First Campervan - 3 "must haves" and what to avoid?

[The big K]

Agree with all of the above. We have an Australian spec beach that does not have a shore power connection and comes with the kitchen that slides out the back. Our top five (sorry, couldn’t limit it to 3!) things that didn’t come with our Cali are:
- a decent mattress topper and bedding - good sleeps = enjoyable trips
- a whistling pop up kettle (we have a gas cooker, not induction) - means you don’t have to watch water boil and can do something else
- 2 x levelling ramps - use them whenever we’re camping away from camping grounds
- nudie boss 2.0 toilet tent and large thetford toilet (a must if you’re over 55, ahem)
- Starlink mini mounted on the roof powered by a third battery (EcoFlow delta 3 plus) which is kept topped up by a roof mounted 200w solar cell - a must for keeping in contact with friends and family
- nordboard for when we sleep up top - a game changer for really tall people like us!

Things I wouldn’t bother with are
- the shower attachment (that plugs into the kitchen tap) - never used it!
- standalone pop up toilet tent - used it once and found it impossible to pack back down so upgraded to the nudie boss 2.0
- portable fire pit and bbq plate - too dirty really and we’ve found most campgrounds and offsite places have these facilities
- electric 12v jug - too slow and eats too much battery (gas is quick)
- folding camp cutlery - we use 1930’s posh silverware bought dirt cheap from an op shop! Very stylish.

 

[Dizzy]

Welcome and enjoy your Cali, love the colour.

How you are going to use your van will depend on what your top 3 are, short breaks are likely to have different requirements to multiple weeks. After 18 months with Dizzy with lots of short and long breaks (putting aside the essentials of food prep) i would go with a combo of things.

external thermal screen covers (we went polar but others are available)
mattress topper (we made ours by hacking an ikea one, miles cheaper than branded van toppers)
porta potti 335
small levelling ramps

Next up would be

ecoflow + solar 200w min
internal covers (if you are doing hot climes! rather than the external)

Oh yeah, open a savings account for replacing tyres every 12000 miles, if you are going to winter climes then look for some 17's with all season tyres.

D

 

[colintfcolintf]

Oh yeah, open a savings account for replacing tyres every 12000 miles, if you are going to winter climes then look for some 17's with all season tyres.

D

my Continentals have done over 30,000 miles, and still got 3.5mm of tread left!!

 

[Dizzy]

my Continentals have done over 30,000 miles, and still got 3.5mm of tread left!!

18" Bridgestones from new, not impressed TBH - looking for recommendations on something more long lasting...

 

[Corradobrit]

How could I forget. A Calibed Prestige III mattress. This is a game changer

 

[Georgeo]

Lots of great suggestions. Given the list so far here is our bought and never used from the above and bought and essential.

Thule Straps. Bough never used.
Whistling kettle. Sometimes used but in the main we have EHU and a fold down kettle.
Acrylic Glasses - we just use normal glass and mugs.
Air windbreak - bought never used.
Air - Awning - use 75% of trips
EHU Cable - Splashed out for the one that does not turn into rock when cold
CO2 Alarm - No needed, gas vents from bottom of location to air if leaking
S2S - Bought, used a handful of times, never bothered, massive faff, just use Duvalay now.
We dont mind the internal VW covers in winter, but have a great one from Fuel Lagoon
We got a great folding pan set, don’t scrimp here as better folds well and cleans easy
Just use normal plates with anti clink soft felt between
Fridge Base tray - use and essential, keeps the moist at bay!
Small Bin - there is a brand fits exactly between the pass seat and unit - got that one
EHU to 3 pin - handy when in UK at home, make sure they have goven you the EHU to EU that VW supply, else buy when away (emergency charges)

Outside the above I’d say, once your feet wet, the SpaceMate, pop top wrap, unless you’re a camel, portaloo, good outside stove (everyone has their pref, we have the usual), and, tbh, not much else. 50% of what you buy in the first year you will never use again and everyone's list personal to them.

The CO2 alarm is not for detecting gas leaks, but CO2 buildup from burning the gas.

 

[Corradobrit]

The CO2 alarm is not for detecting gas leaks, but CO2 buildup from burning the gas.

Aren't we talking about Carbon Monoxide CO detection? CO2 is produced by the occupants.

 

[YesCampervan]

Levelling chocks (not all campsites are flat)
Long hook up cable (20m or 25m) sometimes you can be a long way from the hook up point.
Wardrobe shelves from our website (yescampervan.co.uk) great for making efficient use of the wardrobe. Fridge trivet from yes campervan, much more durable than plastic alternatives.
Brandrup isotop if you want to use the roof up comfortably in lower temperatures, it is fitted inside the pop up roof and stays up there permanently so you don’t have to pack it away when you move.

 

[colintfcolintf]

How could I forget. A Calibed Prestige III mattress. This is a game changer

I’ll second that

 

[colintfcolintf]

18" Bridgestones from new, not impressed TBH - looking for recommendations on something more long lasting...

Conti PremiumContact6 255/45R18Y XL Are what’s on mine 30,000 miles and still 3.5 mm tread left

 

[flying banana]

Aren't we talking about Carbon Monoxide CO detection? CO2 is produced by the occupants.

Open a window. I agree. They are unnecessary. No one burns gas while they're asleep. Vw don't fit one.
As for 3 essentials i use the most
Cadac bbq
Firepit foldable.
Large loud Bluetooth speaker.so as not to run the van infotainment

 

[clare247]

Thanks for all the great tips, really appreciated.

 

[RosscoPCole74]

1. Cadac Safari Chef
2. An external thermal windscreen cover
3. Roof mounted solar panels

 

[willwander]

1. Kettle
2. Loo - Thetford Porta Potti 335
3. Some Dog stuff

Not much else really, oh Brandrup Isotop is good and solar panels.

 

[juneysan]

I put a deposit on a 2025 Ocean last week, hoping to take delivery before next weekend. However, months ago I started buying accessories.
So far-
Thetford Porta Potti
An extremely stylish Danish design dustpan and whisk broom
Squishy shelf liner for the cabinets
A nice little trash can with handle by Brabantia
Next up are some interior mats, I have enough dishes and linens for several dozen campers.

 

[willwander]

Oh, one of them strips of rubber to stop car park tickets dropping down between the windscreen and the dash. Essential.
Not sure if that’s still a thing with the 6.1

 

[Corradobrit]

Oh, one of them strips of rubber to stop car park tickets dropping down between the windscreen and the dash. Essential.
Not sure if that’s still a thing with the 6.1

Or those tuna sarnies.

Yes it's still a thing with the T6.1

 

[edocali]

Just wondering, what would be the top 3 "must have" purchases when you first get your campervan? And are they any purchases you wished you'd never bothered with?

Welcome and congratulations!

After 6 years, my top picks I could not live without are
- the fridge tray at bottom to keep items dry
- 2x collapsible silicon bowls
- a 3D printed micro-funnel for filling the water tank (rather than the ridiculously priced Brandrup filling set I wasted my money on previously)
- wee bottle
- solar panel kit

other good picks were
- an over-gas-hob bread toaster grid
- outwell awning sides and front (tested in really bad weather)
- porta potti 335
- gas connectors to be able to fit a small canister if the large 907 runs out
- snowpeak fireplace
- some very good champagne polycarbonate flutes and ISO wine tasting glasses
(camping does not mean drinking poorly)

plus many more obvious necessities like
- pots pand cutlery
- fitted sheets
- hook up cables

 

[Coachella]

I would say that a "Pig Monkey" is needed.

Well we call our Ridge Monkey Folding pan our "Pig Monkey"
Good for cooking all sorts of things - and its small enough to pack.

 

[clare247]

Welcome and congratulations!

After 6 years, my top picks I could not live without are
- the fridge tray at bottom to keep items dry
- 2x collapsible silicon bowls
- a 3D printed micro-funnel for filling the water tank (rather than the ridiculously priced Brandrup filling set I wasted my money on previously)
- wee bottle
- solar panel kit

other good picks were
- an over-gas-hob bread toaster grid
- outwell awning sides and front (tested in really bad weather)
- porta potti 335
- gas connectors to be able to fit a small canister if the large 907 runs out
- snowpeak fireplace
- some very good champagne polycarbonate flutes and ISO wine tasting glasses
(camping does not mean drinking poorly)

plus many more obvious necessities like
- pots pand cutlery
- fitted sheets
- hook up cables

Thank you, great suggestions there

 

[clare247]

I would say that a "Pig Monkey" is needed.

Well we call our Ridge Monkey Folding pan our "Pig Monkey"
Good for cooking all sorts of things - and its small enough to pack.

Thanks, seen this a lot, seems to be very popular

 

[KevH]

1. A comfy bed topper and either sleeping bags or duvet. You won't enjoy the ride if you can't sleep well.
2. Ridge Monkey pans: large, small and the toasting thingy. Easy to clean, multi purpise and relatively compact.
3. A wee bottle for emergencies. I forget how many times I have needed this.

 

[KevH]

Agree with all of the above. We have an Australian spec beach that does not have a shore power connection and comes with the kitchen that slides out the back. Our top five (sorry, couldn’t limit it to 3!) things that didn’t come with our Cali are:
- a decent mattress topper and bedding - good sleeps = enjoyable trips
- a whistling pop up kettle (we have a gas cooker, not induction) - means you don’t have to watch water boil and can do something else
- 2 x levelling ramps - use them whenever we’re camping away from camping grounds
- nudie boss 2.0 toilet tent and large thetford toilet (a must if you’re over 55, ahem)
- Starlink mini mounted on the roof powered by a third battery (EcoFlow delta 3 plus) which is kept topped up by a roof mounted 200w solar cell - a must for keeping in contact with friends and family
- nordboard for when we sleep up top - a game changer for really tall people like us!

Things I wouldn’t bother with are
- the shower attachment (that plugs into the kitchen tap) - never used it!
- standalone pop up toilet tent - used it once and found it impossible to pack back down so upgraded to the nudie boss 2.0
- portable fire pit and bbq plate - too dirty really and we’ve found most campgrounds and offsite places have these facilities
- electric 12v jug - too slow and eats too much battery (gas is quick)
- folding camp cutlery - we use 1930’s posh silverware bought dirt cheap from an op shop! Very stylish.

Nordboard? I am intrigued and so is Google Search.
Can you provide a link?

 

[Betsycalifornia]

50° sleeping board | California (T5 to T6.1)

Suitable for: Vehicle manufacturer: Volkswagen Models: ALL VW California from 2003 to 2024 T5 / T6 / T6.1 Beach, Coast and Ocean The same sleeping board fits all model variants listed above. Particularities: - The sockets and light switches in the roof of the VW California remain accessible. -...

50gradnord.com

Probably this.

 

[Hawthorn37]

We have just bought an Ocean too and in the same position of kitting it out. We have bought:

Thule tie down straps for the awning (essential)
Windscreen cover, which helps with condensation
Whistling kettle
Acrylic glasses and mugs
Air - windbreak
Air - small drive away awning
Couple of throws for the cozy factor
Apple charging lead
Mains hook up cable
New boot protectors for the bike rack (if you have one)
Also bought a new GOK connector for the gas to make sure it was new
CO2 Alarm (essential)

Agree with most, but I’d question the need for a CO2 monitor (or CO carbon monoxide).