camping

By Ben Stewart

The Case for All-Wheel Drive

Campsites and the roads that lead to them are incredibly varied. Some sites can be accessed from the pavement and have bathrooms nearby, which is quite convenient. But many recreational campers want to tread a little further away from civilization. And that means leaving the paved roads behind. Dirt roads that lead to remote locations tend to become a little less like roads and more like trails the farther you go. If this sounds like a fun adventure, consider choosing a vehicle with all-wheel drive and more ground clearance than a typical car.

To reach truly remote locations, you’ll need to take off-road trails. Go for a vehicle with a classic 4-wheel-drive system that includes low-range gearing. In short, be sure to know the type of terrain you want to explore before buying a vehicle.

The Deeper You Go, the More You Bring

Pack your vehicle for just one overnight, and you will realize just how much stuff is required to camp out. The longer your trip, the more things you’ll need to bring with you. Extra food, water, and clothing take up space and add weight. Venture further into the wild in a 4×4, and you might want some specialized off-road equipment, too. To be well prepared for off-road exploring, stock your vehicle with basic emergency supplies, recovery gear, and perhaps a few tools, too, should something break — and something usually does. Yes, this stuff will add even more weight to your vehicle.

Storage Space and Payload

How much cargo space do you need?

Once you have an idea where you might travel and for how long, you can zero in on the best vehicles for that lifestyle. No surprise, a larger SUV, pickup truck, or van will provide the most space and have the ability to carry more weight. But smaller vehicles are more maneuverable and easier to manage on tight trails.

Many campers strike a balance — they get vehicles that can carry lots of equipment and remain highly maneuverable. That’s why it’s essential to know how many cubic feet of cargo space is available with the seats up and with them folded. This will provide a standardized number for comparisons, and it will help you figure out if the vehicle you’re eyeing can carry what you will need.

How much cargo weight can your car carry?

You need to know how much weight the vehicle can handle — that is called the payload. This spec can be found on the inside of the driver’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual. Be aware the total payload weight can add up very quickly. For example, a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has a payload that ranges from around 850 pounds up to 1,300 pounds, depending on how the vehicle is optioned from the factory.

That number doesn’t just count the weight of the cargo on board; it also includes the people. So, two 200-pound passengers and their gear could take up a sizable chunk of Wrangler payload. And that’s assuming the Wrangler owner has not bolted on serious off-roading equipment. That electric winch and those heavy-duty steel bumpers add serious weight.

Tents and Rooftop Tents

One way to shave some weight from the camping equation is to forgo the tent option and sleep inside your vehicle. But generally, tents aren’t too heavy unless you opt for the rooftop variety. Rooftop tents are popular, especially for overlanding, which is long-distance off-road camping. They can provide a great sleeping experience because many are roomy, include plush mattresses, and are high off the ground (away from critters).

Plus, they save space inside the cargo hatch for other gear. But these tents can be heavy, ranging from around 80 pounds up to 200 pounds. That extra heft eats into your vehicle’s available payload. And because the heavy tent is also up high, it can affect the vehicle’s handling on the road and off.

See Best SUVs for Towing.

How much does all your camping gear weigh?

Let’s pack up for a virtual weekend camping trip and find out what kind of weight a typical trip could add to a vehicle. These weights are just an approximation and could vary wildly depending on what you might want to bring. We are packing for two people on this mock adventure who each weigh 180 pounds, plus a 40-pound dog.

Rooftop tent: 130 pounds Sleeping bags and pads: 6 pounds Clothing and toiletries: 15 pounds Four gallons of water: 32 pounds Three days of food: 12 pounds Propane stove and fuel: 20 pounds Cooking equipment/mess kit: 6 pounds Two folding camp chairs: 20 pounds Large cooler: 25 pounds Shovel and tool kit: 10 pounds Miscellaneous (soap, trash bags, etc.): 20 pounds Gear total: 296 pounds

The combined weight of our adventurers and all this gear is 696 pounds. That’s quite a bit of weight. The good news is that plenty of SUVs carry a payload rating right around 1,000 pounds. However, packing for longer camping trips could require more weight capacity.

Smart Engineering

When shopping for a good camping vehicle, look for intelligent ways that automakers help make gear-hauling easier. Here are a few we have found.

Toyota offers a sliding rear cargo deck for the 4Runner. It is rated at 440 pounds and has two positions, the farthest of which slides out past the bumper and can make loading gear easier. Similarly, Ford offers a cool cargo management system for the new Bronco Sport. It allows you to create shelves and separators in the cargo hold. You can even remove the unit and use it as a camp table.

Chrysler’s Pacifica goes beyond the minivan’s inherent usefulness by offering Stow ‘n Go seating. At the touch of a button, the second- and third-row seats can disappear beneath the floor. That allows for a completely flat platform behind the front seats — a perfect space to sleep.

Ford offers the option of several onboard generators for the F-150, which can help power lots of equipment around a campsite. In addition, the Ford F-150 is available with an onboard cargo scale, to make sure you don’t overload your truck with gear. Also, a continuously controlled damping system smooths out the ride by compensating for gear in the bed or a trailer on the hitch. And Honda offers official tents through its accessory division for both the Pilot and Ridgeline.

The Honda Ridgeline’s underfloor storage can be used as a cooler. This is similar to the available bedside storage in the Ram 1500, Nissan Titan, and the Toyota Tacoma Trail Edition.

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