Traveling in a van or in a converted vehicle is to take to the roads with everything you need and more. But the space of his small house on wheels is reduced so the choice of each equipment and accessory is important.
Over time, we have learned to prioritize the essentials as well as the compact and multifunctional objects necessary for our life on the road. Basics that we also carry in our backpacks.
Here are our 5 essential accessories in a van but also for every day without which we would not see ourselves going on an adventure.
Useful for tinkering on and under the van, for the little urgent desire during the night, for sunrise and sunset enthusiasts who often have to orient themselves while the sun has not yet risen or who have been waiting for the last lights sweep the mountains to reach their van.
Whether it's to change a wheel as night falls at 5 p.m. or to explore a cave, the Led headlamp is one of his essentials, very useful for carrying out tasks on the van or indulging in his favorite outdoor activities while having your hands free!
Always within reach in the van and in our bags, we have favored USB rechargeable headlamps with several levels of intensity.
While driving, during our activities and even in town, our insulated water bottles never leave us.
More practical, economical and ecological than plastic bottles, we fill them as soon as possible. Some are with filter and others can be equipped, enough to fill their minds light in complete safety when hiking in a river for example, and not to overload themselves.
Insulated / insulated, they are perfect for both cold and hot drinks, plus there are lots of different sizes and colors!
Gourd, hydration to hand, everywhere, all the time and in all weathers!
In our pockets: a knife Opinel and one Leatherman !
The Opinel is the sentimental knife that reminds us both of our family hikes / picnics.
The multi-function knife like Leatherman, it is the outdoor accessory that helps out for any situation. Cut the sausage, screw in a screw, a splinter to remove ... Several configurations are possible and with the assurance of always having the right tool, all in a single object as small as a knife.
They follow us everywhere!
Ah the small battery failure in the middle of nothing ... with little, see no passage, and therefore with as much luck to find someone to connect his cables (if we took any) or to stop someone who in a.
Experience has taught us that on a road trip, you have to rely on yourself as much as possible. And being able to handle this kind of situation so as not to get stuck is quite ... appreciable!
the battery booster, does not really take a lot of space and allows you to troubleshoot yourself.
Double function, it is also a power bank. Embedded in the bag for a hike or other, it allows recharging by USB, phone, front ...
Of course, you have to make sure that it is loaded so that you can count on it when you need it. To do this, simply plug it into a 12 / 24V cigarette lighter socket while driving or to a 220V household socket.
Choosing and determining your road trip itinerary is one of the first steps for any trip in a van or converted van. Our daily reflex: dissect the maps to find places to explore, the most beautiful road to take and a quiet place to spend the night.
Paper cards or GPS, nothing more practical to find your way and guide yourself on the road as well as during a hike.
Some are more followers of one than the other, personally we combine the two.
The paper cards and road / tourist atlas often have a good level of detail to identify the unmissable and scenic routes. The GPS in addition to guidance now also offer options specific to travel in amenity vehicles, such as signage for air services, campsites, points of interest, etc ... and even a mode for taking scenic routes rather than the shorter or longer fast. This is the case of Garmin Campervan GPS. But there are also other GPS, depending on the type of road you take, such as the Garmin Overlander, designed for 4 × 4 vehicles that swear "only" by the tracks.
For the road and for hiking, maps and GPS are true mines of information besides that to find or find your way it remains very practical.
Small bonus: Some GPS have a function that records your movements while traveling. Ideal for retracing your journey!
The links on this page are affiliate links. It doesn't change anything for you, the price stays the same!