Campervan Accessories Built for Adventure
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Discover the latest campervan accessories, adventure gear and vehicle upgrades just landed.
Lightweight Aluminium Campervan Furniture Gantry
Rear Ladder & Spare Wheel Carrier (VW Crafter & MAN TGE)
Ditch Light Brackets VW Crafter & MAN TGE (2018+)
Campervan MOLLE Panel Storage Door
MOLLE Storage Panel – Mercedes Sprinter (2018+)
Tyre Mounted Camping Table
Swamper Alloy Kit (Transporter / MAN TGE / Crafter) 17" Rogue CC1 & BF Goodrich All Terrain (4 x alloys)
Detailing Kit
Exterior Campervan Gear
Bring your build to life with our collection of exterior accessories.
Recovery Track Mounting Brackets – Universal Fit (4-Piece Kit)
Recovery Tracks 3.5T Essential
Tyre Mounted Camping Table
Recovery Track Carry Bag
VW Crafter / MAN TGE LWB Side Pods (Pair)
Expedition Roof Rack for MAN TGE & VW Crafter (LWB – 2018 to Present)
Ditch Light Brackets VW Crafter & MAN TGE (2018+)
VW Crafter / MAN TGE MWB Side Pods
Expedition Roof Rack for MAN TGE & VW Crafter (MWB – 2018 to Present)
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Check out the latest builds and find out what equipment has been installed.
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Expedition Roof Rack for MAN TGE & VW Crafter (LWB – 2018 to Present)
Expedition Roof Rack for MAN TGE & VW Crafter (MWB – 2018 to Present)
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Expedition Roof Rack for MAN TGE & VW Crafter (LWB – 2018 to Present)
Expedition Roof Rack for MAN TGE & VW Crafter (MWB – 2018 to Present)
17" Rogue CC1 - Swamper Alloy Wheels - Satin Black - 65.1 - 35 - 5x120 (4 x alloys)
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MOLLE Storage Panel – VW Crafter / MAN TGE (2018+)
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interior Campervan Gear
Upgrade your campervan interior with practical accessories for comfort, storage and everyday van life.
Smart LED Campervan Light
Lightweight Aluminium Campervan Furniture Gantry
MOLLE Storage Panel – VW Crafter / MAN TGE (2018+)
Campervan MOLLE Panel Storage Door
MOLLE Storage Panel – Mercedes Sprinter (2018+)
Loc8 Campervan Table
Compostable Bag - CompoCloset UK
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Campervan Furniture: How to Build a Lightweight, Practical Van Interior
Building your Campervan Furniture is one of the best parts of converting your own campervan. It is also surprisingly easy to get wrong. A campervan kitchen unit that looks perfectly reasonable in the garage can suddenly feel enormous once the bed, fridge, water tank, batteries, bikes, dog and everything else you intend to carry are inside the van. And then there is weight. Unlike furniture in your house, campervan furniture has to be strong enough to survive thousands of miles of potholes, vibration and being thrown around on the occasional questionable campsite access road, while being light enough that you're not using a ridiculous amount of your payload before you've even packed your first bag. So if you're planning the furniture for a Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter, MAN TGE, VW Transporter or another self-build camper, this guide explains what is actually worth thinking about. We'll cover materials, weight, kitchen units, modular furniture, MOLLE panels and, importantly, how to fix campervan furniture safely into the van. What Is Campervan Furniture? Campervan furniture is simply the collection of fixed or removable units that turn an empty van into a usable living space. Depending on the conversion, that might include: Camper van kitchen units Storage cupboards Overhead lockers Bed structures Benches and seating Drawer units Wardrobes Equipment storage MOLLE panels Rear-door storage Garage storage systems Removable or modular furniture Fridge and appliance housings The important difference between campervan furniture and domestic furniture is the environment it has to work in. Your kitchen at home doesn't move. A campervan kitchen does. Every drawer, door, fixing and joint is being subjected to vibration whenever you're driving. The entire interior also needs to work within a very confined space while keeping the overall vehicle weight under control. That's why simply building what looks like a small domestic kitchen inside a van isn't always the best approach. Why Campervan Furniture Weight Matters Weight should be one of the first things you think about when designing a camper van, not something you discover when the build is finished. Everything you install uses part of the vehicle's available payload. Furniture is only one piece of the puzzle. You'll probably also have some combination of: Fresh water Waste water Leisure batteries Solar equipment Heating Fridge Cooking equipment Gas bottles, if you're using them Awning Roof rack Spare wheel Bikes Outdoor equipment Passengers Food Clothing Tools It adds up frighteningly quickly. That's why saving weight on something fitted permanently throughout the van makes sense. Saving a kilogram on one tiny bracket isn't particularly exciting. Saving weight across a kitchen, cupboards, doors, bed structure and storage system can be. There is another benefit too. Less weight generally means less mass being supported by the furniture fixings while the van is moving. The goal isn't to make everything as thin and flimsy as possible. It is to put material where you actually need strength and remove it where you don't. That is good campervan engineering. What Is the Best Material for Campervan Furniture? There isn't one perfect campervan furniture board or material for every part of a conversion. A good build often combines materials. Lightweight plywood Plywood is one of the most common materials used in campervan furniture, but not all plywood is the same. Lightweight ply can give you a useful combination of: Low weight Strength Easy machining Good screw retention when designed correctly A choice of finishes Relatively easy DIY installation For cabinets, doors, partitions and kitchen furniture, it makes much more sense than automatically reaching for the same board you would use for furniture in a house. Aluminium Aluminium becomes particularly useful where you need a high strength-to-weight ratio or where you're creating structural parts of a modular system. We use aluminium extensively in our own modular furniture and storage products. It works particularly well for things such as: Furniture frames Gantries MOLLE panels Doors Equipment mounts Storage structures Modular accessories It also suits the way many people actually use their vans. You can build the basic system first and add to it as the conversion develops rather than deciding every cupboard and storage location before you've spent a night in the van. MDF MDF is cheap, readily available and easy to machine. That doesn't automatically make it a good campervan furniture material. Its major disadvantage in a van is weight. Moisture also needs consideration, particularly around kitchens, doors, wet kit and condensation. For a small trim panel it may not matter. Building an entire camper interior from heavy domestic furniture board is a different story. Solid timber Timber can look fantastic and certainly has its uses. But again, consider where you're actually gaining something from it. A beautiful timber worktop may be worth the extra weight to you. Building every cabinet side, shelf and door from heavy timber simply because you can probably isn't. The clever bit of a camper conversion is deciding where the weight is worth carrying. Aluminium vs Plywood Campervan Furniture You don't necessarily have to choose between aluminium and plywood. They work very well together. For example, an aluminium structure can provide rigidity while lightweight ply provides doors, shelves, work surfaces or finishing panels. That allows you to create furniture that feels substantial without simply adding more and more board. This is particularly useful in larger vans such as the Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter and MAN TGE, where there can be a considerable amount of furniture in a finished conversion. For a smaller van such as a VW Transporter, efficient use of material is just as important for a different reason: space. You don't want a significant portion of an already-small interior disappearing into unnecessarily thick furniture. How to Build Campervan Furniture If you're wondering how to build campervan furniture, start with the layout rather than the saw. It is tempting to start making things because you've finally got an empty van on the drive and a free Saturday. Do the boring bit first. 1. Decide what the van actually needs to do Not what Instagram says a campervan needs. What you need. Ask yourself: How many people will travel in it? How many people need to sleep in it? Do you cook properly or mostly make coffee and bacon sandwiches? Are you carrying bikes? Surfboards? Fishing equipment? A dog? Do you need a toilet? How much clothing will realistically travel with you? Will you mostly use campsites? Do you need space for long off-grid trips? The best camper van design isn't necessarily the one with the most furniture. Often it's the one with the least furniture that still does everything you need. 2. Mark the layout inside the van Masking tape is cheaper than plywood. Mark cabinets, beds and kitchen units on the floor. Use cardboard boxes if necessary to represent furniture. Then get in the van. Sit down. Pretend to cook. Open an imaginary fridge. Walk from the front to the back. Think about what happens when someone else is standing in the same space. Something that looks perfectly sensible on a drawing can be incredibly annoying in a real van. 3. Think about services before furniture Your furniture has to coexist with: Electrical cables Heating ducts Water pipes Gas installations where applicable Wheel arches Windows Structural ribs Ventilation Fridges and appliances Access panels Don't permanently install a beautiful campervan unit and then realise the water pump buried behind it needs changing. Anything that might eventually require servicing should remain accessible. Your future self will thank you. 4. Build modularly where possible This is one of the reasons we like modular campervan furniture. Your first layout probably won't be perfect. After six weekends away you'll discover that the cupboard you thought was essential contains three tea towels while your walking boots, dog lead and wet jackets are permanently piled on the floor. A modular system gives you more freedom to adapt storage as you learn how you actually use the van. That's far better than designing every millimetre around how you imagine you'll use it. Camper Van Kitchen Units: What Do You Actually Need? The camper van kitchen unit is normally one of the largest pieces of furniture in the conversion. So it's worth questioning what needs to go in it. A typical kitchen might need space for: Sink Hob Water Fridge Cutlery Crockery Pans Food Bin Electrical sockets But you don't necessarily need the campervan equivalent of a fitted kitchen showroom. Think about how you cook when camping. If you're mostly away for weekends, the giant pantry and six drawers might be unnecessary. A well-designed campervan kitchen should give you enough preparation space, sensible storage and easy access to the things you use regularly without dominating the van. One useful rule is to design around the appliance dimensions first. Fridges, sinks and hobs have fixed dimensions. Designing the furniture and then trying to find appliances that squeeze into the holes you've left is doing the job backwards. How to Fix Furniture in a Campervan This is one of the most important parts of the entire job. Campervan furniture should not simply be treated like furniture standing in a room. The van moves. Under braking, cornering or in an accident, poorly secured furniture and everything stored inside it can move too. So how you fix furniture in a campervan matters. There isn't one universal fixing method because vans, furniture systems and installation locations vary. However, the principle is straightforward: attach significant furniture securely to suitable structural parts of the vehicle or to a properly designed supporting structure. Depending on the installation, methods can include suitable mechanical fasteners, threaded inserts, brackets, rails or other vehicle-appropriate fixing systems. The exact method should be determined by: The weight of the furniture What will be stored in it The direction of expected loads The construction of the unit The vehicle structure The material you're fastening through Whether the unit needs to remain removable Don't assume that because a screw feels tight in a trim panel, you've fixed the furniture to the van. You may simply have fixed it to the trim panel. How to Attach Furniture to a Campervan Safely Before drilling any hole into a van, know what is on the other side. That sounds obvious. It's also surprisingly easy to forget halfway through a conversion. Depending on where you're working, the other side could contain vehicle wiring, fuel-system components, brake lines, tanks or something else you really didn't intend to drill into. Check first. When attaching furniture, also avoid relying on one small fixing to control a large piece of furniture. Loads should be distributed appropriately across the installation. And remember to think beyond the empty cabinet. A cupboard might weigh relatively little when you install it. Fill it with tins, pans, tools or camping equipment and the load changes considerably. How to Fasten Campervan Furniture For anyone searching how to fasten campervan furniture, the answer isn't simply "use these screws". The fastener needs to suit both materials being joined and the load it will experience. A fixing joining two pieces of plywood has a different job from a fixing securing an aluminium frame into a vehicle structure. This is where copying a random YouTube build without understanding why they used a particular fixing can get you into trouble. Look at the complete load path: stored equipment → shelf → cabinet → frame → fixing → vehicle Every part matters. If you're uncertain whether an installation is structurally suitable, especially around seats, seat belts or anything safety-critical, use a competent professional. What About IKEA Campervan Furniture? A surprisingly common search is IKEA campervan furniture. We understand why. IKEA furniture is affordable, easy to get hold of and looks considerably more finished than something you've just attacked with a jigsaw on the driveway. For some removable camping setups, adapting domestic furniture might work. For a permanent camper conversion, we'd think carefully before doing it. Domestic furniture is designed for houses. Campervan furniture needs to deal with: Constant vibration Vehicle movement Restricted space Payload limitations Secure fastening Temperature changes Condensation and moisture That doesn't mean every piece of domestic furniture instantly falls apart inside a van. It simply means price and appearance shouldn't be your only criteria. If you're building the van properly and expect to keep it for years, using materials and construction methods intended for vehicle use makes more sense. Campervan Furniture Kits vs Building Everything Yourself There are basically three approaches. You can build everything yourself from raw materials. You can buy complete campervan furniture kits. Or you can do what we think makes sense for a lot of self-builders: combine the two. Build the bits you enjoy making. Buy the bits that are difficult, repetitive or where precision really matters. For example, you might happily build your own ply kitchen but use a laser-cut aluminium MOLLE panel on the rear door rather than spending half a weekend drilling 150 suspiciously wonky holes into a sheet of metal. There's no medal for manufacturing every component yourself. The satisfaction comes from being able to say: I built my camper. Whether you personally made every bracket isn't particularly important. Why Modular Campervan Furniture Makes Sense Traditional campervan furniture tends to assume you know exactly what your van needs before you've used it. We prefer systems that can evolve. A modular furniture system might start with a basic structure. Then you add: Doors Shelves Storage panels MOLLE accessories Equipment mounts Kitchen components Extra storage That is particularly useful if your van is part camper and part toy carrier. Monday to Friday it might be a van. Saturday it has two mountain bikes in the back. Next month it's carrying paddleboards. Then you're camping with the kids. The furniture shouldn't dictate how you're allowed to use the van. It should make the van more useful. Campervan MOLLE Panels MOLLE panels are one of our favourite ways of creating storage without filling the van with another cupboard. Instead of permanently deciding what every space is for, the panel becomes a mounting surface. You can use it to organise equipment such as: Tools Recovery equipment Cables Dog equipment Torches Cooking equipment Small storage bags Camping accessories And when your setup changes, you can reorganise it. They're particularly effective on areas that might otherwise be wasted, including rear doors. We currently manufacture vehicle-specific MOLLE storage panels for the Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter and MAN TGE, alongside universal modular furniture components. See our modular campervan furniture and MOLLE storage systems. Campervan Furniture for Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter and MAN TGE Larger panel vans give you considerably more freedom with your camper van design. They also give you considerably more opportunity to add unnecessary weight. A Sprinter, Crafter or TGE conversion might include a full kitchen, shower, fixed bed, electrical system, water tanks, overhead furniture and a substantial rear garage. This is exactly where lightweight materials become valuable. Rather than thinking about the weight of one cupboard, think about the combined weight of the entire furniture package. Our approach is to use materials such as aluminium and lightweight ply where they make sense, creating components that are strong without unnecessarily filling the van with heavy board. Vehicle compatibility matters too. A Mercedes Sprinter isn't simply the same box with a Mercedes badge that you'll find on every other van. Neither is a Crafter, TGE or Transporter. Model generation, wheelbase, door arrangement and how the van has already been converted can all affect fitment. Always check exactly what a campervan unit fits before ordering it. Campervan Furniture for VW Transporters The challenge with a Transporter is different. Space is at a premium. Every cabinet competes with the people inside the van. That means good VW Transporter campervan furniture needs to earn the space it occupies. Consider: Can one piece of furniture perform two jobs? Can equipment be mounted to a door instead? Does every cupboard need to extend to the floor? Could part of the system be removable? Are you building storage simply because that's how other Transporters are built? You don't have to replicate the classic Transporter layout just because thousands of people have done it before. Build the van around how you use it. Choosing a Campervan Conversion Kit If you're looking for a campervan conversion kit or camper conversion kit, don't judge it purely by how many components you get for your money. More furniture isn't automatically better value. Look at: Material – what is it actually made from? Weight – how much payload will the completed system use? Fitment – is it actually designed for your vehicle? Fixing method – how will it attach to the van? Access – can you service equipment behind it? Modularity – can you change the layout later? Replacement parts – what happens if you damage a door or panel? Usability – will you actually use all of it? A good campervan conversion kit should make building your van easier. It shouldn't just give you a very large pile of plywood. Our Approach to Campervan Furniture We've spent years building real campervans at Wildworx, so Play Dirty's furniture isn't designed from the perspective of someone making static cabinets. It's designed around what happens when furniture goes into a vehicle and gets used. That means we're particularly interested in: Weight.Fitment.Strength.Modularity.Ease of installation.And whether the thing is actually useful. Our growing modular campervan furniture range includes aluminium furniture components, MOLLE storage systems and vehicle-specific products for vans including the Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter, MAN TGE and VW Transporter. The idea isn't to build your camper for you. That's half the fun gone. It's to give you the properly made components that make building it yourself easier. Because six months from now, when you're parked somewhere in Wales with a beer outside the van, nobody is going to care whether you CNC-machined every door yourself. You'll still be able to look at it and say: I built that. And that's really the point.
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Campervan Roof Racks
Campervan Roof Racks Explained: Benefits, Installation & What You Need to Know A roof rack is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to a campervan. Whether you're building an off-grid adventure van, carrying sports equipment or simply running out of storage space inside the vehicle, a properly designed roof rack can significantly increase the capability of your campervan. Popular on vehicles such as the VW Crafter, MAN TGE, Mercedes Sprinter and VW Transporter, roof racks provide a secure platform for carrying equipment while also creating a mounting point for accessories such as campervan solar panels, roof lights, recovery equipment, roof boxes and roof tents. For many overland builds, a roof rack becomes the foundation of the entire vehicle setup. What Is a Campervan Roof Rack? A campervan roof rack is a structural framework that mounts to the roof of the vehicle, creating a strong and secure platform for carrying equipment and accessories. Unlike basic roof bars, a full-length roof rack distributes weight across multiple mounting points and provides a much larger usable area. This makes it ideal for larger adventure vehicles where storage capacity and equipment mounting options are important. Modern roof racks are typically manufactured from aluminium to provide an excellent balance of strength, corrosion resistance and weight. High-quality systems are designed specifically for each vehicle, ensuring correct fitment and load distribution. They are commonly fitted to: VW Crafter roof racks MAN TGE roof racks Mercedes Sprinter roof racks VW Transporter roof racks Off-road campervans Overland campers 4x4 campervan builds How Does a Roof Rack Work? A roof rack uses the vehicle's existing mounting points or roof fixing locations to safely transfer loads into the body structure of the van. The rack creates a flat platform above the roofline which can be used to carry or mount equipment. Depending on the design, it may include side rails, cross members, accessory mounting slots and dedicated fixing points for additional equipment. Many adventure van owners use roof racks for: Campervan solar panel installations Roof boxes Recovery tracks LED light bars Camping equipment Kayaks and paddleboards Surfboards Spare wheels Roof access walkways By moving bulky equipment onto the roof, valuable storage space inside the campervan can be retained for living and sleeping areas. The Benefits of a Roof Rack 1. Increase Storage Capacity One of the biggest advantages of a roof rack is additional storage space. Many campervans quickly reach their internal storage limits, particularly on longer trips. A roof rack allows larger items to be carried externally, freeing up room inside the vehicle. 2. Create a Platform for Accessories A roof rack is often the starting point for other upgrades. Many campervan solar panel kits, campervan roof lights, recovery tracks and awning systems require a secure mounting structure. A well-designed roof rack provides a versatile platform that can evolve as your build develops. 3. Improve Off-Grid Capability For overland campers and off-grid adventure vans, roof racks make it easier to carry equipment needed for extended travel. Additional solar panels, fuel storage, recovery gear and expedition equipment can all be mounted without impacting interior living space. 4. Safe Roof Access Many modern racks incorporate side rails and walkable sections, making it easier to access solar panels, roof vents and maintenance areas safely. How Are Roof Racks Installed? Installation varies depending on the vehicle and rack design, but most quality systems utilise existing factory mounting points wherever possible. A typical installation process includes: Inspecting the roof and mounting locations. Installing mounting brackets or feet. Securing side rails and framework. Fitting crossbars and support sections. Torquing all fixings to specification. Installing accessories and load securing points. Final inspection and load checks. Unlike side pods, fitting a roof rack generally does not require cutting the vehicle bodywork, making installation significantly less invasive. What To Consider Before Buying a Roof Rack Before purchasing a roof rack, consider: Vehicle compatibility. SWB, MWB or LWB wheelbase. Roof load limits. Future accessory requirements. Solar panel installation plans. Awning compatibility. Weight of equipment being carried. Overall vehicle height restrictions. One of the most common mistakes is buying a rack based solely on appearance. The best roof rack is one that supports your intended use, whether that's carrying sports equipment, mounting solar panels or building a fully equipped overland camper. Maintenance Requirements Roof racks require relatively little maintenance, but regular inspections are recommended. Check: Mounting bolts and fixings. Corrosion on steel components. Accessory mounting hardware. Load securing points. Electrical wiring for roof-mounted lights. Regular cleaning is particularly important if the vehicle is used off-road or in coastal environments. Frequently Asked Questions About Campervan Roof Racks How much weight can a campervan roof rack carry? This depends on both the rack and the vehicle roof load rating. Always follow the manufacturer's stated load limits. Can I fit solar panels to a roof rack? Yes. Many campervan solar panel systems are mounted directly to roof racks using dedicated brackets or rails. Do I need a full roof rack or just roof bars? If you're only carrying occasional lightweight loads, roof bars may be sufficient. For solar panels, recovery gear, roof boxes and expedition equipment, a full roof rack is usually the better solution. Will a roof rack increase fuel consumption? Additional weight and wind resistance can have a small impact on fuel economy, particularly when carrying bulky equipment. Are roof racks worth fitting to a campervan? For many campervan owners, a roof rack is one of the most useful upgrades available, providing additional storage, accessory mounting options and improved off-grid capability without sacrificing valuable interior space.
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Campervan Side Pods
Side Pods Benefits, Installation & What You Need to Know If you're planning a VW Crafter, MAN TGE or Mercedes Sprinter campervan conversion, you've probably come across campervan side pods. Also known as side flares, sleeping pods or van side pods, they are one of the most effective ways to create additional living space without moving to a larger vehicle. For many campervan builders, the biggest challenge is fitting a comfortable bed into a limited space. Side pods solve this problem by extending the bodywork at the rear of the van, allowing most adults to sleep across the width of the vehicle rather than lengthways. The result is a more spacious layout, increased storage opportunities and a more practical campervan overall. Ready to add up to 6'6" of sleeping width? Shop our made-to-order side pods for the VW Crafter, MAN TGE and Mercedes Sprinter. Shop Side Pods Not sure they'll fit your van? Send us your reg and we'll confirm before you order. What Are Campervan Side Pods? Campervan side pods are moulded GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) extensions that are permanently bonded into the side panels of a van. They protrude beyond the original bodywork and create additional internal width in the sleeping area. They are most commonly fitted to: VW Crafter side pods VW Crafter LWB side pods MAN TGE side pods Mercedes Sprinter side pods Sprinter campervan conversions Overland and off-grid campervan builds Most modern side pods are supplied as a left and right-hand pair and are designed specifically for either MWB or LWB vehicles. How Do Side Pods Work? The primary purpose of side pods is to increase the internal width of the van where the bed is located. A standard van body can often be too narrow for many adults to sleep comfortably across the vehicle. By extending the bodywork on both sides, side pods create enough additional width to allow a transverse bed layout. On the Wildworx VW Crafter and MAN TGE design, the finished sleeping width can reach approximately 6ft 6in (1980mm), allowing most people to sleep sideways comfortably. This seemingly small increase in width creates significant design benefits because it frees up floor space throughout the rest of the campervan. The Benefits of Campervan Side Pods 1. Sleep Sideways Instead of Lengthways This is the biggest reason most people install side pods. By sleeping across the van, you no longer need a bed running front-to-back. This can save over a metre of valuable interior floor space and completely transform the layout of your campervan. 2. Create More Living Space The space saved by a transverse bed can be used for: Larger kitchens Additional seating Bigger garage storage Internal showers Composting toilets Extra worktop space Many converters find side pods allow them to achieve layouts that would otherwise only be possible in a much longer vehicle. 3. More Storage Opportunities Because the bed runs across the van, the area underneath can often be used more efficiently for storage. This is particularly useful for outdoor adventure equipment, bikes, recovery gear and camping equipment. 4. Factory-Style Appearance Modern side pods are designed to integrate with the vehicle bodywork rather than look like an afterthought. The Wildworx design uses a hidden fixing flange located behind the pod rather than around the outer edge, creating a cleaner OEM-style finish with no visible external flange. How Are Side Pods Installed? Installing side pods is a permanent body modification and requires cutting into the van. A professional installation typically follows these stages: 1. Vehicle Inspection & Layout The vehicle is inspected and measured before templates are applied to the bodywork. Positioning should always be checked by a second technician before cutting begins. 2. Cutting the Aperture The surrounding paintwork is protected before pilot holes are drilled and the body aperture is carefully cut. Any internal obstructions must be identified before cutting. 3. Edge Preparation All exposed metal edges are deburred, primed and treated with corrosion protection to prevent future rust. 4. Trial Fitting The side pods are temporarily fitted to verify alignment, clearances and symmetry on both sides of the van. 5. Bonding The pods are bonded using high-strength automotive polyurethane adhesive. This creates a strong, weatherproof connection between the pod and the vehicle body. 6. Structural Support Many side pod systems require support beams or replacement framework where structural sections of the original bodywork have been removed. This is a critical part of the installation and should never be overlooked. 7. Quality Control Once cured, the installation is checked for: Water tightness Adhesive coverage Corrosion protection Symmetry Finish quality What Do You Need To Fit Side Pods? Depending on the design, installation may require: Side pod kit Vehicle-specific templates Automotive polyurethane adhesive Corrosion protection products Cutting tools Clamps and support equipment Structural support beams or reinforcement framework Optional opening windows and blinds Many side pods are supplied in a black or grey gel coat finish and require preparation before painting to match the vehicle. Are Side Pods Worth It? For most VW Crafter, MAN TGE and Mercedes Sprinter conversions, side pods are one of the highest-impact upgrades available. Unlike many campervan modifications that provide marginal improvements, side pods fundamentally change how the interior can be designed. The ability to sleep sideways, create additional living space and maximise storage can make a medium wheelbase van feel significantly larger without increasing the vehicle's overall length. For anyone planning a serious off-grid, overland or adventure campervan build, side pods are often the difference between a layout that works and one that feels compromised. Add 6'6" of Width to Your Build Our side pods are hand-built to order in the UK, supplied as a pair and backed by a 1-year warranty. Free UK shipping over £100. Shop Side Pods Want it done for you? Book professional fitting with Wildworx, or send us your reg and we'll confirm fitment first.
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The Ultimate Guide to Campervan Accessories: Which upgrades Are Actually Worth It?
If you've spent any time looking at adventure vans on Instagram or YouTube, you've probably seen them. Big all-terrain tyres. Roof racks loaded with gear. Snorkels. Light bars. Recovery tracks. Winches. They all look impressive. But here's the question most people never ask: Which campervan accessories genuinely improve your adventures, and which ones simply improve the way your van looks? The truth is that not every upgrade is right for every van owner. Some accessories can completely transform how you travel. Others may add weight, cost and complexity without ever being used. In this guide, we'll walk through the most popular adventure campervan upgrades, explain what they actually do, who they're for, and help you decide whether they're worth adding to your build. Watch: Are These Campervan Upgrades Actually Worth It? We've put together a full video breaking down each of these upgrades, showing what they do in the real world and helping you decide which are right for your van. 👉 Watch the full video and decide for yourself: Which campervan upgrades are genuinely worth it? Before You Start: What Kind of Adventure Do You Actually Want? The biggest mistake people make is buying accessories before defining how they'll use their van. A campervan built for weekends in Cornwall looks very different to one designed for a six-month overland trip through Morocco. Ask yourself: Do you mostly stay on campsites? Do you regularly drive on muddy fields? Do you enjoy remote wild camping? Do you carry bikes, kayaks or paddleboards? Are you planning long overland expeditions? Your answers should determine your upgrades. Not Instagram. 1. Off-Road Wheels and All-Terrain Tyres Best for: Campsites Gravel tracks Muddy fields Light off-road driving If there's one upgrade that offers both visual impact and practical benefits, it's a good set of off-road wheels paired with all-terrain tyres. Unlike standard road tyres, all-terrain tyres are designed to provide extra grip on loose surfaces such as gravel, mud, sand and wet grass. This doesn't turn your campervan into a Land Rover. But it can mean the difference between driving out of a muddy field and waiting three hours for a tow truck. Pros ✔ Improved grip on loose surfaces ✔ Better durability ✔ More aggressive adventure styling ✔ Increased confidence when conditions deteriorate Cons ✘ Slightly more road noise ✘ Reduced fuel economy Worth it? For most campervan owners: Yes. This is often the best first upgrade to make. 2. Roof Racks Best for: Active travellers Long trips Carrying sports equipment A roof rack effectively gives you an extra storage room. For many people, it's the difference between travelling comfortably and feeling like you're living in a cluttered cupboard. Roof racks can carry: Paddleboards Kayaks Surfboards Recovery gear Storage boxes Solar panels Starlink systems Awnings They also help protect roof-mounted equipment such as skylights and solar panels from overhanging branches. Pros ✔ Massive increase in storage capacity ✔ Flexible mounting options ✔ Protects roof equipment ✔ Makes longer trips easier Cons ✘ Can affect fuel economy ✘ May increase wind noise Worth it? Absolutely, if you regularly carry outdoor gear. 3. Lift Kits and Upgraded Suspension Best for: Off-road travel Rough tracks Heavy campervan builds Lift kits increase ground clearance, helping your van clear obstacles that would otherwise scrape the underside. They also improve approach and departure angles when driving over uneven ground. Combined with quality suspension upgrades, they can dramatically improve both comfort and capability. Pros ✔ More ground clearance ✔ Better off-road performance ✔ Improved ride quality with premium suspension ✔ Increased confidence on rough terrain Cons ✘ Expensive ✘ Can affect handling if poorly designed Worth it? Only if you genuinely leave the tarmac behind. For campsite users, the money may be better spent elsewhere. 4. Snorkels Best for: Dusty environments Overland travel Desert expeditions The snorkel is one of the most misunderstood campervan accessories. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't primarily designed to help you drive through rivers. Its main purpose is to raise the vehicle's air intake higher away from dust, spray and debris. This becomes especially important when travelling in convoy or driving on dusty tracks. Pros ✔ Cleaner air intake ✔ Better protection from dust ✔ Reduced risk of water ingestion ✔ Adventure styling Cons ✘ Limited benefit for most UK users Worth it? Essential for serious overland travel. Probably unnecessary for weekend camping. 5. Light Bars Best for: Off-road driving Remote locations Night-time exploration A quality light bar can completely transform visibility once you're off public roads. When you're navigating unknown terrain after dark, spotting obstacles early can prevent damage and make driving significantly safer. Important Light bars are generally not legal for use on UK public roads unless used appropriately. Always check local regulations. Worth it? Excellent for genuine adventure travel. Mostly cosmetic if your van rarely leaves campsites. 6. Underbody Protection Best for: Rough tracks Overland travel Expensive campervan builds Most campervan owners spend thousands protecting the inside of their van. Very few think about protecting the underside. A sump guard protects critical components such as: Engine sump Transmission Front axle components One unexpected rock strike can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage. Worth it? One of the smartest upgrades available if you travel off-road. 7. Recovery Tracks Best for: Mud Sand Wet grass Solo travellers Recovery tracks are one of the cheapest adventure upgrades available. When you lose traction, they provide a surface for your tyres to grip and climb out. They're lightweight, easy to store and often solve problems before they become serious. Worth it? Yes. Every adventure van should carry a set. 8. Winches Best for: Serious expeditions Remote travel Heavy off-road use A winch can recover a stuck vehicle without needing help from another driver. However, they are heavy, expensive and rarely used by most campervan owners. Worth it? If you're planning expeditions through remote terrain: Absolutely. For everyone else: Probably not. The Most Important Upgrade Isn't a Product After years of building and using adventure vans, we've learned something important. The best campervan upgrade isn't a snorkel. It isn't a roof rack. It isn't even a lift kit. It's confidence. The confidence to take that dirt track. The confidence to stay an extra night. The confidence to explore somewhere new. The right upgrades don't just change how your campervan looks. They change where you're willing to go. And that's where the real adventure begins.
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