Must-Have Motorhome and Caravan Equipment

You've got your electric hook-up cables, waterhogs, waste containers, head torches, wellies, and crockery, and you're ready to set off into the wild aboard your tourer. But unless you've kitted your vehicle with some essential caravan equipment, you may find it hard to achieve that coveted home from home comfort. Whether you're in it for the long-haul, or only until the children fly the coop, the list of must-have motorhome and caravan paraphernalia can be quite extensive. So, if you'd like to deck your caravan with everything you need, or you'd like to upgrade to more efficient models, here's a checklist of essential caravan equipment to help you make the most of your touring days:

Caravan Fridges
When it comes to refrigerating motorhome equipment, the more recent the model and the more reputable the manufacturer, the more likely you are to get more bang for your buck. Thetford, for instance, is an established British brand with a line of compact and energy efficient fridges that defrost automatically. The Thetford T1090 Fridge, the first compressor refrigerator ever designed for campervan chassis, lies flush with your campervan cupboards, and is completely silent. Equally popular is the Thetford N3112 Fridge, a 3-way fridge freezer with a compact stepped design and a touchscreen control panel.

Swedish manufacturer of RV-specific appliances founded nearly a century ago, Dometic is also a household name in the world of the tourer. One of their most sought-after refrigerator models, the Dometic CRX50 Coolmatic Fridge, is a versatile and very compact appliance with a soft-touch control panel concealed within and a pull-out compartment that enables you to alternate between fridge only, freezer only or fridge-freezer configuration. The Dometic RM5380 Fridge, a 3-way absorption model with battery ignition, separate freezer compartment and silent operation is perfect for life on the road. If you need something a tad bigger, the 160-litre-capacity Dometic RMD8505 Fridge will tick all the boxes.

Hob & Sinks
Caravan hobs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are gas, some are induction hobs and some are both. Some come with integrated safety glass, built-in Child Safety locks or safety ignition systems, and some without any of these features. The versatile Dometic Smev MO9222L Narrow Combination 2-Burner Caravan Hob/Sink is ideal for the left-handed, for instance, while the compact and feature-packed Dometic Smev MO9722 Sink and Hob features recessed controls and a sleek design. When it comes to hybrid hobs that combine gas and induction cooking configurations, the Thetford Hob Topline 981 with Schott Ceran black glass is a fine example, if you'd like to splash out on your caravan equipment. For a no-frills burner hob with a sizeable product warranty, you can't go wrong with the Thetford Basic-Line 345 3 Burner Hob.

Caravan Cookers
Being on the road shouldn't stop you from dishing out a nice roast or a cake every now and again. With an oven like the Dometic OG2000 Cooker and Grill, your culinary cravings are sorted. This built-in 20-litre gas oven with handy grill and rotary tray enables you to cook anything from fast pizza to hearty pies, however little space you may have. Cookers like this, with interior lights, thermostatic control, electronic ignition and doors made of toughened glass, offer all the convenience of cooking at home, wherever in the world you may be. But if you need all the features of your home oven and you have the space, then cockers like Spinflo MK3 Caprice by Thetford may fit the bill. This modern rehash of the classic Caprice comes with a generous over, four burners and a glass lid that tilts down to save space.

Caravan Fires
Touring is a year-round pastime, so don't let bad weather take away from the enjoyment of a toasty ride. There's only so much woolly socks and draught excluders will do for you, and you'll find it pays to shop for caravan fires months in advance. Flueless gas stoves are portable and tasteful, whether traditional or contemporary in their design, while caravan heating systems are more efficient in distributing the heat. The compact Truma S 5004 Gas Fire, for instance, is jam-packed with clever features, such as auto ignitor, lit control panels, and touch sensor functionality. Of course, the modern Widney Modena Gas Fire is also a very sought-after model, as it replaces the standard stoves most static caravans were fitted with on the production line. If you're looking for a propane or butane stove that can warm up a holiday home or a static caravan quickly, you can't go wrong with the Widney Modena.

Caravan Boilers
There's no shortage of boilers designed for boats, portable cabins, motorhomes, and caravans. Heating your water and living space in one go is obviously the most convenient option. But combination caravan boilers can also be bulky, which is what makes the light and compact Truma Combi 4E so popular. To have easy access to your boiler and keep on top of fuel consumption, an LCD control panel would serve you well. The Swedish Alde 3020 Compact HE Combi Boiler comes with a touchscreen control panel, and it's one of the most efficient models on the market. But if you'd like to have hot water and a toasty living area when you arrive at your caravan site without spending a single penny more, don't hesitate to try the ALDE Engine Heat Exchanger.

Caravan TVs
It wouldn't be a holiday if you didn't while away a few hours in front of a slim, light and energy-efficient TV screen with crisp and vibrant display. Needless to say, we stock caravan TVs for every taste and budget. The clever AVTEX L188DRS 18.5" LED TV with Freeview HD/HD SAT/DVD/REC with full HD, built-in HD satellite decoder, and a Cd and DVD player combo features a low-voltage alert that goes off when your battery is running low. It also comes with a battery indicator on the remote control, along with a signal quality button to help you find the perfect position for your aerial. The budget-friendly Vision Plus VP185TS 18.5" 12V TV is also a customer favourite thanks to its one-touch tune feature, its low power usage and its clever carry handle.

Here we are, going on about must-have motorhome equipment, and we didn't even scratch the surface! We have so many fantastic brands and products to make your home away from home complete, that we can't help but talk about them. But please don't just take our word for it; browse our extensive catalogue for the caravan equipment you want and need, and see for yourself.