Vehicle guide
Car camping in a Subaru Outback
Sleeps two inside - no tent needed. Here is the kit: $632, in stock on Amazon today.
The kit: 8 items, ~$632
Amazon prices, checked daily. Affiliate links: we earn a commission on Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you.
No tent in this kit: the Outback sleeps two on the folded seats. Prefer a tent? Build the tent version.
Sleeping Bag (x2)
Kelty Cosmic 40°F Sleeping Bag
- Comfort to:
- 40°F
- Fill:
- Synthetic
~$80 each (x2)
Check price on AmazonSleeping Pad (x2)
Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad
- Warmth:
- Cool nights (R 4.4)
- Type:
- Inflatable
~$73 each (x2)
Check price on AmazonCooler
Coleman Classic 52-Quart Cooler
- Holds:
- 52 qt
- Keeps ice:
- 3 days
~$55
Check price on AmazonCamp Chair (x2)
Coleman Cooler Quad Chair
- Packs:
- Standard quad
- Supports:
- 325 lbs
- Seat:
- Padded
~$35 each (x2) last checked Jan 30
Check price on AmazonCamp Lighting
Coleman 1000-Lumen LED Lantern (BatteryGuard)
- Brightness:
- 1000 lumens
~$43
Check price on AmazonHeadlamp
Lepro Rechargeable LED Headlamp
- Brightness:
- 300 lumens
- Power:
- Rechargeable
~$10
Check price on AmazonCamp Stove
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 Outback stays filled in.
Why the Outback changes the kit
A midsize SUV or wagon, so:
- No tent: two sleep on the folded seats, and the money goes to a better pad.
- Any cooler up to the 52-quart family size fits.
- Standard quad chairs, which pack to a 36-inch bag each.
The classic car-camping rig. 75+ cu ft with seats folded, 8.7 in of ground clearance, AWD standard. Sleeping platform plans for the Outback are everywhere on r/SubaruOutback.
Sleeping inside the vehicle
With the rear seats folded, the Subaru Outback 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.
- 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 Subaru Outback window rain guards so the windows can stay cracked in the rain. Both on Amazon.
Common questions
Is the Subaru Outback good for car camping?
Yes. It is a midsize SUV or wagon, so a standard car-camping kit fits without a roof box. It sleeps two inside with the seats folded.
Can you sleep inside a Subaru Outback?
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.