Vehicle guide
Car camping in a Kia Carnival
A complete kit for a family of four, sized to the Carnival: $1,138, in stock on Amazon today.
The kit: 9 items, ~$1,138
Amazon prices, checked daily. Affiliate links: we earn a commission on Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you.
Tent
Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4-Person Tent
- Fits:
- 4-6 person
- Rating:
- 3-season+
~$130 last checked Jan 30
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Kelty Cosmic 40°F Sleeping Bag
- Comfort to:
- 40°F
- Fill:
- Synthetic
~$80 each (x4)
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Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad
- Warmth:
- Cool nights (R 4.4)
- Type:
- Inflatable
~$73 each (x4)
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Coleman Classic 52-Quart Cooler
- Holds:
- 52 qt
- Keeps ice:
- 3 days
~$55
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Coleman Cooler Quad Chair
- Packs:
- Standard quad
- Supports:
- 325 lbs
- Seat:
- Padded
~$35 each (x4) last checked Jan 30
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Coleman 1000-Lumen LED Lantern (BatteryGuard)
- Brightness:
- 1000 lumens
~$43
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Lepro Rechargeable LED Headlamp
- Brightness:
- 300 lumens
- Power:
- Rechargeable
~$10
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Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane Stove
- Burners:
- 2
- Fuel:
- Propane
~$84
Check price on AmazonCook Set
Fire-Maple Feast 12-Piece Camp Cookware Set
- Pieces:
- 12
- Surface:
- Steel
~$65
Check price on AmazonOne press puts the whole kit in your cart; take out anything you already own there.
Stock and prices checked daily (how we pick).
Not quite you? Change who is coming, the quality tier or the season - your Carnival stays filled in.
Why the Carnival changes the kit
Around 145 cu ft behind the front seats - minivan space in SUV styling. A full-size vehicle: any tent, cooler or chair we list fits - nothing has to pack small.
The second row slides and folds for a flat sleeping zone, and the low load floor makes heavy coolers easy.
Sleeping inside the vehicle
With the rear seats folded, the Kia Carnival is a flat platform.
- On the cargo floor: a 2.5-inch self-inflating pad, or a 4-inch air mattress.
- Camp in it often: a plywood-and-2x4 platform with drawers underneath - a real bed plus gear storage.
- On the hybrid trims, overnight climate is the easy part: leave the car in Ready mode with the heat or A/C set, and the gas engine cycles on for a few minutes at a time to keep the battery topped up while the cabin holds temperature. Owners report roughly half a gallon to a gallon of fuel a night. Park in the open air, never in a garage, and set the fan to draw fresh air so condensation is handled too. On a non-hybrid trim, crack the rear windows with rain deflectors and a 12V fan moves enough air to stop condensation overnight.
Two things this setup needs that the kit does not carry, because they are sized to the car: a 4-inch SUV air mattress for the cargo floor, and Kia Carnival window rain guards so the windows can stay cracked in the rain. Both on Amazon.
Common questions
Is the Kia Carnival good for car camping?
Yes. It is a full-size vehicle, so a standard car-camping kit fits without a roof box. It sleeps two inside with the seats folded.
Can you sleep inside a Kia Carnival?
With the rear seats folded, yes. The cargo area is long enough for a sleeping pad and most adults can stretch out diagonally if not straight. A simple plywood platform turns it into a real bed with under-storage.
What gear should I pack?
The kit above. Change the group, budget or season and it rebuilds.