Van life Essentials
ByJenny Luttenberger
My van currently only has a bed with storage and a cabinet so these are all the items I’ve bought to live on the road! Obviously depending on your van design, it will vary as to what you need!
Going to the bathroom
- Portable Toilet: I have this cheaper portable toilet that we use for emergencies only. The thing to remember when you have a portable toilet is that you have to clean and empty it frequently, think every couple days. A way to avoid this is to go to the bathroom at gas stations, rest stops, etc., when you can. Then use a pee container for the other times and empty that container after each use wherever.
- Compostable Toilet: If you have the space in your van and want to install something more permanent that this compostable toilet is highly recommended in the van life community! Reviews say that there’s no odor and if there are 2 people using it full time, you only have to empty it every 4-6 weeks.
- Camping Shovel: If you don’t want to worry about emptying a toilet, then you can go old school with digging a hole in the ground to handle your business. This camping shovel can be used for shoveling, sawing, & digging.
- Portable Bidet: This portable bidet may seem a little boujee to some people but it only costs $8.99 and if you aren’t showering very often, it will come in great use!
Showering
- Solar Shower: If you don’t have a shower in your van, this solar shower is an easy/cheap way to shower when you’re out in the wild. You fill the shower bag up, let it heat up in the sun, hang it from your van, & shower. It’s by no means as good as a regular shower but if I need to wash my hair, it does the job!
- Pressurized Sprayer: This is another option for showering if you are just needing a rinse down. If I’m not washing my hair I just use this pressurized sprayer and some camp soap to wash off!
- Pop-up Shower Tent: If you’re close to other campers and have an outdoor shower set-up, this shower tent comes in handy. It also protects you more from the wind if you are showering on a chillier/windy night.
- Baby Wipes: If you’re really roughing it and don’t plan on showering at all, at least pack some baby wipes to clean the pits, soles, and holes (lol).
- Quick Dry Towel: These quick dry towels are such a great invention! When living in small spaces, having a bulky and wet towel is not ideal. These towels take up minimal space and dry so fast!
Cooking
- JetBoil Stove: This stove is a simple set up for boiling water. You can make freeze dried food, coffee, etc. It might be easier to get the full kit that includes the fuel and cooking kit.
- 2 Burner Camping Stove: For longer trips I bring this two burner camping stove. It allows me to cook actual meals versus the JetBoil only really lets you cook things that are pre-made or require water.
- Freeze Dried Food: Some freeze dried food can be a little pricier but it does taste like you are eating a whole meal and all you need is boiled water to make it. The Mountain House brand is some of my favorite. You can also go a super cheap route with Knorr packets like this Chicken Flavored Fettucine, but it does also require butter.
- Water Jugs: If your van does not have a sink then make sure you have water jugs. I take one 5 gallon jug with us for a 3-4 day trip and then 2 jugs if I go any longer.
- Cooler: I don’t have a fridge so I use this budget cooler, your food should stay good for 2-4 days before needing to replenish the ice.
- Water Filter: If you are by a water source and run out of drinkable water, this water filter will reduce any harmful substances to ensure water safety.
- Dinnerware: This simple dinnerware set will be plenty for 1-2 people. This dinnerware set offers more with bowls and is enough for 4 people.
- Cookware: I’ve accumulated a lot of cookware over the years so I just bring extras from my house to use!
Power on the Road
- Solar panels: They aren’t cheap but it is free power once you start using them!
- Solar generator: I have this solar generator that you can charge with the solarsage, a car outlet, a wall outlet, or USB-C PD. When I’m in coffee shops I always bring it in and charge it. It takes longer to charge with the solarsage but if you are just hanging out at camp, it’s worth laying it out in the sun to charge. There are different sizes but the 300 worked for me to use for 3-4 days at a time to charge phones and laptops. I don’t work from our van though so you will probably need something more if you are constantly needing to charge a computer.
- Alternator: A van’s alternator converts the engine’s power into electricity to charge batteries. You can use an adapter with multiple charging ports to charge electronics while driving.
Extras
- Small Mirror: The mirror I have was from Target and isn’t sold anymore but here’s another mirror option!
- Mosquito Repellent: If you’re hanging outside of your van, Thermacell’s work wonders to keep the mosquitos away.
- Bug Screen: The bugs will flock inside your van the moment it starts to get dark and you have lights on and doors open so this bug screen will help keep them out.
- Magnetic Hooks: These hooks come in handy for so many things! They hold my lights, my mirror, etc. They are only for lightweight things though heads up!