SUV Camping Vs. Tent Camping: Which Is Better?

I like tenting, whether or not in an RV, a tent, or an SUV. Every has advantages and disadvantages that make it higher in particular conditions. Right this moment, we’ll concentrate on the similarities and variations I’ve found after years of SUV tenting vs. tent tenting. 

What Is SUV Tenting?

SUV camping can take a number of totally different varieties, together with combining it with tent tenting (rooftop tents). I contemplate SUV tenting to be utilizing the SUV as your major type of transportation and lodging. I typically lie the again seat down, toss an air mattress in, and sleep in my SUV, however that’s on no account the one method to do it.

What Is Tent Tenting?

Tent tenting is whenever you arrange a tent and sleep in it. You’ll be able to pack it up every evening, transfer spots, or set it up in a location and use it as a house base (very similar to you’d do on a backcountry looking journey). 

SUV Tenting Professionals & Cons

Tenting in your SUV has many advantages and disadvantages, comparable to: 

Professionals

• Higher protected against the climate and harmful animals
• Much less setup/tear-down time
• Much less gear wanted

Whereas tenting with my dad just a few years in the past, I skilled simply how nice SUV tenting is when bad weather rolls in. I used to be dry and cozy behind my 4Runner, whereas my dad was soaked in a tent. He’d even tried to waterproof it as finest he might as a result of we knew the rain was coming, but it surely nonetheless didn’t cease the water from ultimately discovering a approach in and soaking him and his gear. He conceded and joined me in my SUV. Tenting in my SUV can also be safer than sleeping in a tent in bear nation. Sure, bears can nonetheless get right into a automobile, but it surely’s much less possible, particularly whenever you take the right precautions.

I’ve by no means loved how a lot time it takes to arrange and tear down camp, particularly whereas tent tenting. The wonderful thing about SUV tenting is that point is drastically decreased as a result of your sleeping quarters are already arrange. Nonetheless, I’m not saying it’s immediately prepared; SUV tenting requires some preliminary setup.

SUV tenting is so intriguing to freshmen due to the dearth of substances wanted. You don’t must have a tent or RV to sleep in; all you want is your present SUV. You’ll nonetheless want some tenting necessities, however you’ll get monetary savings on a spot to sleep.

Cons

• Fewer choices for locations to camp
• Should pack up all the pieces everytime you need to drive someplace
• Lower than best for households

One of many greatest drawbacks for the adventurous spirit is the dearth of locations to SUV camp. Sure, overlanding is an possibility in case you reside out west. Nonetheless, many of the US is restricted to RV websites or simply off the crushed path. 

I is likely to be exaggerating slightly once I say you should pack up all the pieces, however you do have to pack up greater than you sometimes would whereas tent tenting, simply to drive down the highway to the trailhead or a fast run into city for provides you forgot.

I’ve camped in a tent with a number of individuals directly, however it could be a battle to SUV camp with my household of 4, so you probably have a big household, SUV tenting in all probability isn’t the answer to go tenting. You would possibly need to look into a big tent or an RV. 

Tent Tenting Professionals & Cons

I grew up tent tenting and have skilled the various upsides and drawbacks of tent tenting, like: 

Professionals

• Extra locations to camp
• Higher for households
• Have a house base

Tenting in a tent opens up your choices for tenting. You’ll be able to hike in and arrange a tent deep within the woods or mountains, or you’ll be able to pop your tent up in a state park. 

When tent tenting, you can too get a bigger tent (6-8 individual tents are quite common) so you’ll be able to deliver your complete household. Except you could have an enormous SUV, you’re extraordinarily space-limited and may solely accommodate just a few individuals.

I admire that you would be able to arrange a tent at a location and simply enterprise off from there, with out having to interrupt camp (however the possibility to interrupt camp and arrange someplace else continues to be there). 

Cons

• Have to buy and pack extra gear
• Much less protected against the setting

Determining all of the gear you will have in your first few tent tenting journeys could be a bit overwhelming as a result of there’s rather a lot. When you’ve taken just a few tenting journeys, you’ll be higher ready and know what to pack and what to depart at dwelling.

As I discussed, tents should not the best safety from the setting, however so long as you get a high quality tent and perceive what you’re entering into, it’s a enjoyable method to benefit from the open air.

Closing Ideas: SUV Tenting Vs. Tent Tenting

Now that the variations and similarities of SUV tenting and tent tenting, it’s time to return to a remaining verdict on which is best. 

Tent tenting is the way in which to go for the extra adventurous. Nonetheless, for many who desire to remain slightly nearer to civilization and don’t have a big household, SUV tenting is good. 

Simply since you select one kind of tenting on one journey doesn’t imply you’re caught doing it ceaselessly. I tent and SUV camp all year long, relying on who’s with me and the way a lot time I’ve for adventures.

Wesley Littlefield

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