Top 10 Campervan ESSENTIAL Accessories for Beginners with our VW California Ocean

When we had our first campervan (a VW California T6 Ocean) back in 2018, we wish someone had sat us down and explained what to get as a bit of a starter kit to help us on our way with our vanlife. We cobbled together bits of old camping gear, stuff from the house and over time have replaced most of it for one reason or another.

New stuff comes along all the time but we have shared our top 10 (well, top 11!) campervan essential items. We hope this is helpful and most of these products can be bought from a range of camping shops too.

Here they all are:

Keep a look out for our other new videos coming to the channel soon and a *BIG* thank you to all of our wonderful subscribers. We can’t wait to share more content with you over the coming months.

Take care, sit back and grab yourself some California Time !

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#vwcalifornia #campervan #essentials

[vickilindberg]

My thankful for keeping it short, speaking clearly at a noteable pace, & practical suggestions.

[steverevell-vrxk]

Just bought our first CV and am absolutely thrilled to have found your site. So so helpful thank you

[MrChewed]

Great video guys! Waiting to pick up my T5 Camper next week so already ordering lots of essentials, including the fold up kettle and ridge monkey.

[lisaissberner]

Massive help thankyou, perfect for us as we're new to this, keep them coming x

[OldBobFishing]

Thank you for doing this, its all still very relevant and so helpful to someone like me who is just setting out on his Campervan journey.

[carkdonwah]

Thank you some great tips here. Literally bought our first Campervan yesterday and this is a great guide.

[karenminnis]

Just looked @ yr vdeo for the first time & it's really helpful for newbie campervaners like us. Will be watching more for sure. Thank you

[iancaldwell]

Great video again guys. Really appreciate all the advice.

[alannorman]

Couldn’t agree more about the screen cover. Great video. I like the look of the mozzy killing light too

[kevinsmith]

The windscreen cover is great on campsites, but I'd never recommend fitting one if wild camping or stealth camping, as it's impossible to drive off if your van is attacked or being broke into without getting out of the van door.

[danielheywood]

Very helpful guys! We are awaiting our first ever Cali fingers crossed in November. You have certainly answered some questions I had there ! Great video as always 😁

[rick]

Love it!!! I went straight online for the ridge monkey skillet and they are back ordered. And then I ordered the mosquito light. I just keep adding everything to my Amazon account for the day that I actually get a van! Lol Safe travels my friends I just subscribed.

[shanewaller]

I've just ordered my very 1st vw t6.1 camper van. It is yet to be built so I love watching your videos as it gives me a greater insight into what items I will need to buy before our camper arrives 👍

[heesface]

Thanks guys! Very helpful! “On the brink” of buying our first Cali so thanks again!

[menowpausemartinanowrot]

Big thank you for this video. We have purchased our first camper van and purchased most of your suggested items. Just returned from first night away to test everything and found all of the item brilliant. Only wished we had ordered the fan heater and plug in thermostat, which we are ordering right now 🙂

[moibelgium]

I'm starting to become a big fan of your videos. Now, we too have previously traveled with a small campervan and still do (T4 westfalia california from 1991) and so we already know quite a bit about what to carry around and leave what at home. Still, I enjoy videos like this one of yours now.
Let's think along: collapsible kettle: sure; a second to run on electricity? We don't take with us two items that participate in the same things (and many items better have dual uses). Wine glass: nice (we use smaller ones); the towels: for sure! These are more compact than regular ones and dry very quickly. Good tip for everybody. Porta potti: good that you are talking about it; we too have the same and use it; many have commented on carrying a toilet and indeed you learn that there is a toilet almost everywhere but at night for emergencies it is a must. Ridge Monkey: again this is praised, I may still buy it but my pots and pans set from when I was 18 and still traveled with the tent is not worn out yet. Mosquito light: ok We use candles that keep the critters away, cozy too. We don't have and don't want an awning, so no straps for us. Spare safe: must get one (our T6.1 coast has been ordered but not yet delivered...). For the rest, we don't take any extra things with use on electricity as you described. The bowl is handy, we also have a similar one. We do not use a windscreen (we have only used it once, so no longer with us).
What's in our top 10: certainly cable ties (zip ties/tiewraps), duct tape but also extra cash for emergencies (nicely tucked away).
We take out what we haven't used for a year.
Keep it up, it's nice to see and hear you.
Greetings from Belgium

[joolsdeb]

Nice video, we found it's the little things that make the difference as well. Would add a small 5lt collapsible water carrier for the times you need a little bit more but don't want to move the van, or taking advantage of a public tap.

[tmaz]

Lovely couple, like all your tips. Enjoyed watching

[boshebosh]

Great video. Love the windscreen cover

[JCQ]

Thank you, we've just got a Campervan, and your video is so helpful.