Essential Technology Gadgets & Upgrades for Full-Time Vanlife
In this post, I'll go over the essential gadgets and tech for full-time motorhome living. I regularly get asked things like 'what tech do I need for full-time vanlife' or 'what is your favourite gadget for living in the motorhome ?' so I've compiled them into this post.
It's broken down in to sections to make it easier and some sections will have affiliate links. The products don't cost you anything extra, I will just make a small (and I mean small) commission, which in turn goes towards my travel content creation costs.
1: Power Essentials
One of the most important things to look at when living in a van full-time is power, especially if you are going to be off-grid a lot of the time. Everything in your van or motorhome will use power. From your heater fans, to your lights to your electric step. On top of that you will no doubt have electronics like laptops and phones to keep charged so you want to make sure you have a decent set up. A basic set up will consist of a solar panel, controllers and chargers and a leisure battery (sometimes multiple depending on people's power needs).
There are other, less permanent solutions such as power banks, which I cover later. But to be honest, if you have no intention of changing your van any time soon, you can't beat an install. It takes the stress away when you can generate your own power.
My personal solar setup on the roof consists of 3x 160-watt rigid solar panels. These panels feed into a Victron based system, which includes an MPPT charge controller and a Victron Charger. I also have a 30-amp DC to DC battery charger. I then have 1x 230AH Ecotree lithium leisure battery. Since going over to lithium, I've not had any battery anxiety.
Lithium batteries are a big investment but are also a game-changer for full-time, off-grid living. They give me peace of mind and I know many fellow van-lifers who also rely on the same technology for off-grid power supply.
My original install was carried out by Oaktree Motorhomes. I've recently had it upgraded by the team at BlueFix Energy Solutions, who use Eco Tree Leisure batteries, supplied by Oaktree. They assessed what I needed and took care of the install.
If you're looking for a full system and would like me to help secure you a personal discount from BlueFix, email me at solar@theurbanmotorhome.com
2: Internet and Wi-Fi
Staying connected is vital in modern travel. Gone are the days of paper maps, now we rely on apps and sat navs for navigation, campsite bookings and looking up park ups, as well as keeping in touch with loved ones when we're on the road.
An average set up will include a router of some kind and sometimes a booster aerial too. I use a Netgear M1 Nighthawk router because I need fast and reliable internet access. I also have a booster aerial on the roof. This setup is almost critical for people like myself who who work remotely, upload content, or need consistent internet access on the go.
Of course the setup could be as simple as a mobile dongle or wi-fi hot spot. It could even just be hot-spotting off of your mobile phone. It depends on what you need, how many devices you have and your budget.
The other element you will require is a data plan. I have a dedicated pre-paid sim for my mobile internet as it offers me large amounts of data each month but is a fixed price for 18 months. Some people have data plan contracts for their mobile router. Again, it could also be as simple as you hot spot off of your existing mobile phone and just use the data allowance from your phone contact. As before, it all depends on what you need, how many devices you have and your budget.
Whatever the set-up, internet access and mobile wi-fi in the motorhome is definitely essential.
3: Entertainment
Some want a simpler, quiter life living in a motorhome or campervan but nearly everybody will want some form of digital entertainment device. Be it a TV, an iPad, a laptop or even just your phone, there are many ways you can access digital entertainment.
Personally, I got rid of the TV that came with my motorhome because I didn't use it enough and it was taking up space and weight. I prefer to use my Galaxy Tab S7 Plus or my iPad for streaming shows, films and YouTube.
As I said, I found having a dedicated TV a bit of a waste of space. A portable device offers more flexibility and portability which is perfect for vanlife. Plus having a device that has various uses makes it a more versatile piece of kit.
I also have an Amazon Alexa as part of my setup, providing voice-activated convenience!
4: Vlogging and Content Creation
For those of us who document their van life journey and travels through vlogging or content creation, having the right gear is essential. Now I used to use a dedicated camera for vlogging but have slimmed down my kit in recent months. Mainly to save on how much stuff I have to carry around.
Of course its completely individual choice as to how big you want your vlogging kit to be and so I'll share what I used to use to give you an idea.
I used to film with a Sony ZV-1 camera, mainly for the awesome colour science and autofocus. In addition, I used a Rode Wireless Go II microphone. The twin pack was versatile and the extra mic (it was a 2-pack) was great for interviews, vlogging, and capturing sound effects.
Now I just use my iPhone 14 pro max for filming. The technology has moved so far forward that I can film quality content on my phone and I can capture portrait or landscape mode in one device (which is great for multiple platforms).
I still use wireless mics but have changed to DJI Mics that plug straight in to the bottom of my iPhone. They are also smaller and lighter than the Rode ones, plus they come in their own charging case, which makes them more practical.
I still use a MacBook Pro and Final Cut Pro for editing.
5: Cooking Gadgets
I love food and enjoy cooking up nice food. Just because I live in a motorhome, doesn't mean I have to scrimp on my cooking gadgets. In addition to the gas hob, I have a couple of electric cooking options that I use most of the time. In fact I hardly use my hob to cook now.
I have an air fryer which is a game-changer for cooking a variety of meals, from bacon and boiled eggs to mini-pizzas. To complement this, I have an induction hob, adding to the convenience and versatility of my electric cooking setup.
My other favourite gadget is an ice maker. Seriously! It's perfect in the summer for keeping drinks ice cold. Trust me, everyone wants to visit my motorhome in the hot weather to keep their cider cool.
Appliances like this are why my power set up is even more essential to me. It enables me to have gadgets like this that make motorhome living more comfortable and mean I can still cook as I want.
Of course you don't have to have this setup. If you prefer to cook on gas or don't have the power for electric cooking off-grid, there are still great gadgets like an Omnia oven or a RidgeMonkey (which I used all the time). They allow you more flexibility with gas cooking, especially if you don't have an oven in your van.
6: Power Banks and EcoFlow
For full-time vanlife, a reliable source of power is invaluable. I mentioned this above and talked about solar installs but I also mentioned power banks. Sometimes they are referred to as power stations or battery powered generators (just not noisy or smelly like actual generators).
Now, you could use one of these as your only power supply (in addition to the manufacturer fitted leisure battery which runs the basics on the van). This would be ideal in situations where you are not keeping your van for long therefore you'll want to take your power supply with you, you are not keen on installing components on your van or you are working to a budget.
They are also a great complement to full-time vanlife, even if you have a full solar install. They are great for things like running your cooking appliances so you can cook outside, plugging in devices if you're working outside or for in the van if there are no plug sockets in a certain area. They also make a great back up power source if anything ever went wrong with your main power. In the winter, having one of these is a good supplement for poor solar days.
Alongside my power install, I use a range of power banks, specifically EcoFlow ones. These portable power banks come in various sizes, starting with the EcoFlow Mini, all the way up to the powerhouse EcoFlow Delta Max. There are other makes of power station available. but in my experience, EcoFlow stations have performed the best and are the ones I currently use. I particularly like their rapid charging capabilities and high wattage output. As I mentioned, these devices can power a wide range of appliances, making them great for need extra power while on the road.
Conclusion
Living full-time in a van is wicked and provides a sense of freedom. I think the key to making it work seamlessly is the right technology. All of these gadgets and devices, I. use myself or know of others who use them. There is no reason you can't live comfortably and how you want in a van, the right appliances for you will turn your van into a true home on wheels. If you're considering this lifestyle or just looking for ways to upgrade your current setup, take inspiration from these essential tech gadgets for full-time van life.