Car Camping in A minivan: Setup, Space and Gear
WildFinder SUV Tent
$119.99An SUV or tailgate tent attaches around the open hatch, adding a room to a minivan. Check the listing's fit notes against your exact model.
Check price on AmazonSpecsMinivans are the quiet champion of car camping. With the third row stowed in the floor and the second row folded or removed, the flat floor fits a full or queen mattress, and the sliding doors make getting in and out at night easy.
| Cargo behind row 2 | 75 to 90 cu ft |
|---|---|
| Cargo with rear seats folded | 140 to 155 cu ft |
| Typical sleeping length | about 6.5 to 7.5 ft with the rear seats stowed or removed |
| Couple's camping load | 18.7 cu ft packed: it fits, with 41 cu ft spare |
| Family of four load | 32.2 cu ft packed: it fits, with 28 cu ft spare |
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 minivan for camping?
- Check whether your second-row seats remove or only slide; removing them turns the van into a genuine bedroom.
- Measure between the wheel wells before buying a mattress: many vans take a full-size mattress, fewer a queen.
- Magnetic window screens on the sliding door windows give airflow without bugs.
SUV and tailgate tents for a minivan
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
What should you sleep on in a minivan?
Measure the floor with the seats folded before buying anything. A thick self-inflating pad (3 to 4 inches) follows small slopes and steps in the folded seats better than an air mattress, and insulates the cold floor. SUV-specific air mattresses that fill the rear footwell suit people who want the widest bed and do not mind the pump. Either way, add a foam layer when nights drop below about 50F: the car floor is cold.
Pads and mattresses for the cargo floor
Screens, shades and comfort
Keep planning
Frequently asked questions
Can you sleep in a minivan?
Yes. Typical sleeping length is about 6.5 to 7.5 ft with the rear seats stowed or removed. Measure your own from the tailgate to the back of the front seats with them slid forward, then pick a pad or mattress about 2 inches shorter. Ventilate with two windows cracked behind mesh screens, and never idle a gas engine for heat while you sleep.
Will a family camping load fit in a minivan?
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. minivan usable cargo is about 60 cu ft by our estimate, so it fits, with care.
Is it safe to run the engine while sleeping in a minivan?
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.