Time for Summer Camping with your Vehicle

Getting Your Gear to the Campsite

Packing up for even a weekend camping trip can mean taking a tent large enough for your group, a grill or portable cooktop, coolers full of food and drinks, camp chairs, bikes and more. All those necessities take up a lot of room in the car or SUV.

Once the trunk or cargo area of your vehicle is filled to the brim, look to the roof for more storage options. Since the weather is unpredictable, you don’t want to just strap your luggage to the roof and take off; you need a way to protect it from the elements and also from the rigors of the road. Consider a waterproof roof top carrier which can give you over 11 cubic feet of storage capacity. They’re constructed of durable fiberglass-reinforced waterproof material with heat-sealed seams, so it can stand up to any weather. And, its sloped front deflects water and air up and over the bag, making it aerodynamic. You won’t need any special attachments – roof top carriers attach to your existing roof rack with heavy-duty straps.

For taking along big, bulky items, hitch-mounted cargo carriers are the answer. Choose from folding or stationary styles. The hitch-mounted design installs quickly and fits into a standard 2-inch receiver. The carrier has pre-punched holes for attaching accessories and tie-down straps and a durable, black powder coated finish.

For taking your bikes camping, or heading to a scenic trail, you’ll want a bike carrier for your vehicle. Even if your bikes fit into the trunk or cargo space of your vehicle, lifting them in and out risks damage to the vehicle and the bike. There are bike racks for every need. A drop down bike carrier folds down to allow easy access to the rear of the vehicle. It has a locking knob for added security, an adjustable clamp plate with rubber padding that fits most tube-bike diameters.

Another bike rack option is the dual bike carrier that fits into a standard 1 1/4-inch receiver hitch. This type of rack has rubberized coating on the cradle to prevent slipping and scratching of bikes and is made from heavy-gauge steel tubing for strength and durability. There’s also an anti-theft cradle with a hole for attaching a standard padlock.

There are a variety of products out there to help you organize your cargo inside your car or truck, including a telescoping cargo bar that prevents items from shifting. Pair the cargo bar with a cargo net to help corral clutter in the back of your vehicle and keep groceries, sporting gear and other items upright, neat and secure.

Before you hit the road for that trip to the campsite, make sure your service is up-to-date. Let us check it for you.