Car Camping in A Toyota Highlander: Setup, Space and Gear

Updated 2026-09-24 · Researched from published specs and verified owner reviews

Quick answerThe Highlander is a three-row family SUV, so it is really two cars for camping: a five-seat family hauler with a big cargo bay, or a two-person sleeper with both rear rows folded.. A couple's load takes about 18.7 cu ft and a family of four about 32.2 cu ft, against roughly 30 cu ft of usable space.

WildFinder SUV Tent

$119.99

An SUV or tailgate tent attaches around the open hatch, adding a room to a Toyota Highlander. Check the listing's fit notes against your exact model.

Check price on Amazon Specs

The Highlander is a three-row family SUV, so it is really two cars for camping: a five-seat family hauler with a big cargo bay, or a two-person sleeper with both rear rows folded.

Toyota Highlander car camping numbers
Cargo behind row 2	about 40.6 cu ft
Cargo with rear seats folded	about 84.3 cu ft
Couple's camping load	18.7 cu ft packed: it fits, with 11 cu ft spare
Family of four load	32.2 cu ft packed: over by about 2 cu ft

Manufacturer-published figures for the 2020 on Toyota Highlander, rounded; they vary by trim, moonroof and year, so check your manual. Load volumes are estimates from typical packed sizes, via the cargo calculator.

How do you set up a Toyota Highlander for camping?

With row three folded the cargo bay swallows two coolers and bins.
Hybrids can run small loads without idling the engine; never sleep in a vehicle with a combustion engine running.
A roof box keeps bedding out of the cabin with five aboard.

SUV and tailgate tents for a Toyota Highlander

What should you sleep on in a Toyota Highlander?

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

Extra cargo space

A roof box needs crossbars and your vehicle's roof load limit; a hitch carrier needs a receiver.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you sleep in a Toyota Highlander?

Yes. 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 Toyota Highlander?

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. Toyota Highlander usable cargo is about 30 cu ft by our estimate, so it runs about 2 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 Toyota Highlander?

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.

Safety: Never idle a gas engine or run a fuel-burning heater while sleeping in a vehicle: carbon monoxide is odourless and can build up in the cabin.

Researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures are published specifications or clearly labelled conventions; check your own gear's manual and your campground's rules.