OWNERSHIP / ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
A campervan’s most useful equipment is rarely the most glamorous. Before filling cupboards with accessories, start with the essentials that keep the vehicle roadworthy, help you deal with minor problems and make a night away safe and comfortable.
What to carry first
You do not need to turn the van into a mobile workshop. A few well-chosen items cover the situations most owners are likely to encounter: a suitable jump starter, tyre inflator and pressure gauge, compact tool kit, head torch, spare key and basic first-aid supplies.
Know your van before choosing kit
Campervans vary hugely in age, weight, engine, tyre specification and conversion layout. The right item for a small VW camper may be quite unsuitable for a long-wheelbase Crafter, Sprinter or coachbuilt motorhome. Use the vehicle handbook and the equipment manufacturer’s instructions, especially for tyre pressures, jacking points, electrical ratings and towing restrictions.
Breakdown and roadside essentials
A fully charged jump pack matched to the vehicle’s starting requirements is useful when a 12-volt starter battery gives up. Keep a tyre inflator and accurate pressure gauge, but remember that air alone will not repair tyre damage. Confirm the spare wheel or approved puncture kit is present, accessible and suitable for the vehicle. A hi-vis garment, torch, gloves, phone charging cable and small first-aid kit deserve a permanent home where they can be reached safely.
A sensible tool roll
Pack a modest selection of the right metric sockets and spanners, screwdrivers, pliers, vehicle-appropriate bits, spare fuses and cable ties. A small multimeter can help diagnose simple low-voltage faults if you know how to use it. Carry only spares matched to your own engine and equipment; a pile of incompatible belts and relays is just wasted payload.
Living-area safety
Any campervan with cooking or heating appliances needs an especially careful approach to ventilation and fire safety. Fit suitable smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms in the positions recommended by their manufacturers, and test and replace them as directed. A fire blanket and an appropriate, readily accessible fire extinguisher can form part of the safety kit, but preventing fires and leaving a dangerous situation safely take priority. Never run fuel-burning heaters, stoves or generators in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space contrary to their instructions.
Power, light and water
Keep a dependable torch or headlamp separate from the house lighting. Know how to isolate the leisure electrical supply, where the fuses are and how to recognise a low battery. Carry safe drinking water in clean containers and plan a way to dispose of wastewater properly. Chargers, extension leads and hook-up components should be rated for their intended use; do not improvise mains connections.
The five-minute departure check
A short routine before every trip often prevents a miserable first evening. Check engine oil and coolant where appropriate, tyre pressures and condition (including the spare), lights, washer fluid, fuel or charging range, secure cupboards, doors and loose equipment. Confirm your documents, recovery cover, spare key, locking wheel key and essential medicines are with you. Check that any roof, awning, bike rack or external load is secured within vehicle limits.
Stay within your payload
It is remarkably easy for a converted van to collect more equipment than it can legally and safely carry. Count passengers, water, fuel, food, luggage, batteries and accessories towards the relevant vehicle limits. Distribute weight appropriately and get the vehicle weighed when you are unsure. More accessories are not automatically an upgrade.
A kit you will actually use
Keep the essentials accessible, check charge levels periodically and replace used first-aid items and expired consumables. Review the list after your first few trips. The best kit is the one that matches your vehicle, your experience and how you travel, rather than the longest shopping list.
The essentials at a glance
- Vehicle: correct tyre equipment, jump starter, locking wheel key, spare key and vehicle-specific service information.
- Roadside: high-visibility clothing, head torch, gloves, phone charger and first-aid kit.
- Tools: compact hand tools, correct spare fuses and basic low-voltage testing kit where appropriate.
- Camper safety: suitable smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, safe ventilation, fire safety equipment and knowledge of isolation points.
- Daily comfort: safe drinking water, food storage, suitable lighting and a plan for waste.
Guidebook note: This is a practical planning guide, not a substitute for your vehicle handbook, appliance instructions or professional servicing. Never attempt roadside repairs in an unsafe location. On a motorway, move to a place of safety and seek suitable assistance; do not place a warning triangle on the carriageway.