Our Top 10 Skoolie / Van / RV Life Must-Haves
Whether you’re new to van/bus life or still in the research stage, you’re likely researching what you’ll need to live comfortably in your bus or van. We’ve come up with a handy list of van-life essentials to get you thinking about life on the road. Everyone has a different idea of what they’ll need to get by, but there’s definitely a lot to think about when trying to optimize your mobile home.
When you live on wheels, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing what you’ll be bringing on the road. The first is functionality. How functional is this item, and will you use it every day or just sometimes? Can it be multifunctional? Multifunctionality is key when living on the road.
The second van packing criterion is size. This all depends on how much storage space you have in your rig. The on-the-road lifestyle is much more compact than most are used to, so keep that in mind when you’re shopping. Plus, you definitely want everything to have its place, so your space doesn’t feel cluttered, and things aren’t flying around when you’re driving.
The third thing to think about when deciding what to load into your van-home is quality. The items you bring will most likely get a ton of use, so choosing things that will last a while is helpful, so you won’t need to constantly replace them.
Here’s a list of van and RV life must-haves you need for your adventures on the road.
1. A Squeegee
It may seem like an odd thing to start off with, but everyone who lives this lifestyle can agree that there will be multiple times you will be parked on uneven ground. If you have a shower and sink in your rig, this applies to you. No matter how hard you try to park on flat ground when you camp, it’s not always as easy as you’d think to find these “perfect” spots. Having a squeegee that you can use to get the water out of your shower and sink is super helpful. You won’t want it to sit in there, and using your feet at the end of the shower will get old fast. It’s an added bonus that you can use it to get condensation off your windshield on those dewy mornings.
2. Puck Lights
Most RVs are wired with regular house lights, so the reason for this recommendation is that there will be times when you need a little light and don’t want to turn your overhead lights on (for example, when you’re stealth camping, need to save power, or just don’t need all of your lights). They also work great as a little nightlight, so you don’t have to drain your batteries with a plug-in one.
3. Organizers and Shelving
Being able to hang things and get them up off the ground or out of cabinets is an efficient way to maximize space. Things that you can consider hanging are hats, wall organizers, coats, kitchen and bath towels, etc. A suction cup hook for your squeegee in the shower is a total win. Utilizing vertical space is key to maximizing functionality and efficiency.
Staying organized in a van is easier with cabinets and a dedicated storage space for all your items, from cooking supplies to toiletries. RV cabinets are essential if you want to transform your van into a livable space. Adding drawers and organizers from specific manufacturers will be a game-changer for your life on the road. However, since your RV is always on the go, you might have issues with drawers sliding open while you drive. For this problem, you can add durable cabinet latches that keep cabinet drawers from swinging open randomly.
4. A Portable Charging Box
There are lots of options on the market for portable battery charging stations. Having one with USB, AC, D-Tap + USBC ports is a great tool to have on the road and for camping. You can use it to charge your phone, computer, camera, or whatever other gear you may have. It’s nice because you can sit outside and do work or take it along with you on a hike if you need to.
5. A Custom Mattress for Your Van or RV Bed
Getting quality sleep is a big deal when you’re living life on the road. Good sleep is always important, but when you’re adventuring or driving at least 8 hours on any given day, it’s key to get a good night’s rest.
Don’t live life on that sad camping pad that came with your RV bed, or a pile of pillows and blankets stuffed in a corner as a makeshift bed for your van. Whether you own a motorhome, Airstream, travel trailer, or camper van, going for a custom mattress guarantees that you get to sleep on a bed that’s just like the one at home.
Seek out a custom mattress-maker – there’s a bunch of them – and get a custom RV mattress made for your vehicle’s bed that’s the exact size, shape, and construction you want. While you’re at it, consider taking a holistic look at your entire van bed space, since a little bit of DIY could actually end up giving you a super-comfy sleeping experience on the road.
6. Tailored Fitted Sheets to Use on Your Custom RV Mattress
Chances are you won’t be able to use standard-sized sheets for your custom made RV bed. Whether you have an RV king mattress or a short queen mattress for your van, you need to pair your bed with custom bedding for a perfect fit. With tailored bedsheets from a trusted manufacturer, you don’t have to settle for bad-fitting mattress essentials. A waterproof protector for your custom RV bed might also be a good idea, since accidents do happen on the road, and you don’t want your co-driver or kids spilling a drink on your van bed to be a big deal.
7. Thermal Black-Out Shades
Depending on how many windows and doors you have, you should consider a blackout shade for privacy at night. You can step it up a notch by ensuring they’re thermal as well, so they can help stabilize the inside temperature of your rig so that your heat or air conditioning isn’t lost through your windows.
8. Heavy-Duty Double-Sided Tape
If you are planning on displaying things on your counter or on shelves, such as a soap dispenser, décor, or a fruit basket, you should consider getting some heavy-duty (removable) tape. You can find them on Amazon, and they are great for keeping things in place when you drive, so you don’t have to stow things away before you hit the road. Makes moving your rig much less stressful.
9. Magnetic Bug Screen for Door
One of the best things about life on the road is being able to have an ever-changing backyard. Keeping your doors open when you’re parked so you can go in and out easily and get fresh air inside will be one of your favorite things, so make sure you have a magnetic bug screen for your door. Keeping your doors open and not worrying about pesky little bugs making their way in is a big deal, since the interior of your van, including your custom RV mattress, needs the occasional airing out.
10. Portable Shower
Having a portable shower is important, not just to shower in, but also to be able to rinse off your feet and gear after adventuring. It’s a great way to help keep the inside of your van and surfaces like your RV bed as clean as possible, even though a little dirt is often inevitable.
A bonus must-have we would like to add is a roll-up outside mat you can leave outside your door to keep your dirty shoes on. If you get a washable one, you can rinse your feet and shoes off with your portable shower and let them dry right outside your door. Having a little outside rug also makes your camp feel a bit homier.
Happy and safe travels, friends!