10 Must-Have Gadgets for Your Volkswagen California
In a camper van, every camping trip is like an adventure: having the freedom to travel to the most beautiful camping spots any time you like is priceless. But even when you’re on the road, it’s always nice to enjoy a few home comforts. While you’re already equipped for an array of eventualities with our California vehciles, we have put together a few handy tips for you. Our selection of camper van gadgets will guarantee your holidays are better than ever.
Must-have items for your next camping trip
1. For camp site BBQers
The all-new California comes with a fully equipped kitchen on board – including a gas cooker and refrigerator. So, you don’t need to worry about going hungry while you’re on holiday – you can even prepare restaurant-worthy dishes without any hassle.
Make sure you also pack a BBQ for your outdoor kitchen. A gas-powered BBQ is particularly practical for travelling as you can stow it away easily to save space when you don’t need it.
2. Save time and energy when boiling water
If you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the morning, then you always need hot water. The quickest way to enjoy a hot drink is an electric kettle. If you’re looking for a particularly practical version, then look no further than a collapsible camping kettle. And when you don’t need it, you don’t need to worry about it taking up precious space.
If you don’t need a whole kettle full of water, then a portable espresso machine is ideal for a quick morning pick-me-up.
3. Perfectly clean, filtered water
A safe supply of drinking water is particularly important if you forego the campsites and opt for the wilderness. A simple water filter is all you need to enjoy clean drinking water while out camping.
4. Our pro tip for warm, summer nights: a hammock
The all-new California is equipped to sleep up to four, while the adjustable individual seats in the passenger compartment can also be used for a power nap thanks to the sleep function.
But when temperatures rise in the summer, the van can become pretty warm overnight. So, what’s cooler (literally) than sleeping out under the stars? With a handy double hammock and the right bracket, you can chill between two trees during the day and enjoy a relaxing night’s sleep, too. And when you don’t need the hammock, you can store it in its handy bag to save space.
5. Fancy feeling even more refreshed? Try this camper shower tent
The California has a lot to offer – but there’s one thing that it doesn’t have and that’s a wet room. You’ll find one of these in the Grand California. Nevertheless, you don’t have to miss out on a refreshing shower while you’re out on the road. A practical outdoor shower is easy to use: the shower can be hung on the outside of the van. If the water pressure is too low, then a battery-operated pump can provide assistance, and if you’re not a fan of ice-cold showers, you can use a solar-heated shower that is powered by sunlight.
There is an additional shower tent that can be easily mounted to the back of the van. Taking just 1–2 minutes to set up, the tent can also be used as additional storage space when not being used as a shower.
6. Outdoor seating area and inflatable sofa
Sometimes nothing is better than chilling out in the shade of your van, under the California’s extendible awning. To make sure your mobile terrace is extra comfortable, all you need are a few fold-up camping chairs and a camping table to match. The California is equipped with a small fold-up outdoor table as standard.
Another option is an inflatable sofa, which is ready to use in just a few seconds. All you have to do is sit back and relax for an experience worthy of any good glamper.
7. Outdoor lighting to set the right mood
Fire pits are not allowed everywhere, and sometimes you simply cannot be bothered to set up a big camp fire. For quick and reliable lighting, all you need are the right camping lights, providing you with full visibility and a cosy feel when night starts to fall. There are so many camping lights to choose from – whether you’re after classic or modern, you’re sure to find something you like.
8. Independent power supply thanks to a portable power source
If you take your van out for an extended trip, then a portable power source will come in particularly handy. Use a power bank to charge your smartphone or keep your other devices, such as speakers, headphones or rechargeable lamps, up and running. Most portable chargers are low weight, meaning they can even be used to charge devices while you’re out on a hike.
9. Music to set the mood
Music is an essential part of any trip. Portable speakers are particularly handy for using outdoors at a campsite or the beach. Robust, water-resistant models are particularly good for these settings. Then, all you have to do is stream your all-time favourites from your smartphone or tablet.
10. A classic: a pocket torch for night-time trips
Whether you’re at a campsite or out in the wild, a handy mini pocket torch or head torch means that you won’t get lost if you need to pop out at night. No more tripping over tent guy ropes on your way to the toilet - a torch is an absolute must-have.
