Packing a camper van is an exercise in ruthless prioritization. You have roughly 60 square feet, every pound costs fuel, and whatever you forget is a 40-minute drive to the nearest town. This list is built from thousands of collective road miles — what actually gets used daily, what earns its space, and what should stay home.

About product picks

We name specific products we've seen work well on the road. We don't currently earn commissions on these picks — if that changes, we'll disclose it here first.

Kitchen

The galley is where van life succeeds or fails. Cook real food and you'll love the lifestyle; live on granola bars and you'll quit in a month.

  • 12V compressor fridge (Dometic, ICECO, or Alpicool) — the single most transformative van appliance. Absorption fridges are inefficient; compressor fridges sip power.
  • Two-burner stove — propane camp stoves (Camp Chef Everest is the workhorse) or a built-in cooktop if your build has one.
  • One good pot, one good pan, one kettle. Nesting cookware sets save space. Cast iron is wonderful and weighs a ton — your call.
  • Chef's knife + cutting board. A dull knife in a van kitchen is miserable.
  • Collapsible dish tub, biodegradable soap, quick-dry towels. Water is precious; wash efficiently.
  • Spice kit — small jars of salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili flakes, and olive oil in a squeeze bottle. Good seasoning fixes mediocre camp cooking.
  • French press or pour-over. Non-negotiable for most van-lifers. The AeroPress is the space-efficient champion.
  • Reusable water bottles and a 5-gallon jug. Even with a built-in tank, a portable jug is backup gold.

Sleep system

  • A real mattress. Not a foam pad — a 4–6" memory foam or latex mattress cut to fit. Bad sleep ruins van life faster than anything.
  • Quality bedding for the season. Down comforter for cold, light quilt for summer. Layer rather than buying one do-everything bag.
  • Blackout window covers. DIY Reflectix cutouts work; magnetic custom shades work better. Streetlights and 5 AM sunrises are real.
  • White noise / earplugs. Highway rest stops and Walmart lots are loud. Foam earplugs are cheap insurance.

Power & electrical

  • Portable power station (Jackery, EcoFlow, Bluetti) — even in a built van, a portable unit is backup power and campsite flexibility.
  • Headlamp + lantern. A good headlamp (Black Diamond, Petzl) gets used ten times a day.
  • 12V USB chargers and a long USB-C cable. Run cables where you actually sit and sleep, not just at the galley.
  • Portable solar panel (100–200W) if your roof solar is modest — park in shade, put the panel in sun.

Water

  • Water filter — a gravity filter (LifeStraw Mission, Platypus) or an inline RV filter. Fill from sketchy spigots with confidence.
  • Collapsible 5-gallon container as backup to your main tank.
  • Outdoor shower setup — even a solar shower bag changes the game if you don't have a built-in shower.

Climate control

  • Diesel/air heater (Espar, Webasto, or a Chinese diesel heater for the budget-conscious) — the difference between year-round van life and a summer hobby.
  • MaxxAir fan or equivalent. Ventilation matters as much as heat — condensation will destroy a build.
  • 12V heated blanket for shoulder seasons. Sips power, huge comfort.
  • Reflective windshield cover for summer heat.

Safety & emergency

  • Fire extinguisher (ABC rated) mounted where you can grab it. Plus a smoke/CO detector — propane and combustion heaters demand it.
  • First aid kit — build your own beyond the prepackaged basics: add Benadryl, electrolyte packets, blister care, and any personal meds.
  • Jump starter pack. A dead starter battery in the middle of nowhere is a solved problem for $80.
  • Tire repair kit + portable compressor. Punctures happen on forest roads; a plug kit and a Viair compressor get you to town.
  • Paper maps or offline downloads. Cell service ends where the good campsites begin.
  • Personal locator beacon or satellite messenger (Garmin inReach, ZOLEO) if you go remote solo.

Tools & repair

  • Basic tool kit: socket set, screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, pliers, multimeter, zip ties, duct tape, Eternabond tape (for emergency roof repairs).
  • Spare fuses in every size your van uses.
  • Lug wrench that actually fits — check it before you need it.
  • Work gloves and a headlamp (yes, again — you'll use it under the van too).

Hygiene

  • Quick-dry microfiber towels. Regular towels never dry in a van.
  • Biodegradable soap (Dr. Bronner's does everything: body, dishes, laundry).
  • Portable toilet solution if your build lacks one — even a simple luggable loo with compostable bags for emergencies.
  • Laundry kit: a dry bag doubles as a washing machine. Laundromats every 7–10 days otherwise.

Outside living

  • Camp chairs that pack small. You'll live outside the van more than inside it.
  • Folding table for cooking and working outdoors.
  • Awning or shade tarp. Desert sun is brutal without shade.
  • Leveling blocks. Flat sleeping matters; a $30 set of blocks solves most slopes.
  • Outdoor rug/mat — keeps dirt out of the van, which keeps you sane.

What to leave behind

The other half of packing is unpacking. Common regrets:

  • Too many clothes. A week of outfits is plenty — laundromats exist. Merino wool layers do triple duty.
  • Single-use gadgets. If it does one thing, it stays home.
  • Full-size anything. Full-size pillows, full-size towels, full-size shampoo bottles — travel sizes exist for a reason.
  • "Just in case" gear you haven't touched in a month. If you haven't used it in 30 days on the road, mail it home.
  • Heavy books. E-reader. This isn't a debate.
The one-in-one-out rule

Working beautifully for years: every time something new comes into the van, something old leaves. It prevents the slow accumulation of clutter that makes small spaces feel smaller.

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