In my experience the gear will expand to more than fill the available space... The size of your cooler may make it hard to fit everything.
I have long camped using a 2 door Jeep so available space is always cramped; my two most desirable things have been a tent that I can stand up in and a bed that is comfortable.
First layer only; the tent, ground tarp, mattress pad, table and chairs & maybe some other stuff, have been unloaded.
The tent was initially solved by a dome with a 6 foot interior height; its still cramped for forced stays during inclement weather but it works (my preferred tent is much bigger and consumes much more transport space).
The comfortable bed evolved over several years and happy happenstance; it consists of a Coleman cot with springs supporting the cloth sleeping area, and the standard Coleman foam pad (in themselves this is an ok combination but not luxurious.
To get the best comfort I added a hospital mattress pad (3 inch if I recall correctly)
which was trimmed to fit the cot.
Together they give me more comfort than almost any other bed that I have had. Note the pad forms a very space consuming LARGE roll and is best vacuum packed to conserve space.
A good sleeping bag is essential for warmth; I recommend an intermediate temperature rectangular bag with additional layers for fine temperature adjustment (I cant really help you with brands since thie current bag was made in the 1950s and has a GI poncho liner and a very light, fuzzy/plush overnight bag from wallymart ~$20 for layers... when you get cold cover your head with a wool stocking cap.
When my feet get really cold I throw a fake fur bathroom rug over them (wallymart again).
the pillow is a wallymart travel pillow and pillow case.
Except for the rug, It all rolls up and fits in a military wet weather bag (try the internet or surplus dealers)...
Cooking is for me best don on the campfire but I usually have a single burner propane stove and cooking accessories.
Gotta go now; I will try to add some more things later...
Enjoy!
I have long camped using a 2 door Jeep so available space is always cramped; my two most desirable things have been a tent that I can stand up in and a bed that is comfortable.
The tent was initially solved by a dome with a 6 foot interior height; its still cramped for forced stays during inclement weather but it works (my preferred tent is much bigger and consumes much more transport space).
The comfortable bed evolved over several years and happy happenstance; it consists of a Coleman cot with springs supporting the cloth sleeping area, and the standard Coleman foam pad (in themselves this is an ok combination but not luxurious.
To get the best comfort I added a hospital mattress pad (3 inch if I recall correctly)
Together they give me more comfort than almost any other bed that I have had. Note the pad forms a very space consuming LARGE roll and is best vacuum packed to conserve space.
A good sleeping bag is essential for warmth; I recommend an intermediate temperature rectangular bag with additional layers for fine temperature adjustment (I cant really help you with brands since thie current bag was made in the 1950s and has a GI poncho liner and a very light, fuzzy/plush overnight bag from wallymart ~$20 for layers... when you get cold cover your head with a wool stocking cap.
When my feet get really cold I throw a fake fur bathroom rug over them (wallymart again).
the pillow is a wallymart travel pillow and pillow case.
Except for the rug, It all rolls up and fits in a military wet weather bag (try the internet or surplus dealers)...
Cooking is for me best don on the campfire but I usually have a single burner propane stove and cooking accessories.
Gotta go now; I will try to add some more things later...
Enjoy!