10 practical and cool gadgets for campers
In a camper van, every camping trip is like an adventure: having the freedom to travel to the most beautiful camping spots any time you like is priceless. But even when you’re on the road, it’s always nice to enjoy a few home comforts. While you’re already equipped for an array of eventualities in the California, we have put together a few handy tips for you. Our selection of camper van gadgets will guarantee your holidays are better than ever. From must-have, handy or just good fun, make sure our gadgets are on board for your next trip.
Must-have items for comfortable camping
1. For champion camp site BBQers
The new California comes with a fully equipped kitchen on board – including a gas cooker and refrigerator. So, you don’t need to worry about going hungry while you’re on holiday – you can even prepare restaurant-worthy dishes without any hassle.
However, make sure you pack a BBQ for your outdoor kitchen. A gas-powered BBQ is particularly practical for travelling as you can stow it away easily to save space when you don’t need it.
2. Save time and energy when boiling water
If you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the morning, then you always need hot water. The quickest way to enjoy a hot drink is an electric kettle. If you’re looking for a particularly practical version, then look no further than a collapsible camping kettle. And when you don’t need it, you don’t need to worry about it taking up precious space.
If you don’t need a whole kettle full of water, then you’ll love this mini gadget: a portable espresso machine is ideal for a quick morning pick-me-up.
3. Perfectly clean, filtered water
A simple water filter is all you need to enjoy clean drinking water. Combined with a water bottle, then it’s also the ideal solution for outdoor trips.
A safe supply of drinking water is particularly important if you forego the campsites and opt for the wilderness. Read our handy guide to find out which European countries allow wild camping. If you transport in a tank, then find out the right way to clean your camper van water tank here.
4. Our pro tip for warm, summer nights: a hammock
The California is equipped with up to four beds, while the adjustable individual seats in the passenger compartment can also be used for a power nap thanks to a sleep function.
But when temperatures rise in the summer, the van can become pretty warm overnight. So, what’s cooler (literally) than sleeping out under the stars? With a handy double hammock and the right bracket, you can chill between two trees during the day and enjoy a relaxing night’s sleep, too. And when you don’t need the hammock, you can store it in its handy bag to save space.
5. Fancy feeling even more refreshed? Try this camper shower tent
The California has a lot to offer – but there’s one thing that it doesn’t have and that’s a wet room. You’ll find one of these in its big brother, the Grand California. Nevertheless, you still don’t have to miss out on a refreshing shower while you’re out on the road. This practical outdoor shower is easy to use: the gravity-operated shower can be hung on the outside of the van. If the water pressure is too low, then a battery-operated pump can provide assistance. And if you’re not a fan of ice-cold showers, you can use a solar-heated shower that is powered by sunlight.
To protect your modesty, there is an additional shower tent that can be easily mounted to the boot lid. Taking just 1–2 minutes to set up, the tent can also be used as additional stowage space when not being used as a shower.
6. Outdoor chilling with a seating area and inflatable sofa
Sometimes nothing is better than chilling out in the shade of your van, under the California’s extendible awning. To make sure your mobile terrace is extra comfortable, all you need are a few fold-up camping chairs and a camping table to match. The California Ocean is equipped with a small fold-up outdoor table as standard; this feature is also available as an option for the California Coast. However, if you need more space for lavish evening feast, then you’d better pack a larger table.
Another awesome option is an inflatable sofa, which is ready for use in just a few seconds. All you have to do is sit back and relax for an experience worthy of any good glamper.
7. Outdoor lighting to set the right mood
Fire pits are not allowed everywhere and sometimes you simply cannot be bothered to set up a big camp fire. For quick and reliable lighting, all you need are the right camping lights, providing you with full visibility and a cosy feel when night starts to fall. For a romantic lighting mood, you can use classic gas-powered lamps or lanterns that run on LEDs or a battery. There are so many camping lights to choose from – whether you’re after classic or modern, you’re sure to find something you like.
Functional gadgets for life on the road
8. Independent power supply thanks to a portable power source
If you take your van out for an extended trip, then a portable power source will come in particularly handy. Use a power bank to charge your smartphone or keep your other devices, such as speakers, headphones or rechargeable lamps, up and running. Thanks to its low weight, the portable ultra-light model can even be used to charge devices while you’re out on a hike.
9. The perfect outdoor sound
Music is an essential part of any trip. After all, how else are you supposed to set the right mood? Portable loudspeakers, like a boom box, are particularly handy for using outdoors at a campsite or the beach. Robust, water-resistant models are particularly good for these settings. Then, all you have to do is stream your all-time faves from your smartphone or tablet.
10. A classic: a pocket torch for night-time trips to the washroom
Whether you’re at a campsite or out in the wild, a handy mini pocket torch or head torch means that you won’t get lost if you need to pop out at night. No more tripping over tent guy ropes on your way to the toilet! A torch is an absolute must-have!
To learn more about the packing essentials for camping, check out our article “Camper van packing list”.
And if you’ve got a little left over in your budget, then why not treat yourself to something special. You’ll find a selection of lovely ideas in our “Gifts for campers” guide.
