Car Camping Essentials To Level Up Your Family Camping!

[@robertwaite9742]

We got an REI loveseat in the 90s and it's still going strong. We love our loveseat! Thanks for the video!

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yes! That’s awesome!

[@MrTmax74]

You're such a glamper. 😜. Seriously though, nice gear. I also like to be comfortable and have the basics when I'm car camping. No reason not to be when you have all the room. Here's to a great upcoming season!

[@BackcountryExposure]

I haven’t yet reached Joe status of food boxes, but I’ll get there! Ha ha! Thanks man!

[@MrTmax74]

Lol keep trying ​@@BackcountryExposure

[@davidshirley6850]

Love these videos, right now thats what im doing as well all family trips

[@BackcountryExposure]

Awesome! Hope it helps with some ideas.

[@rodoutdoors]

I love my car fridge. The budget one I have is still chugging. Thinking back, if I didn't pick up a Jackery battery I probably wouldn't be backpacking now. Butterfly effect lol. The kid's sleep system is so cute. I dig the small gas tank. The crates look really handy. One of the most useful gear for car camping are those Ikea large 19 gal grocery bags. I'll chuck firewood or soot stained pots in there.

[@anninwhack1998]

I am so excited about family camping this June. Now you’re making me want to start my food menus earlier than normal!!

[@BackcountryExposure]

The planning is sometimes the funnest part! :)

[@davidcooper8390]

Geez thanks Devin.....multiple videos with a fridge. Now my wife is wanting one soo badly.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Seriously the fridge is amazing and absolutely worth it. Being able to just load it up, even for day trips, with drinks, snacks and your food and not have ice take up space in the fridge is amazing. It’s genuinely one of the best things we’ve upgraded to.

[@GIRLplusDOGAdventures]

First time I’ve heard Devin use the technical term “burly” when describing gear. Love the family gear vids. Got an ICECO after I saw your review a couple years ago.

[@BackcountryExposure]

ha ha ha ha! Burly is such a good word. :)

[@published1789]

Love that you include family set ups, too. Was just thinking about the Nemo tent you've recommended previously for family camping ... do you like the large REI better?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thanks! Glad you get value from it. The Nemo Highrise 6P and the REI Wonderland have the same footprint size, but the doors are on opposite sides. We absolutely love the Highrise 6P. I’d recommend that first as it’s been proven for us. The Wonderland is known for pole issues, so I want more time with it, but from this first trip, we were really impressed. It handled wind really well and is so roomy!

[@gorsch777]

Nice to a video from the Car camping side of things. I have my backpacking gear dialed in pretty much, but I'm always looking for ways/gear to make my family trips more comfortable for the others. Definitely interested in a review of that 6 person tent! I'd like to upgrade ours this year.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I’ll have a review after some more time with it.

[@jeffpeters5347]

The Wonderland looks great, but I still love my REI Kingdom even more. I dont understand why REI would stop production on a fantastic large tent.

[@BackcountryExposure]

I never got the chance to use the Kingdom, but I know a lot of people really love that tent.

[@metoliusdmm]

Enjoyed this. I like the fridge.

[@dmn3773]

I am sure you’ll discover this; that wonderland tent is surprisingly stout in high winds. It’s a bit goofy to set up but it’s a good base-car-camping tent.

[@BackcountryExposure]

This weekend we were out was pretty gusty, and yeah it did awesome! I was a little concerned about it given the negative reviews of the tent on REI’s site about the poles. But we just took our time and made sure to not force anything and it went up just fine. We enjoyed it a lot.

[@joker2100]

My setup is similar, but still working on the camp kitchen setup. I’ll need to checkout the Primus and Gerber cookware. Removing the wings on the stove seems so obvious now after seeing this.

[@BackcountryExposure]

I still love the GSI Pinnacle Pro stove, but have not used it once since I got the Primus. The Kinjia has been an absolutely stellar stove!

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Great video! Ordering the Gerber set today was exactly what I was looking for when family car camping. Question about your stove: without the wind wings that are on a lot of stoves do you find you have issues with the flame? I’ve always wondered if the wings were really doing much on my old Coleman.

[@BackcountryExposure]

The wings do help a little bit, but for me they’ve usually been more to keep the lid from flopping around. It does help with wind, but it’s still pretty open so I don’t see it being a full wind screen.

[@HAK1MAdventure]

Nice video sir

[@Colby168]

I’m waiting for the REI sale to get the Half Dome 3+. I’ve read mixed reviews on it though. It’s really the only 3p tent out there for backpacking that will fit 3 wide pads at an ok price as far as I know. Let us know how it goes with REI. Thanks.

[@joker2100]

Do you know if the adjustable handle on the Claymore light can be turned 360 degrees or is it limited to 90 degrees? Would like to mount it on a tripod facing downwards like a lantern.

[@BackcountryExposure]

It’s just a 90 degree adjustment. But if it’s going on a tripod you should have more adjustment.

[@joker2100]

@@BackcountryExposure Alright, thanks chief! I enjoy watching your videos on my free time!

[@211teitake]

Can you do a video on how and where you fill your propane?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Possibly. It’s pretty easy though. I just go to a gas station that has a large propane tank on site, and have them fill the tank there. Just like you would with a larger tank for a bbq gas grill. Sometimes a U-Haul location will have propane refill stations or farm equipment supply stores like IFA.

[@211teitake]

@@BackcountryExposure Thank you for the info. I guess I've never paid too much attention to the propane suppliers, so I didn't notice that they were in gas stations.

[@joker2100]

What tripod are you using for the Claymore light?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Just my standard tripod i use for filming. The threads on the claymore light are 1/4-20 so any standard plate for a camera will thread into it.

[@CJames789]

I'm still struggling with the sleeping pads. I only use them when I'm backpacking. When car camping, I carry the thick queen air mattress haha.

[@BackcountryExposure]

We used to do the same, but consistently had issues with them deflating through the night. So we opted for what you see in the video. We do camp a lot as a family, 1-2 times a month and so this system works well for us. :)

[@CJames789]

@@BackcountryExposure That's so true! I think once I invest in a better pad, I'll feel differently.

[@alexjohnson668]

I have a family of 4 and need a new tent. Have you experienced rain and wind in the new tent.

[@BackcountryExposure]

We had some pretty gusty winds on this trip and I was impressed with how it did. The tunnel design sheds the wind quite well and there's a lot of stake out points/guy lines to really secure the tent. My one concern with the tent is the poles. They are not "name brand" poles and as noted in other reviews of the tent they are the weak point. That said, the tent we've used the most is the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P. We've had that in wild wind and rain storms and it's been excellent! That tent would be my first suggestion until I get more time with the Wonderland. Likely you'll find some good sales here soon for Memorial Day too.

[@alexjohnson668]

@@BackcountryExposure that’s good to know. I’m actually taking advantage of that sale to upgrade watches to a garmin fenix 7s.

[@nabwong]

Awesome gear. Can you fit all this in one car?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yes. It all fits in my wife’s VW Atlas just fine. 😁

[@nabwong]

@@BackcountryExposure That’s awesome. My problem is we usually take 2 inflatable paddle boards. It’s a tight fit.

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@nabwong oh yeah! Paddle boards are huge!!!

[@shawnr6117]

Roof rack and some sort of storage system. Whatever fits your needs and budget.

[@nabwong]

@@shawnr6117 we have a rook rack. Thinking of investing in a hitch rack.

[@JarradShaw]

❤

[@taragatorade]

I also wish they still made that Nemo torso sized pad. what an amazing piece of gear for a little kid. or even a dog? thanks for putting out another family camping video and keep em coming if you can. I'm still not sold on the fridge idea though. I like my gigantic heavy Yeti cooler.

[@BackcountryExposure]

I think the closest option is the Paria Recharge S or the Rapide in the 20x66. There needs to be more short options available for kids.

[@taragatorade]

@@BackcountryExposure thanks for the suggestions!

[@patrickdwyer1853]

Add link to table please.

[@BackcountryExposure]

I tried. Unfortunately when I went to do so, it looks like with Ducks buying Moosejaw they’ve discontinued the Moosejaw line of products.

[@26parma]

I don't understand the benefit of a fridge and power supply over a Yeti. It's overkill. $1500 for fridge and power vs $350 or less for a Yeti-like cooler. I've spent 5 days on the river with 12 people and food and drinks (including milk!) in coolers stayed perfectly cold.

[@joker2100]

Dealing with melted ice is annoying. I can see the benefit of the fridge, but the price isn’t justified for myself, yet. Since Devin does this full time, he gets more value from the investment.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yeah, it is overkill when you compare to the analog approach of a cooler. Honestly, a lot of it is convenience. There's no worrying about ice or ice packs, the ice melting and getting everything soggy and gross. Coolers absolutely have their place as well though.