What does car camping equipment cost? Prices and choices
A spontaneous weekend by the North Sea doesn't have to start with a motorhome costing hundreds of thousands of kroner. But when you ask, how much does car camping equipment cost, the answer isn't just one amount either. You can get by simply with a mattress, a cooler, and a gas stove – or build a comfortable, self-sufficient base with a roof tent, power, and a kitchen module.
The right budget depends on how you plan to use the car. Is it merely for sleeping a couple of nights a year? Or should it function for longer road trips with cooking, cooling, and charging without access to electricity? Here's a realistic overview to help you choose the equipment that offers the most freedom for your money.
What is the total cost of car camping equipment?
A basic starter setup for car camping typically costs from around DKK 3,000 to 8,000. This gets you the essentials for sleeping, eating, and comfortably staying by the car. If you want better power, cooling, and more weather protection, a solid weekend setup often ranges between DKK 10,000 and 25,000.
A complete setup with a roof tent, power station, solar panel, awning, and modular solutions can easily cost DKK 35,000 to 80,000 or more. This may sound like a lot, but it's still a completely different investment than a ready-made campervan. Moreover, the equipment can often be transferred to a new car or adjusted as your needs change.
The price difference primarily comes down to four things: how often you go, how many people need to sleep, whether you need to be self-sufficient with power, and how much comfort you desire in bad weather.
Start with sleep – the most important investment
Poor sleep can ruin even the best view. Therefore, the sleeping area should be the first place you prioritize your budget.
If you sleep inside the car, a good camping mattress or a custom-fit mattress may be sufficient. Expect to pay typically DKK 800 to 3,000, depending on size, thickness, and material. A cheap air mattress might work for a single trip, but it often loses comfort and insulation as temperatures drop. A foam mattress or self-inflating solution takes up more space but usually provides a better night's sleep and lasts longer.
A roof tent is the bigger upgrade. Prices often start around DKK 10,000 to 15,000 for the simplest models, while quality models with better mattresses, quick setup, sturdy covers, and space for multiple people typically cost DKK 20,000 to 40,000 or more. This may also include roof bars or roof racks if the car isn't already ready for mounting.
A roof tent is not automatically the best choice for everyone. It offers fantastic views, frees up space in the cabin, and makes camp simple, but it requires checking the car's roof load and mounting options. If you mostly sleep alone and have an estate car, SUV, or van, an internal sleeping platform can be both cheaper and quicker for everyday use.
Power and cooling: The budget quickly increases here
Phones, lights, and a cooler make the trip significantly more comfortable. But power is also a category where it pays to buy according to genuine need rather than the most watt-hours possible.
A smaller power station for lights, phones, and some electronics often costs from approximately DKK 2,000 to 5,000. It's suitable for one or two nights. If you need to power a compressor cooler, charge camera equipment, or be out for several days, DKK 5,000 to 12,000 is a more realistic level for a more powerful power station.
Solar panels typically cost from DKK 1,000 to 4,000. They are particularly relevant when camping for several days in the same spot or traveling long distances without access to fixed power outlets. For a weekend trip with limited consumption, they are not always necessary. For a summer holiday with a cooler, however, they can mean you don't need to plan your day around charging.
A passive cooler with ice packs can be had for a few hundred kroner. An electric compressor cooler often costs from DKK 3,000 to 8,000 or more. The latter solution is one of the upgrades many appreciate, as fresh breakfast, cold drinks, and food for several days become much easier. But remember to factor in power consumption – a cooler and too small a power station are rarely a good combination.
Cooking and storage without camping chaos
A simple cooking stove, gas, and basic equipment can cost DKK 500 to 1,500. That's plenty if you want to make coffee, pasta, or breakfast on the go. If you want a more organized solution, a kitchen module with counter space, drawers, and room for water and cooking gear can cost from around DKK 3,000 upwards.
Kitchen modules make particular sense if you often go away, or if you're tired of loose bags and equipment cluttering the boot. They make it quick to pack the car, and when you stop at a rest area or find a quiet campsite, the kitchen is ready in minutes.
However, you don't need to buy everything from the start. A sturdy storage box, a stove, and a small table go a long way. Use the first trips to find out if you actually miss fixed drawers, a water solution, or more workspace.
Budget for shelter, light, and the small things that make a difference
An awning, tarp, or car tent can cost from approximately DKK 800 to DKK 10,000 depending on type and mounting. A simple tarp is flexible and inexpensive but requires a bit more setup. A car-mounted awning is quick to deploy and provides a stable base when the weather changes.
It's also worth setting aside DKK 1,000 to 4,000 for the things easily forgotten in the big picture: chairs, table, lights, thermos, blackout blinds, mosquito nets, water jug, first aid, and storage. If you have small children, a toilet or a privacy tent can be a practical investment. A simple toilet solution often starts around DKK 500, while more comfortable variants cost more.
The small products don't create a big wow factor in product images, but they often determine whether the car feels like a temporary sleeping project or a base you actually want to keep using.
Three realistic budgets for car camping
The simple weekend setup: DKK 3,000-8,000. Here you prioritize a mattress, sleeping bags or duvets, blackout blinds, a small stove, basic lighting, and a cooler. This is great for those who want to try car camping without committing a large sum.
The comfortable road trip setup: DKK 10,000-25,000. Here you can add a good power station, compressor cooler, better storage, awning or tarp, and perhaps a simple kitchen module. You get much more everyday comfort and can more easily go on several trips a year.
The self-sufficient adventure setup: DKK 35,000-80,000+ This allows for a roof tent, roof rack, powerful power supply, solar panel, kitchen module, and more comprehensive solutions for water, cooling, and shelter. This is relevant for couples and families who use the car as a real holiday base.
How to avoid buying the wrong thing the first time
The most common mistake is to buy based on the dream of a grand expedition, when the majority of trips will actually be short weekends in Denmark. Instead, start with the needs you know: How many people need to sleep? How long will you be away? Do you have access to electricity? And how much luggage space can the equipment take up in everyday life?
Always check the car's dimensions, roof load, and permissible mounting before choosing a roof tent, roof bars, or kitchen modules. A product can be excellent, but still wrong for your particular car. The same applies to power: Compare the power station's capacity with the actual consumption of your appliances, especially if you want a cooler.
It can be tempting to choose the cheapest option in each category. But for equipment you use again and again – mattress, power, cooling, and roof mounting – durability, fit, and safety are often what provide the best value over time.
At Offgridconnection, you can find solutions in one place and get help matching the equipment with your car and your travel style. This makes it easier to build in stages instead of making an expensive impulse purchase that doesn't quite fit.
Start with a good night's sleep and a simple way to make morning coffee. Once the car has proven itself as your little outdoor base, it will be much easier to feel which upgrades will truly give you more freedom on your next trip.