Vehicle guide
Car camping in a Nissan Xterra
Sleeps two inside - no tent needed. Here is the kit: $632, in stock on Amazon today.
The kit: 8 items, ~$632
Sized for a midsize SUV or wagon sleeping on the folded seats: no tent, the 52-quart family cooler and standard quad chairs. 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 Xterra 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 AmazonStock and prices checked daily (how we pick).
Not quite you? Change who is coming, the quality tier or the season - your Xterra stays filled in.
Why the Xterra changes the kit
About 66 cu ft with the seats down - a midsize SUV or wagon. So:
- No tent: two sleep on the folded seats, and the money goes to a better pad.
- Room for the 52-quart family cooler.
- Standard quad chairs, which pack to a 36-inch bag each.
About 66 cu ft with the seats down and a flat, hose-out floor with tie-down channels; long enough for two adults. Discontinued in 2015 and still one of the most-searched car-camping SUVs.
Sleeping inside the vehicle
With the rear seats folded, the Nissan Xterra gives you a usable flat platform. Most owners use a 2.5-inch self-inflating pad or a 4-inch air mattress on top of the cargo floor. If you camp in it often, a simple plywood-and-2x4 platform with drawers underneath turns the cargo area into a real bed plus dedicated 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 Nissan Xterra window rain guards so the windows can stay cracked in the rain. Both on Amazon.
Common questions
Is the Nissan Xterra 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 Nissan Xterra?
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: no tent, the 52-quart family cooler and standard quad chairs. Change the group, budget or season and it rebuilds.