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Gadget: any ingenious article. Gadgets for campervans: ingenious articles for van life.
If you’re looking for a campervan essentials list, this post isn’t for you. You can read about essential campervan accessories here. Instead, this post is all about gadgets for campervans. These campervan gadgets aren’t necessary to life on the road, but are instead, the cool, crazy things that you can use in the van that make motorhome or campervan life easier and just flat out more fun too.
Gadgets For Campervans in Detail
Multi-Purpose Tool | check prices here
This isn’t your average multi-purpose tool. This is a compact multi-purpose tool that includes even a hammer and a hatchet! How is that even possible?! Instead of lugging around an entire toolbox, snag one of these tools for those camping emergencies! Definitely starting this list off with one of the more useful campervan gadgets around!
However, grabbing a smaller multipurpose tool from either Leatherman or Victorinox would be Jason’s top pick!
Luci Solar Light and Phone Charger | check prices here
We were first introduced to Luci lights back when we did our cycle trip from Seattle to San Francisco, and have been obsessed with the Luci lights ever since. They make so many different styles these days and ones like this even allow for you to charge your phone. If you’re not keen on the traditional Luci light, check out their fairy lights. They’re pretty awesome too!
Portable Battery Bank | check prices here
Having a portable battery bank doesn’t seem like it’s that necessary when you have built-in USB chargers in your van. However, this battery bank comes in clutch all the time. We use ours to charge phones, GoPro batteries, and camera batteries when away from the van. Think about times when you backpack and stay overnight in a tent, or long hikes or days at the lake where you need to charge your phone or phone batteries.
Be sure that you get the correct portable battery bank though. This one has USB ports while this one has USB-C ports. Check your phone and camera battery chargers before purchasing a battery bank to make sure you get one with the right ports!
SeaSucker Suction Mount | find yours here
We have the SeaSucker Bike Mount and freaking love it. While we actually bolted in the fork mount for the bike, this tire mount kept both our mountain bikes stable on the back of the van for more than 2,000 miles. SeaSucker also makes mounts like this that you can then mount literally anything with the correct connection to your van. The sucker part of these gadgets allows you to “mount” things without putting holes in the roof. They’ve got over 120 lbs of pull strength, so you don’t have to worry about your boat, bike, or camp rack going anywhere!
Soap Dish | check price here
We love to use Dr. Bronner’s Bar Soap for laundry in the outdoors and washing our hair and bodies in rivers or with our camp shower. Keeping the bar soap clean and protected when not in use is the tricky bit. However, one of these little soap trays does the trick. It doesn’t have holes that drain the excess water out of the containers (hello, huge mess), and has a rubber seal to keep it shut tight when on the road. Hello, fantastic campervan gadget for the outdoors!
Off Grid Washing Machine | current price here
Some geniuses came up with a bag that’s designed for doing laundry on the road or traveling. We use a typical dry bag to do our laundry or just a good river, however, this bag comes with a built-in washboard.
It’s more of a high-tech laundry bag than a dry bag.. but either one will do the trick! Don’t forget to grab some biodegradable soap for washing your laundry in the great outdoors!
USB Car Diffuser | find it here
Keep the van smelling fresh with this small campervan gadget! Grab some essential oils, plug in this diffuser, and don’t worry about stinking up the van when you poop, cook, or just live in it full-time. Keep your van and your belongings smelling fresh by diffusing oils in your van!
My sister has this diffuser in her car, and loves using it when on a road trip or even just her drive to and from work.
Cable Glands | find them here
This is probably the least fun campervan gadget on this list, but it’s easily one of the best gadgets for campervans. It doesn’t look great, but it is! Cable glands are what you use to insert any wires from the outside of your van to the inside. Think of things like solar panels, mounted roof lights, and even a battery isolator cable. Cable glands create a waterproof seal and don’t stand out too much.
We recommend getting the black ones, as most cables are black and they will be better disguised on the roof.
Steering Wheel Tray | check prices here
After living in our first van in Scotland, Jay was dead set on building a tray that could attach to the steering wheel. This would essentially create a table in the front seat. Well, come to find out, someone else jumped the gun and it is already a thing!
This is perfect for creating a workspace in the front, for using as a table when you get food on the go, or for just an extra shelf in the front cab if you’re stationary for a bit.
Phone Mount | check prices here
Peak Design is our go to company for all our camera gear. So it was only natural for us to get their phone mount (and absolutely love it).
Anywho, having a mount for your phone on the dash is so nice. We honestly didn’t think we’d like it as much as we do, but it’s a total game changer when trying to find a location we’ve never been to before! This is one of the best van life gadgets if you road trip a lot!
Rechargeable Portable Fan | grab one here
This is perfect for life in a van! When it’s hot and you don’t have a breeze, bring this guy along with you outside or set it up inside the van too! This fan has a flexible grippy base, so you can wrap it around anything, or you can set it up like a tripod on a counter. There are also rechargeable fans with clips if your van build would better fit that style instead.
Water Pump and Filter | check prices here
You’ll need this water pump and filter more often than you think if you plan on boondocking a lot. There is literally nothing worst than having to leave an epic camp spot because you run out of drinking water. This pump pumps water relatively fast and is perfect for times you need a top up when you’re camping hours away from a proper water station.
We have used ours countless times, but the most memorable is on our recent trip in Idaho where we stayed in the forest with eight hot springs surrounding us, and had to pump fresh water to be able to stay longer than we had originally planned.
Mr. Heater Portable Propane Heater | current price here
Don’t worry about being cold in the winter. This portable propane heater is perfect for any campervan. It’s compact and uses the green propane tanks that are available in any major store in the United States. When we were traveling the states in the winter months, so many people asked if we had one of these propane heaters… everyone we met raved about them.
If you get a portable propane heater, we recommend also grabbing a carbon monoxide detector! That way you’ll be sure to not get carbon monoxide poisoning!
12V Electric Blanket | check prices here
When we were talking about visiting Yosemite this past February, my dad told us about a 12V heated blanket my grandma bought him. I couldn’t believe this was a thing and we didn’t have one in the freezing temps we were experiencing in the van! Grab a 12V electric blanket and don’t worry about getting too cold at night!
We suggest putting it under your blankets and turning it on before you get into bed, so your bed is warm when you get snuggled in!
Compact Clothing Line | grab one here
We have always used just regular rope in both vans for our clothing lines, but this travel clothesline is a step above! It has built in beads to help secure clothes instead of having to use clothes pins or find your underwear scattered everywhere after a big gust of wind… not speaking from experience or anything here. 😉
Our toiletry bags are the Sea to Summit brand, and they’ve lasted years, so I reckon this clothing line will be the same. This is one of the cheaper camper gadgets, however, it will save you loads on laundry at a laundromat.
Portable Blender | current prices here
Oh my land.. a freaking portable blender! We bought at 2000W inverter so we could use our blender in the van, and I honestly didn’t know things like this existed. But holy smokes, with so many great reviews online and just the ease of having an actual portable blender to use anywhere.. we may just need to snag one of these up! What an awesome gadget for campervans that I never knew existed!
Hot Logic Mini | check prices here
Warm food while on the go.. yes, please! This 12V warmer is perfect for days where you’re behind the wheel for hours on end and don’t want to stop to cook food. This guy can plug into your cigarette lighter and warm your food for you while you drive. It can also run off a 12V plug from your solar power for days you just don’t want to cook.
Magnet Hooks | grab some here
These magnetic hooks are perfect for in your storage area to organize things like a dustpan and broom, but they’re also great to use on the exterior of your van. When you need a bit of privacy for showering out the back of your van, put these bad boys on the door and hang a blanket. Or, put them on the outside or interior of the van to run a clothing line. They’d also be great for hanging water bottle, towels, and coats inside the van.
Jackery Portable Power Station | current price
A lot of people transitioning into van life use a Jackery Portable Power Station for their electricity. It’s a great option if you don’t want to go full-on van conversion and instead just have your solar power hooked up to a portable station. I’ve also heard of numerous people using it for power when they’re away from their van and want to work at a picnic table or down by the water.
This model is the 240W model, and can charge a laptop two times. Be sure to check out their table (listed in the Amazon listed) to see how much charge each model offers to see what Jackery Portable Power Station is right for you. You can even get a Jackery Portable Power Station with a foldable solar panel, so you can have full power whenever on the road!
Carabiners | check prices here
No list of gadgets for campervans would be complete without heavy duty carabiners! These carabiners can hold over 2000 lbs of force, making them perfect for hanging a hammock or chairs like these from a tree.
Carabiners are one of our top travel hacks for any kind of travel, as you never know when you’ll need to hang or attach something to a backpack or honestly anything! We always have this set of four with us, and have used them more times than we can count. Honestly, carabiners might just be the best gadgets for campervans!
Collapsible Outdoor Table | grab one here
We came across a collapsible outdoor table in a clearance section at a supermarket while living in our van in Scotland, and honestly, I don’t know how we go along without one before! Well, I guess I do.. we just sat on the ground or rocks and didn’t have a table.. but that’s beside the point.
Having a collapsible table allows you to have more of a homey feel outside your van. It’s also super nice to be able to pop up a table anywhere and everywhere you want to have a nice meal!
Swivel Seat Mount | check prices here
Ohhh… the swivel seat! Depending on your van build, adding in this part under your front seats provides extra seating in the back of the van. You simply swivel the seat around, turning your front seats into seats facing backward.
Obviously, this will not work with all van builds, but it’s a great campervan gadget to add more seating areas in most. Be sure to get the correct swivel seat for your specific make and model of your van.. don’t go for the boat swivels, as if you think about it, they aren’t built for impact at speeds a van reaches.
Swivel Table Mount | grab one here
Table Swivel mounts are standard motorhome accessories, but not so much in the campervan world. However, they’re not just great for motorhomes, they’re great for a small space too! This table swivel mount would be perfect for attaching near a door to be able to have a table both inside and outside your van.
This is just the mount, which is perfect because then you can add a tabletop that matches the design of your build. I think this table swivel would also be perfect near the bed, so you can swivel the table over the bed for working or watching movies, and then move it out of the way when you want to sleep!
Rechargeable Flashlights | find yours here
We love anything that’s easy to recharge on the road. No need for carrying around batteries or worrying about your flashlight being dead when you have a rechargeable flashlight!
Rechargeable Headlamps | grab yours here
I don’t care how silly headlamps look, they’re incredibly practical and are the perfect gadget for campervans! Headlamps allow you to work with both hands while providing light directly where you need it. This headlamp has red lights, which are better for your eyes at night, and also have a tilt function built in, allowing you to shine the light exactly where you need to.
Cargo Tray Slide Out | check prices here
This is a super spendy campervan gadget, however, it seems well worth the price if you can afford it in your build out budget. This tray can hold up to 800 lbs of weight, meaning, you can use it to store gear like bikes and bins, or use it as a pull out table and seat out the back of your campervan!
WiFi/Cell Signal Booster | current price here
If you work from a computer or your phone, a WiFi signal booster will become your best friend in the van. Attaching to the roof, a wifi booster increases an existing signal your phone or computer is picking up.
Clamp on iPad/Phone Mount | check prices here
This iPad mount only clamps onto things that are one inch thick or less. But shoot.. what a great way to have a hands free movie night in the van, or just have basically a portable screen wherever you need! We’ve heard of many people that podcast and make YouTube videos use these.
Folding Trowel | grab one here
Every van needs to have a trowel. Not only for the times you will go the bathroom outside. And yes, you certainly will go outdoor, so don’t believe otherwise. But also for the times you get stuck in the snow or need to dig yourself out of the mud.
This trowel also comes with an ax and saw attached too! We love our folding trowel! It doesn’t take up much space and comes with a bag so you don’t get the storage area dirty!
Fold Up Saw | current price
If you get the multi-tool that has the saw attachment, or the shovel above that has the saw edge, you may not need this. However, a fold-up saw is a perfect gadget for boondocking in forests. With a fold-up saw, you can not only cut up wood for fires but if there are downed trees after a storm while you’re in the forest, you can cut your way out too!
The best part of a fold-up saw is that they don’t take up much space and you don’t have to worry about the saw blades scratching or cutting anything.
Waterproof Portable Speaker | check prices here
A waterproof speaker is a lifesaver in the van. Speakers are perfect for relaxing with music, meditating, watching a movie, or listening to a podcast! The waterproof aspect of this speaker is perfect for days on the water and even in rain!
GPS Tracker | check prices here
Imagine coming back to your van and not finding your van where you parked it. I’ve heard of so many more recent van thefts as well overnight in many bigger cities in the US. Getting a GPS tracker like this would be perfect for knowing where your van is at all times. It’s a rather cheap investment for knowing the whereabouts of your van at all times.
12V Boot & Shoe Drier/Heater | check current price
My sister got these 12V boot driers for Jay for Christmas, and it was hands down his most favorite gift ever. It was super thoughtful of her and her husband, and literally the perfect gift for life on the road. No more worrying about wet shoes or heck even cold shoes. These boot warmers/driers are perfect for long cold winters or even if you’re an avid hiker and like to trek through mud and wet trails!
Awning | find yours here
An awning is a perfect way to provide that extra bit of space outside no matter rain or shine. Also, the perfect way to cover the entrance to your van where you can take off your shoes, have your rug laid out, and open and close your van door without worrying about water coming in the van. It’s not only great for rain, but perfect for providing shade both inside and outside your campervan.
Collapsible Sink | check price here
Two vans later and we can 100% stand behind our decisions to not include a permanent sink built into our campervan. Permanent sinks are a waste of valuable counter space and honestly don’t get used as often as you think.
More often than not, you’ll find yourself using the dishes you used for dinner as your sink! However, having a collapsible sink is the perfect way to have a “sink” for your van without taking up the extra space.
They double as a great way to carry laundry to a laundromat, or heck even can work as a washing bin that you can actually wash your laundry in!
Omnia Oven | current prices here
Instead of including an entire oven in your campervan, which would take. up loads of space, weight, and energy, grab an Omnia Oven. An Omnia Oven uses gas from a stovetop, but the bakes things inside the “oven” just like a normal oven. The Omni Oven are becoming more and more popular, especially in Europe and the UK. There are even bake offs held for things made in them.
We have one of these and it’s so fun to have baked goods in the van!
Bottle Opener | grab yours here
Get rid of the big clunky bottle openers, and grab a small one like this! This gadget can open both wine and beer bottles. It’s perfect for having in a campervan!
Vacuum Cleaner | check price here
While you can certainly get away with a small dustpan and broom, a vacuum is one of those fantastic motorhome gadgets, making life easier on the road. And certainly cleaner too! You can get a 12V vacuum cleaner and get in all the cracks and crevices that food, dirt, and pet hair find!
More Details on Campervan Conversions + Van Life
Our Complete Campervan Conversion
How to Create Privacy in Your Campervan
Campervan Lighting Ideas | for inside your rig
Choosing the BEST Battery for Vanlife | it’s not about the price
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