Most people think you need a campervan stuffed with every gadget under the sun. Truth? You don’t. I’ve met soggy campers with all the gear but no clue, and battered vans with just a kettle inside—yet their owners are grinning ear to ear. The trick isn’t buying the flashiest bit of kit, but choosing smart accessories that match how you really live and camp.
After years of UK downpours, Scottish midges, and a few sketchy car parks, here’s my straight-talking guide to VW campervan accessories that you should actually get if you want life on the road to be smoother, safer, and—yes—cosier.
Why Accessories Matter More Than You Think
It’s amazing how one missing thing—like a torch or warm mat—can turn a great pitch into a disaster. The right VW campervan accessories transform your trip from survival mode to genuine comfort.
They help you stay organised, sleep well, eat better, and stave off boredom on those drizzly afternoons. Good kit isn’t just about convenience. It’s about safety, sanity, and squeezing the fun out of whatever the weather throws at you.
Power on the Move: Don’t Get Caught Short
Forget the luxury of unlimited electric hook-ups. If you’re wild camping, stopping in a car park, or just don’t fancy paying for power, you need your own juice supply.
A portable power station is gold. Think of it as a big battery that’ll charge your phone, power your camp lights and keep a fridge running for days. I swear by my EcoFlow Delta 2.
During last summer’s Norfolk coast trip, my fridge and Kindle ticked along fine, despite us being off-grid for four days. Match your station with a folding solar panel and you’re set—even if the skies are a bit stubbornly British.
If you’re going for the basics, start with a good 12V power bank and always keep a few fully-charged USB batteries in the glovebox. Nights without phone torch backup are longer than you think.
Sorted Storage: No More “Where’s My Socks?”
You know what ruins a trip? Rummaging through piles of clutter looking for that one clean pair of socks. Storage is everything, especially in the narrow confines of a VW camper.
A roof rack isn’t just for surfboards—it buys you space inside. If you tour with kids, dogs, or an urge to bring your wetsuit and paddleboard, it’s a must. For valuables or daily items, roof boxes keep gear dry and out of sight.
Inside, compression packing cubes are small wonders. You whack your clothes in, zip them down, and suddenly there’s space you didn’t know you had. I use different colours for each person—no more moaning about missing T-shirts.
Add some flat plastic tubs or fabric boxes for shoes and snacks. Get into the habit of putting everything back into its cube or box—trust me, happy campers have systems.
Comfort Upgrades That Actually Work
One winter in the Lakes, I learned the hard way why thermal blinds matter: they keep the van toasty at night and block the morning sun until you want it. No faff, just suction-cup them on and you’ve got privacy too—a lifesaver in busy lay-bys or campsite queues.
Microfibre towels are another hero. The Eono brand dries you, dries itself, and never picks up that weird stank of wet cotton. They scrunch down tiny, and one “beach size” towel is enough for showers, swimming, and mopping up the odd spill.
Seat covers aren’t sexy, but they’re smart. After three muddy hikes in Devon, my custom-fit covers saved the day—if only my mate’s pale upholstery had the same protection.
Kitchen Smarts and Food Storage
Forget those little cool boxes that sweat your cheese to mush after four hours. A proper portable fridge/freezer—one that runs off 12V or mains—means you can store food safely, whether you’re driving through Cornwall or stuck in Yorkshire traffic.
If your budget’s tight, a well-insulated cool bag with ice packs keeps food chilled for a day trip. Still, if you’re away more than a weekend, the fridge quickly pays off.
Portable electric cookers make campsite breakfasts less chaotic. My go-to is the two-litre Remoska—omelettes, sausage baps, even the odd campsite cake (burnt edges, but it still tasted good).
Keep a “grab bag” with cutlery, a chopping board, sharp knife, and tin opener. Sound obvious? You’ll think otherwise the first time you forget the can opener and stare down a tin of beans, hungry and helpless.
Day-to-Day Gadgets for Easy Living
You’ll thank yourself for packing a collapsible rubbish bin. It’s cleaner and kinder than scrunching a plastic bag in the corner. I use one with a waterproof liner, so if the milk leaks, it doesn’t seep into the carpet—lesson painfully learned in the Welsh drizzle.
A telescopic ladder is the unsung hero for rooftop missions—retrieving the ball, untying gear, or fixing the pop-top. It hides neatly behind the front seats when you’re not clambering about.
On dreary nights, stash away a few compact board games or a pack of cards. Rain will come. Board games make the time fly and help break the ice if you’re camping with friends or the kids.
Security and Safety: Don’t Get Slack
Nobody likes thinking about theft, but a simple wheel clamp or steering lock is cheap peace of mind. I once met a couple at a Peak District site who’d had their beloved T5 pinched. Now, even if I’m just nipping down the pub, the clamp goes on.
A high-power torch is another essential. You can’t rely on your phone’s light when you’re miles from a plug and the rain’s horizontal. The Anker LC90 is tough, USB-rechargeable, and gives you a proper beam for finding the loo or checking a strange noise at 2am.
Add in a set of thermal or blackout screens for privacy and warmth. When you’ve camped in a city lay-by, shielded from people staring in, you’ll see why they’re worth every penny.
Tech and Entertainment (Because It Does Get Boring)
Upgrading your van’s speakers is the classic road trip move. The difference is night and day. I switched to a set designed for my T6, and now even podcasts sound crisp.
A mini projector is a bit of luxury that’s become more popular in the last couple of years. Project a film onto the pop-top or a pull-down screen and you’ve suddenly got a camper cinema. Bring one for rainy nights, and you're everyone’s hero.
A Bluetooth splitter lets you and your partner both watch a film with wireless headphones—so you can enjoy a movie while the kids sleep up top.
VW ID. Buzz: New Tricks for a New Camper
The ID. Buzz is a beauty but it needs its own approach. The boot is huge, but storage tubs and packing cubes still help keep chaos at bay.
New models mean new quirks—check for accessories made just for the Buzz, like snug-fit seat covers, rubber mats, and bespoke blackout blinds. Portable power is still vital, because off-grid trips zap those batteries fast.
Also, if you’re running an electric fridge or projector, look for smart charging leads. The ID. Buzz supports USB-C—it’s worth upgrading cables for speed and reliability.
Quick Tips for Choosing Campervan Accessories
Not every accessory is right for you. Are you wild camping, or mostly parking up at powered sites? Do you travel as a couple, solo, or with kids or a dog? Your needs dictate your kit.
Don’t buy mountains of gear straight away. Test new accessories on short trips. Keep what works, ditch what doesn’t.
Practicality trumps style. Think waterproof, easy-to-clean, multi-use. Always carry spares of things that break (pegs, torches, gas lighters).
And never forget a good towel. I once spent a wet week in Wales with a towel that never dried—ten minutes with a microfibre one, and those soggy, shivery memories are gone.
Last Word: Make Your Camper Work For You
No one wants a van full of stuff they never use. Get VW campervan accessories that fit your life—not some influencer’s idea of a “perfect setup”. Pack smart, keep it tidy, and invest in comfort and safety first.
Most of all, don’t stress about getting it perfect straight away. Every camper has a story about forgetting the bean tin, the blown fuse, or the rain-soaked socks. Learn, laugh, and upgrade as you go.
Out on the road—hair messy, boots muddy, kettle whistling—you’ll quickly find what matters. And if you’ve got a cracking torch and a dry towel, you’re already winning.
If you want gear advice, setup tricks, or honest reviews of what lasts in real British rain, keep reading, or drop us a message. Good luck—and see you round a windy Cornish car park, mug in hand.
