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Article: SUMMIT RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES

SUMMIT RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES

SUMMIT RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES

At Summit we are big on finding where functionality meets aesthetic. Our design and layouts focus on what really work in compact travel situations. This said, we aim to provide a sleek, upscale look to our builds without compromising on durability and efficiency. We think this ethos should continue with the accessories chosen to supplement and complement Summit Vans.

Below is a list of our tried and true go-tos for making life easier on the road and at camp.

Have a look around or jump to the category you are interested in:

Camp Furniture (mats, chairs, tables, stairs, awning walls, flyscreens, lighting)

Cookware and Dinnerware 

Utility and Storage

Cleaning and Maintenance

Other (first aid, tie downs)

CAMP FURNITURE

Camp furniture is essential to a comfortable trip. Whether you are sleeping, eating or chilling out around the van, these items will make life a lot easier.

OUTDOOR MAT

The first thing that comes to mind when decking out a van is the outdoor mat. It stops the outside from coming in and provides an insulative layer for your outdoor camp setup. 

The Tiegear Terra Mat is our top pick. It’s durable and sleek and we love the subtle topographic design which nods to themes of adventure. They are made from recycled plastic and come in five sizes.  These are the 3 x 2.4m, 3 x 3m, 4 x 2.4m, 5 x 2.4m and the 6 x 2.4.

If you are looking for something with a bit more flair, the Salty Aura camp mat collection will be up your ally. These are also made of recycled plastic and come in four sizes; a 3.2 x 2m, 5 x 2.4m, 6 x 2.4m and then most notably, a L shaped 4 x 5.5 x 2m mat. The patterns on these mats harken back to a vintage era and have an array of folk and bohemian designs.

Mud Mat

The door mat by Muk Mat is another camp essential. It acts as a last stage defence between the van and the grit and grime of the outdoors. This mat keeps dirt, mud and sand at the door by trapping it in a thick layer of synthetic grass. It comes in three sizes and two colours.

Table

The functionality and packability of your outdoor table is so important. You don’t want to have to deal with furniture that is wobbly, flimsy or hard to set up. This table by Zempire is our top pick for a dining table. The Kitpack Pro XL table is the perfect size for 2-6 people being 1.4 x 0.8m. The wooden finish is classic and it packs down swiftly and compactly. We have had our Zempire table for almost eight years and its still going strong. For a smaller, lower coffee table style setup, we recommend the Naturehike Flat Top IGT Modular Camp Table. It’s sturdy and we love the design. 

Camp chair

Camp chairs… you can be overwhelmed with choice here. At Summit, there are two main style of chair we recommend based on your needs. For a low profile, streamline option, we like a fold flat Kermit style chair. It is simple and non offensive. The Nightfall L02 Folding chair by Naturehike is our pick. It’s highly customizable, coming in multiple colours and finishes and even has a high back version.

For extreme comfort we like a lightly padded, butterfly/halfmoon style camp chair such as the Naturehike Seastar High Back Chair. It is large, supportive and has a two-position adjustable backrest making it great for both resting and mealtimes. Despite being large it still packs down to a relatively small size. This is the chair that gets stolen by our kids and friends every trip away.

As a bonus recommendation in the chair category is the Yeti Bucket Swivel Chair, which is a great multi-use tool for your camp setup. You can use it as a plain old bucket for an abundance of camp activities such as fishing, washing up, firewood, hauling water and garbage but then slap on the swivel seat lid and it becomes an extra seat for visitors or kids. It’s a two for one, which we love!

Stairs

A good set of collapsible stairs really comes in handy. Despite the fact that we do install a side step in out builds, Vans and Troopys are quite elevated for all terrain driving and can be hard to get in and out of when camped up. These stairs by TRA Australia are sturdy and a good height for the vans when a step rail is fitted.

Noteably, you can also pick up stair extenders. They don’t pack down so we don’t run them here but if this is of interest to you, check out the Stedimate caravan step extenders. They can be custom made to fit your van and have rock solid stability.

Awing Walls and Flyscreens

We love our Fiamma awnings but you can one up them with an awning wall, providing further protection from the elements and a bit more privacy. The Tiegear shield wall is quick and easy to set up and we think its great that you have the option of opening the windows.

A must is also The Bugwall Flyscreen. The design is clean and neat and the magnetic closure works seamlessly. We have spent many evenings undertaking a 20min+ bug massacre before bed but once we installed The Bugwall, insect murder rates went down significantly.

Lighting

When the light from your Hardcore Tricolour Worklight we installed on the side of your van isn’t quite enough, or you simply want to decorate, some extra lighting can be helpful. We love the rechargeable sting lights like these ones from Oztrail. They double as one large light when unrolled and have both a magnetic and hook option for hanging. These really come in handy around the campsite.

For more substantial light, the STEDI Stellar LED Camping Lantern is an all rounder. It has dimmable amber and white lights that can be set up to 500 Lumens (very bright). It can last up to 237 hours and you can change smart devices via its usb output.

Another recommendation for ambient campsite light are the Barebones Edison range. With a classic vintage look they really add character to your setup. 

cookware, dinnerware and cutlery

Having good quality, low fuss camp kitchen supplies is essential for a great vaning experience. We have tested so many brands and designs amongst us here at Summit so we know what to look out for. You want stuff that’s strong and doesn't  take up unnecessary space. We find that stainless steel is always the best. Here are some of our favourites.

For cups and mugs Yeti is by far our favourite. They come in all different sizes, shapes and colours and are built to last! For plates, bowls and utensils, Sea to Summit does it best. Their flat packing, stainless steel designs work perfectly in the van setup. For a more sophisticated look to your camp dinnerware, have a look at Bare Bones. The enamel bowls and plates and stainless cutlery are very chic. Other notable options we would recommend are Wanderingfolk for vintage style enamel dinnerware and also TIAV stainless steel mugs. We are currently working on a draw organisation system for camp dinnerware which includes our top picks for your setup. Check it out here.

An induction plate for cooking is handy too. Products like the Safiery Induction Hob are a great option which are compatible with our fitouts. They are compatible with stainless steel and cast iron pans and induction-specialty non-stick pans. If working with gas is more your style, the Coleman Stove Cascade 3 in 1 BNR is great too.

Our top pick for coffee is the Baristina Espresso Machine. It’s compact, quiet and easy to clean. 

Utility and storage

Storage is key to a good trip. It can really help with many of the frustrations that compact living bring. Below are some great options for Van and Troopy fitout compatible storage.

The Rear Wheel and Tailgate Utility Bag from Redgum is perfect for outdoor storage. It is seriously tough and great for use for firewood, water gear, fishing gear and anything you don’t want stinking or messing up the interior of your vehicle. 

Adding extra interior storage is a must and there are many great options for this. Living in a Bubble have a great range of back of seat and on-wall storage solutions. From detachable compartmentalised back of seat organizers to magnetic closure large utility bags. These are worth checking out.

Also we love these collapsable closet organisers from Amazon that fit perfectly in our overhead cabinets. They make finding items such as clothing easier as you can pull the tub out and sift through. It also makes closing the overhead compartments easier as nothing will get caught in the door.

Other suggestions for storage include a laundry bag or storage baskets which can hang from molle panels or hooks in the L-track.

Maintenance and cleaning

When traveling and camping, the outside gets in, and we like to keep things tidy here at Summit. This Wolfbox Compressed Air Duster is our favourite cleaning gadget. It blasts sand, dust and grit away and lasts a surprisingly long time before needing charging. 

We would also recommend you keep a compact broom such as the Camco collapsable broom and dustbin kit. It really comes in handy for clearing out debris from the van and also the outdoor areas like the floor mat.

Clothes line system?

other

Tiedowns and ratchet straps have a mutituide of uses and we suggest you carry a set with you when traveling. The straps from Tiegear work a treat when securing loads and stabilising gear.

A Fist aid setup is essential and this one by Survival First Aid Kits is our pick. It’s the Colour coded and clearly labeled organisation system that makes this one stand out. When an emergency hits or someone is in pain you have to act fast and this system helps you do so.

So there you have it, our complete list of favourites, compiled through years of vanlife experience.

If there is something you are looking for that we have missed on this list, please refer to the following sites which are our go-tos for our camping and traveling needs. 

Naturehike

Homecamp

Tiegear

Remote Projects

Snowys 

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Read more