The 20 Essential Accessories for Van Travel
Are you taking your first steps into the vanlife and want to know which accessories to take with you? Or do you want to make sure your vanlife equipment is always complete? Then this article will be very useful to you!
Even though vanlife involves living with the bare minimum, there are certain essential pieces of equipment that make life easier. Equipping yourself with the right accessories allows you to enjoy great times aboard your van, converted van, or motorhome!
We are sharing with you the list of the 20 best accessories that are essential to take with you when hitting the road.
Not too much, not too little! :)
Discover more about the essential accessories...
For the vehicle
For hygiene and comfort
For cooking and hydration
For the vehicle |
1. Leveling blocks
You have found a spot to stay for the night but the ground is not flat? It is now time to stabilize your vehicle for more comfort. Leveling blocks will allow you to adjust your parking to different ground inclines. When not in use, they store easily in their included cover.
- Brand: Thule
- Price: 49.90€
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2. 3-in-1 gas detector
In a confined space like a van, converted van, or motorhome, gas leaks (propane/butane) or carbon monoxide happen quickly and can escalate. A detector helps guarantee safety and keep your mind at ease when you travel (and sleep) in your van.
- Brand: 3GAS+
- Price: 64.90€
- Learn more
3. Traction mats
Very useful for getting your vehicle out of muddy, sandy, and snowy terrain when you venture a little too far off the beaten path.
- Brand: Fiamma
- Price: 23.50€
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4. M1 safety kit
The triangle and reflective vest have been mandatory accessories for all vehicles since 2008. This kit will allow you to stay visible to other road users and stay safe in case of a breakdown or incident during your road trips.
- Price: 13.90€
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5. Fire extinguisher
Another essential for safety, and not the least. The ABC powder fire extinguisher is specifically designed for automobiles. With a capacity of 1L and very compact, it will allow you to extinguish different types of fire if needed during your nomadic adventures.
- Brand: ANAF Group
- Price: 19.90€
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6. Headlamp
Vanlife is also at night! The USB rechargeable headlamp, with its beam ranging from 10cm to 50m, will light up the night and your movements in the dark. The headlamp can also prove very useful for lighting up the underside of your vehicle and performing a small repair if it acts up. ;)
- Brand: BioLite
- Price: 39.90€
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7. Multi-function tool
The Leatherman multi-function tool combines 14 or 18 essential tools (pliers, knife, ruler, bottle opener…) that will be very useful in your nomadic adventures. Essential for performing small repairs, doing electrical work but also cutting salami or opening your beer. Guaranteed for life, they are the best multi-function tools you can find!
For hygiene and comfort |
8. First aid kit
Even though we hope not to have to use it, it is always reassuring to have the essentials to treat minor injuries that can happen during your road trips and nomadic adventures. This kit contains 30 accessories: adhesive bandages, dressings, scissors, plasters, etc.
- Brand: Care Plus
- Price: 29.90€
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9. Hose
The hose is an essential for your converted van and motorhome: it allows you to easily fill your water tank or clean your vehicle and your accessories.
We have selected for you the Fitt extensible hose: it measures up to 20 meters and has a jet with 4 functions (shower, direct jet, wide cone, and misting). It is compact, lightweight, and it does not knot (it rolls up on itself), perfect to take on the road!
- Brand: Fitt
- Price: 39.90€
- Learn more
10. Foldable dry toilet
If your vehicle is not equipped with toilets, this very sturdy foldable dry toilet that supports up to 125kg is perfect for urgent needs. Once folded, it measures only 5cm high and stores easily in a corner of your vehicle.
- Brand: Bivvy Loo
- Price: 74.90€
- Learn more
11. Foldable waterproof basin
The foldable basin is very useful for washing, doing dishes, or even laundry. Its carrying handles make handling and transporting it very easy. It withstands hot water up to 60°C and is very compact once folded in its small cover.
- Brand: Sea To Summit
- Price: 25.90€ (10L) - 30.90€ (20L)
- Learn more
12. Compact and foldable mini shovel
A lightweight retractable multi-use shovel (for compost, natural needs, etc.). We are always happy to have it with us on the road. The essential to leave no trace when leaving your spot!
- Brand: Sea To Summit
- Price: 9.90€
- Learn more
13. Portable solar shower
Taking a shower can sometimes be a challenge when traveling in a van and having a portable shower makes life much easier!
The foot pump of this shower with a capacity of 10L or 20L is perfect for good pressure and its long hose allows you to rinse your whole body. Its little plus, its black color allows you to heat the water when the shower is filled and left in the sun. You can also fill it directly with hot water!
- Brand: NEMO Equipment
- Price: from 149.90€
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14. The 3-in-1 biodegradable soap
The natural Nil soap by Sloe cold-saponified is enriched with French hemp oil and is biodegradable.
Versatile, the Nil soap by Sloe has a 3-in-1 use : it is also used as a shampoo, as a face care and for the body. It is the new essential in our travel toiletry bag.
- Brand: Sloe
- Price: from 6.50€
- Learn more
For cooking and hydration |
15. Gas stove
If your vehicle is not equipped with a stove, the simplest solution is obviously to take a gas stove. There are several sizes and some also have grooved burners and griddles to add to diversify preparations.
- Brand: Cadac
- Price: from 79.90€
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16. Cookware
When cooking in a van, there's no need to take a thousand and one pots and pans. This cookware set provides the basic utensils to prepare your favorite recipes on the road: one frying pan and two pots.
They nest together and their handles are retractable to allow for a significant space saving in a van.
The pots also have holes in their lids to create a colander and drain food.
- Brand: Primus
- Price: €89.90 (Small), €99.90 (Large)
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17. Stainless Steel Mugs
To enjoy your morning coffee/tea and all your other favorite drinks throughout the day. This stainless steel mug has a double wall to keep your drink warmer for longer and prevent your hands from getting burned.
- Brand: Primus
- Price: €11.90
- Learn more
18. Enamel Plates
The most suitable tableware for Vanlife in our opinion is enamel tableware. Why? Because it's light, unbreakable, and pretty! It won't break during transport, you can place it on a stove, and it will make your nomadic dishes look great.
- Brand: Falcon
- Price: €37 (set of 4)
- Learn more
19. Cutlery
Don't forget to enjoy the dishes you prepare in your van! We recommend opting for stainless steel cutlery sets that nest together or attach with a strap to keep them together and transport them easily.
- Brand: Primus
- Price: €12.90
- Learn more
20. Filter Water Bottle
To always have drinking water at hand, the filter water bottle is essential! Even when you're not sure about the quality of the water you find on your road trip, you can drink it with complete peace of mind.
In stainless steel, plastic or flexible and in different capacities and colors, thanks to these bottles, you will never run out of water!
- Brand: Lifestraw
- Price: from €46.90
- Learn more
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