Van Life Essentials
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Living and traveling in a van really makes you consider each item you choose to bring with you, since you have a limited amount of space. People have different interests and needs so every van lifer has different essentials they always keep in their van for life on the road.
These are 17 items that we have found to be the most useful to us living in a van. Some items we use every day while others are items we feel are essential for our safety while living in a van.
Gas Stove
We have a built in 2 burner gas cooktop hooked up to propane inside our camper van. We are able to create so many delicious meals on our little 2 burner stove. We also have a single burner camping stove that uses butane canisters as fuel in case we run out of propane or want to cook outdoors. We really enjoy cooking salmon but don’t enjoy the smell inside the van :-).
2. Water Filter
A good water filter is a must have in your van. Having a reliable source for clean drinking water is essential. The Clearsource Ultra RV Water Filter is expensive, but it allows us to use water from anywhere to fill our tank because of the level or filtration. It has the ability to reduce or remove bacteria, viruses, and cysts. This is very beneficial when we are in more remote areas where water isn’t as easy to find or as reliable to safely drink with a more basic filtration system. It’s also quick and easy to set up and we have the added bonus of our water always tasting great. Knowing we have a reliable way to get safe clean drinking water for ourselves and our dogs gives us a lot of peace of mind on our adventures.
3. First Aid Kit
Having a small first aid kit on hand is always a good idea when you’re out adventuring in your van. You can get a premade first aid kit or make one yourself. Your kit should at least have different sized bandaids, antibiotic cream, Ibuprofen, and tweezers to get out splinters or ticks. We also keep Benadryl on hand in case of an allergic reaction. Make sure you keep your first aid kit where it’s easily accessible so you can access it quickly when needed.
4. Turkish Towels
Regular bath towels are great for your house, but in a van they can take a long time to dry and can start to smell depending on the climate. Let me introduce you to Turkish towels. These towels are made from 100% cotton and are thinner than regular towels, but they dry very quickly. Since the towels are thinner you can still get huge bath sheet sized towels that takes up very little space which is always a plus when living in a tiny space. They are also super soft. Another plus is they don’t hold sand if you take them to the beach. We have a few different sizes and love them!
5. Clothesline
A clothesline is a must have for living in a van. You can hang it inside your van or outside at your campsite. They are great for drying towels and any wet clothing from your adventures. Between drying socks and gloves after skiing or bathing suits after a beach day we’re always glad we keep a clothesline in the van.
6. Camping Chairs
Camp chairs are a must have for enjoying the beautiful surroundings of your campsite. There are tons of different options depending on how much space you have in your camper and what type of chair you like. We have the Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair from REI because they are very comfortable and fold down small enough to perfectly fit in our van garage. If you have more space or want a chair that’s quicker to set up, this camp chair is also a great option. Our camp chairs are one of the first things we set up when we get to a campsite. We love sitting around fire and we also use them when we eat outside with our outdoor table.
7. Outdoor Table
Camp sites don’t always have picnic tables and even when they do, some look like they’ve seen better days. We always bring this foldable outdoor table and absolutely love it. It’s super easy to set up, durable, and big enough for 2 people to eat on. It’s also fairly light and fits easily in our van. It’s also very affordable compared some other brands.
8. Leveling Blocks
Finding a perfectly level campsite isn’t always possible and it’s not fun to try and sleep or cook at an angle. That’s why leveling blocks are a must have for us. We have 2 packs of these stackable Camco leveling blocks. The blocks interlock and are easy to stack to the height you need. They are also light, easy to store and very durable. Our van weighs in at about 8500 lbs fully loaded and these blocks have held up well under the weight.
9. Window Covers
Window covers for your camper van provide so many benefits. Not only do they create privacy, but they also help insulate your windows helping your van stay cool on hot days and warm on cold nights. We have rear window covers, front window covers, and a windshield cover from VanEssentials. They are magnetic and are super easy to put on and take off the windows. They are also easy to fold up and have a Velcro strap to keep the closed making them easy to store. VanEssentials makes window covers for Sprinters, Transits, and Promasters.
10. Fire Extinguisher
As a firefighter Kevin takes fire safety very seriously and a fire extinguisher is a big part of that. Make sure you get a good fire extinguisher for your van. Learn how to use it properly and make sure its mounted or stored in a place that’s easily accessible in case you need it in an emergency.
11. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector
Continuing with the safety theme, you should also have a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector in your van. This is very important if you plan to cook inside your van or if you have a heater. If there’s a fire or exhaust is getting into your van, you want to know as quickly as possible so you can get to safety.
12. Propane Detector
If you have a propane system in your van, you should also have a propane detector. Exposure to a propane can give you headaches and dizziness. Propane is also extremely combustible so you will want to know immediately if there is a leak in your system somewhere. Propane sinks so you should mount the detector close to the ground so you’ll be alerted as quickly as possible if something is leaking.
13. Handheld Broom or Vacuum
You’ll quickly learn that keeping your van floor clean is almost an impossible task, especially if you have dogs. We take have a rug at the door where we take our shoes off and its amazing how much dirt and leaves still get tracked into the van. A handheld broom or vacuum is an absolute necessity to keep your floor clean and dirt and sand out of your bed.
14. Headlamp
Whether you’re hanging out at your campsite after the sun has set or taking your dogs out to to do their business at night, a headlamp is one of the most useful items living in a camper van. You can get battery powered or rechargeable headlamps. We both have battery powered headlamps since they have stronger lights and as long as you keep spare batteries around, you won’t have to wait for it to charge if it runs out of battery. We keep our headlamps right by the door in a seat back organizer on our passenger seat. That way they are easy to grab when we need them.
15. Passenger Seat Back Organizer
Having storage on the passenger seat back was a must have for us. Between us and the dogs, we have a lot of items we need easy access to as we walk out the door. We bought these very affordable seat back organizers that have worked perfectly. We use them to store headlamps, dog leashes, rain jackets, bug spray, and sunscreen. We like the open pockets because everything is super easy to grab as we leave the van. We can also still use our seat swivel with this seat back organizer. If you want something more robust, you can attach a Molle panel to the back of your passenger seat and get storage pouches that attach to the panel for storage.
16. Bug Screens
Mosquito bites are no fun and some places we’ve visited they’re so aggressive even bug spray doesn’t work. These bug screens we bought for our van have been one of our best investments. You can get custom made ones but they can get pricey, so we chose to make our own to cover the sliding door and back doors. Not only do they protect you from swarming mosquitos, but they also allow air flow through the van.
17. Atlas or Paper Maps
Carrying paper maps feels very old school when every phone has GPS. However, there are many places throughout the US where there isn’t any cell signal and a maps app won’t work on your phone. Google maps does have the ability to download offline maps for an area, but you have to download the map ahead of time while you have cell signal and you won’t always remember to do that. Getting a road atlas or paper maps for certain areas is a great way to make sure you don’t get lost and can get to where you’re going.
That’s our list of van life essentials (for now). As we spend more time traveling in the van, we’re sure we’ll find more items we find useful for van life!