Luxury camping in a tiny tent... Can it work?

I have four bags/bins for my ‘luxury’ car camping trips. Sometimes it’s a bit of a hike to the campsite, so splitting everything up into separate bags makes setup, camping, and packing easier.

  1. Tent bag: tent, stakes, ground cover, hammer, guylines, and a vestibule rug for muddy shoes.

  2. Sleep system bag: 130L duffel with sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, etc.

  3. Camp Bin: waterproof, with stove, cookware, utensils, food, and flashlight.

  4. Day-Hiking backpack: first aid kit, water bottle, sunblock, hats, etc.

I have one basic rule: Keep clean stuff, things you might need during the night, and food at the head of the tent. Bulky or dirty items go at the foot. Wet, smelly, or water-resistant stuff goes in the vestibule.

Cooking gear and basic food can be packed into a dedicated bag.

Pots and stove go in the porch area. Food stays in a bag/tub in the porch. Clothes and bag go inside the main tent.

I don’t understand why you’d want to keep all your gear inside the tent. Is it for security? It’s perfectly fine outside. It’s way more likely your car would be broken into than someone robbing your campsite.

For animal safety, remember that a plastic bin is a lot tougher than your tent and will keep your gear safer.

I found little plastic drawers from Aldi for about £4, great for small soft items. They also have slightly bigger ones for small pans. A waterproof plastic box works well for storing things outside. It also doubles as a low table/footstool.