In Part I of this quick Car Camping for Beginners series, we discussed where to find a good campground and the differences in types of campsites. Moving on from there, we should discuss some of the gear and clothing you'll need to buy, borrow, or rent before your first camping trip. Thankfully, gear that is suitable for car camping can be much cheaper than the specialized, lightweight and often absurdly expensive gear needed for backpacking. If, however, you expect you want to take up backpacking in the future, you might consider spending a bit more for items that can be used for both endeavors (Here's my guide to backpacking gear as a reference.) You can always use backpacking gear for car camping, but you can't always use car camping gear for backpacking because it is often too heavy and bulky strap on your back. The most important thing is to get out there, however, even if you decide to sleep in the back of a truck bundled in a bunch of wool blankets. You can probably do a bit better than that, so here is a quick overview of what will help keep you warm and comfortable.
