In two years, the number of American van lifers shot up from 1.9 million to 3.1 million from 2020 to 2022! This 63% increase shouldn’t come as a surprise; during the pandemic, people realized they could travel the country with freedom and safety in these convenient vehicles. Then, this naturally led to people giving up traditional homes in favor of roaming the country.
If you’re not quite ready for the van life but already have a vehicle to travel in, then you need the right van accessories before planning a journey. Otherwise, life on the road will be tough.
Keep reading to see what van gear you need to buy before you set off on your next trip.
Generator
The key to having modern conveniences while on the road is having a generator. Otherwise, you’ll have to plug into your van, and this can quickly deplete its battery, especially if you’ve got lots of electronics.
You can go for a traditional generator; however, you’ll get more bang for your buck if you choose a solar-powered generator instead. That way, you can keep getting power, as long as you remember to charge it back up in the sun.
Power Pack Solar Panels
If solar power sounds more appealing to you, or you want something in addition to your generator, then get power pack solar panels.
These come in kits that are easy to set up. Just place them in an area that gets plenty of sun, and you can plug pretty much anything you want into them, whether it’s your laptop, TV, or radio.
Roadside Emergency Kit
If you could only bring one thing along with you, then it should be the roadside emergency kit. Considering that you’re on the road full-time, if anything happens to your van, then you might be in a difficult situation. This is especially true if you’re out in the middle of nowhere and need a temporary fix to get you to the nearest auto shop.
In this kit, you should have these things, at a minimum:
- Tool kit
- Lug nut wrench
- Tire jack and repair kit
- Tire pressure gauge
- 12-volt fuses
- Tow strap
- Jumper cables
- Duct, electrical, and silicone repair tape
- Signal flares
- Reflective vest
- Warning triangles
If you’re traveling during the winter and you’re going places with snow and ice, then some additional things to bring are:
- Snow chains
- Shovel
- Ice scraper
- Thermal blanket
Bike Rack
If you plan on riding your bike around at your stops, then a bike rack installation is a good idea. It won’t take long to do, nor will it take up a lot of space.
Since you don’t have much space inside your van, it’ll be a huge relief to haul your bikes along without taking up precious room inside. Plus, when the bike rack’s not in use, it swings back up against your vehicle to save even more space.
Roof Rack
A roof rack can offer even more storage space, which is always a plus! Again, this won’t be a difficult or time-consuming addition to your van, so why not do it? Once this rack’s installed, you can put items like your snowboards, skis, and paddleboards outside.
Do note that this will add to your vehicle’s height. Depending on your vehicle, this may cause issues with clearance in some places.
Security Box
There’s always a chance that someone might break into your van while you’re off having an adventure. Bringing all your important papers, documents, and possessions with you isn’t always feasible either, and you run the risk of losing these things while you’re out too.
Buying a security box to put in your vehicle can be a game changer. You’ll be able to leave behind your important things with peace of mind. And not only will it protect against thieves, but also natural disasters, such as fires and floods.
Portable Electric Space Heater
Most likely, there will be cold nights in your vehicle. Even if you pile on winter clothes and use a thick blanket, you might still be chilled to the bone.
This is where your generator will come in handy. You can plug in a portable electric space heater to get your van nice and toasty. Modern space heaters also have excellent safety features, so you won’t have to worry about setting your vehicle on fire.
Air Conditioning Unit
On the other hand, you might hit up some scorching hot places. In that case, manual and electric fans won’t suffice.
Your vehicle may already have its own air conditioning system, but you don’t want to keep the engine running while you’re staying somewhere overnight. Thankfully, there are small air conditioning units you can install to keep cool no matter what time of day (or night) it is.
Memory Foam Mattress Topper
There’s no denying that the inside of a van is pretty cramped. This means that you need to throw everything you have at your bed so it’s a dream to sleep in. It’s where you’ll get a good night’s rest, after all.
In addition to a great mattress, purchase a memory foam mattress topper. It can add several inches to your mattress to give your body extra support.
You don’t have to leave it on your bed either. The mattress topper will fold up, and you can store it under your bed, out of the way.
Cooktop Stove
It’s an incredible experience to cook food out in the wilderness. However, if you don’t like to cook over a crackling fireplace or don’t have access to one, then a cooktop stove will do in a pinch.
These run on propane, and you can get one or two burners. We recommend getting two burners so it’s quicker to whip up multiple dishes and meals, which is preferable if you’re traveling with friends or family.
Portable Refrigerator
To cook, you’ll need ingredients, and most of them need to stay chilled to prevent deterioration and spoilage. On a short weekend trip, a cooler might suffice. However, if you’re going on a long road trip, then you’ll need something more powerful.
A portable refrigerator is small and plugs into your generator. Or you can get a propane fridge too.
Either way, investing in a fridge will save you money in the long run. You won’t have to make as many grocery runs, and you also won’t eat out as much!
Portable Coffee Maker
Can’t function without a hot cup of joe in the morning? Then you’ll need a source of caffeine, and we don’t mean those nasty instant coffee powders.
Fortunately, there are many portable coffee maker options available, including manual ones that don’t require power. For these, just grind your coffee beans, put them in a reusable filter, and pour hot water on top.
For more convenience, get a single-serve coffee maker. You’ll need to plug these in, but they’re small and out of the way. Plus, your coffee will be ready within a minute!
Fire Extinguisher
You want to be prepared for emergencies so you can keep your vehicle in the best shape possible. This means that in addition to the emergency roadside kit, you should have a fire extinguisher too.
When you have a generator and several things plugged into it, it’s very possible for things to go wrong and a fire to happen in a split second. You’ll be thanking your lucky stars that you have a fire extinguisher in those situations.
Make sure you test it regularly though. Learning how to use it beforehand is also useful.
Water Tanks
We need water for drinking, washing, cooking, cleaning, and more. So it’s essential to have some sort of water supply on board.
You can go to the store and buy as many five-gallon jugs as will fit in your van. Or you can pour the water into freshwater jugs or water bladders. The latter is the better choice if you want to save space when you’ve used up your water jugs, as you can fold them up and put them away.
However, those who plan on traveling full-time should consider permanent water tanks, as well as van conversions that’ll make life more convenient. You’ll find these also in RVs, and they’re very convenient!
Portable Shower
One thing that a van lacks is a comfortable shower. This doesn’t mean you have to forego a good clean though.
There are several portable shower products on the market for every budget. For the thrifty, you can buy a portable shower that’s basically a bag that hangs over your head while you soak yourself. On the other hand, if you’ve got a big budget, you can spoil yourself with a solar-heater shower bag that even has a nice showerhead.
Portable Travel Toilet
Another unfortunate downside of van life is the lack of a proper inside toilet. Don’t want to resort to digging a hole? Then a portable toilet is your next best bet.
What’s cool about these products is they have a holding tank, plus they flush. And you won’t have to be concerned about the toilet leaking since it’ll have robust sealing locks. When nature calls, set the toilet outside (or inside if you’re ok with it), and you can use it like a normal indoor commode.
If you’re lucky enough to have a huge vehicle, you might be able to build a slide-out toilet into your storage area. You can purchase a self-contained composting toilet if you’re concerned about the environment.
Camping Hammock
Sleeping inside on a comfy mattress is great and all, but you’re on the road to see nature. Why not properly immerse yourself in it by sleeping (or napping) outside?
Bring along a camping hammock that you can hook up to trees with straps and carabiners. Whether you chill with a good book or get some extra Zs, you’ll feel like you’re in paradise, swimming in the fresh breeze.
Opt for a two-person hammock if your significant other’s tagging along! Snuggling up will be a special experience when you have some outstanding views.
Folding Table
Again, you’ll most likely be spending time outside of your vehicle; that’s the whole point of van life right? To make your outdoor activities easier, you’ve got to have a folding table.
Purchase one with telescoping legs so it’s not only more compact for storage, but also adjustable for all sorts of terrain. You and your loved ones can enjoy delicious meals and play games on this stable surface. And the best thing is, it won’t take up much room in your van either!
Camping Chairs
You probably don’t want to stand around the folding table, so a set of camping chairs will be useful. That way, you can avoid sitting on painful or awkward rocks or other ground material. Plus, this will give you comfortable positions at the table.
You can use the camping chairs in other places too. Found a nice spot by the riverbank? Then set up shop with some camping chairs, snacks, and drinks!
Get These Van Accessories Before Setting Off
Setting off on an adventure can be exciting. However, if you don’t have the right van accessories, life can become miserable quickly.
But with the right preparations and accessories, you can make your travels much more pleasant! While these upgrades will cost you some money, they’ll be worthwhile investments that’ll have you eager to plan other trips to see the country.
Keep browsing our blog page if you want to learn more about the van life.