Campervan Modifications to Consider

With time, you will learn what works for you and what doesn’t.

Changes in weather, terrain, and preferences often fuel the need to make periodic upgrades on the van. First time van lifers always come up with modifications to make their lives easier and more comfortable once they hit the road. This is because the practical side of van life gives insights into what works better, depending on personal needs and preferences. Therefore, not all mods work for everyone, but most of them can come in handy. 

Spare Batteries

Every solar kit comes with its own batteries. The rule of thumb is to purchase a system with a power capacity of double your daily consumption.

You may soon realize that you need additional heavy duty batteries to back up power because there are times when your power consumption exceeds your daily plan. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere without power because you did not purchase a backup battery! You will quickly discover that when you are on the road, anything can happen, so always be prepared.

Surge Protectors

When wiring your van, chances are you used standard sockets. While this helps get your gadgets powered up, they do not offer protection against surge overloads, which means that your laptop, TV, cell phone and any other device can be easily damaged if an overload happens when they are plugged in. If you are constantly using electronic devices, you may want to keep them safe by installing surge protectors. You can hard-wire a surge protector on the power grid or on individual power outlets. It is advisable to install a hard-wired protector where electricity runs into the rig to protect the entire system.

The Vent Fans

Most fan vents depreciate pretty quickly and may need changing from time to time. The frequency at which you change the fan will depend on the quality of your choice. Since the fans are always running to improve airflow in the van, they tend to breakdown easily. You can decide to upgrade to a super-powerful fan, especially if you began your journey with a basic fan vent.

LED Lighting

If you did not start out with LED lighting, you might want to make the switch eventually because LED lighting is lightweight, easy to install, and consumes up to 90% less energy than conventional incandescent lights. The best part is that you can dim, brighten and control the infra-red lighting, and their lifespan is up to 22 years! You can have LED lights everywhere, including under the bed, in storage boxes, cabinets, etc.

Signal Boosters

If you took up van life to get a break from the fast-paced tech-invaded life, you probably don’t want or need a signal booster and can just rely on a cellphone for emergencies. But if you regularly want to keep up with loved ones, or need internet to work on your laptop, signal boosters are essential, especially if you are planning a long-term expedition to places with weak phone and internet signals. You can shop around for boosters that improve cell phone networks and enhance Wi-Fi.

The Showerheads and Faucets

With time, you will likely realize that you’d like your water supply to last longer. This is where the showerhead and faucets come in. You can get showerheads that increase water pressure while maintaining the preferred temperature, which reduces the amount of water you use to shower. The same goes for kitchen faucets that allow you to accomplish your kitchen duties with efficient water usage. These mods are simple, offer comfort, and make a big difference in the long run, thanks to their efficiency.

Bathroom Storage

If you do not have enough space in your shower area, you can improvise storage spaces. One brilliant idea is a multi-product dispenser. They take up less space and keep products handy when you need them. You can have a 4 or 6 product dispenser in your bath area. A basic holder allows you to store up shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and lotion in a compact, easy-to-refill dispenser.

The Living Room Upgrade

With time, you may feel the need to change things up a bit. Re-upholstering your sofas or benches and adding more color can perk up the appearance of your living spaces. You may have friends who occasionally want to accompany you on your adventure, which calls for an extra bed. If your current bed cannot fit an extra guest, you can upgrade your living area to convert to a sleeping area. This starts with adequate upholstery to keep the surface comfortable. You can have a height-adjustable table, or upholster it altogether so that the entire unit easily converts to a bed when the need arises.

Improved Shelving

The kitchen area can quickly become a mess without storage space optimization. You can install shelving in your cabinets to create extra storage space for dishes and food items. Adding baskets or other organizational containers also helps make good use of the available cabinet space. These simple and affordable modifications can make a big difference!

Under the Cabinet Storage Space

You can also create a simple rack under the kitchen cabinets to store your spices and other dry kitchen ingredients and free up the cabinet space for other items. 

Mounts and Rooftop Storage Boxes

As you continue to explore, you may acquire more gear than you have space for. Before you start getting rid of things you may want or need, here is an idea: mounts and rooftop storage boxes! You can mount racks pretty much anywhere; on the side of the van, on the rear bumper, or on the rooftop. You can also get yourself a rooftop storage box for gear that cannot fit in the van’s indoor storage space. 

All Terrain Tires

While some do not need all terrain tires, they are essential for avid adventurers. These tires will help you access off-the-beaten path locations without fear of getting stuck. All-terrain tires also provide a softer, quieter ride. The extra traction helps increase safety as well. 

There is no end to the number of mods and upgrades you make to your campervan. Some mods are easy and affordable while others may be complicated and eat into a good chunk of your savings. Regardless of where you are at, it is important that you are safe and comfortable in your motorhome. Make as many modifications as you deem fit to suit your particular needs.