The accessories and equipment for motorhomes options are available when you purchase a brand-new or used motorhome are huge with the marketplace for retrofitted accessories is larger.
A few motorhome accessories are added as extras when choose a new motorhome, and lucky buyers of second-hand motorhomes will benefit from the accessories and gadgets that come with the motorhome. You can also purchase many of the motorhome accessories on the internet and then either install them yourself or get it done by an professional.
What Motorhome Equipment and Add-ons Do You Do You Need?
When making a decision on options and equipment in the process of purchasing a new motorhome or locating the ideal used motorhome think about the amount of weight each option will contribute onto the MRO (maximum running order) that is the weight of the vehicle at the time it leaves the factory.
The greater the MRO the smaller the payload you’ll have for your basic packing list of items you use every day. Get the manufacturer’s list of weights available before you decide on what’s important and what’s good to keep.
Motorhome Equipment List
Automatic Electric Energy Select Fridge
The majority of fridges are now equipped with the AES feature. This means that you won’t have to select manually the power source used to cool your refrigerator. The fridge will select electric if it is connected and gas if not and 12v when you’re driving. It’s actually a useful feature, but it does mean that you don’t need to think about every time you go somewhere or reach an address, to switch your fridge’s settings.
Air Conditioning
Think about how you intend to make use of your motorhome. It’s likely to fall into the “nice to have” category, especially if traveling around Europe or the UK as well as using the campervan for few weeks throughout the year. But, if you’re planning to visit France with your motorhome during August, it could be a must-have.
Air conditioning is a cost-effective addition that requires at minimum 10A of EHU to function effectively If it is less than that, it will shut off. Don’t even think of running your leisure battery unless you have a professional setup! Based on the type of unit you choose, you could also select blowing hot air that can be a good addition to your heating system or even be all you require.
Modern vehicles can be oriented and have a silent mode’ that is suitable for use at night. I’m not convinced they’re all that quiet and, generally speaking after your van has been cooled getting to a comfy temperature, you’ll probably not want your AC on during the night unless you’re sleeping in the cab. It can get very hot and stuffy in hot temperatures.
Awning
According to us, it’s an essential item for sun and weather protection. A awning light that is connected to an internal switch, can also be helpful when you’re cooking or just sitting out in the evening after dark. You’ll need tie-down straps and might be interested in bolt-on options, such as central rafter, sun screen as well as a wind diffuser, and an area for safari that closes the awning from all sides. Thule is the primary manufacturer of motorhome awnings as well as accessories within the UK.
If you tend to camp out in the wild and camp in the wild, you shouldn’t need an awning in the same way as there’s no place where that you’ll have to put it up, or be worried if you’re moving on…that’s our experiences. We have friends who carry large parasols rather than an awning!
It is important to tilt your awning in order for rain to drain away or it will overflow and then collapse. Be sure to ensure that the awning-straps are on when there is a slight possibility of wind. An awning are a costly piece of equipment to be lost.
Bike Rack
There are many kinds of bike racks that will meet every need, including motorhomes and campervans. Research and verify recommendations prior to buying. Generally, you get what you spend for. We recommend Fiamma bike racks.
If you have a towbar, you can buy racks that fit , which means that there is no need to drill into the rear of your vehicle. But, if you’ve got an extended back end, this could make you heavier and could cause you to crash on speed bumps and ferry rides.
It is possible to purchase an appropriate bike cover. This must be fitted with a warning signal attached (as do bikes with covers) in accordance with regulations of the nation that you are traveling in. Fiamma has a wide selection.
Corner Steadies
Sometimes referred to as legs, these rear corner steadyes can be manually lifted or lowered by turning the spindle that is threaded. They are able to contact the ground and offer stability for people who move around the motorhome. It is possible to carry two pieces of wood to put beneath the legs in order to spread the burden.
Electric Step
This basically means that you are able to extend or retract a fixed step to the habitation door electrically (runs from 12 volts). The step is attached to the chassis and then is able to slide down when it is retracted. It is possible to do this in the driver’s chair or via an opening switch on the door. A sound alarm will be activated when you begin to drive to remind you to remove the step before leaving.
External Gas Point
It’s a good thing to have to cook a lot with the Cadac or another similar grill. The point is usually located within a storage space near the front door of the van. It is linked to your gas supply. They are easy to operate and means you don’t require an extra gas bottle.
Heating
Think about how you intend to use your motorhome. If it’s intended for shorter vacations, you will not require heating. If you plan to stay within southern Spain or Portugal on a camping spot equipped with EHU, you could have to use a plug-in oil-filled fan heater or radiator. If you plan to travel to Northern Europe as well as the mountains during the wintermonths, you will certainly require heating.
There is a choice of blowing or wet air. Our experience has shown that wet is definitely the most efficient and comfortable. The blowing air will dry your skin! A system that is wet will provide hot water. It is recommended to consider a system with the boost feature if want a longer shower or have more than two people. Also, you should think about how to obtain gas in Europe Refillable systems are the best, and will be will be discussed further down on the page.
Every heating system requires regular maintenance about 2 times per year, and it will require the same type of fuel. With an 11kg or a 6kg gas bottle, running time for continuous heating is about 48 hours, depending on the system you have. In reality, when you’re hot the van can retain heat for a long time. Our heating has never been on more than two hours per day, even in sub-zero temperatures.
Inverter
Inverters convert your 12V power into 230V, which means it is possible to make use of three pin plug-ins and appliances. We do not use appliances like a toaster or other appliances that consume a lot of energy because they can significantly drain the batteries.
Be aware that certain inverters don’t provide all 230V for each socket. You may have some sockets with 230V and others with 12V sockets. Check what you’re installing and be sure to get an inverter large enough for your requirements.
Leisure Batteries
All motorhomes need a leisure battery. The number, kind and size of the leisure battery will depend on the way you plan to utilize your motorhome. If you’re buying a second-hand motorhome, be sure to check the age of the batteries. The life of batteries is about four to five years, based on the usage and the type.
The batteries are typically recharged automatically when you’re connected to 230V and you are running your engine, and are trickle charged with solar energy, if you are equipped with a solar panel. A regulator is typically installed that manages the various charges and helps keep the batteries in a good condition. Batteries are a complicated matter, speak to an expert who will give more details on batteries.
Visit our motorhome accessories store when shopping for new bits.
Motorhome Levelling
There are many choices here, from simple ramps for leveling to’steadies that made of adjustable legs that are slid down on the back corners to complete all-round hydraulic systems that are operated from the cabin.
Oven & Grill
Certain vans have the (usually) Dometic stack of refrigerator freezers, ovens or microwave. Consider what your campervan’s needs before you go out. The van we had came with an oven, and we have a microwave with a low power inside our clothes! We weren’t sure we’d make use of an oven and certainly not during the summer months but in winter, we’re grateful for it. If you choose to use an oven, you might want to consider including grilling elements. It’s great for toasting in the event that you don’t wish the hassle of carrying around a toaster around, or is off grid a lot.
Satellite Television
Satellites require either a dome or dish and a lot of wiring inside which is why they are best specified when you purchase. More information on satellite TV and streaming tv here. You can also connect to wifi and internet in motorhomes by using a satellite dish which means you can connect to your mobile phone with no costly data. However, it’s not an inexpensive option and is not necessarily effective in the more southern regions that include Europe, Morocco and Turkey.
SOG Toilet
A brilliant invention (unless you own an Thetford Porta Potti!) that eliminates the smelly toilet and reduces the requirement for chemicals. When you open the blade of the toilet (the smooth plastic lid that separates the bowl from the cassette) it creates negative pressure, removing the undesirable odours out of the cassette by letting them escape through the roof or sides of the van, depending the location where your toilet is. This means there’s no need for costly chemicals, no smells. Best is that it’s eco green. We’ve installed this on all of our vans. for us , it’s an essential part of a motorhome.