Looking for some cool campervan gadgets to add a little luxury to your camping trip? There is an argument for minimalist packing for a campervan trip, as space is at a premium when you are living or travelling in a camper van. However, some things make van life a whole lot easier, and whether you are on a road trip or living in your van, these camper van and motorhome gadgets will come in really handy!
How to Choose the Best Campervan Gadgets
Choosing the best campervan gadgets for your motorhome, camper van or RV depends on how much space you have, how much money you want to spend and what kind of things you’re into. I’ve put my choices for useful campervan gadgets into categories, and selected items that I think will be useful, time- or space-saving, and some that are just very cool!
I’m sure these ideas will help you to stock up your campervan with cool gadgets that are useful and will make your next road trip an absolute dream! Enjoy.
Essential Campervan Gadgets
If you’re looking for a full packing list of all the campervan essentials I recommend then you should check out this article which has a printable campervan packing list – but these are some must-have campervan gadgets that you really can’t do without!
GPS
Definitely an essential camper van gadget – especially if you’re a solo campervanner like me – you need a decent navigator! I need someone (or something) to help me navigate the roads without having to pull over and read directions every two minutes, so a GPS system is a must.
T Level
One of the simplest little campervan gadgets on this list, this t-shaped spirit level helps me to get a good night’s sleep by making sure I’m parked on flat ground. I use this every time I park up for the night, rolling up onto the my levelling ramps to adjust if needed.
Automatic Tyre Inflator
Have you tried to pump up your campervan tyres with a manual foot pump? I have, and it isn’t enjoyable. Plug this handy gadget into the lighter socket and sit back while it fills your tyres to the set pressure levels.
Larger campervans and RV’s may need a cigarette lighter extension cable to go with this or any other electrical campervan gadgets.
Use a tyre pressure checker like this first to see if you need to top up your tyres. It’s quite common to top up tyres a little bit, but if your tyres are losing a lot of pressure you may have a leak so get it checked out at a garage.
Personal Alarm
Tracker/AirTag
One of my personal campervan must have gadgets is a tracker that helps me to keep an eye on my campervan when I’m not in it. Having a tracker gives me peace of mind that I’ll be alerted if the campervan moves when it shouldn’t, and where it is now.
I use a trackisafe tracker from Vodafone which is only available in the UK, but there are several brands of trackers that you can check out to keep your pride and joy safe – if you have an Apple phone then even an AirTag hidden away in the van will do the trick!
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Small Safe
One of my concerns, when I got Mabel the Motorhome (my campervan), was how to keep things like my laptop safe in case she got broken into. Having a lockbox or a safe hidden somewhere inside the campervan might not keep out determined thieves who have a lot of their time on their hands, but for quick smash and grabs it should do the job.
This small safe would work for passports and phones, if you secured it to something fixed, but a larger safe or something like this Pacsafe portable safe would be better for laptops.
Solar Shower
Is a solar shower really an essential campervan gadget? Probably not, but if you’re in a VW Camper Van or any van without running water, a shower can really make a difference at the end of the day, especially if you’ve been out and about and getting hot and sweaty.
It’s best to leave these solar showers in the sun for as long as you can so you can have a warm shower, and while there are various kinds with different price points, a simple one like this could do the trick if you’re on a budget!
Tech Campervan Gadgets for Power
Solar Panel
Portable Power Station
Jackery is THE brand for portable power stations and generators for campervans and motorhomes. They have a range of power stations and solar charging panels that work together or alone to give you as much power as you need.
The best-selling Explorer 300 is the smallest and works great for weekend trips, or you can go all the way up to the Explorer 3000 for heavy-duty power.
Cigarette Lighter Power Inverter
One problem I’ve found with taking my campervan off-grid is being able to keep my laptop charged. If you don’t have a portable or solar power system, a cheaper option is to get a power inverter that will allow you to plug into the cigarette lighter and charge a laptop or other electronics from the van battery.
I also bought a specific laptop charger that plugs directly into the cigarette lighter which also works really well.
Power Bank
Different-sized power banks are available, a small lipstick-sized one has enough oomph to charge your phone at least once, whereas the larger power banks can charge a phone four or five times. Just make sure to charge them up when you’re back on a hook-up if you don’t have your own portable power supply.
Space Saving Gadgets for Campervans
Space is precious in a campervan or motorhome, and every cubic centimetre counts. Some of these space-saving gadgets might not save much room, but every little helps!
Multitool
Kindle/E-Reader
I do love curling up under a blanket with a good book, but there’s not enough room in my campervan for bookshelves! I can, however, squeeze in a Kindle, which gives me access to hundreds of books at my fingertips.
Sporks
If you have a built-in kitchen in your motorhome or campervan, you’ll probably have enough space for cutlery. However, for campers using camping stoves, a spork can save you some much-needed space. Sporks are all-in-one knives, forks and spoons that are essential for campers!
The Best Campervan Gadgets for the Kitchen
Portable BBQ
Portable Refrigerator
While I coolbox and ice packs might do for a weekend camping trip, if you’re heading out for long you need a way to keep your food and drinks nice and cold. In steps a portable refrigerator like this one, with an optional carry bag and cover to improve performance even more.
Growler
Coffee Maker
It seems a waste of space to have a big coffee maker in the campervan, but this single-serve coffee maker is small enough to find space for! The coffee is served in a 14 oz travel mug with a lid, so you can brew up a coffee for the road, or take the mug in your backpack to enjoy during a morning hike. Perfect.
Mini Blender
Fun Gadgets for Camper Vans
Portable Fire Pit
Reclining Camping Chair
For me, comfort is a must, and I love putting my feet up after a day’s exploring. This camping chair has a detachable footrest so you can recline or sit normally – whatever makes you more comfortable! It comes with a carry bag and has a headrest, cupholder and side pocket. What more could you ask for?
Mini Projector
Portable Speaker
Solar Lanterns
It can get dark walking around campsites at night, so a lantern or torch can be useful. This solar and USB rechargeable lantern can also be used as a flashlight, and can charge up your phone or other gadgets.
Drone
DJI drones are some of the best on the market (with a price tag to match) and the DJI Mini 2, is small enough to be easily stashed away when you’re not using it and it takes professional-level footage. For the enthusiastic amateur, there are plenty of cheaper options on the market.
Do you have any more cool campervan gadgets to add to this list? You can also check out these articles for more campervan gear and tips:
You might also like my Road Trip Checklist post!
Want More Campervan Tips?
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