Caravan accessories: buy the towing safety gear first
A hitch, towing mirrors and a brake controller come before anything else. Power, water and comfort gear can follow as your trips show you what you need.
Accessories by category
Upgrades worth buying early
Once you have the towing gear, these are the upgrades we would buy next.
Lithium battery
Replaces a heavier lead-acid or AGM house battery.
It weighs less than lead-acid for the same capacity, and more of its charge is usable. That means longer between powered sites.
Portable solar panel
A folding panel you stand in the sun.
You can park the van in shade and angle the panel at the sun. Move it during the day to follow the light.
Flat-storing hoses on a reel
Water and grey-water hoses that pack flat.
They take less space than round hoses and do not kink. A reel keeps the drinking-water and grey-water hoses apart.
Water filter
An inline carbon or sediment filter for filling the tanks.
It catches sediment and improves the taste of campground tap water.
Off-road coupling
A coupling built for rough tracks.
It allows more movement between car and van than a standard ball coupling, which suits off-road vans.
Think twice before buying these
- Bulky pots and pans: They take up a lot of cupboard space. Pots that nest inside each other pack smaller.
- Sewer hose support racks: They are only useful at sites with a sewer connection.
- Complicated camp kitchen set-ups: A simple folding table is quicker to set up.
- Cheap clip-on mirrors: They can vibrate and scratch paint. Strap-on mirrors hold steadier.
- Gadgets you might use: Every item uses space and payload. Buy it once you know you need it.
Choose the van first
The van decides which gear you need. Browse caravans by price, the car you tow with and the roads you'll drive.
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