Building the Perfect Car Camping Setup in Our 4Runner
If you’re ready to take your adventure to the next level, a well-organized car camping setup is a game-changer. After a lot of trial and error, we’ve nailed down the best gear and system for car camping with our 2023 Toyota 4Runner. Whether it’s a weekend escape to a nearby National Park or a week-long road trip, our car camping setup ensures we’re ready for anything.
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Why Choose a 4Runner for Car Camping?
When it comes to a car camping setup, choosing the right vehicle is essential. The Toyota 4Runner is a popular choice for overlanding and camping enthusiasts because of its off-road capabilities and ample cargo space. This makes it perfect for those who want a comfortable, reliable vehicle to camp in—no tent needed. The 4Runner offers the flexibility to create an efficient car camping setup without compromising comfort or mobility.
Backseat vs. No-Seat Platform Builds
A lot of people building out their 4Runner for camping choose to remove the back seats to create a full-length platform. While that adds storage and more sleeping space, we decided to leave our back seats in for now. Our setup sits right on top of the folded-down seats, which keeps it fully removable and lets us use the back seats again if needed. Since we were unsure exactly how we wanted to organize our gear or what our ideal layout would be, this minimal build gave us flexibility to move things around and adjust as we go. It was also super easy to put together, even without a garage or major tools.
Our Simple Platform Build
The goal of this build was to level out the back of the 4Runner so we could comfortably sleep on a flat surface. We didn’t want to overcommit with drawers or permanent structures, so we kept things basic. This minimal platform gives us enough room for a folding mattress and storage underneath, while still being light enough to lift out whenever we need to.
You don’t need a full tool shop to build this—Home Depot or Lowe’s can cut the wood pieces for you if you give them your measurements.
What We Used:
- 3 pieces of 2×4 cut to 34″
- 1 sheet of ¾” plywood cut to 39″ x 43.5″
- Screws
- Staple gun
- Automotive carpet
- Sander
- Saw (optional if you cut at the hardware store)
- Truck bed liner spray paint (for sealing the wood)
We sanded the edges of the plywood, sprayed it with truck bed liner to prevent items from moving, and then stapled carpet over the top for comfort and noise reduction. The 2x4s act as support legs underneath the platform to level it out over the folded-down back seats. The end result is a sturdy but lightweight platform that gives us a clean, flat surface to sleep on and organize gear.
We filmed a Youtube video vlogging step by step what we did so you all can replicate it!
Must-Have Comforts for a Luxury Car Camping Experience
While we kept our 4Runner platform build minimal, we didn’t skimp on comfort. These items helped us bring a touch of RV-style convenience to our car camping setup and made a big difference in how cozy and functional our trips felt.
Folding Memory Foam Mattress (Full Size, 4″)
The most important part of your car camping setup is your sleeping system. A comfortable, supportive bed that folds up when not in use—makes sleeping in the 4Runner feel like a real bed. NOTE: We did have to cut the mattress to fit in-between the wheel wells as well as take a little off the end length wise. We just used a sharp kitchen knife and it was very easy to do. When driving this fits perfectly in the back seats and we can still see out the back window while driving.
Complete Window Sunshade Set for 4Runner
Custom-fit shades for every window provide privacy, insulation, and light blocking—essential for sleeping in your vehicle. These fit perfectly and were convenient to buy rather than DIY ourselves.
Magnetic Sunroof Shade (Mesh)
Allows airflow through the sunroof while keeping bugs out and reducing heat—great for warm nights. As long as there is no chance of rain, this is a great item to use while sleeping through the night to keep the airflow going.
BougeRV 12V Portable Fridge (30 Quart)
Keeps food and drinks cold without ice. This fridge actually can get cold enough to be a freezer. While driving, we plug it in in the trunk of the SUV. It is fairly insulated so it can go a few hours without power but at night we use our portable power charger to keep it a consistent temperature. We absolutely love this over a traditional cooler.
C600 Portable Power Station (595Wh)
Powers the fridge, fan, lights, and charges devices. Having consistent, portable power brings a huge upgrade to your setup. We make sure this is fully charged before heading out and we trickle charge it while driving to hikes and sights post car camping.
Coleman 2-Burner Propane Stove
A classic two-burner camp stove—reliable, compact, and easy to cook real meals on.
AOTU Backpacking Stove with Piezo Ignition
Great for quick solo meals or as a lightweight backup stove for when space is limited.
Stanley Nesting Two-Cup Cookset
A space-saving pot with two cups that’s perfect for boiling water or simple meals on the go.
Stanley Camp Pour Over Set
Makes brewing real coffee easy without bulky gear—ideal for coffee lovers who want to ditch instant packets.
Ozark Trail Folding Camp Kitchen Table
Gives you a designated surface for cooking, prep, and gear storage. Folds down small but adds big convenience.
Igloo 6-Gallon Water Container
A sturdy and reliable source of water at camp—easy to fill and lasts multiple days. This fits on the ground of the back seats. It is tall and slender, making it perfect for traveling in a car camping set up. 6 Gallons is so much water and this fits better than most smaller sized containers.
Portable Water Pump (USB Rechargeable)
Makes accessing water from large jugs effortless, especially when your hands are full or dirty. It is great to use to clean dishes or wash your hands at camp.
Sierra Dawn Biodegradable Outdoor Soap (8 oz)
All-purpose and eco-friendly—works for dishes, clothes, or personal hygiene. This soap is designed to be used out in the backcountry so it is safe to dump unlike traditional soaps.
Foldable Dish Drying Rack with Drain
A small addition that makes a big difference for post-meal cleanup. Compact and drains well. Great to hold dirty dishes and take to an appropriate place to do the dishes.
CLIQ Folding Chair
Incredibly compact and easy to set up. Despite the size, it’s sturdy and comfortable enough for relaxing at camp. It is hard to fit traditional sized outdoor chairs in the car and these do not skimp out on comfort.
Rechargeable Clip-On Fan (10,000mAh)
Keeps air circulating on warm nights, with a long battery life and quiet operation. I’d recommend having at least 2 fans to keep airflow at night.
Camping String Lights (32.8 ft)
Adds warm, functional lighting around camp or inside your setup—perfect for late-night vibes. You should not use your car’s lights, as it will drain the battery of the vehicle, so these are the perfect addition to keep things lit up.
HEYTRIP Tailgate Tent for SUVs
Extends your living space with shade and shelter—ideal for cooking, relaxing, or just extra covered room. This was a life saver when it poured rain for hours on our first camping trip. We were able to be covered and cook dinner while a thunder storm passed.
Best Campsites for 4Runner Car Camping
One of the biggest perks of car camping in a 4Runner is the ability to camp anywhere you can legally park and sleep. With the right car camping setup, we can explore remote areas with ease. We typically aim for free, dispersed camping spots on public land—especially in National Forests and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) areas. These unmarked but legal spots allow us to camp for free, often with stunning views and little to no other campers around.
When choosing the best campsites, it’s crucial that our car camping setup works for both the vehicle and the surrounding environment. We always look for sites that are accessible and safe for the 4Runner, making sure the terrain will allow us to park and sleep comfortably.
Some of our favorite resources for finding great campsites include:
- iOverlander – Best for off-grid and dispersed sites, with reviews from fellow travelers.
- FreeRoam – Provides land ownership boundaries and filters for free campsites.
- The Dyrt (Pro) – Features offline maps and detailed campsite listings.
- Campendium – Great for both free and paid options, with detailed reviews.
When searching for a spot, we try to arrive before dark, double-check that it’s not private property, and ensure our car camping setup can safely get in and out of the area (especially after rain). We also prioritize Leave No Trace principles—packing out all trash, avoiding damage to vegetation, and never creating new fire rings.
Tip: Use satellite view on Google Maps to scout flat areas or wide pull-offs that are likely to provide a level sleeping surface for your car camping setup.
If we’re in the mood for amenities, we’ll opt for a regular campsite where we can park at the designated spot. The great part about our car camping setup is that we don’t need a tent. Instead, we sleep in the car, which means we can enjoy amenities like bathrooms and showers when staying for longer periods
Storage Organization Tips For A Car Camping Setup
Clothing
We use soft-sided bags for flexibility and ease of packing in our car camping setup. I pack my Cotopaxi backpack with daily essentials and rotate clothing using packing cubes to keep everything organized. We also use a large duffel bag for shared items and bulkier clothing. This system prevents our clothes from exploding all over the car while making it easy to find what we need.
General Tip: Avoid hard plastic bins for clothing—they’re bulky and harder to squish into tight spots. Soft bags adapt better to the space you have and fit seamlessly into your car camping setup. These bags can be shoved under the bed platform or into footwells without hassle.
Food & Kitchen Storage
In our car camping setup, we keep cold items in a cooler, which we move to the front passenger seat when we’re sleeping in the car. It’s easy to access for meals and snacks but gets out of the way at night.
For pantry items—dry food, snacks, and basics like peanut butter or ramen—we use a reusable grocery tote. It’s lightweight, easy to dig through, and also gets moved to the front seat overnight to clear out space in the back.
We cook with a small camp stove on our portable table, and all our utensils, pots, and kitchen gear stay packed in one small bin, so setup and cleanup are quick and efficient, which is key in any car camping setup.
Toiletries
Nothing fancy here—we each keep our toiletries in a regular travel case. It’s easy to grab when we head to the campground bathroom or need to rinse off with our portable shower. We keep them tucked into a seatback organizer or in the side door compartment so they’re not buried.
Final Thoughts: Our Minimal 4Runner Car Camping Setup
Car camping in a 4Runner gave us the freedom to travel more comfortably without committing to an expensive or permanent build. Our simple DIY platform strikes a balance between functionality and flexibility—perfect for evolving with our camping style over time. We prioritized ease of setup, kept the back seats intact for versatility, and added essential comforts to make life on the road feel just a little more luxurious.
Whether you’re a weekend adventurer or gearing up for longer road trips, this minimalist setup proves you don’t need a complex build to get out there and explore. With just a few tools, a basic platform, and the right accessories, your SUV can become a cozy and capable basecamp. Ready to hit the road? We hope our experience helps you start building your own setup with confidence.
