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Dog Enjoying Campfire

Equipping your Van Camper

The options are endless, and everything depends on how you use your van. Your goal is to avoid the two most common mistakes:

  1. Buying too much stuff

  2. Buying stuff too early​​

Other than the essentials listed below, ease your way into purchases as you travel and identify your actual needs. 

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The Essentials

These are the only items I recommend purchasing immediately: 

The Kitchen

Similar to storage solutions, your kitchen needs will vary based on how your van camper is equipped from the manufacturer and how you travel. Everyone needs plates, silverware, etc., but you are in the best position to choose suitable items. Here's a list of other kitchen equipment that is often on people's list:

  • Paper towel holder 

  • Refrigerator fans help circulate the air and maintain the proper temperature. Here's one option and another. 

  • Collapsible bowls and food storage

  • Collapsible microwave cover

  • ​Water Filtration is a hot topic, and there are many different ways to create a source of safe drinking water. For city water hookups, many use a simple in-line filter like this. If you primarily use your freshwater tank for drinking water, you first need to keep your tank clean and sanitized. Beyond that, many use one of the following:

    • Berkey Filters are popular due to their simplicity and effectiveness, but they're relatively large and can be hard to store and secure. ​

    • The Acuva Water Purifier System uses UV light to purify water. It's a more expensive system that needs a power source, but once installed it's dreamy. 

    • Note that reverse osmosis systems are not recommended because they "waste" a significant amount of water.​​

Around Camp

Enjoying campsites and the outdoors is central to van camper travel. So you need stuff. But remember: storage is limited so you can't have it all!

Storage

Storage solutions tend to be specific to your particular van camper, its layout and how you travel. Facebook groups for your model van camper are a great way to learn from the creativity of others. Search "storage" from within the Facebook group and you will find more posts than you can handle. Here's a pro tip: use your microwave for storage (except of course when you need to use it). 

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Some storage solutions are more or less universal:

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  1. Stackable plastic storage bins with lids. These come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you use small ones in kitchen cabinets or large ones under a rear sofa, these bins will help you manage the clutter and use limited space efficiently.

  2. Hanging organizers and bins. You will probably quickly realize that there aren't enough easily accessible places to put important everyday stuff. Hanging bins and organizers can help. Other than seat back organizers and shoe organizers, most hanging solutions will be specific to your van and needs. Amazon has countless inexpensive options. 

The Wet Bath

Your wet bath's design will dictate what you need. Some have adequate storage already, while others are blank slates. Here's a look at my wet bath in a Roadtrek Play. I added only the soap dish and clear bin, both of which are stuck to the wall with strong adhesive. 

Around the House

Everyone's needs are a little different, but certain items are quite useful around the house:

  • Monitoring the temperature in the van is important, especially inside the refrigerator. I like this two zone temperature monitor

  • An entry rug/mat by the sliding door is essential to capture dirt, sand, etc. I'm a big fan of the Gorilla Grip Chenille Mat 

  • Many people find that they need a memory foam mattress topper to sleep comfortably, especially on sofas that convert to a bed. There are too many options to list. A minimum of 1" thickness is required, but be careful: the thicker they are, the harder they are to store!

    • An alternative to foam mattress toppers is the Duvalay Memory Foam Sleeping Pad, which is like a sleeping bag with a memory foam pad in it. 

    • Another alternative is a very plush mattress pad, which will provide the least amount of cushion but stores the easiest.​​

  • Here's my favorite rechargeable fan or a fancier, permanently mounted 12v fan, the Sirocco

  • A ceramic heater is a great way to stay warm when you're on shore power

Tools & Supplies

You're traveling around in a mobile house that's constantly subjected to a "rolling earthquake." Things break -- which means you need tools and supplies when you're on the road. 

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