7 Tips for Car Camping in a Subaru (Outback, Forester, Crosstrek & More)

Privacy, shade during the day, and warmth during the winter are nice luxuries to have when camping in your Subaru Outback.

WeatherTech makes a full set of shades custom-made to fit your windows. They help keep the car cool in the summer and warm in the winter. When not in use, WeatherTech shades roll up neatly for compact storage.

If you’re the crafty type, it’s pretty easy to make sunshades/insulation yourself. You can buy a roll of Reflectix Insulation from most home improvement stores. Just outline the shape of your window and cut them out. For the same result, this option will cost you less if you put in the effort to make them!

Cracking a window prevents your Outback from filling with condensation and allows for circulation. Many people find that even in cooler temperatures, it’s beneficial to crack a window to keep your windows from fogging.

If in a buggy area you’ll definitely want to invest in mosquito netting to keep the bugs out of your vehicle. Luno comes in with car window screens that keep bugs out, help prevent UV radiation and add a layer of privacy, too. They easily slide over the window and have a convenient storage pouch.

Coghlan also makes mosquito netting. While these aren’t cut perfectly to frame your windows they are a great alternative if on a budget. Made of mesh polyester, these serve the same purpose. Just cut the netting as needed. You can often find this brand at Target, Walmart, or general stores when camping.

YETI makes amazing products that are heavy-duty, long-lasting, and keep your food cold. The 24L Roadie is a great option for Subaru’s because it fits well in the rear footwell and is perfectly sized to fit a Luno air mattress. The handle makes it easy to carry and with a bunch of sizes and models, you’ll surely find something to suit your needs.

RTIC also makes great coolers that cost a bit less than YETI coolers. They are also durable and have a variety of sizes, colors, and models.

On my DIY budget, I chose to spend a bit less on a cooler and bought a Coleman. While this cooler probably isn’t the best of the best because you might have to refill the ice more often, the cost difference is one thing that makes it worth it for me.

Having power while car camping in your Outback is a luxury and it’s more convenient than most people think. Both Goal Zero and Jackery make awesome products for off-grid power including generators, power stations, solar panels, lights, and other accessories to upgrade your setup.

Whether you’re driving an Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, or other Subaru model, attaching a retractable crossbar system is very useful.

With a crossbar running the length of the vehicle you can easily attach your roof rack cargo box or bag for storage. The crossbars make it much easier to attach other items too, such as kayaks, bikes, skis, etc. Check out the crossbars made by Thule if you’re looking for the best quality.

Using a roof rack and cargo carrier is a great way to maximize storage inside your Subaru Outback while still allowing easy access to less commonly used items. Thule, Yakima, and SportsRack all make incredible products at varying prices but most importantly it’s necessary to understand what style of rooftop storage you want.

Pro Tip: Always check Craigslist and local buy and sell pages before you purchase! Many travelers use roof racks and storage for a few trips then try to sell them. I got my $400 value cargo box for $100 on Craigslist!

Rooftop Basket

Baskets sit on top of your roof rack and because they are an open storage platform they can hold many items, including oddly-shaped ones. Therefore, you can pile on as much or little as you want and tighten them with cam straps, a bungee, or a net.

Rooftop Box/Cargo Carrier

A box or solid cargo carrier is secure and the safest way to lock your valuables. They keep water out and you don’t have to worry about extra straps. They are also aerodynamically designed to minimize wind resistance that can gobble up fuel. However, you are limited to the space inside of them and they are large in storage.

Thule is known for a variety of sized rooftop cargo boxes. Whether you need them to fit the length of your skies, or you need a wider option, Thule has plenty to choose from.

Rooftop Bag

A bag is fairly similar to a box in terms of size, however, they store much smaller when not in use. They fit oddly shaped items and don’t require a roof rack to mount them. They are not as ideal in adverse weather conditions but they are cheaper than a cargo box.

A good camping stove gives you the comfort of making your own food and helps save money.

The Coleman 2-burner stove is a simple propane stove that has been around for years, yet it is one of the best out there for the price and quality. With the two burners, I’ve easily made dinner for a group of friends. It’s just as good as cooking on a kitchen stove!

Campers: when you’re cooking outdoors, follow these leave no trace principles to learn all the information you need to help keep the environment healthy.

For campers, a good sleeping bag is a big thing to factor into your quality of sleep. Depending on the season and environment you are in will determine what temperature rating you need.

When camping in your Outback in the summer, a 40-degree bag is usually a good choice. In cooler temperatures, you’ll want to get about a 20-degree bag. If you plan to spend any time in your vehicle in the winter in the mountains you will definitely want a 0-degree bag.

For a great year-round sleeping bag check out the Sea-To-Summit Ascent. This bag comes in 3 temperature ratings; 0°F, 15°F, and 25°F. These down-filled sleeping bags pack down small and depending on the temperature range you choose they can work for multiple seasons.

Or, if you’re looking for something else, check out this list of the best sleeping bag brands.

When buying a sleeping bag, keep in mind:

• Sleeping bags have two types of temperature ratings. The tested lower limit states the minimum temperature that the bag will keep you alive; this does not mean it will keep you warm.
• The tested comfort is usually 10-15 degrees higher and this is a better indication of what temperature you will stay warm at.
• There are male-specific and female-specific sleeping bags. Generally, men have a body temperature of about 10 degrees warmer than women. In cold temperatures, gender-specific sleeping bags can make a difference as women’s are usually packed with more insulation.
• The length and size of the sleeping bag also contribute to warmth. The better the fit, the warmer you’ll stay.
• A mummy fit helps with warmth too, especially when it covers your head. Be sure to leave a space for your mouth so you don’t end up with condensation inside!

As someone who has lived out of her car in all conditions, winter is definitely the hardest. During the colder months, or anytime it’s below 20 degrees outside, it also helps to have additional blankets and a comforter. Layer these blankets on top of you for maximum warmth. The Rumpl Original Puffy is a great outdoor blanket for adding some extra warmth to your sleep system.

One awesome thing about the Subaru Outback? The trunk opens upward. If you’re short, you’re in luck as the door makes an awesome awning! But you might want more room or if you are a bit taller, a rooftop awning keeps you dry and provides shade when cooking or relaxing next to your Subaru.

Thule OverCast, Roam, and CVT all make durable, waterproof rooftop awnings, in varying sizes. All prices start around $250-$300 for the basic rooftop awning set up for your vehicle.

If you’re looking for a budget awning, a great alternative is using a tarp with some hooks or carabiners to attach the tarp to the vehicle. On the other side, you can use tent poles and paracord to secure it to the other side of the vehicle. This one might not withstand all conditions as well, but is a great, inexpensive alternative.

With a variety of table options to choose from, the type of table you choose will depend on the way you want to store it.

For the cheapest option, you can buy a folding table at Target. Often these are a bit bulkier but they get the job done. Typically they don’t pack down as well but are a great piece if not car camping too frequently.

If weight and size are your concern as opposed to cost, I would recommend the Helinox collection. They sell sturdy, lightweight tables and chairs that pack down small and serve many uses.

A cargo carrier attached to the trunk of your Subaru opens up space for additional gear storage and can double as a cooking table!

If you plan to off-road keep in mind how low your rear hitch sits. Also, it will add additional weight to your car setup which is something to note.

The Yakima EXO is a great option for a cargo hitch carrier. It has multiple configurations and can hold two units of storage whether that’s two gearlockers, a gearlocker, and a bike, or a solo gearlocker with a shelf on top to use as a cooking table!

The Wilco HitchSwing and RIGd UltraSwing are great alternatives to the Yakima. While they don’t have the double system they do carry bikes, luggage, or a cargo box with the option to swing to the passenger or driver side when attached. This makes it easy to access the trunk of the car while providing additional storage room.

If you’re lucky, your campsite might have a shower. However, when that isn’t the case, many campers still want to find a way to stay clean which makes camping much more enjoyable.

Check out RinseKit as a portable shower option. With a pressurized system similar to a garden hose, these kits are able to store water then generate hot or cold water in just 30 seconds.

If digging a hole and pooping in one isn’t your cup of tea, Cleanwaste makes a portable toilet that you can take anywhere! These are great if you have a base camp set up. Whether you’re traveling with kids or you’re no longer comfortable squatting, it makes going to the bathroom much more comfortable and you can easily wrap waste up to pack out.

Sea-to-Summit makes a Trash Dry Sack that comes in handy to keep your Subaru Outback clean and helps avoid leaving trash at your campsite. This dry bag is waterproof, durable, packs down small, and is easy to take on backpacking trips too.