Welcome back to Campfire Conversations. I’m your host, Alex Casey, and today we’re diving into a packing list from a camper who’s spent more than 300 nights sleeping in their truck. As they put it, “My truck is the base camp for my outdoor adventures.” It’s where they sleep, cook, and recharge before dawn hikes or after soaking in hot springs.

After a few trips that they “overpacked or underprepared for,” our expert stepped back and built a streamlined checklist. You don’t need fancy gear for car camping, but you do need essentials to manage the weather, stay fed, rested, and entertained. This guide isn’t about tents or sleeping bags—it’s about the tools that keep remote desert and high-altitude camps running smoothly.

Think reliable lighting and weatherproof cooking tools, sturdy storage bins, and a compact first-aid kit. Add layers for changing temperatures, a water filtration system, and a few creature comforts, and you’ll hit the dirt roads ready for whatever comes your way—no overpacking required.
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