Yahoo Autos 7 inexpensive items that will up your car-camping game in 2024
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As I was drinking my coffee I came across an article that promised to up my car camping game with just 6 new pieces of gear. I shouldn’t have been surprised when I opened said article and the total MSRP of the six pieces (a storage container, a chef’s knife, a folding table, a cast iron dutch oven, an axe, and ratchet straps) was a coffee-spit-take-inducing $1,157 before tax and shipping.
I love looking at high-end, quality camping gear lists as much as the next person, but not all of us have the net worth of Elon Musk and can spend $500 on a foldable camping table and $300 on a chef’s knife. A mortgage to pay for and diapers to buy shouldn’t prevent you from packing up your car and escaping into the wilderness every now and then, so here are some items that won’t break the bank and will still allow you to up your car camping game and enjoy every day spent out in nature.
Weathertight storage containers - $129.99/6 pack
To be fair, the Front Runner Outfitters Wolf Pack storage box that was featured in the article I read this morning wasn’t insanely expensive at $59 apiece, but for something that isn’t even advertised as weathertight, I wasn’t too impressed. These 30.6 qt weathertight storage boxes from Iris are just about the same size (19.7 x 15.75 x 7.75 inches), stack easily when full or empty to conserve space, and cost a whole lot less, though you do have to purchase a six-pack of them. They also come in different sizes to perfectly fit whatever your car’s cargo dimensions demand.
A chef's knife that you can keep with your camping gear - $14.95
$300 is an absurd amount to spend on a chef’s knife when you’re cooking at a campsite. Sudden rain storms happen. You drop things. The last thing you want to be worrying about is your prized knife that was more expensive than your tent. That’s why I love this GSI Outdoors Santoku 6" Chef Knife. The rubber handle and stainless steel blade are durable, it comes with a sheath when it isn’t in use, at 3.9 oz it’s light enough to take with you backpacking and it costs less than a steak, all while being backed by a full manufacturer's warranty.
Folding Table - $63.99
Most campsites that I’ve been to come equipped with their own picnic table that won’t blow over in a stiff wind, so I’ve rarely found the need to buy one. That being said, some more remote campsites don’t have these available, in which case bringing one along is a good idea. Jeep and Ford each have cool ones you can fit onto the tailgate of your vehicle, though this one is great if you want a standalone table by camp. It packs down to quite a small size and comes with a carrying bag, as well as a mesh basket underneath the table to put gear in or you can throw in something heavier, like firewood, to weigh it down in high winds.
