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Vanlife is not always comfortable. Let’s be real we’re talking about living in a car here. And there are definitely some camper van accessories that will make your life on the road FAR easier. Often, they aren’t the things you might think. This collection of products is all the camper van must-haves that will let you savor a few moments of luxury while on the road.
*Obviously these aren’t really items that you need as a vanlifer. But if you have the extra cash to spare splurging on these few simple amenities can really change your vanlife experience for the better.
If you’re new to vanlife, I also have a plethora of preparation blog posts including this one all about the ESSENTIAL things you need for life on the road. You know the basics…like silverware + wine openers. This list is geared more toward comfort than life-or-death essentials.
10 Camper Van Accessories You Must Have
Before the masses of minimalist millennials come for me, this is not a list for you. Obviously, we can all live with less on the road. Does anyone NEED a Korean BBQ attachment for their cook stove? No. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t super cool and going to spice up my dinner rotation considerably. This list is for those looking to make their life just a teensy bit more comfortable. And see some really cool nomad-friendly gadgets.
1. Water Pump Shower
The first two things I will address are the biggest annoyances of vanlife. Showering and relieving oneself. This portable shower pump is a game-changer. Just drop it in any bucket of water (perhaps one you warmed up on your stove) + the shower nozzle allows you to rinse easily. No more awkward and freezing cold shower bags tossed onto the roof or make-shift hair rinses in the largest bowl you have. You can have a proper shower.
2. Portable Loo
Now let’s talk about number two. Unless you’re one of the Sprinter owners with a built-in composting toilet you are probably making do without a toilet. For some, this means gas station or grocery store bathrooms + a pee jar of sorts. But I have a better solution. This small collapsible travel toilet. You can use any bag and can substitute sawdust for the expensive anti-smell powder. But realistically, each bag is single use so no smell problems. Now you can pee inside or outside the van in peace.
3. Korean BBQ Stove Attachment
Yes, I was serious about Korean BBQ. I got so tired of eating the same meals over and over and over again in the van. Was it my fault? Yes. But honestly, ingenuity in a van kitchen can be hard. This will give you the option to switch things up a bit.
4. Rechargeable Battery Powered Fan
I love to sleep with a fan. When it’s just a little too hot and humid out or you need a little extra airflow when cooking a fan comes in handy all the time in vanlife. We used ours every single day in Baja Mexico. We got one with a clip-on so that it’s easily positioned within the van.
5. Collapsible Tea Kettle
The alternative is using a standard pot to boil your water on the stove each morning and then carefully pouring your lava-hot liquid into the narrow french-press top. An electric kettle can be tempting but they use so much energy it’s usually not a viable option for more van electric systems.
6. French Press
While we’re talking coffee. Don’t settle for instant. I’m a coffee addict and tea never quite cuts it. I found that the best way to have fresh coffee in the van is with a non-glass french press. This was my favorite model.
7. Bluetti Portable Charging Device
Bluetti is the answer to every vanlifer who struggles with low power. We didn’t equip our van with solar which was one of my biggest regrets during our build. This basically means that we have a very limited power supply when we aren’t moving very often. The Bluetti essentially doubled that. It’s great for weekend vanlifers who need a power boost or for digital nomads hoping to get one more charge on their computers without giving up their precious campsites.
8. Body Wipes
This is a very low-tech product but extremely useful on the road. Even with the best shower gear, it can be difficult to find outdoor space to shower regularly. With these high-quality wipes…you won’t need to.
9. Screen doors w/ magnetic closure.
There’s nothing I love more than opening our van doors to an epic view while I read or work inside the van. I even like to sleep with the doors open whenever possible. But the great outdoors means bugs. And your van lights, no matter how dim, pretty much attract every single insect in the forest. One of my biggest regrets was not buying some screens to keep the mosquitos out!
10. Projector for epic movie nights!
Sometimes you’re sleeping in the quiet serene wilderness gazing at stars and embracing nature. But sometimes you’re sleeping in a Walmart parking lot trying to drown out the incessant city noise late into the evening. These are the nights that a projector comes in handy. Turn your entire little van into a home theatre. It’s great for movie nights in the wild too!
Vanlife is all about minimalism. But for those of us living on the road full-time or spending months on end in a cramped DIY conversion (especially with a partner), there are small camper van accessories that can turn a miserable night into a relaxing one. Living in a vehicle comes with a lot of small problems that require innovative solutions (showering, peeing, entertaining oneself in the rain, etc.) and with these gadgets, you’ll make life a little easier day-to-day.
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