Car Camping in A Jeep: Setup, Space and Gear
WildFinder SUV Tent
$119.99An SUV or tailgate tent attaches around the open hatch, adding a room to a Jeep. Check the listing's fit notes against your exact model.
Check price on AmazonSpecsJeeps are built for getting to the campsite rather than sleeping in it. Most Jeep campers pitch a tent beside the vehicle or use a tailgate tent, and keep the cabin for gear.
| Cargo behind row 2 | about 30 to 38 cu ft |
|---|---|
| Cargo with rear seats folded | about 70 to 72 cu ft |
| Typical sleeping length | about 5 to 5.5 ft in a Wrangler Unlimited with seats folded, which is short for most adults |
| Couple's camping load | 19.6 cu ft packed: it fits, with 4 cu ft spare |
| Family of four load | 32.2 cu ft packed: over by about 8 cu ft |
Typical ranges for the class, not a specific model. Load volumes are estimates from typical packed sizes, via the cargo calculator.
How do you set up a Jeep for camping?
- A tailgate or SUV tent makes the most of the swing gate.
- Soft tops and removable panels are not weatherproof for sleeping in heavy rain.
- Keep the load light and low; Jeep cargo areas are short.
SUV and tailgate tents for a Jeep
WOLFWILL SUV Tailgate Tent with Awning Waterproof SUV Tents for$61.95Check priceSpec sheet
Economical Car Camping Tent$89.99Check price
Napier Sportz Cove$111.98Check price- WildFinder SUV Tent$119.99Check priceSpec sheet
TIMBER RIDGE 5-9 Person SUV Tent with Screen Porch and Awning for$229.99Check priceSpec sheet
Napier Sportz SUV Tent$399.99Check priceSpec sheet
Where do you sleep with a Jeep?
Pitch a tent beside the vehicle and use a Jeep as your gear locker and rain shelter. A 4-person dome is the right size for two adults, and the tent size calculator covers larger groups.
Tents and pads
TaskStar 4" Self Inflating Sleeping Pad for Camping with Pillow$49.99Check priceSpec sheet
UNP 6 Person Tents for Camping Waterproof Family Cabin Tent with$129.99Check priceSpec sheet
Coleman Skydome Dark Room 4/6/8/10 Person Camping Tent with Rainfly$179.95Check priceSpec sheet
Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad$449.95Check price
Screens, shades and comfort
Extra cargo space
A roof box needs crossbars and your vehicle's roof load limit; a hitch carrier needs a receiver.
Keep planning
Frequently asked questions
Can you sleep in a Jeep?
Not comfortably for most adults. Expect about 5 to 5.5 ft in a Wrangler Unlimited with seats folded, which is short for most adults. Jeep campers usually pitch a tent beside the vehicle or use a tailgate tent, and use the cabin as a gear locker and rain shelter.
Will a family camping load fit in a Jeep?
A family-of-four load of a 6-person tent, two coolers, four chairs, bags, pads, stove, table and duffels comes to about 32.2 cu ft packed. Jeep usable cargo is about 24 cu ft by our estimate, so it runs about 8 cu ft over: a rooftop cargo box of 14 to 18 cu ft usually solves it.
Is it safe to run the engine while sleeping in a Jeep?
Do not idle a gas or diesel engine for heat or air conditioning while you sleep. Exhaust can leak into the cabin, and snow or a nearby wall can trap it, and carbon monoxide is odourless. Use insulation, a warm bag and a pad for cold, and a battery fan and window screens for heat. Carry a battery carbon monoxide detector either way.
Get the car camping checklist
One printable page: the full packing checklist plus our three complete setups with current prices. No sales sequence.
Used only to send the list. You can also read every setup free on this site.Researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures are published specifications or clearly labelled conventions; check your own gear's manual and your campground's rules.