Most folks pack their van and barely think about the rubbish bin. Big mistake. Clutter piles up fast—crisp wrappers, banana skins, wet wipes—and suddenly your home on wheels starts to pong and feel cramped. I learned this the hard way by spending a wet week in the Lake District with nothing but an old carrier bag for waste. Result? Leaky mess and a van that smelt like a festival loo. Never again.
A proper camper van bin isn’t just about keeping things tidy. It’s about making small spaces liveable, avoiding nasty smells, and saving you hassle after long, tiring days outdoors. Ignore it and you’re in for some unnecessary stress.
What Makes a Camper Van Bin Worth Your Money?
Before you spend a penny, get clear on what you’re after. Price matters, but practical features matter more—especially when you’re camping in the UK’s unpredictable weather.
- Space Smarts: Camper vans are tight, so you don’t want a bin that hogs the aisle or blocks storage. Collapsible designs or those that hang from seats are gold.
- Right Capacity: Day tripping solo? You’ll get by with as little as a litre. Family holidays? Think bigger, but don’t go mad. Emptying often is better than overflowing waste.
- Leak and Smell Proofing: With our damp climate, leaks mean trouble—mould, smells, midges. Go for something waterproof with a decent lid or flap that keeps odours trapped.
- Strong Materials: Your bin needs to survive bumpy roads, quick braking, the odd muddy boot, and the classic British downpour.
- Easy to Use and Secure: No one wants to faff about. You want a bin you can open one-handed, empty without a fight, and that won’t topple when you turn a sharp corner.
Top Picks: Best Camper Van and Motorhome Bins Compared
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. I’ve tested, borrowed, and even begged bins from friends to see what genuinely works. This table is all you need for a quick decision.
Hotor Car Trash Bag
Capacity: 1-3 gal
Key Features: Waterproof, self-sealing lid, magnetic fastener
Pros: Leakproof, sizes for any setup
Cons: Feels soft/less rigid
Best For: Daily van use, solo or couples
Coghlan’s Pop-Up Trash Can
Capacity: 30 gal
Key Features: Collapsible, zippered lid
Pros: Packs small, holds loads
Cons: Bulky when full
Best For: Family/group stays, long trips
Radius Outfitters Trash Tube
Capacity: ~2 gal
Key Features: Seatback mount, tubular shape
Pros: Hides away, easy to empty
Cons: Small for family use
Best For: Van life, solo/couples
Oudew Cupholder Can
Capacity: <1 gal
Key Features: Fits cupholder, simple lid
Pros: Super compact, quick access
Cons: Cramps fast
Best For: Short trips, solo
Camshaft Collapsible Bin
Capacity: 35 gal
Key Features: Spring-loaded, big zippered lid
Pros: Sturdy, lidded, big
Cons: Needs space when full
Best For: Extended stays, tent camping
Quarkace Campervan Bin Review: Sturdy, Smart and Surprisingly Cheap
Now for the honest review—no fluff. I was sceptical of the Quarkace bin at first. For under £20, I half-expected something you’d have to bin before the end of the season. But this bin’s actually a standout, especially if you own a compact van like a VW California or a Transit Custom.
Build and Materials:
The Quarkace is basically built like a rigid rucksack, with water-repellent fabric and smart red detailing. Rain, mud, damp—none of it seeps through. The stitching feels strong and after months in the van, mine still looks new. It’s a massive jump up from hanging a plastic carrier bag off your handbrake.
Where It Fits Best:
Unlike most bins, the Quarkace can be strapped to a headrest, clipped onto storage, or left loose on the floor. Those quick-release clips make it a doddle to move. On my summer trip to North Wales, I clipped it behind the passenger seat—it was out of the way but right where I needed it.
Perfect Size:
At 8 litres, it’s not so big it starts breeding its own ecosystem, but it comfortably handled waste for two adults and a toddler for 2–3 days. If you’re heavy on dinner prep or got kids, you’ll appreciate not having to empty it every day.
On the Road: How Does the Quarkace Handle Camper Life?
The real test is always the drive. If you’ve ever had a bin tip over mid-bend, you’ll know the pain. The Quarkace’s strap keeps it rock-solid, even on those lumpy Yorkshire back roads.
The lid has a clever flap with a circular hole—no need to lift the top every time. Even the kids used it (with zero complaints or accidental spills). It hides the grime inside, so no one’s staring at sticky crisp packets or half-eaten apples.
I left it clipped behind the seat—even after I spun the seats around at a pitch, it was still tucked neatly out of sight but always reachable. One rainy night in Devon, I had to chuck a lot of muddy wipes and teabags away and the waterproof liner earned its keep—no leaks, no wet patch on the van carpet the next morning.
Emptying and Cleaning: Hassle or Quick Job?
Every bin is great… until it’s time to clear it out. The Quarkace surprised me here. There’s an inner waterproof liner with two neat red straps—just lift it out, walk to the site bins, and tip the lot. If you’re like me and can’t stand touching soggy teabags, they’ve made it so you don’t have to line it, but I still do, especially on multi-day trips.
You can wash the liner out with a garden hose or rinse it in a campsite sink. The waterproofing means it dries quickly and doesn’t soak up odours. I forgot mine for 24 hours in hot weather, and there wasn’t the dreaded pong when I got round to it.
Front and side pockets are a bonus—I stuff spare bin liners or food bags in, handy for clearing up quickly after cooking.
Tips to Pick and Use a Camper Van Bin Like a Pro
Here are my hard-earned tips, so you don’t get caught out:
- Go Collapsible or Hangable: Floor space in a van is gold. Hang your bin from a seat or the sliding door if you can.
- Always Use a Liner (even if it’s waterproof): Keeps the smells and the mess to a minimum, especially with UK rain and food waste.
- Don’t Get a Monster Bin: Bigger isn’t better. Empty into campsite bins daily if it’s a busy trip. Stops midges, cuts smells.
- Prioritise Leakproofing: Cheap bins leak, and leaks mean cleaning the van—not fun after a long walk.
- Stash Spares: Keep a couple of spare liners or bags tucked in the bin’s side pocket.
- Pick a Bin You Can Open One-Handed: When you’ve got a mug in one hand and a sandwich in the other, you’ll see why.
- Fix It Firmly: Use straps, clips, or even bungee cords—nothing ruins a day like cleaning popcorn and yogurt out of your footwell after a sharp stop.
The Final Word: Best Bin for Your Camper Van
So what’s the best camper van bin? If you want something tough, easy to empty and perfectly sized for van life, the Quarkace is hard to fault. It suits solo campers, couples, and even small families—basically anyone who doesn’t want to waste space but won’t skimp on build quality. Check out the Quarkace bin here.
If you’re doing long group trips, Coghlan’s Pop-Up or the Camshaft Collapsible are worth a look—great for basecamps or big weekends, not so much for compact vans.
For tiny setups or solo missions, the Hotor Car Trash Bag or even a cupholder bin is spot on.
Bottom line? Don’t skimp on your camper bin and don’t just grab whatever’s on special at the DIY shop. A good bin won’t just save your nose—it’ll keep your van, and your sanity, fresh for the long haul.
See you out there, hopefully with less rubbish rolling around. Got your bin sorted? You’re already halfway to a stress-free trip. Stay tidy and enjoy the road—rain, shine, or midges!
