Van Essentials I Can’t Live Without
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Two years ago, I jumped on the Van Life bandwagon and bought a Camper Van. I’m not fortunate enough to live in my van full-time, but I try to take it on adventures as often as I can. We go on weekend adventures around Arizona, and sometimes longer trips around the US when time allows.
Even living in my van part-time, there are some items I have realized I just can’t live without. Some are pretty obvious and some you may never have thought of!
So if you travel in a Van or even a small camper, check out my list of Van Essentials I can’t live without…
Everyday Essentials
Wall Mounted Bathroom Mirror – OK, I know you think I’m crazy that this would be an “essential” in a van, but as a girl… IT IS! I tried so many different mirrors in my van and nothing seemed to work until I found this one. It’s super lightweight and mounts to the wall easily. And I love that I can swivel it around. So I can brush my teeth by the sink, or sit at my dinette to put makeup on.
Folding Camping Chair – Finding a good chair for your van isn’t easy. You want it to be comfy but also not take up a ton of room. I tested a lot out and this is my favorite! It is so comfortable and has a headrest and a drink holder. And it folds up super super small and takes up hardly any space in my van’s garage.
Wall Mount for Tablets, Phones, and Kindles – I don’t have a TV in my van, I only use my iPad to watch shows and it gets annoying holding it. So I found this wall mount and it’s exactly what I need. It holds any size phone or tablet and swivels around so I can see my iPad from anywhere in my entire van.
Car Back Seat Headrest Hooks – LOVE these things. I found myself hanging things in my van all over the place, seriously you can never have enough hooks. These slip right onto your headrest. I got 2 for each headrest so each headrest now has 4 total hooks. I can now hang so many things off my headrests!
39 Piece Tool Set – This tool set is compact and comes with so many tools. All your basics like screwdrivers and a hammer, but some other useful things too like a utility knife and a pair of heavy-duty scissors. I’ve seriously used this so much already. Do not travel in a van without a tool set!
Paper Towel Holders Wall Mount – I love this paper towel holder! It can be placed underneath your cabinet so it does not take up any counter or cabinet space. And it sticks on… no need for drilling holes. I’ve had it on for over 2 years now and my van has been in everything from freezing to 110-degree weather and it has never fallen off.
Portable Step Ladder – I tried 2 other step stools and they both broke in the first few months. This one is super sturdy, non-slip, and the legs fold down making it easy to store when you are not using it.
MyMini Single Slice Toaster – This little toaster is perfect for van life! It’s so small so it takes up barely any room in my kitchen but still is wide enough for a bagel. And it’s super cute too!
Wall Mounted Organizer – I was so lucky to find this. It’s small enough to fit on the side of my kitchen cabinet. It adds some storage for smaller items I want to be accessible like a flashlight. But all the added hooks are a great place to hang my keys or even a hat and sunglasses too.
Camco TastePURE RV Water Filter – a MUST when using water in your van. This filters the water you put in your water tank to make it safe and drinkable. Even if it says potable water, I’m still hesitant when it comes out of a hose on the side of a building. But water is scarce and you take what you can find!
Magnetic Hooks – These hooks are so handy to have around! Not only do they stick to some parts of your van interior, but they stick to your van’s exterior too. They are great to stick on to hang a wet towel, or a dog leash, or even strong some lights around your van when parked for an extended time.
For Cleaning
Kitchen Basics Set – This Mrs. Meyers Set is all you need for your kitchen. It comes with cleaning spray, dish soap, and hand soap. But the reason I love this brand is that it’s all-natural and environment safe. This means you can use it and dispose of your gray water in the earth without causing harm to the environment.
Windex Wipes – Cleaning products take up a ton of room so I like compact items! This small package of wipes is perfect for cleaning your glass windows, especially if you have dogs that love to leave nose prints all over the place.
Collapsible 3 Handled Plastic Laundry Basket – Collapsible is key in a van! I use this laundry basket for everything. Not only laundry but sometimes it just stores my shoes. And it collapses really flat to make it easy to store in the garage without taking up any room.
Mini Portable Vacuum – Your van is going to get dirty, trust me. Make it easier for yourself with this little vacuum that will clean up almost anything. It even comes with little attachments to get those crevices.
For Hygiene
Body Wipes – Getting to a shower isn’t always easy. I love these body wipes. I have tried many brands and I found these to leave you actually feeling clean and smelling nice versus others that leave a sticky residue after they dry.
For Pets
2-Pack Silicone Collapsible Dog Bowls – If you travel with any kind of pet, these bowls are my favorite. They collapse so they are easy to store. They come with hooks on them so you can easily attach them to a backpack to take hiking.
Foldable Crate – My dog was just a puppy when we first started traveling in a van so we crate-trained her. This pop-up crate was perfect. She slept in here at night or was in here if we left the van. And then during the day, it just folds up and can be put away.
Outdoor Waterproof Dog Bed – Be your pup’s best friend and get them this outdoor dog bed. It folds up easily and doesn’t take up too much room in the van. But it’s a great place for them to lay if you’re in an area of rocks or mud. and it’s easy to just hose right off!
For Recovery (AKA Getting Your Van Stuck)
Recovery Traction Boards – If you have a van or camper, do NOT go anywhere without these. I got stuck in the mud my first time out and it cost me $800 to have my van towed. Ouch! If I had these recovery boards, that never would have happened. It’s right of passage to get your van stuck in mud or sand at some point. Be prepared!
Mini Folding Shovel – Make sure you have a shovel also. It’ll not only help you get your tires unstuck, but it helps if you have to dig a hole to use as a temporary bathroom! I love this one because it’s super duty but also folds up.
ALL-TOP Heavy Duty Tow Strap Recovery Kit – It’s also not a bad idea to have this recovery kit with tow straps. Because if you get yourself in a really sticky situation, you can use these tow straps on any other vehicle to help pull you out.
