Ideas to Customise a Campervan: alloy wheels, solar panels, and more!

organising clothes in a small camper

Looking for a few ideas to ideas to customise a campervan? Having had our campervan for over 12 years now we have slowly converted it to adapt to our growing family. With three children and now two golden retrievers in tow, space is tight and we need a campervan that remains both stylish but practical. We continue to adapt and personalise our camper as the years go on. Solar panels are definitely next for us!

Here are few awesome ideas to customise a campervan – to ensure it is comfortable, style and practical.

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A few ideas for your campervan upgrade!

Here are a few way to upgrade you campervan including alloy wheels, siding a pop top, solar panels and more!

Alloy Wheels 

One of the FIRST things that my husband did when we purchased our VW panel van was to add alloy wheels. Alloy wheels are generally a popular upgrade for campervans, offering improved aesthetics, handling, and durability. Alloy wheels can really enhance the look of your campervan and there are wide range of options, designs and colours to ensure your camper looks great. Looking for top-rated alloy wheels? Explore Wheel Guys’ website

Pop top roof

The pop top roof was a game changer for our vanlife with kids. We initially opted for a hammock over the front seats of the campervan but as our family has grown, we really needed to the additional sleeping space without having to take awning with us on all of our travels. Everyone asks how we sleep five in our VW T5 – it is possible, but space is tight!

An elevated roof increases the amount of space available within your van, and a sleeper roof enables you to sleep additional people.

ideas to customise a campervan

Bike Rack – Rear-mounted for easy access.

Hubby spent hours and hours searching for a rear mounted bike rack that could fit four bikes on. I won’t mention that my bike is a traditional bike with a basket and takes up so much space. It is not particularly comfortable to ride either but we won’t go there….

There are a few great options for rear mounted bike racks from Thule to Atera.

ideas to customise a campervan

Awnings

There are so many options for awnings depending on your needs. We opted for a Fiamma awning that is fixed to the campervan and winds out. This provides shelter from the elements and has been a great addition to our van conversion. You can also opt for a driveway awning and we have used a few over time. Not only do driveway awnings significantly increase living space, but they can provide additional sleeping areas, and weather protection – very much required for vanlife in the UK!!

Solar panels

Next on the list for a campervan upgrade is solar panels. Solar power offers the independence and sustainability to live off-grid which is our dream. Solar panels can help charge your devices, run lights, and power appliances while you’re out exploring.

Another solution is to try out a portable solar panel and generator such as the Jackery model.

Sale
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2+ 200W Solar Panel Portable Power Station(2024 New),1070Wh LiFePO4 Battery,1500W AC/100W USB-C Output, 1 Hr Fast Charge, Solar Generator for Outdoor Camping
  • Next-gen Power: Experience a leap in power with Jackery’s upgraded Portable Power Station, and 50%…
  • Faster & Safer: The Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station offers lightning fast 1-hour charging,…
  • Upgraded Performance: Jackery’s Solar Generator boasts mega 1500W AC output and 3000W surge peak,…
  • Outdoor & Emergency Power Supply: Featuring 6 charging ports – 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A, 1 DC Car Port, and…
  • Smart App Control: Smart App Control: Easily monitor battery status via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and…
  • Sustainable & Green Energy: Built for the great outdoors, the IP68 waterproof and dustproof solar…

Diesel Heater

IF you are planning to use your campervan all year round a diesel heater is a worthwhile addition to your campervan conversion

They offer efficient and reliable heating and can really make the difference when camping off-season.

ideas to customise a campervan

Under bed cupboards/drawers

When you are converting a campervan, really do think of storage solutions including underbed cupboards or drawers, wardrobes, etc as it can change change the way you vanlife and maximise storage.

Packing cubes are also a game changer!

Sale
OSDUE Packing Cubes for Suitcase, 8PCS Thickening Travel Organiser Packing Bags Lightweight Travel Accessories Organizers Essentials Clothes Shoes Cosmetics Toiletries Storage Bags
  • 👒LUGGAGE STORAGE SET——8 in 1 travel storage bag for clothes, shoes, and cosmetics. There are…
  • 👒LARGE CAPACITY AND PORTABILITY——travel storage bags have mesh storage bags, shoelaces,…
  • 👒CLASSIFICATION AND SPACE SAVING——the luggage storage set can divide clothes into different…
  • 👒HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS——the travel cube has a high-quality waterproof lining fabric, which…
  • 👒PERFECT TRAVEL ACCESSORIES——the travel luggage storage set is a perfect travel accessory and…
Packing Cubes for Suitcase,Geediar 9 PCS Travel Luggage Packing Organizers Waterproof Travel Essentials Bag Clothes Shoes Cosmetics Toiletries Storage Bags(a-Grey)
  • 9 Pcs Super Value Travel Packing Set: The set include 3 packing cubes with see through mesh top for…
  • Buckle Design: Clothes Bag Set can store and classify clothing, dirty linen, underwear, shoes,…
  • Top Visible Mesh Design: With mesh material on the top of the travel luggage organizers, transparent…
  • High Quality and Durable: Suitcase Organizer is made of high quality nylon fabric, with exquisite…
  • Wide Application: The organiser bags set has a grab handle easy to carry. Super light and…

We had a large cupboard under our rock n roll bed and store non essential items or bulky items that we don’t need every day items such as wetsuits, laundry, lifejackets, camping chairs etc. It keeps items out the way and off the floor, I can’t cope with an untidy van!

Guernsey in a campervan


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