When outfitting a new caravan, the list of necessities can seem endless. You’ll want to equip your new van with some basic necessities, as well as some luxuries before you hit the road. That’s why I’ve put together a list of essential caravan gear that will make your time on the road more comfortable and pleasurable.
We all may have a different list of necessities from one another, but here I tried to keep it general as the very minimum of what any caravanner needs, aside from a bed and a pillow, hygiene products, first aid and cooking utensils. It’s best to have everything in order before setting out on a journey, whether it’s a long road trip across the country or just a weeklong vacation.
With cutting-edge technology such as inverter chargers, deep cycle batteries, and mobile solar panels, caravans and campers will use a combination of 12v DC lighting, refrigerators, water pumps, and entertainment systems, as well as 240v for high-power appliances such as microwaves, air conditioners, coffee makers, etc.
When mains power is available, the charger portion of the inverter charger supplies the batteries and provides 240v power to appliances that require it. In the absence of main power, the inverter component of the inverter converter converts the DC power from the batteries to 240v. Depending on the measurement and capacity of the batteries and the inverter, the amount of time this can occur and the amount of available 240v power will vary.
On the road, a roof opening, a vent, and an RV skylight provide numerous advantages. They add ventilation all through your caravan or motorhome, increasing airflow and letting in more light — ideal for cooking, reading or simply enjoying the view.
With the proper caravan hatch piece, the natural world will be the last thing you see before you go to sleep and the first thing you see when you wake up. There is also a shower caravan hatch that is small enough to accommodate a restricted roof space and includes a fan for steam ventilation.
You can also add ventilation fans for the bathroom and kitchen, as well as LED lamps for additional illumination after the sun sets. And nobody ever said you had to settle for just one caravan hatch element. Adding multiple skylights is a great way to increase airflow in a large van with a high roof. You may only be able to fit one in a smaller van.
There is a water filter designed particularly for caravanners and campers to provide them with fresh water free of harmful bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and faecal coliforms. A quality water filter system removes lead, fluoride, and other contaminants through its naturally occurring silver particulates, rendering the water completely safe for consumption when on the road or in nature.
Best of all, this system usually comes with a warranty on the primary filter and a lifetime warranty on the silver treatment component! So enjoy your travels without worrying about getting ill from drinking contaminated water! For the purest water on the go, purchase a water filter with the highest filtration quality and the least amount of hassle.
Of course, as an outdoorsy person, you are probably thinking about grilling up some delicious meals outside around a firepit or grill. But when it comes to campervan ovens, hobs, and cookers, electricity is commonly viewed as the safer option, despite the fact that gas is not dangerous when handled properly. However, electric power is also known for its dry and even heat, making it ideal for baking and roasting whereas gas cookery releases moisture.
Cooking with electrical appliances can be a very practical option for motorhome owners who like staying at powered sites regularly. Simply plug in and you have power ‘on tap,’ eliminating the need to stress about running out of gas or limiting cooking time. If you have a well-set solar panel system, cooking with electricity may also be the best option.
Speaking of cooking, I hope you never need to extinguish any fire, but it’s a good idea to have one of them on hand just in case. For the affordable price, it is absolutely worthwhile. Cooking oils and lipids are highly combustible, so uncontrolled combustion is a distinct possibility. Worryingly, they can occur on any stove, including in your van or slide-out galley. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain a fire blanket on hand for use in an emergency. This fireproof fibreglass cloth will quickly extinguish any blaze, and it comes with a quick-release sheath so you can use it immediately.
You know how it goes: you’re in the midst of a beautiful, pristine wilderness when you spot a car parked on the side of the road with people taking photographs or going on a hike. That’s why caravan privacy screens are essential for caravan owners and campers, as they provide optimum privacy and shade with minimal installation effort. They are available as models with high water resistance, just as you would want if you camped outdoors year-round, or even for brief periods during cold winter and hot summer.