Essential caravan accessories: towing safety gear first, then power and water
Buy the towing gear before the first trip. Add the rest as your trips show you what you need.
Updated . 7 min read • Buying Guide
Towing safety gear comes first, then power and water, then the kitchen, navigation and interior comfort.
Equip the van in stages rather than all at once.
- Buy first - towing mirrors, a brake controller if the van has electric brakes, and a weight distribution hitch only if your rig needs one (the towing safety items)
- Buy quality on - the safety items (brakes, mirrors and hitches)
Towing and safety gear
These items affect how the car and van behave together on the road. Mirrors, and a brake controller if the van has electric brakes, come before the first trip. A weight distribution hitch comes only if the loaded rig cannot sit level by packing alone, and the car, van and towbar makers allow one.
Weight distribution hitch
- What it does: correctly fitted, it can spread the weight more evenly across the car and level the drawbar.
- Why it helps: steering and braking can stay more predictable.
- Before you buy: match its rating to your van's ball weight.
- Each trip: it takes a few minutes to fit the bars and set the tension.
- Check first: your car, van or towbar maker may advise against one. It must not be used to fix too much ball weight or an overloaded rear axle.
- More: weight distribution hitches explained.
Towing mirrors
- What they do: give you a clear view down both sides of the van.
- When you need them: when the van is wider than the car and blocks your view down both sides.
- Types: clip-on and strap-on models fit over the car's own mirrors.
- Fitting: pad clip-on mirrors so they do not scratch the car.
Towball, safety chains and shackles
- Towball: its stamped rating must cover the van's ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass).
- Safety chains: one chain up to 2,500kg ATM, two above it.
- Shackles: use rated shackles to join the chains to the towbar.
- Before the first trip: check the towball and shackle ratings against the van's ATM.
Electric brake controller
- When you need one: any van over 750kg GTM (Gross Trailer Mass) with electric brakes needs a brake controller.
- Proportional type: applies the van's brakes in step with the car's, for smoother stops.
- Gain dial: lets you match braking force to the van's load.
- Manual slider: applies the van's brakes on their own if it starts to sway.
- Fitting: an auto electrician or towbar fitter can wire it in.
Our brake controllers guide covers the types in more detail.
Weigh the loaded rig
Accessories add weight, and the van and the car each have published weight limits. Weigh the loaded rig at a public weighbridge before a long trip. The caravan weights guide explains each rating.
Where to buy towing gear
These links go to Amazon.com.au, and we earn a commission if you buy through them.
Power: solar, batteries and an inverter
Power gear lets you camp away from powered sites for longer. Work out how many watt-hours you use in a day before you buy any of it. The portable power stations guide walks through that sum, and when a generator or more battery in the van is the better buy.
Solar panels
- Running cost: no fuel or site fees after fitting.
- Noise: none, which suits quiet campgrounds.
- Weather: output drops on cloudy days.
- Roof panels: fitting means drilling and sealing the roof, so use an installer.
For sizing, see how much solar a caravan needs.
Lithium battery
- Weight: lighter than a lead-acid battery of the same capacity.
- Usable capacity: you can draw more of its charge than from an AGM battery.
- Cold: do not charge it below 0°C.
- Charging: your car may need a DC-DC charger to charge it properly.
The battery types guide compares lithium, AGM and lead-acid side by side.
Inverter
- What it does: turns the battery's 12V DC into 240V AC for household plugs.
- Size: match its wattage to the biggest appliance you will run.
- Pure sine wave: the type to choose for laptops and sensitive electronics.
- Battery use: high-wattage appliances empty a battery fast.
- Heat: mount it where air can move around it.
Where to buy portable power
These links go to BLUETTI, who we earn a commission from. Size your daily watt-hours first (the portable power guide above walks through it), then buy the class that fits.
For vans with 48V systems, read the electric caravans guide.
Water: hose, filter and pump
Drinking-water hose and fittings
- Hose: use a food-grade drinking-water hose, not a garden hose.
- Standard: look for AS/NZS 4020, the standard for products that touch drinking water.
- Storage: coil it loosely so it does not kink.
- Fittings: overtightening brass fittings makes them leak.
Inline water filter
- What it does: catches sediment and improves the taste of tap water.
- Where it goes: on the hose, when you fill the tanks.
- Upkeep: the cartridge needs replacing.
- Flow: it slows the water a little.
12V water pump
- What it does: gives steady pressure from the van's tanks.
- Switching: a pressure switch starts it when you open a tap.
- Battery use: long showers use battery power.
- Noise: a dripping tap makes it cycle on and off.
Inside the van: mattress, fans and storage
Mattress
Lie on the factory mattress before you buy the van. If it is too thin, a mattress maker can make one to fit the van's bed. Check a thicker one still lets the bed base lift for under-bed storage.
12V roof fan
A roof fan cuts condensation and moves air on hot nights. Most can pull air in or push it out. Fitting one means cutting and sealing the roof, so use an installer.
Storage and organisers
Hanging organisers, collapsible bins and drawer dividers use space the cupboards miss. Strap them down so nothing shifts on rough roads. Every bin adds weight, so count it against your payload.
Kitchen: stove, fridge and cookware
Portable camp stove
A two-burner stove lets you cook outside and keeps heat and smells out of the van. Use it outdoors only, because of the carbon monoxide risk. The gas bottle adds weight to the van.
12V compressor fridge
A compressor fridge works on a slope, while a three-way absorption fridge needs the van level. It runs off the battery, so pair it with enough solar for free camping. Dual-zone models have a separate freezer.
Nesting cookware
Pots that stack inside each other save cupboard space. Hard-anodised aluminium pots wear well on the road. Non-stick coatings wear faster over a campfire than on gas.
Navigation, radio and internet
Caravan GPS
A caravan GPS can route you around low bridges and roads too narrow for a van. It keeps working with offline maps where there is no phone coverage. Many also show dump points and water refills.
UHF radio
A UHF radio lets you talk to other drivers and travel in convoy. It has no call charges. Learn the emergency and road-information channels before you head remote. Range is shorter in hills and forest.
Satellite internet
Satellite internet such as Starlink works where mobile coverage does not. The dish needs a clear view of the sky. It draws power the whole time it is on, so size your battery and solar for it.
The order to buy in
- Before the first trip: mirrors, a brake controller if the van has electric brakes, and a weight distribution hitch only if your rig needs one.
- Before free camping: solar, battery and water gear.
- Once you know your habits: kitchen gear and navigation.
- Last: mattress, fans and storage.
What each kind of trip needs
Weekends at powered sites
- Towing safety gear
- A basic kitchen set-up
- A drinking-water hose and filter
- Solar is optional
Off-grid trips between towns
- Solar panels sized to your daily use
- A lithium battery
- Large water tanks
- A UHF radio
Families
- Extra storage and organisers
- An outdoor kitchen set-up
- A fire blanket and first aid kit
Before you buy any accessory
- Safety items: buy quality on brakes, hitches and mirrors.
- Compatibility: check the weight rating, voltage (12V, 24V or 48V) and size.
- Weight: add up what the gear weighs before you load it.
- Reviews: read ones written by owners travelling in Australian conditions.
Related guides
Find a caravan your car can tow
Browse caravans by price, the roads you'll drive and the car you tow with.
The BLUETTI and Amazon links on this page are affiliate links, and we earn a commission if you buy through them. This helps us keep the site running and continue providing free guides. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.