Breezes and Coffee in the Woods: A Weekend Escape with an SUV Tent
As an avid camper, I’ve always believed that camping is one of the best ways to bond with family. Last weekend, my wife Emma, our five-year-old son Leo, and I packed up our SUV and headed to a wooded clearing just outside town, bringing along our new SUV tailgate tent. This little getaway was cozy, effortless, and full of small joys, and that tent turned out to be our MVP. Let me walk you through how it made our trip special.
Five Minutes to Set Up, Hours of Chill
We pulled into the clearing on Saturday morning, the sun just peeking through the trees. Leo was already bouncing out of the car, yelling about building a “fort.” Setting up this tailgate tent was a breeze—I popped open the bag, hooked the straps to the back of the SUV, and propped up a few poles. Five minutes later, it was done. Emma, who’d offered to help, just stood there laughing, saying I didn’t leave her anything to do.
Once it was up, the tent connected right to the car’s open hatch, creating this big, open space. Leo ran inside and shouted, “Dad, this is bigger than my room!” He wasn’t wrong—it’s roomy enough to stand up in and fit our three camp chairs without feeling cramped.
Leo peeking out of the tent right after setup
Bug-Proof and Rain-Ready, Sleeping Soundly
By evening, the sky turned cloudy, and a damp breeze kicked up. I wondered if rain was coming—Leo’s not a fan of thunder. Luckily, the tent’s waterproof fabric, as promised on the product page, held up great. When a light drizzle started overnight, the rain just rolled off, and we stayed dry inside.
The bug netting was a lifesaver, too. Emma’s usually armed with bug spray for summer trips, but this time, she didn’t need it. The fine mesh kept every mosquito and gnat out. She spent the evening lounging against the car seats, scrolling on her phone, and even said, “This feels cozier than home.” Leo, curled up in his sleeping bag with his head on my lap, slept through the night without a single buzz to bother him.
Car-Tent Combo, Homey Vibes
Sunday morning, I brewed coffee right in the car—the tent’s seamless connection to the hatch made grabbing stuff from the trunk a cinch. Emma spread a blanket inside the tent and set out some fruit and crackers, and we all sat together for breakfast. Leo dragged his toy cars in, playing “parking lot” and bossing us around: “Mom, your car goes here!”
I unzipped the side vents to let in some air, and the scent of pine and morning dew filled the space. Emma leaned against me and said, “This feels like a porch in the middle of the woods.” That’s exactly it—the tent blends the comfort of the car with the freedom of the outdoors.
Morning breakfast in the tent, with greenery all around
A Little Family Moment
That afternoon, with the sun back out, we played UNO inside the tent. Leo kept sneaking peeks at my cards, giggling when I caught him and diving across to grab them. Emma took advantage of the chaos to win a round, smirking as she declared, “I’m in charge tonight—ramen for dinner!” The tent’s space gave us plenty of room for these silly tussles, no elbows bumping.
When it was time to pack up, Leo clung to my hand, begging, “Can we come back to our car house soon, Dad?” I ruffled his hair and said, “You bet.”
Post-Camp Thoughts
This tailgate tent was a game-changer for us. It’s quick to set up and take down, keeps rain and bugs at bay, and gives enough space for a family to spread out. If I had to nitpick, I’d say bring a ground mat for extra comfort—sitting on the bare floor gets chilly after a while. But honestly, with all the laughing and messing around we did, I barely noticed.
Next time, I’m thinking we’ll head to a lake and try fishing from the tent’s doorstep. What about you—got any weekend camping plans? Drop a comment and share your stories!
Here’s to more memories in the tent next time