Newbie Camper Setup Help Requested

[Drlangley]

Hey friends, I just recently bought a ‘23 R1T Adventure (Quad) and would like to do some “light” camping trips with my wife. I don’t want to break the bank. What are some “must-have’s” and any tips, tricks, suggestions to do this on a budget.
Thanks!

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[KBabione]

There have been lots of threads on this - do some searching please to help refine your request. "Camping" is a very broad term...ranging from sleeping under the stars to RV's. For example:

• What prior camping experience do you have?
• Tent, trailer, or RTT? (I'm assuming you won't be sleeping in an R1T)
• Cooking? Simple or gourmet?

You can definitely get started on a very limited budget and have a great trip after spending less than $500 (assuming that you have nothing). But, like everywhere else in life, you get what you pay for. An $80 tent from Walmart will be okay for a couple of trips but it won't last like my tent from LLBean - but if you don't know you're going to love it it's a great way to start.

 

[Birdowin]

We just use all of our normal camping gear. Tent, Propane stove, cook kit, water jug. Don't forget camp chairs and a cocktail table. It all fits into the bed, gear tunnel and frunk.

 

[Cycliste]

Use what you already have wherever possible and see how it works before considering something new.

 

[JoeP50]

We just use all of our normal camping gear. Tent, Propane stove, cook kit, water jug. Don't forget camp chairs and a cocktail table. It all fits into the bed, gear tunnel and frunk.

You can swap the propane stove out for an induction stove though - works great!

 

[Birdowin]

Yep, Induction works great, we already have a nice 4 burner propane.

 

[VandalSibs]

The forum's search tool usually works for this stuff, but it can be a quite a bit to parse, so:

This might be shamelessly plugging myself, but I've got a few threads there that talk camping trailers (RVs).

1. General discussion on what people are towing, what they like and/or dislike, and discussion on what to look for (for individuals that are shopping)
Current Travel Trailers / RVs you're towing - Reviews and Recommendations! | Rivian Forum - R1T R1S R2 R3 News, Specs, Models, RIVN Stock -- Rivianforums.com

2. My personal travel log of towing my trailer with my R1T.
R1T towing an inTech Sol Dawn | Rivian Forum - R1T R1S R2 R3 News, Specs, Models, RIVN Stock -- Rivianforums.com

3. The overall sub-forum for Towing with a Rivian
Towing, Trailering, Flat Tow, Hauling, Hitches | Rivian Forum - R1T R1S R2 R3 News, Specs, Models, RIVN Stock -- Rivianforums.com

I'm also up for answering questions on towing campers (and towing with a Rivian in general)... and if I don't know something, I'll help direct you to a place that might be able to.

 

[Drlangley]

Use what you already have wherever possible and see how it works before considering something new.

Good advice. Thx!

The forum's search tool usually works for this stuff, but it can be a quite a bit to parse, so:

This might be shamelessly plugging myself, but I've got a few threads there that talk camping trailers (RVs).

1. General discussion on what people are towing, what they like and/or dislike, and discussion on what to look for (for individuals that are shopping)
Current Travel Trailers / RVs you're towing - Reviews and Recommendations! | Rivian Forum - R1T R1S R2 R3 News, Specs, Models, RIVN Stock -- Rivianforums.com

2. My personal travel log of towing my trailer with my R1T.
R1T towing an inTech Sol Dawn | Rivian Forum - R1T R1S R2 R3 News, Specs, Models, RIVN Stock -- Rivianforums.com

3. The overall sub-forum for Towing with a Rivian
Towing, Trailering, Flat Tow, Hauling, Hitches | Rivian Forum - R1T R1S R2 R3 News, Specs, Models, RIVN Stock -- Rivianforums.com

I'm also up for answering questions on towing campers (and towing with a Rivian in general)... and if I don't know something, I'll help direct you to a place that might be able to.

Thanks, friend! I'm looking for some low-budget tips & tricks for weekend-style camping with truck bed tents, electric cooking gear, and other miscellaneous gear powered by the Rivian at the campsite. I'm guessing you could even camp at spaces that offer electricity hookups and not even worry about depleting your battery?

 

[VandalSibs]

In my experience, most campgrounds don't care.... but I tend to camp almost excluslvely at local State Parks (Washington State & Idaho), and the don't care.

I'm also careful about how much power my vehicle is pulling, as some of the wiring can be ancient at these places.

My thread that logs my travels so far has a post or two in it about charging at RV sites with some notes from other users that helped me out.

There are others that are much more experienced with Roof-top/bed-top tents than I am - hopefully some of them pop into this thread to share their wisdom!

 

[Drlangley]

Thanks for the responses, everyone... I'm just looking for some budget-friendly tips & tricks for weekend-style camping with truck bed tents, electric cooking gear, and other miscellaneous gear powered by the Rivian at the campsite. Many of the tent set-ups I've seen cost thousands of dollars!! That in itself would eliminate us from camping experiences, as this would only be something we did on rare occasions for a quick getaway from home. I'm guessing you could even camp at spaces that offer electricity hookups and not even worry about depleting your battery?

 

[Drlangley]

In my experience, most campgrounds don't care.... but I tend to camp almost excluslvely at local State Parks (Washington State & Idaho), and the don't care.

I'm also careful about how much power my vehicle is pulling, as some of the wiring can be ancient at these places.

My thread that logs my travels so far has a post or two in it about charging at RV sites with some notes from other users that helped me out.

There are others that are much more experienced with Roof-top/bed-top tents than I am - hopefully some of them pop into this thread to share their wisdom!

I'll definitely take a look at your thread and try to glean from your experiences.

 

[kewlasu]

For inexpensive bed tents, you can try this. It fits R1T bed.
https://www.amazon.com/JOYTUTUS-Straight-Spacious-Waterproof-PU2000mm/dp/B0DKMQB4K5

 

[csharp]

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/help-me-complete-my-setup.47939/

 

[usulio]

Hey friends, I just recently bought a ‘23 R1T Adventure (Quad) and would like to do some “light” camping trips with my wife. I don’t want to break the bank. What are some “must-have’s” and any tips, tricks, suggestions to do this on a budget.
Thanks!

What's your prior experience with camping? The only real difference with Rivian is the 120V outlet in the back.

Range: Plan a trip with less than 150 miles round trip from a fast charger and there's no need to charge during the trip or overnight. Expect to lose a couple percent of battery life per day parked, more if running the HVAC a lot. Using the outlets for an hour or two might use a percent.

Shelter: With an R1S you could sleep in the car, but for you, I would suggest a waterproof ground tent (can be had for $150).

Sleep: a sleeping pad, perhaps inflatable (can be $100-200 for two people) and some blankets (free from home) and pillows (free from home). If below 50, then proper sleeping bags ($100+).

I would look at REI for shelter and sleep, but places like Walmart, Costco, and lots of other options too.

Water: bring a bunch of water.

Food: You can get a plug-in hot plate for like $20 to plug into the back and cook on the tailgate. Only thing is don't exceed 1500W, the Rivian maximum.

Safety: bring warm clothes, extra water and snacks.

Fun: camping chairs, campfire equipment if that is safe and legal in your area, hiking boots, good book, etc.

 

[Thunderbolt Adventure]

What's your prior experience with camping? The only real difference with Rivian is the 120V outlet in the back.

Range: Plan a trip with less than 150 miles round trip from a fast charger and there's no need to charge during the trip or overnight. Expect to lose a couple percent of battery life per day parked, more if running the HVAC a lot. Using the outlets for an hour or two might use a percent.

Shelter: With an R1S you could sleep in the car, but for you, I would suggest a waterproof ground tent (can be had for $150).

Sleep: a sleeping pad, perhaps inflatable (can be $100-200 for two people) and some blankets (free from home) and pillows (free from home). If below 50, then proper sleeping bags ($100+).

I would look at REI for shelter and sleep, but places like Walmart, Costco, and lots of other options too.

Water: bring a bunch of water.

Food: You can get a plug-in hot plate for like $20 to plug into the back and cook on the tailgate. Only thing is don't exceed 1500W, the Rivian maximum.

Safety: bring warm clothes, extra water and snacks.

Fun: camping chairs, campfire equipment if that is safe and legal in your area, hiking boots, good book, etc.

Great list! I would add that at REI as well as some local sporting goods stores offer rental equipment if you want to try it out before making a bunch of purchases.

To the above list I would add bring insect spray (depending on your location this can make a new camper never want to go back out).

We like to play cards at the camp site or in the tent if the weather is bad so I always have a deck of cards in our camping kit.

If you're going out for just an overnight, you can bring a picnic style meal so you don't have to worry about cooking dinner. And, there is a lot of gourmet instant coffee on the market now that just requires hot water for a delicious morning cup.

Once you figure out how much you love camping and how much time you have to get out, you can slowly make the appropriate investments in creature comforts! Have fun!

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