Basecamp’s Baker’s Dozen
There’s a big difference between sleeping in your car and living out of it. The first is an overnight solution. The second is a system — a rhythm that turns your vehicle into a tiny home on wheels.
Whether you’re out for a weekend, a season, or an open-ended stretch of road, these thirteen essentials will make that system work.
1. A Solid Sleeping Platform
Forget wrestling with gear every night. A flat, level surface transforms your setup from chaos to comfort. Build one yourself or use a system like the Basecamp Box — a sleeping platform allows you to sleep and store your gear underneath.
2. A Real Mattress or Sleeping Pad
Skip the half-deflated camping pad. Go for an inflatable car mattress or a tri-fold foam pad cut to your car’s shape. Comfort equals consistency — and consistent rest keeps you on the road longer. I prefer foam - its warmer and makes you feel a little more at home!
3. Window Covers
Privacy, insulation, and stealth all in one. Reflectix or insulated fabric panels make a huge difference in both temperature control and security. Pro tip: add magnets or suction cups for quick setup.
4. A Power Station
A small power station (like an EcoFlow, Jackery, or GoalZero) keeps your phone, laptop, and lights charged without idling your engine. Pair it with a solar panel or charge it at coffee shops and rest stops.
5. A Cooler or 12V Fridge
Canned chili only goes so far. A reliable cooler (or better yet, a small fridge) opens up real meals — smoothies, salads, and cold brew on tap. Organization helps here, too — keep dry goods in bins by category.
6. A Kitchen Box
Your home kitchen has drawers; your car kitchen should too. A single bin or drawer with a cutting board, knife, utensils, and single-burner stove makes cooking enjoyable, not chaotic. It’s also cleaner, you don’t want you’re utensils just floating around your car, sharing space with your hiking boots and sweaty socks.
7. Lighting
String lights, a rechargeable lantern, or a motion sensor puck light — anything that saves you from using your phone flashlight at 11 p.m. Think warm, soft light that makes your setup feel like home. (this also makes window covers all the more important!)
8. Storage Bins that Actually Fit
Stackable, labeled, and sized for your cargo space. Keep one for clothes, one for food, and one for gear. The less you dig through, the more you’ll want to stay organized — especially when it’s cold or raining.
9. A Compact Camp Chair
It’s easy to forget until you’re eating dinner hunched over your cooler. A lightweight folding chair changes everything — morning coffee feels like a ritual again.
10. A Simple Hygiene Setup
Keep it minimal: wipes, a microfiber towel, dry shampoo, and a small water jug with a spout. Public showers and gym memberships fill in the gaps, but daily comfort starts with the basics.
11. A Ventilation Solution
Crack windows with bug screens, or invest in a small 12V fan. Condensation and stuffy air can ruin an otherwise great setup — airflow is non-negotiable.
12. A “Catch-All” Bag
Shoes, dirty clothes, recycling — the things that never seem to have a place. A collapsible bag keeps them contained until you find a trash bin or laundry stop. It’s the unsung hero of every setup.
13. A Sense of Routine
This one isn’t gear — it’s mindset. Living out of your car works best when it’s not a constant improvisation. Make morning coffee the same way. Clean up before bed. Small rituals turn mobility into something sustainable.
Closing Thoughts
Car camping isn’t about roughing it — it’s about refining it. With the right tools, your vehicle becomes a mobile studio, basecamp, and home all in one. Start simple, stay organized, and build your system piece by piece.
That’s the heart of the Basecamp Collective philosophy: design that moves with you.
