Warm weather is on its way – have you dug out your camping gear yet and started to get ready for the upcoming season of adventures under the sun and stars? You might have your first camping trips of the year already planned, but now’s the perfect time to give yourself a gear checkup so you can replenish any items you used up last year, replace essentials that aren’t up to par, and restock your emergency kits so you’re prepared for anything.
Whether you’re headed outdoors in a well-stocked RV or going car or tent camping, these essentials will have you covered.
Sleeping Accommodations
First and foremost, you need camping equipment that’ll provide you with a comfortable and secure spot to sleep and relax. You have so many different options when it comes to outdoor sleeping accommodations – you can opt for everything from a simple sleeping bag to a truck tent to a full-size tent that sleeps your entire family. And you can get as fancy with your sleeping setup (or as simple) as you’d like.
Here’s an overview of some of the different types of sleeping gear you may want to pick up for your spring and summer camping trips.
Tents
There’s so much variety – and variation – in the kinds of tents you can use for camping. Classic ground tents come in sizes that can fit anywhere from one to eight (or more!) sleepers, plus gear.
However, you can also turn your vehicle into a cozy camping setup with truck and SUV tents that attach to the side or rear of the vehicle’s exterior. Check out brands Rightline Gear right here on PartsVia.com for some excellent options.
And if you don’t mind some height - or laying out a little more cash - you can also find rooftop tents designed to sit atop your vehicle. Thule Tepui, ARB, Body Armor, Overland Vehicle Systems and Smittybilt are some solid brands to turn to in this arena when starting your search.
Any tent will do the trick, but you’ll want to make sure that you choose one that’s durable, simple to set up, and roomy enough for your family, friends, or general needs.
Air Beds, Air Mattresses, and Sleeping Pads
Designed to offer a well-cushioned place to rest and relax by keeping rocks, bumps, and other lumps away from your back, these camping essentials are a must for many people.
Inflatable air mattresses are a popular choice, as they come in various sizes and can be used inside a tent or even in the backseat of your SUV or truck’s cab. Air beds, which usually are a little more robust than a standard air mattress, are a great option too. They are essentially air mattresses that inflate into full-sized beds, with legs to lift your sleeping surface off the ground.
If you want to keep your sleeping gear simple, a sleeping pad is particularly handy. Lightweight and able to be stashed compactly, these thin pads don’t require inflation and can be rolled out under a sleeping bag to provide some extra cushioning.
A product like AirBedz provides inflatable comfort for the whole gang.
Outdoor “Furniture”
In addition to having a place to sleep, you’ll want to add some extra outdoor “furniture” to your camping essentials list so you have somewhere to sit – either around the fire, while you eat, or simply to change up the scenery. You don’t need to go overboard and bring a ton of pieces with you, but it’s always a good idea to pack the following:
- Folding outdoor chairs that collapse compactly for easy packing
- A folding table, which can serve as a space to store kitchen gear, place essentials, or enjoy meals around
- A folding camp kitchen, which includes space to prep meals and store items like a camp stove, portable lights and lanterns, and pots and pans
You can get as extensive or as simple as you’d like when it comes to chairs, tables, and outdoor kitchen space. If you’re traveling in an RV or with a trailer, you’ll likely want to have more options since you have extra storage space. If you’re car camping, just a folding chair or two usually does the trick just fine.
Kitchen, Cooking, and Food Storage Essentials
Whether you keep your meals simple or go all-out like you’re cooking at home, you still need to eat while you’re camping. And you can make it a much easier and flexible process if you pack some key kitchen, cooking, and food storage staples in with your usual gear. You don’t need to bring your whole kitchen along on every outdoor adventure, but the following are particularly handy to have:
- A sturdy cooler to stash cold food and drinks on ice
- A fridge (if you’ll have a power source)
- A camp stove (unless one’s already built into your trailer or RV)
- A collapsible camp kitchen, which can include space for a stove, grill, and all of your cooking tools
- Pots, pans, or a Dutch oven
- Portable propane (if your grill or stove requires it)
- Grilling utensils
- Paper towels
- Ziploc bags or plastic food storage containers
If you want to get fancy, serveware will certainly elevate the experience. You can also pack camping-ready plates, flatware, kitchen towels, placemats or table cloths, and cups to set a full table for each meal. Or, you can opt for disposable goods, though they aren’t as kind to the environment as reusable products.
When it comes to high-quality food storage, ARB and Dometic are top brands in the cooler and compact fridge space.
Portable Power and Lighting
It’s no secret that the great outdoors gets pretty dark when the sun sets – and you definitely don’t want to find yourself sitting at a poorly-lit campsite with limited visibility. Portable power and portable lighting are both must-have camping essentials, even if you’re going off the grid and don’t want to rely on many high-tech devices.
Portable lighting, either in the form of camping lanterns, string lights, or just a quality outdoor-ready flashlight, is essential for illuminating your campsite. It’ll help you cook in the dark, make your way to nearby bathrooms, and see where you’re going without tripping. You can opt for battery-powered, gas-powered, or traditional electric lighting; it all depends on whether you’ll have electric power at your campsite or not.
Speaking of power, it’s always a good idea to bring along some kind of portable power option. If you’re going light, a portable battery is a great choice to keep smaller devices running. If you’re tent, car, or RV camping, you can go bigger. In these cases, larger portable batteries, surge protectors, and generators can all ensure you have safe power to keep appliances from stoves to air conditioning to lights running throughout your trip.
Hygiene and Sanitation Gear
No one wants to spend their camping trip thinking about their sanitation needs, but it’s pretty critical to having a good trip! You want to make sure you have plenty of fresh, clean water access and all of the accessories and items you need to shower and keep your camping bathroom clean – especially if you’re hitting the road in an RV or trailer with a built-in shower and toilet.
Fresh water is often as simple as either packing water bottles or using the provided fresh water hookups at a campsite. However, if you’re trailer or RV camping, you’ll want to bring along some water purifiers to ensure your plumbing is working with drinkable water that’s safe for sipping, showering, and cooking.
And if your RV or trailer also includes a toilet, you absolutely can’t overlook camping essentials like tank cleaners, odor eliminators, and buildup dissolving solutions. Whether you like simply dropping a tablet into your toilet to clear out your waste tank or need a strong odor-eliminating solution, make sure to stock up on these essentials to avoid a seriously gross mess at the end of your trip when emptying the tanks.
Some things in life just aren’t worth the compromise -- your RV tank dumping equipment is one of them. Camco RhinoFLEX hoses are the sturdiest sewer hoses on the market, ensuring you avoid truly messy mishaps.
First Aid and Emergency Supplies
Lastly, you can’t overlook the importance of carrying a stash of first aid and emergency supplies with you on every camping trip. You never know if you’re going to need a simple bandage or more serious emergency medical supplies.
And with problems presented by weather, tools, and even just the elements of the great outdoors, you can easily find yourself needing emergency gear with no notice. A well-stocked kit will have:
- Adhesive bandages in various sizes and styles (think small, medium, large, butterfly, and beyond)
- Gauze, either in pad or roll form
- Antiseptic creams and ointments
- Sterile wipes and rinse solutions
- Medicines (cover the basics like antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, and pain relievers)
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Tweezers, scissors, safety pins
- A knife or multitool
- Aloe
- Anti-diarrhea medicine
- Hand sanitizer
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Radio
- Backup battery
- Ice packs
Whether you choose to build your own emergency kit or purchase a pre-packaged solution, you’ll be glad you went prepared.
It’s also a good idea to carry a fire extinguisher. You never know when accidents might happen, either with a campfire or something you’re cooking. You can stash one in with the rest of your camping supplies, making sure it’s within reach while at your chosen campsite.
When it comes to camping, having the right gear can make all the difference. Prioritize the essentials, and you can rest assured you’ll have a comfortable and enjoyable experience!