Vanlife Gear & Essentials We Actually Use
We’re slowly building a home for all the gear that makes vanlife easier for us. These are vanlife gear and caravan essentials we actually use (or very close versions you can find online) — nothing fancy, just what’s worked for us out on the road.
Whether we’re making the caravan a little more comfortable or Phil’s knee-deep in another major electrical project, we’ll list our resources here. You might find an idea or two to help with your own fit-out, rework, or van upgrades.
⚡ Power & Lighting
12v Reading light with USB port
A few simple upgrades that make life off-grid smoother — from light at night to charging on the go.
12 V Sensor Light –simple motion-detect night light, USB-rechargeable. Great for those middle-of-the-night quick trips.
Amazon
DC-DC Charger (40 A) – the brains of our off-grid setup.
Amazon
Kings 200W Fixed Solar Panel + Mounting Brackets –the lifeblood of Phase Two for the solar revamp. We’ve got two running in tandem with the 200 W panels already fixed on the roof.
Amazon
USB Reading Lamps – huge difference in comfort when you’re winding down or up early in the mornings. We’ve got two in the dining area and two over the bedhead.
Amazon
Next on the wish list: more lithium capacity and a bigger inverter — for coffee mornings even when it’s cloudy.
Comfort Upgrades That Changed Everything
The little things that turned “camping” into “home.”
Diesel Heater – best winter upgrade we’ve ever made. Keeps the chill off without draining power.
Amazon
Sheet Straps – keep the bottom sheet tight and in place. Cheap, simple, and brilliant.
Amazon
Kitchen Gear We Actually Use
Compact, travel-proof, and all things that earn their bench space.
I love this kettle.
Stovetop Kettle – cute floral enamel kettle, pretty and practical. Just makes me smile every single morning.
Amazon
Compact Coffee Machine – worth the space for a good brew anywhere.
Amazon
Sandwich Toaster – great for easy lunches or quick toasties on cold mornings.
Amazon
Air Fryer – ours is from Kmart, but this one’s the same size and perfect for mains power days.
Amazon
Inside Storage & Small Wins
The little organisational tweaks that stop the chaos from taking over.
New Black Handles – easy facelift for tired cupboards.
Amazon
cupboard revamp with new handles
Fold-Flat Dirty Laundry Basket – collapses down to nothing when not in use.
Amazon
️ We’ll keep updating this page, so check back soon for the whole setup!
Disclosure / Affiliate Note: Some of these links are affiliate links — if you click and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
