Category: Gear

9mm Fork Mount

We use these to transport our old road bikes (QR 9mm axle, not a thru-axle)

Thru-axle Fork Mount

We use these to transport our mountain bikes

Prestaflator

We use this with our compressor to inflate bike tires as well as the van tires. I like the digital pressure guage

Hiking Backpacks

We each have one of these. Great day pack. One of the most comfortable packs I’ve owned. Mike uses a size large, Tracey uses a size medium.

Emergency Survival Shelter

I keep one of these in my pack just in case we need it.

Mosquito head net

This works pretty well when hiking in bug infested areas.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

We each have one of these. Makes it really easy to hang up in the van to access. But works even better when you take it to the gym or into a campground shower.

Roll-up Tool Pouch

We use this to store our silverware. We hang it on the back of the passenger seat.

Storage Bins

We bought some project case/bins like these from Costco. We use them to store small items. Some are used for food, some for 8020 hardware, some for carabiners and straps. I like how they stack.

Trunk Organizer

We got this trunk organizer from Costco. We use it to store some water bottles, kettle, Bluetooth speaker, Yeti drinkware, etc.

USB Chargers

We use a couple of different USB chargers. I like these multi-port chargers. where you can charge several devices with only one thing plugged into the wall outlet.

Phone Mount and Coiled iPhone Cable

We use these to connect a phone and mount it above the dash. The coiled cable plugs into the USB port on the dash and the cable stays out of the way. We use Apple CarPlay and Google Maps on just about every trip in the van.

USB Cables

We use these longer cables for devices in the back of the van. Useful if you want to plug to recharge your phone while using it lying in bed.

OBD Cable

FORScan is a very useful tool for changing settings in Ford vehicles. This OBD (Onboard Diagnostics) cable will allow you to both read and write any of the settings supported by FORScan. Not all cables support all settings but this one does.

Wireless Remote Power Strip

We use this to easily turn on/off the water heater. The water heater uses a lot of power. A tip I got was to turn on the heater while driving to get the water hot, then turn off the heater before bed to save house battery power.

weBoost Cell Signal Booster

This has helped us have a usable cell signal in the van. If you have a bar of signal, this will add another bar or two.

Microwave Oven

We use this to reheat food. It also serves as a small cabinet to store our dishes while driving.

Induction Burner

We use this to boil water and cook food.

Kettle

We use this to boil water. This is a good size. Large enough to make a few drinks, but not too large.

Spatula

We use this when cooking on a grill.

Long tongs

We use these when cooking on a grill.

Mixing Bowls

We only carry the larger ones. We use the big one as a salad bowl.

Nylon Cooking Utensils

We use these when cooking with the non-stick pots and pans on the induction burner.

Non-stick Induction Cookware

We had some other cookware at first, but it was not great. We replaced it with these, and they are great. I actually like these better than many of the pans we use at home. Very heavy duty and they all pack away into the large pot.

Portable Grill / Firepit

This is great when boondocking. If we are at park campground, we just use the firepit they almost always provide.

Dometic Fridge/Freezer

I like the dual zone. Sometimes we set it up as a fridge & freezer and sometimes with both sides being a fridge. The app makes it super easy to change the temp to whatever you want. It holds a lot of stuff.

Yeti Mugs

We have replaced all of our mugs and coffee cups with Yeti Rumblers. Keeps hot drinks hot for a long time. Don’t break if they bounce around in the van.

Yeti Wine Glass

Not as elegant as a Reidel Bordeau crystal wine glass but these work great. The boxed wine we drink while camping tastes fine in these glasses. We have a couple with lids and a couple without. I never use the lid, but Tracey does sometimes. These don’t break if they bounce around in the van or you knock it off a picnic table.

Yeti Tumblers

We use these for cold drinks like iced tea. Keeps cold drinks cold for a long time. Don’t break if they bounce around in the van. Fit in the van’s drink holders. I like these so much they are also what I use at home.

Yeti Straws

You can also get a lid that works with a straw.

Nalgene bottles

We carry 6 or 7 of these bottles. One in each of our packs. One clipped to a carabiner hanging by each side of our bed. A couple extras for spare water. One of these or a bike water bottle is almost always within arm’s reach from anywhere in the van.

Screen Tent

We love this screen tent (aka bug tent). While we have an awning on our van, we use this just as often. It keeps you dry but more importantly, bug free. If we are camping in a location for more than one night, we set this up and store our table and chairs in it. Keeps them dry overnight. Also, leaving this set up allows us to leave our campsite “occupied” while we drive off for a day’s adventure.

String Lights

We use these under the awning or in the bug tent.

Electrical Adapter

Allows you to plug into a 30Amp hookup. I like this smaller version rather than the “dogbone” style adapters.

Water Filter

Helps filter out some of the funky tasting water

Water Hose

A short hose is easier to store. So far this has been long enough. And this one is safe for drinking.

Water Hose Adapter

I’ve only used this once, but I was able to easily fill a 5-gallon water jug from a sink.

Trasheroo

This is marketed as a spare tire mounted trash bag. But it is really sturdy pack. We use it to carry a lot more than trash. We’ve carried firewood, rocks we’ve collected, stinky dirty clothes we don’t want in the van, etc.

Longe Chairs

These are really comfortable and have held up well. However, they are a bit big, so they only come with us if we aren’t bringing our bikes. We also use them a lot in our back yard.

Rocking Chair

This chair folds up fairly small and is really comfortable. I like the rocking action and how it works even on lumpy ground.

Rocking Chair

Another rocking chair. A little smaller, sits a little lower to the ground. Of the 2 rockers we use, I think this one is a bit comfier when sitting by the fire pit. But it is a little low when sitting at the table to eat.

Velcro Cable Ties

We use these to keeps the extension cord and hose coiled. neatly. Also use them to lash small things inside the van.

CamJam

These are the smaller plastic ones for use with 1/4 inch bungee cord.

CamJam XT

This is a larger metal version that works well with 6mm cord. I use this with my hammock. Makes it really easy to adjust the length of the rope.

CargoBuckle

These are the same as the ones VanDOit uses.

Tie Down Strap

We use these to tie down a standup paddleboard.

Shock Cord

1/4″ Shock Cord. This fits in the predrilled holes in the 8020. I strung it back and forth along the ceiling for overhead storage.

Rope

This is really thick paracord. A 5.6mm static rope (doesn’t stretch). Works great with the CamJam XT. I use it to hang my hammock when the trees are too far apart for my hammock straps.

M8 nylon washers

I use these when mounting eyebolts to the 40-series 8020.

M8 Stainless Washers

I use these when mounting stuff to the 40-series 8020.

M6 Button Head Socket Cap Screws

I use these when mounting stuff to the 25-series 8020 (kitchen pod & hanging cabinets).

Eye Nuts

Use with M8 Drop in Stud.

T-Slot Drop-in Stud

Use with 40-series 8020.

T-Slot Drop-in Stud

Use with 40-series 8020.

M8 Knob

Use to mount stuff to 40-series 8020 (M8 T-Slot Drop-in Stud). Nice for stuff you want to move around without requiring tools.

M8 Roll in T Nut

Use to mount stuff to 40-series 8020.

M8 Roll in T Nut

Use to mount stuff to 40-series 8020.

Corner Bracket

Use to mount stuff to 40-series 8020.

Sumo Springs

These really improved our ride. Much less swaying in wind or bouncing on bumpy roads. Cheaper than replacing the suspension.

Blackout Curtains

We used an old shower curtain rod fastened to the shelf above the front seats to hang these. It is much easier to close the curtains if you want a little privacy than it is to put up the window covers. Very useful for a quick change of clothes in a busy trailhead parking lot.

Lynx Levelers

We have 2 sets of these. Also carry a couple of ~18-inch long 2×8 boards. I put the boards on the ground and stack these levelers on it if the ground is soft/muddy. The prevents them from sinking in too much.

Telescopic Ladder

We use this partially extended inside the van to climb in & out of the bed. Also use it fully extended outside the van as a clothes drying rack.

Spare Tire Cable Lock

Gives me a little piece of mind that the spare won’t be easily stolen.

Hand Mirror

We hang this from a cabinet over the kitchen pod.

Key Rings

We received 4 sets of keys with the van and didn’t have many extra key rings laying around, so I bought this pack.