Campervan Storage Accessories Guide for UK Tours

A wet coat over the passenger seat, dog leads under the brake pedal and tins sliding around a cupboard are small problems that quickly spoil a getaway. This campervan storage accessories guide is for UK tourers who want their vehicle to feel calm, useful and ready to leave at short notice – without filling every spare corner with plastic boxes.

Good storage is not about carrying more. It is about giving the things you already use a sensible home, keeping weight low and secure, and making everyday stops easier. The best choice depends on your van layout, how many people travel with you and whether you favour long touring holidays, weekends away or day trips.

Start with the storage problems you actually have

Before buying accessories, spend one trip noticing what ends up loose. In many campervans, the pressure points are the cab, kitchen, wardrobe, washroom and rear garage. A family may need quick access to snacks, games and waterproofs, while a couple touring for weeks may care more about pantry space, laundry and outdoor chairs.

Measure cupboards, garage openings and the inside of doors before ordering anything. Storage accessories often look compact in a product photo but can waste space if they stop a drawer closing or make an existing locker difficult to reach. Also check what is behind any surface you intend to screw into. Water pipes, wiring and thin wall panels do not forgive guesswork.

Think about weight as well as volume. Heavy tools, tins, levelling ramps and bottles should sit low down and close to the vehicle’s centre where possible. Lightweight clothing, bedding and towels can live in higher lockers. This helps with safe handling and reduces the chance of a cupboard door bursting open on a rough road.

Campervan storage accessories guide: the essentials

The most useful accessories tend to solve one of three jobs: stopping movement while driving, making awkward spaces usable, or keeping regular items easy to find. Start with the areas you touch every day rather than trying to overhaul the whole van at once.

Cab organisers for travel-day essentials

The cab becomes a dumping ground remarkably fast. Seat-back organisers are useful for maps, charging leads, sunglasses, tissues and children’s activities, particularly in vans with limited lounge storage. Choose a slim design that does not interfere with seat movement, seatbelts or access to any built-in table.

A centre-console organiser or small non-slip tray can also keep coins, keys and parking tickets together. Avoid placing loose items on the dashboard, even for short journeys. Anything that moves under braking is both distracting and potentially dangerous.

Cupboard shelves and shelf baskets

Deep cupboards waste vertical space, especially in the kitchen. Stackable shelves create a second level for mugs, plates, packets and lightweight pans, so you are not lifting half the cupboard to reach one item. Wire shelf baskets are another simple option, allowing you to pull out tea, breakfast supplies or cleaning cloths without emptying the locker.

Do not overload them. A shelf riser is ideal for lighter provisions, but it is not the place for a cast-iron pan or a collection of glass jars. For cupboards used during travel, pair the organiser with non-slip liner and a proper latch or child-safe catch where needed.

Drawer dividers and small containers

Cutlery, first-aid items, batteries and cooking bits are much easier to manage in divided drawers. Adjustable dividers work well because motorhome drawers rarely match standard household sizes. Small lidded containers keep spare fuses, pegs, torch batteries and medication separate, and they prevent a single loose item from creating a messy drawer.

Clear containers make locating supplies faster, but opaque boxes can look neater in open shelves. Either works if you label them clearly. Labels are particularly helpful when travelling with a partner or family, as everyone can put things back without asking where they belong.

Under-seat bags and soft storage cubes

Under-seat space is valuable, but it can be awkward to use. Low-profile zip bags or soft-sided storage cubes are better than rigid tubs in many campervans because they flex around seat bases, heating ducts and uneven floors. They are a good home for spare bedding, towels, walking gear or seasonal clothing.

Use handles so you can pull a bag out without crawling into the footwell. If the space contains electrical equipment, fuses or a leisure battery, leave adequate ventilation and access for inspection. Never pack bags around equipment that needs to stay cool.

Door pockets, hooks and hanging organisers

Hanging storage makes good use of wardrobe doors, washroom doors and the inside of kitchen cupboard doors. Pocket organisers can hold toiletries, cleaning products, shoes or small outdoor accessories. Adhesive hooks are handy for tea towels and lightweight coats, but choose fittings rated for the surface and expected load.

This is one area where less is more. Too many hooks and pockets can make a compact interior feel cramped, while heavier items may pull fittings away when the van moves. A couple of well-placed organisers usually beat a wall covered in accessories.

Garage nets, crates and tie-down straps

The rear garage is where order matters most. Levelling blocks, hoses, mains leads, folding chairs, tools and outdoor tables can become a heavy, noisy pile unless they are restrained. Cargo nets, lashing straps and purpose-made tie-down points keep equipment from shifting and protect the garage door from damage.

Stackable crates are useful for separating wet gear, maintenance items and outdoor cooking equipment. Choose sturdy crates with handholds rather than flimsy boxes that crack under weight. Keep the heaviest kit on the floor and make sure nothing can block access to gas lockers, service points or emergency equipment.

Kitchen and fridge solutions

A narrow pull-out basket can turn a slim gap into a useful pantry, while pan organisers stop cookware rattling through every roundabout. Plate holders, non-slip matting and adjustable retaining bars help keep food and crockery stable in lockers and the fridge.

For the fridge, avoid packing it so tightly that air cannot circulate. Small bins for dairy, sauces and snacks can make restocking easier, but their main job is to stop items falling when you open the door after a journey. Glass bottles should be stored carefully and secured where possible.

Choose fittings that suit a moving vehicle

Campervan storage is different from storage at home. Every item must cope with vibration, temperature changes and sudden braking. Look for rounded edges, secure closures and materials that are easy to wipe clean. Fabric organisers should have strong stitching and reliable zips; plastic containers should be tough enough not to split in cold weather.

Adhesive accessories are convenient, but surface preparation matters. Clean and dry the area thoroughly, then allow adhesive pads to cure as instructed before loading them. Suction fittings can be useful for very light items in the washroom, though they are not dependable enough for anything that could cause damage if it falls.

Drilling creates the strongest fixing, but it is not always the right answer. It can affect warranties, create a route for moisture and be difficult to reverse when you change your layout. Removable straps, tension systems and fitted baskets are often a better first step.

Keep access, safety and payload in mind

Storage should never compromise a safe exit or daily vehicle checks. Keep cab doors, habitation door handles, emergency exits, fire extinguisher access and carbon monoxide alarm areas clear. Store a torch, warning triangle, high-visibility vests and basic first-aid kit where they can be reached quickly, not buried beneath camping furniture.

Payload deserves the same attention. It is easy to add several kilograms through boxes, racks and organisers before filling them with holiday gear. Check your campervan’s permitted payload and weigh the van when packed for a realistic trip, including passengers, water, fuel and accessories.

A useful rule is to review your system after two or three outings. If you keep moving an item because it is inconvenient, its storage location is wrong. If a box remains untouched all season, it may not need to travel with you at all.

Build your setup in stages

Begin with one problem area, such as the kitchen cupboard that always rattles or the garage that needs unpacking to find the hook-up lead. Add a sensible accessory, test it on a journey and then decide what needs improving next. This approach keeps costs under control and avoids buying organisers that look good but do not suit your touring routine.

Caravan Motorhome RV focuses on practical accessories that help make camping easier, from everyday organisation to the wider gear that supports comfortable time on the road. Choose quality fittings, secure them properly and let your campervan work harder for the adventures you have planned.

The best storage setup is the one you barely notice: everything stays put while travelling, the essentials are at hand when you arrive, and there is more time to enjoy the view than search for the kettle.