Whether you’ve got a retro V-Dub or an all-singing-all-dancing Hymer, nothing beats hitting the road in a camper van. You might be short on space, but that’s no reason not to take some home comforts along with you to make your trip even better. Here’s our pick of the 11 must-have camper van gadgets that let you enjoy every moment even more.

1) Swedish candle log

Forget about those scratchy portable BBQs that are bad for the planet. Every cool camper van needs a Swedish candle log instead. These are logs with notches down the side and a hollowed out middle. The Swedish Army developed them as a method to cook in the snow. Light a fire inside and it will burn for hours providing heat and somewhere to heat your beans. Find out how to make one here.

2) Air filled lounger

Chill and relax with no need to huff and puff with an air-filled lounger. They’re ideal for lounging at the beach or campsite. You can even fall asleep on one. Packing neatly into a 1kg bag, all you need is a little space to run and inflate it. Hold the bag open, run around to fill the chambers with air, then twist and close and you’re ready to loaf. See how easy it is here.

3) Solar portable power hub

You might be escaping the rat-race and going off-grid for a couple of days, but that doesn’t mean you want to leave your smartphone behind. This camper van gadget is a must, especially if you’ve got teenagers in tow and there’s no hook-up at your site. When it’s connected to a solar panel, the Goal Zero Lighthouse is a multi-tasking miracle. It provides light up to 400 lumens for late-night games of Scrabble and has a 1.5A USB output to deliver enough power to recharge phones and tablets.

4) Compression bags

If you don’t have enough storage in your camper van to take all the clothes you’d like, compression bags are an elegant solution. Letting you carry more stuff in less space, it also helps keep dirty or wet clothes separated. And that can reduce the chances of you heading out in the same socks you wore yesterday.

5) Gas stovetop toaster

What’s more English than toast and marmalade for breakfast? Enjoy your bread grilled to perfection when you’re away with a stovetop toaster. It neatly folds to squeeze into the smallest spaces for easy packing and opens to hold up to four slices at a time.

6) Portable electric shower

If your campervan doesn’t have a shower and you don’t want to restrict yourself to sites with facilities, a compact electric shower is what you need. Choose one that can be charged by USB (and pair with a power hub) for a refreshing jet of warm water whether you’re at the beach or festival. You can even use it for the dog or to clean your bikes too.

7) Lightweight, portable hammock

Be the coolest king of the swingers with a lightweight hammock. Neatly packing down to maximise space in the van, all you’ll need is to find two trees (or one long branch) to string it up to.

8) Wacaco Nanopresso

Travels in your camper van do not mean going without your favourite shot of morning caffeine. Small but perfectly formed, the Wacaco Nanospresso delivers an impressive 18 bars (261 psi) of pressure for delicious coffee on the go. All you need to do is add boiling water and pump by hand.

9) Park4Night App

Get recommendations on where to camp, including free sites, with the Park4Night app. There’s a free or paid-for version, and you can search to find what’s near you.

10) Manual food chopper

If you’re the sort of camper that is not satisfied with just a tin of beans and packet of crisps, add a manual food chopper to your kitchen. That way you can chop, blend and puree to your heart’s content without the need for power.

11) Camper van insurance

Not strictly a gadget, camper van insurance is none-the-less an essential for guaranteeing your road trip is the best it can be. With it, you can hit the road safe in the knowledge everything that could go wrong is covered. From roadside assistance in Europe to peace of mind expensive kit is covered against theft, the best camper van insurance lets you relax and enjoy every minute.

From festival fields to the wilderness, your campervan is the best way to get out and about exploring this summer. Enjoy a road trip in comfort with camper van gadgets that make your four wheels a real home from home.

The yellow of daffodils illuminating gardens and hedgerows is a sure sign that warmer weather is just around the corner. For campervan owners that means it won’t be long until you can head back out on the road. So grab your scrubbing brush and hold on to your dipstick: here are our top 9 tips to get your campervan summer ready.

1) Get scrubbing

First, start with the outside. Scrub away the dirt accumulated over the winter months. Polish. Then stand back and think about all the admiring glances you’ll be getting when you park up at the campsite this season. But giving your campervan a good clean is more than just a chance to get it looking its best. It will also get you up close to the paintwork to check for any signs of rust or deterioration of the seals around the glass or lights.

2) Are you ready to go?

There’s no point having a gleaming campervan if it won’t go. Leaving your campervan over winter could have left the batteries flat unless it’s been hooked up to a trickle charger. Now is the time to get behind the wheel and try to start her up!

3) Other essentials

Before you set off on your adventures it’s also wise to check oil levels and fill it up if needed. Checking the lights are all working too can give you peace of mind that you won’t discover only one light is working when you’re negotiating a dark Cornish lane.

4) Tyres

Whilst they may not have got any wear whilst being parked up over winter, you still need to check your tyres. Look for signs like cracking to see if the tyre wall is starting to perish. If it is, it’s worth replacing tyres sooner rather than later as you don’t want to risk a blow-out. Also check your tyre pressure, as being parked up can lead to pressure dropping. If you drive with your campervan tyres too low, it can lead to uneven wear and could even increase your fuel consumption! And don’t forget to check your spare too.

5) What about on the inside?

Your campervan might be clean and the engine working well, but is it somewhere you really want to sleep in? Water leaks and condensation can lead to mould and mildew. So pull on your rubber gloves and clean out the inside. You also need to try and keep it dry to stop the problem coming back. Have a really good look around to see if you can spot where water is getting in so you can fix it. Window and door seals are the most common culprits. And try using some dehumidifying crystals to reduce moisture in the air too.

6) Water and waste

Mould and mildew may also have infiltrated your water and waste systems over the cooler months. Flush out systems and give them all a good clean.

7) Fire safety

It’s wise to carry a fire extinguisher in your van so you can deal with any emergencies quickly. But did you know fire extinguishers have a limited life span? Check it’s still in date and if not, make sure you replace it. It could save your life.

8) Paperwork essentials

Finally, before you head off on the open road, don’t forget to check your paperwork is all up to date. You’ll need a valid MOT, road tax, and insurance. If these are not in order, you risk hefty fines that will be a sure way to ruin your trip away. You can check if your MOT is still valid here. And find out if your vehicle tax has run out here.

Specialist campervan insurance will ensure you’re covered for some of the extras you might not have thought about, like your awning or generator. And for a stress-free road trip, take out breakdown cover at the same time. Then, you’ll know that even if you breakdown you can travel on to your destination or home without any hassle.

9) Finding cheap campervan insurance you can count on

Shopping around is always the first step towards finding the best price for your insurance. But your campervan is a specialist vehicle, and standard car insurance won’t cut it. That means it can be hard to know where to start looking for campervan insurance. And it can be time-consuming to call around or fill in multiple online forms.

Why choose Easy2Insure?

• We’re independent insurance brokers, so our job is to shop around on your behalf to find you the best price – saving you time and hassle
• Our expert advisors truly understand the specific insurance needs of campervan, motorhome and caravan owners. For your peace of mind, we’ll make sure any extras you need are covered
• We are part of the highly respected Park Insurance Group, so we’re in a great position to negotiate cheap insurance deals from top UK insurance companies
• Whether you only want your campervan insurance for home or you need European or worldwide cover, we can source it
• We’re here 24/7 to answer your questions and help you

Call us on 0800 917 9522 or get in touch today for your free, no-obligation quote.

Us Brits took nearly 4 million trips in our campervans and motorhomes in 2015. But not all journeys run smoothly. Luckily there’s insurance for that. Read our 7 fundamental rules you can’t afford to ignore when it comes to campervan insurance and get peace of mind at the best price.

1) Always shop around

First and foremost, always shop around. If you simply renew your annual insurance you’re likely to be paying above the odds. Take the time to call as many insurance companies as you can or use an expert insurance broker like Easy2Insure to do the leg-work for you. The other benefit of using a broker is that you can be certain there won’t be any surprises lurking in the small print.

2) Be a safe driver

The longer you’ve been without a claim, the bigger the discount you can negotiate on your motorhome insurance. Safe driving and knowing and sticking to the speed limits so you don’t have any penalties on your licence is a must. There are other steps you can take, like carrying out regular maintenance and improving security when your camper is at home, to help reduce the likelihood of making a claim.

3) Choose insurance tailored to how you use your campervan

Look for campervan insurance that lets you tailor your policy to the way you use your RV. If you’re only likely to use it for one trip this year, and stay in the UK there is no point paying out extra for a policy that covers you for unlimited miles anywhere in the world.

4) Market value is not always enough

Just like classic cars, if you’re lucky enough to drive a classic campervan you need a specialist insurance policy that recognises an agreed value for your vehicle. If you don’t, you could find yourself out of pocket if you need to make a claim. Depending on the wear and tear and mileage on your camper, you might also want to consider a new for old replacement policy. This means you’ll insure the cost of buying a new motorhome, not the market value. Your insurance broker can advise you on the best options for you.

5) It can be cheaper to buy your breakdown cover with your insurance

Breakdown cover is often included with motorhome insurance and can be a cost-effective way to purchase this peace of mind for when you’re on the road. But always double-check what level of cover you’re being offered and make sure it is enough for your needs. If not, it is normally possible to buy a more sophisticated policy.

6) Check your contents are covered

When buying your campervan insurance remember that things inside are not always covered as standard. Awning and generators are rarely considered part of the vehicle for insurance cover, but won’t cost much more to add on to your policy. And don’t forget the cost of other contents – from your dinner service to your e-bike – can quickly mount up.

7) Are you legal?

Last of all, no matter how comprehensive your insurance cover, you can come unstuck if you ignore the law. You’ll need a full, valid driving licence to drive any campervan under 3.5 tonnes in the UK. If your motorhome exceeds this, you’ll need a category C1 extension to your driving licence or your insurance will be invalid. If you need to find a weighbridge to check your load before you set off on a trip, use this online locator.

Campervan insurance for peace of mind and happy holidays

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. The cheapest insurance can end up costing you more in the long run. But, you can still get an affordable deal on your campervan insurance when you follow these golden rules.

Our team at Easy2Insure understands the specific need of our customers with campervans and motorhomes. We use this knowledge and our understanding of insurance to find you the best price on your campervan insurance. We focus on value for money, making sure there are no surprises in the small print that could end up ruining your holiday. For more information, or for a free quote on your campervan or motorhome insurance call 0800 917 9522 or get a quote online.