The camping gear you need to camp for free in a SUV

Turn your SUV into a camper!

The SUV gear I recommend supports the no build camper conversion approach, which enables you to easily transition from SUV to camper, and back again. It will also enable you to go anywhere, camp for free, and be prepared for anything.

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Cargo Carrier

I utilize a Yakima Skybox 18 to haul camping gear and SUV essentials. My original intention was to buy a 21, but the Craigslist seller I bought it from realized it was an 18 and knocked down the price accordingly. The length is perfect for carrying my canopy poles. The mounting system is solid, although you need to check the tightness frequently, especially when it is loaded down. If you are SUV camping and can’t find your keys, they are probably in the cargo carrier lock, as you can’t remove the keys until you lock it - a nice feature, but takes some getting used to. I paid $210 for mine - they are always available on Craigslist.

Cargo Rack

If you utilize a cargo carrier, there is not much room for a cargo rack, and skinny ones are hard to find. I was only able to find one that would work and it is the Avenn Cargo Rack with a 23” width. It hangs over the side a bit, and requires a bit of padding to level it up. Keep in mind, the stock cross bars on the Suburban have some curve to them, so the carrier and rack are not going to be completely level. I considered adding new crossbars to achieve a flat setup, but it would add some height, and probably reduce width. I am also considering moving the cargo carrier forward, adding a crossbar in the back, so I can put a wide rack on the back. For now, my carrier and rack are solid on the stock setup, and work great for hauling SUV camping gear.

Cargo Box

Is a cargo box really necessary? No. Do I like having one? Yes! I started out with the Pelican BX135. It stored a lot of camping gear…until it got stolen. I had it locked to the cargo rack, but the cable I used was no match for bolt cutters. The BX135 is not really intended for roof storage, but rather truck bed storage. Its size made it difficult to carry and load on top and it’s height required a ladder to easily access its contents. All that said, I replaced the BX135 with a BX55S, which is much smaller, but a better profile for the roof, and it is very easy to load and secure to the rack. I utilize it for miscellaneous camping supplies I do not need to regularly access.

Hitch Cargo Carrier

My original thought was to have something capable of hauling a deep cycle battery and providing access to it while inside the vehicle. Who knew I would find a perfect solution from a company that also sells deer splitters! That solution is the Viking Stack Rack II and it is an absolute gem! Due to the weight of my deep cycle battery, I don’t use the carrier to haul it, but I do use it to haul storage bins and/or a propane tank. It features one larger holder on top, which easily fits a 17 gallon bin, and a smaller holder on the bottom that just fits a 17 gallon bin with a little encouragement! One of the best features is it’s ability to fold down so you can open the rear hatch. Also, when it is folded up, I can still open the rear window. Here is the product review video.

The Hanging Bars

Not sure how this idea came to me other than my memory of my grandparents always having a clothes hanging bar in their car. This is all about utilizing dead space in the rear roof and the rear side windows. I hung a curtain rod on each side and then I you use several 32” adjustable bungees to lift each rod and create a shelf to hold light SUV camping supplies such as pillows, sleeping bags, or blankets on top. I also attached cargo nets to each rod, which enables me to store the same light SUV camping supplies in the rear windows dead space or in the nets. I also hang things on the bars such as keys, headlamp, clothes, phone, etc.

Cargo Nets

Here are the cargo nets that fit perfectly. You can secure them using small bungies attached to various nooks and crannies. Once they are secured, you can either store light SUV camping gear such as pillows behind the nets on the “shelf” by the window or inside the pockets. Just be mindful of not putting too much weight/pressure on the bars.