Arpenaz Base M car tent
£130
A long-term favourite for many people I’ve spoken to or judging by many comments in car camping forums. (FB groups like Berlingo campers only, Small Vehicle Campers etc). See my in-depth review and some of their testimonials. Key benefits:
- price – no cheaper car tent on the market at this quality/usability
- usability – fits most MPVs – tailgate or side-door
- good quality – tested in long rain, strong winds, it holds up pretty well (relatively to the price)
- easy to carry and put up/down
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Best budget car tent for camping – Arpenaz Base M
As already mentioned, this one is a long-term favourite for many people I’ve spoken to or judging by many comments in car camping forums. (FB groups like Berlingo campers only, Small Vehicle Campers etc). See my review for some of their testimonials.
Decathlon Arpenaz Base M
If you don’t mind it’s not meant to be used as a car tent – but it actually can do the job pretty well, you’re in for a treat – at only 129.99 GBP / 139.99 EUR, you will get a pretty good tailgate tent – or a side door tent, you can make it fit both. Better for cars like Caddy, Berlingo, Sharan etc – with lower height compared to a Multivan (as most car awnings are made for those). Confirmed to fit most MPVs, barn doors as well. (see images below)
129.99 GBP / 139.99 EUR
I haven’t seen a tailgate tent in this price range that works better. Easy to carry, easy to erect and does the job perfectly – you gain a lot of storage space / living room with mosquito nets and window covers for privacy / cover during the rain. Add a tarp to cover the tailgate for extra rain protection and there’s not much missing from this (unintentional) car tent. If you are considering trying car camping with a car tent, this is the one to try. And you may never need another one, unless your family starts to grow 🙂
Available at any Decathlon website for your country.
There are three ways how you can fit it over your tailgate or side door:
Second image thanks to: WILL WALKLEY OUTDOORS, third image: Sweeper Liam
Touran image source: rjrdaydreamer.com
Lukas –
I have been using this tent for over a year now – it’s the cheapest I’ve found so far and it fits my Sharan well. You would have to close the tailgate during strong rain, but in light rain, it’s good enough. Or you can fit it over the side door and close it whenever needed.