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 essential things you will need to live comfortably in your bus or van. We’ve come up with a handy list of van-life conveniences to get you thinking about life on the road. Everyone has a different idea of what things they’ll need to get by, but there’s definitely a lot to think about when trying to optimize your tiny mobile home.

When you live tiny, 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? Will you use it every day or just sometimes? Can it be multifunctional? Multifunctional is key when living tiny.

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 tinier 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

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 finding 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 real 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 rigs are wired with regular house lights, so the reason for this recommendation is because there will be times that you need a little light and don’t want to turn your overhead lights on (for ex. 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. Hooks and Shelves

Being able to hang things and get them up off the ground/ 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.

4. A Portable Charging Box

There are lots of options on the market for portable battery charging stations. Having ones 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.  

5. Cabinet / Drawer Locks and Organizers

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.

6. 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 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 motor-home, 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.

7. 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 RV, you need to pair your bed with custom bedding for a perfect fit. With tailored bedsheets and mattress protectors from a trusted manufacturer, you don’t have to settle for bad-fitting mattress essentials.

8. Thermal Black-Out Shades

Depending on how many windows and doors you have; you should really consider a black-out shade for privacy at night. You can step it up a notch by ensuring it’s thermal as well so they can help stabilize the inside temperature of your rig so your heat/ac isn’t lost through your windows.

9. 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.

10. 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 so you’re able to keep your doors open and not worry about pesky little bugs making their way in.

11. Portable Shower

Having a portable shower is important, not necessarily to shower with, but to be able to rinse off your feet and gear after adventuring. It’s a great way to help keep the inside as clean as possible, though dirt is 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 of your door. Having a little outside rug also makes your camp feel a bit homier.

Happy and safe travels, friends!