This is a constantly evolving list of items we have purchased and use on our adventures in our van. They have been of good quality, and we would recommend.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Biking
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
This is a constantly evolving list of items we have purchased and use on our adventures in our van. They have been of good quality, and we would recommend.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hiking
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.
This is a constantly evolving list of items we have purchased and use on our adventures in our van. They have been of good quality, and we would recommend.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Storage
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.
This is a constantly evolving list of items we have purchased and use on our adventures in our van. They have been of good quality, and we would recommend.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tech Stuff
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.
This is a constantly evolving list of items we have purchased and use on our adventures in our van. They have been of good quality, and we would recommend.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Cooking
a
a
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.
This is a constantly evolving list of items we have purchased and use on our adventures in our van. They have been of good quality, and we would recommend.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.
Extension cord (came with the van)
Camp Table – The one we have is over 25 years old and still works great
Hatchet – Something I got at Home Depot 25 years ago. We use it to split a log into kindling and for using as a hammer to stake our screen tent.
This is a constantly evolving list of items we have purchased and use on our adventures in our van. They have been of good quality, and we would recommend.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We us quite a few carabiners and quickdraws for attaching and hanging stuff on eyebolts connected to the 8020.
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.
This is a constantly evolving list of items we have purchased and use on our adventures in our van. They have been of good quality, and we would recommend.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
VanDOit uses 40-series 8020 extrusion for the bulk of the components in their vans. A few of the smaller components (e.g. Kitchen Pod, hanging cabinets) use 25-series 8020 extrusion.
Amazon currently sells some hardware that fits 40-series. But 25-series hardware is less common on Amazon. You can order from 8020.net. Or, if you just need a few nuts or bolts, VanDOit will sell you some. I picked up some extra 25-series drop-in nuts from them when I was in Kansas City.
If you are building larger, more complex things with aluminum extrusion, tnutz.com is quite a bit cheaper than 8020.net. But they only sell extrusions in imperial measurements. Grainger.com also sells aluminum extrusions and hardware.
If you don’t need exactly the same size, you can use get away with using an imperial size that is close to the metric size. Most hardware that fits 40-series, will also fit 15-series.
Metric
Imperial
40 series = 40mm width
15 series = 1.5-inch width
25 series = 25mm width
10 series = 1-inch width
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.
This is a constantly evolving list of items we have purchased and use on our adventures in our van. They have been of good quality, and we would recommend.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.