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General van life gear, accessories, and must-haves
A reliable van life bug net for window screens is an absolute necessity for anyone who sleeps with windows open in warm weather — because the moment mosquitoes, gnats, or flies discover your van's open window, your night's sleep is over. Th
Military-grade bungee cord, steel S-hooks rated to 50 lbs each, and a tightly woven mesh that holds loads without sagging — the best all-purpose cargo net for van life.
Ultralight 4.5-oz packable poncho with seam-taped waterproof construction and a stuff pocket — the most capable packable rain poncho for van life adventures.
Fitness gear for van life gets evaluated against a unique set of requirements that gym gear never faces: it must store in minimal space, survive diverse outdoor surfaces, handle temperature swings from desert heat to mountain cold, and be e
100% recycled nylon, fully seam-taped, packs into its own pocket. Real waterproofing at a mid-range price. Best all-conditions overlanding jacket.
Modular color-coded pouches organize supplies by trauma type so you can find what you need under stress. Includes tourniquet, trauma dressings, and wound closure alongside standard first aid supplies.
TL;DR: Traveling van life with a dog requires a crash-tested crate or secured car seat — not a loose dog in the back. Impact-rated crates like the Gunner Kennel protect dogs in accidents where unrestrained dogs become projectiles at highway
TL;DR: A 12V mini air conditioner for van life is real but demands serious electrical infrastructure — most units draw 240–600W continuously, requiring a large battery bank and solar array. The Zero Breeze Mark 2 is the most practical true
TL;DR: An RV hitch lock secures your trailer hitch receiver or coupler to prevent theft of the trailer itself and any hitch-mounted gear like bike racks, cargo carriers, and kitchen systems. A $25–$60 hitch lock is the fastest security upgr
TL;DR: RV awning rope tie-downs anchor your awning to the ground so wind gusts don't flip it, tear the fabric, or damage the arms. A $15 tie-down kit is cheap insurance against a repair bill that can run $300–$800. Always stake your awning
An RV electric retract step automatically extends when you open the door and retracts when you close it — eliminating the tripping hazard of a fixed step and protecting the step from trail obstacles and parking garage clearance issues. Qual
Van leveling blocks and jack pads are two different tools that every van build needs. Leveling blocks go under the tires to correct side-to-side and front-to-back slope at a campsite. Jack pads go under a floor jack or bottle jack to distri
