After years of travelling and helping hundreds of clients find and sell their caravans, you start to spot a pattern. Some gear sounds useful in theory but ends up buried at the back of a storage hatch. Other bits become the kind of “don’t leave home without it” staples you rely on trip after trip.
As caravan brokers, we get to see the habits of seasoned travellers. We also hear what makes a difference once you’re actually on the road — especially when it comes to days at the beach, nights in the bush, or long weeks in free camps. Here are a few of the things we’ve come to swear by, not because the label said they were “must-have,” but because we’ve actually used them, lent them out, and replaced them when worn out.
The Sand-Free Beach Mat
If you’ve ever tried to enjoy a beach day without one of these, you know the pain. Sand gets in everything — the van, your shoes, your bed. A proper sand-free beach mat doesn’t just give you a place to sit. It stops the chaos of dragging sand into your living space and makes pack-up time so much easier.
Try the SUN NINJA Sand Free Beach Blanket. It’s large, quick-drying, and folds down into a compact bag. Once you’ve used one, it’s hard to go back to ordinary mats or towels. It’s just one of those little things that improves every beach stop. As Caravan Brokers, we recommend this to many of our clients for their trips.
The Foldable Outdoor Table
This is the unsung hero of any trip that goes longer than a weekend. It becomes the prep bench, dinner table, laptop desk, games station, and everything in between. We’ve watched families turn a tiny campsite into a functioning outdoor kitchen simply by unfolding one of these.
We’ve been told theOGL Folding Camping Table Set super handy. It packs up into its own case and comes with four folding stools — great for meals, games, or even a sunset drink. When space matters and you don’t want to lug bulky gear, this one hits the mark. As Caravan Brokers, we know that space-saving and multifunctional gear is key for a successful trip.
The Portable BBQ
There’s something about cooking outside that just makes a trip feel like a proper holiday. A portable BBQ lets you enjoy a cooked brekkie or dinner under the stars without turning the inside of your van into a sauna. It’s also a real selling point when it comes time to list your caravan.
TheWeber Baby Q Premium Gas BBQ is a favourite among many of our clients — and we’ve used one ourselves for years. It’s reliable, easy to clean, and heats up fast. When buyers see a setup like this already in the van, it’s often the cherry on top. As Caravan Brokers, we know the little luxuries like a BBQ can make a big difference when selling a van.
Final Thoughts
Packing for a caravan trip isn’t about ticking off every item on a checklist. It’s about knowing what will actually improve your trip and what’s likely to end up unused. The gear that gets the most love tends to be simple, durable, and multi-use.
If you’re planning your next big getaway or even thinking of selling down the track, we’re here to help with real-world advice, not just brochures. We’ve walked the campsites, taken the detours, and made all the rookie mistakes so you don’t have to.
Want help getting your van trip-ready or ready for sale?
Schedule a call with us for friendly, obligation-free advice from Australia’s trusted caravan brokers.
