The Best Car Camping Setups We’ve Seen

Why We Love Seeing People's Camp Setups

Every camper’s setup tells a story. Some are built for months on the road, while others are designed for a perfect one-weekend escape, but all share the same magic: an attempt at transforming a regular car into a home with a view.

We’ve spent far too many nights scrolling through posts from campers showing off their unique rigs, complete with drawers, rooftop tents, tailgate kitchens, and wild lighting setups. So here it is: a collection of our favorite car camping setups we’ve seen out there, and what we love about each one.

🏕️ Compact SUV Setups

These are the heroes of “I didn’t overthink it, I just went” camping. A simple foam mattress, a few bins under a platform, and a compact cooking station.

Why we love it:

• It’s proof that you don’t need a truck to live the dream.
• The creativity in small spaces, folding panels, under-bed storage, and makeshift shelves is unmatched. Finding every way to save space.
• Perfect for spontaneous road trips or one-night escapes after work.

Pair it with a Chuk Kitchen Box and you’ve got a complete kitchen that fits behind the rear seats, no DIY required.

🚙 Full-Build Overlanding Rigs

These are the setups that stop you mid-scroll: I'm always drawn to the super elaborate ones with fancy drawer systems, power stations, water tanks, roof tents, awnings, and lighting. Every inch dialed.

Why we love it:

• It’s the craftsmanship. You can tell someone poured a ton of time and effort into it.
• There’s beauty in a rig that’s completely self-contained. You can basically go anywhere at the drop of a hat for long periods of time. Really opens up the possibilities.
• They show how functional and comfortable camping can become with the right dialed-in setup.
  

Our favorites are usually the ones that combine simplicity with function. Just like we aimed to do with the Chuk Kitchen Box.

🌄 Simple Weekender Layouts

There’s something refreshing about setups that aren’t trying to do too much. Just a car, a cooler, a stove, and maybe a lantern swinging from the hatch. Or a nice foam mattress thrown in the back of a pickup truck.

Why we love it:

• They remind us to keep it simple.
• The focus is on the experience, not the gear.
• These setups are often the most comfortable and realistic. Just throw your bedding from home in the back of your truck.
  

🧰 DIY Builds

This is the “engineer’s playground” of car camping. Modular drawers on sliders, neatly labeled bins, and ingenious uses of plywood, milk crates, or whatever is in the garage.

Why we love it:

• It’s where creativity and function collide.
• Everyone builds differently. Some drawers double as tables, others hide stoves or coolers.
• The ingenuity consistently inspires new takes on how to use space.
  

Even if you’re not the DIY type, seeing these designs helps you rethink your own layout. It's always amazing how creative people can be.

✨ What We Love About These Setups

When you look across all these car camping builds from full overlanding rigs to quick weekend kits, a few things stand out:

• Personality: Every rig reflects its owner’s style.
• Ingenuity: people find creative ways to use space and gear.
• Simplicity: even the biggest builds work best when everything has a place.
• Connection: behind every photo is someone slowing down, unplugging, cooking a nice meal, and enjoying the outdoors.
  

That last part is what ties it all together. Whether you’re cooking dinner by headlights or having coffee at sunrise, these little moments make it all worth it.

🔗 The Gear That Ties It All Together

The gear isn't the only part, but it can make things easier and allow you to adventure further and more often. That’s why we designed the Chuk Kitchen Box to work with any of these setups. It’s compact enough to toss in your trunk, sturdy enough to live outside the car, and designed for that quick grab-and-go freedom.

❓FAQs

Q: What’s the best car camping setup for beginners?
A: Start small. A sleeping pad, a reliable cooler, and one all-in-one kitchen box (like Chuk) will get you far. Add gear as you go.

Q: How do I find ideas for my own setup?
A: Search “car camping setup” or “overlanding rig” on social. The community is packed with inspiration. Over time, follow more accounts, and before you know it, your algorithm will be feeding you inspiration.

Q: How do I keep things organized?
A: Simplicity wins. Use one box for cooking, one for clothes, and one for sleep gear. Label them if you need to. 

Ready to build your own camp rig or upgrade the one you have?
Grab a Chuk Kitchen Box, toss it in the trunk, and head wherever the road takes you.

(Follow us on social and tag @chukoutdoors in your photos! We’re always looking for new inspiration!)