Each summer, I pack up my car in preparation and anticipation of the Glamping Adventures ahead. My Glamp Style consists of a Glamp-prepped vehicle, and all the equipment needed to set up a real Glampsite. . The car (SUV), is rigged up to be self-contained. In it I have a thick foam bed, complete with duvet, sheets and pillow. I keep the car stocked with everything I would need if I had the whim to car-sleep somewhere. That includes cooking, water and emergency bathroom facilities.
I also carry a main tent, and anything extra I would need for basic outside camping. I have a few tents which I use for different excursions, depending on my the weather and my length of stay. So I don’t usually carry them all with me. Usually, I have at least two, in differing combinations.
Among the glamp stuff that migrates outside the car for the real Glamping are:
Tent #1 Large SUV Tent Nylon, with lots of windows, a screen-room and awnings.
I still prefer the nylon, because its so light-weight and packable. Also, canvas/cotton takes way too long to dry. I like to pack up and be gone in the morning, while its cool and traffic is light. That SUV attachment is very handy when the weather is bad, or if for some other reason I want to sleep; in the car.
Tent #2 Large Tee-pee Tent , all screen with a nylon fly
This one sets up in minutes. It has a large sturdy vinyl floor, so is perfect for spreading with blankets and cushions. Its my favorite for afternoon lounging, and sleeping in dry weather. With screen all the way to the top, its perfect for star-gazing. Its also designed so I cover just the back section with the fly, and tie the rest back, like curtains. The round shape and high center makes me feel like I’m in a “genie” bottle
Tent #3 Pop-up Square Screen Tent with fly
A perfect instant afternoon lounge room, this one sets up in seconds, and is by far, my most versatile tent. It just the perfect size for one, and is large enough for a small cot/lounge chair. It has a rainproof fly, so I can sleep in it. It has no bottom, so I can optionally use it as a bath/spa room, or for a private cooling pool
Pop-up Sun Shelter – small
Tent #4 Pup-Tent,
Pop-up privy/shower Tent
On the beach, an outside festival. Or at the campsite to protect and shelter utilities
Pop-up Sun Shelter – large
At the Glampsite to extend living space or create a shaded lounge area. Great for those rainy days when I just don’t want to sit in the tent all day.
Umbrella – Large 7” Attaches to car-hitch
I’ve used this to extend the living space of my car many times. I lift the hatch, set up the umbrella and I have an instant canopy. Sometimes I’ll just set up a table and prepare my lunch right there.
When I throw a large net over it, its an add-on screen room.
During an unexpected and excessive-rain stay last summer; I took the huge tent fly and covered the umbrella. I had to do some strategic clamping and clipping to make it stay in place, with all the wind. The door handles, wheel-wells and nearby picnic table all served as anchors to this purpose. It didn’t look too great, but I stayed dry, and so did the car’s contents.
Sometimes, I’ll drape a sheet over one side, for shade, or for privacy from walk-by traffic. Getting dressed and groomed-up in the morning is easier this way than dragging stuff out to the public rest-rooms.
Beach Umbrellas – at least 3
I anchor them to the picnic table for shade while preparing meals or doing hair and makeup. From it’s wire frame, you can hang all kinds of handy supplies and gadgets.
Also, I’ve rigged one up so I can attach curtains and have an instant change-room or shower.
Mini-gazebo With an umbrella stand, and a net thrown over, it makes a bug-free space, just large enough to park a small lawn chair.
And there’s the standard purpose of shelter from rain. I keep one in the tent, just in case.
Sometimes I’ll set one up inside the tent to hold overhead string-light. There’s that pole, which, if you have the space, doesn’t much matter.
Double-high inflatable bed
Folding Lawn chair with arm rests
Cushions and a fluffy throw can really lux this one up. Its practical without the lux too
Folding Lounger
Colourful and bright for sunbathing, lounging, reading etc. Cushions and a fluffy throw can really lux this one up when I’m in a pamper-me mood.
There have been times when I’ve put a layer of foam and this one and slept on it. If the weather has unexpectedly changed, and a night in the tent would be nice, this is a good quick solution. You have to be careful about the balancing thing though, if you decide to sit up, it has to be in the center. Otherwise – oops.
Inflatable Child’s’ Bed
The child-size inflatable bed serves as a comfy reading lounger, but can be multi-purposed as a bath spa or a relaxing cooling pool.
Sometimes I just long for a sudsy cozy bath, and this is a good solution for me. I just throw up a screen shelter that has detachable blinds.
Sometimes its just too hot or too crowded at the beach. I’ve set this one up in the pop-up screen tent and luxuriated in cool water , bug-free with a good book. I’ve found that when you add the pool element to a campsite, it can really draw the bugs in.
Table #1 Medium folding heavy-duty rectangular
This is the one for food-prep, dining and other activities throughout the day. If I have a good
picnic table, this one often stays packed.
Table #2 medium folding rectangular with extendable legs
The table has legs that can be shortened, and thus can go from cooking/dining outside by day or to a low computer, coffee, makeup, computer table for cozy tent evenings. This one’s my favourite, and is the one I always unpack.
picnic table, this one often stays packed.
Table #2 medium folding rectangular with extendable legs
The table has legs that can be shortened, and thus can go from cooking/dining outside by day or to a low computer, coffee, makeup, computer table for cozy tent evenings. This one’s my favourite, and is the one I always unpack.
Table #3 Small Folding metal-slat for cooking.
Sometimes you really need an instant metal table for cooking. Its also great to hold handy supplies when you’re showering
Table #4 Small round low plastic table for cocktails and coffee beside the lounger.
Sometimes you have Service, Sometimes you don’t
If I’m staying at a site with electricity and running water, I unpack the my very-portable appliances and the water-hose and related stuff. Without these amenities, I’m fine too. Solar and battery-operated lights and gadgets are what I like to rely on, for the most part. My needs are met by doing a lot of resourceful sourcing and DIY.
Many of my items serve multi-purpose. The child-size inflatable bed can double as a reading lounger, a bath spa or a cooling pool. In the tent I prefer to sit on cushions, Boho-style. I spread it with blankets and cushions – so I have a shoes-stop-at-the-door policy.