TOP ACCESSORIES TO BUY FOR YOUR CAMPER VAN: THE EXPEDITION LOADOUT
Most gear lists are packed with aesthetic accessories that rattle apart after 500 miles on a washboard road. But when you are 40 miles down a dirt road in a vehicle that weighs over 8,000 pounds, cheap gear is not just an annoyance. It is a liability.
At Forged Vans, we do not build RVs. We build expedition tools. We approach outfitting a van with the exact same engineering mindset we use to build them. Every piece of equipment must serve a specific purpose, withstand dynamic loads, and survive extreme temperature swings.
Whether you are driving a DIY rig, outfitting a stock purchase, or commissioning a custom build like our flagship El Cap model, here is the definitive, engineered list of top accessories to buy for your camper van.
1. THE HEAVY GEAR STORAGE DEBATE: DRAWERS VS. LOCKERS
When you are hauling mountain bikes, crash pads, and wet skis, "Gear Tetris" is unacceptable. You need immediate access to your equipment. You have two primary strategies for heavy storage, and the most capable rigs use a combination of both.
The Internal Gear Drawer: A massive gear garage under the bed is useless if you have to crawl inside on your knees to reach the back. We solve this by installing 78-inch pullout drawers rated for 500 pounds. You pull the drawer out, and your entire loadout is accessible from a standing position. This keeps highly valuable gear locked safely inside the vehicle's footprint.
The External Rear Locker: Some equipment should never cross the threshold of your living space. Muddy recovery straps, firewood, extra diesel fuel, and trash bags belong outside. A hard-mounted external rear locker mounted to your doors keeps the interior clean and frees up premium, climate-controlled space inside the van.
The Modular Foundation (L-Track): For everything else, you need aircraft-grade aluminum L-Track. Running L-Track along your garage floor and walls allows you to secure bikes, skis, and cargo boxes using adjustable ring studs. It gives you the flexibility to change your loadout every single weekend.
2. THE SILENT RIDE: INTERIOR ORGANIZATION
Hard plastic vibrating against hard wood creates noise. If your interior sounds like a drum solo on the highway, it accelerates driver fatigue. To achieve our "Silent Ride" standard, you need to rethink how you pack your everyday items.
Soft Storage Baskets: Inside our hand-scribed bamboo cabinetry, we specifically use soft woven or thick felt baskets. They absorb vibration, conform to the shape of the cabinet, and prevent your loose items from transferring kinetic energy into the van's framing.
Mechanical Latches: Forget standard RV push-buttons. Use marine-grade metal locking latches or electromagnetic locks. If a drawer does not click into place with heavy mechanical authority, it will violently slide open on a steep grade.
3. SELF-RELIANCE: EXTERIOR RECOVERY GEAR
A 170" wheelbase Sprinter is a heavy, top-heavy machine. A standard AAA card does not work on BLM land. You are your own recovery team.
MaxTrax Recovery Boards: Do not buy cheap knock-offs. When an 8,500lb van sinks into deep sand or mud, brittle plastic boards shatter under the weight. Authentic MaxTrax flex under pressure and provide the friction needed to self-recover.
A Real Metal Spade: Leave the plastic folding shovels at home. Carry a high-carbon steel spade. You will need it for digging out tires, managing campfires, and backcountry waste disposal.
4. EXTERIOR UTILITY: LADDERS, RACKS, & AWNINGS
Your van's exterior is prime real estate. Utilizing it correctly keeps the interior livable.
Side or Rear Ladders: A ladder is not just an aesthetic choice. If you have 900W of solar panels on your roof, they will get covered in dust, pollen, and snow. A side ladder, like the aluminum systems we use from Owl Vans, gives you safe access to clean your panels. Dirty panels do not generate power.
The Awning: A high-quality, wind-rated awning expands your living footprint by 100%. It is strictly essential for managing sun exposure in the desert and providing a dry staging area in the Pacific Northwest.
5. ILLUMINATION: DRIVING AND AREA LIGHTS
Factory headlights are engineered for paved highways. They are dangerously inadequate for identifying wildlife or trail washouts at 2:00 AM.
Bumper & Ditch Lights: High-lumen, forward-facing LED pods mounted to a front bumper allow you to see the exact edges of the trail.
Dimmable Exterior Area Lights: When you pull into camp late, you need 360-degree visibility to check for hazards. Dimmable LED exterior lights with remote control allow you to set up camp safely, and then dial the brightness down to avoid blinding your neighbors.
6. CLIMATE CONTROL & WINTER MOISTURE
Glass is a thermal bridge. In the winter, it pulls heat out. In the summer, it creates a greenhouse. Furthermore, human breathing generates massive amounts of condensation, which leads to rust and mold if not managed.
Magnetic Window Covers: We recommend brands like Vanessential. Suction cups fail when the glass gets cold. Magnetic covers with internal insulation block UV rays and trap heat.
Maxxair Ventilation Fans: Moving air is mandatory. A Maxxair exhaust fan pulling air out, combined with a cracked window pulling dry air in, is the only way to manage condensation during winter ski trips.
Note on Insulation: Gear can only do so much. The van itself must be built right. We use hydrophobic Havelock Wool because it naturally manages moisture without degrading.
7. THE GALLEY: COOKING WITHOUT CHAOS
Eating real meals on the road requires specific equipment.
Stackable Induction Cookware: If you are running an off-grid 3000W inverter and a flush-mount dual induction cooktop, you need heavy-bottomed, induction-compatible pots. Buy a high-quality stackable set with removable handles. It saves premium drawer space and stops the rattling.
Silicone Mats: Cut thin silicone mats to line your kitchen drawers. It stops plates and cups from sliding during transit.
8. THE REALITY OF CAMPER VAN TOILETS
This is the most highly debated accessory in van design. Your choice dictates your maintenance routine.
Cassette Toilets: The standard. Easy to use, but requires finding an RV dump station or a willing public restroom to empty a heavy tank of black water and chemicals.
Composting Toilets: Separates liquid and solid waste. Uses peat moss or coco coir to eliminate smell. Excellent for true off-grid living, but requires ongoing management of the composting medium.
Dry Flush Systems: The modern solution. It seals waste in mylar bags automatically. Extremely clean and zero smell, but requires buying proprietary refill cartridges. Choose based on how far off-grid you actually intend to go.
9. POWER MANAGEMENT & CONNECTIVITY
"Range anxiety" applies to electricity just as much as diesel. If you don't know exactly what your systems are drawing, you are guessing.
Victron SmartShunt / Remote System Monitor: Black box power systems are a liability. You need a visual interface that shows exactly how many amps your 110L Dometic fridge is pulling versus how many amps your solar is generating. Visibility is survival. We hardwire Victron monitors so you always know your status.
Starlink Integration: For the remote worker or digital nomad, cellular hotspots are no longer enough. Wiring a Starlink system directly into your van's 12V DC system (bypassing the inefficient AC router) is mandatory for working from deep in the backcountry.
THE FORGED SPEC SHEET: QUICK TAKEAWAYS
If you are auditing your gear closet today, start here:
Storage Philosophy: Decide what lives inside versus outside. Upgrade to 500lb drawer slides for the garage and use L-Track everywhere else.
Quiet The Cabin: Swap hard bins for soft woven baskets inside your cabinetry.
Exterior Defense: Buy authentic MaxTrax, a steel spade, and install a side ladder for roof/solar access.
Thermal Control: Invest in magnetic, insulated window covers to stop thermal bridging through the glass.
Power Transparency: Install a Victron system monitor. Know your electrical consumption down to the exact amp.
Gear is only as good as the vehicle carrying it. Whether you are outfitting a weekend hauler or sizing up an expedition rig like The Denali, choose components engineered to outperform.
