Campervan Exterior Accessories & Upgrades
The exterior of your campervan does far more than determine how it looks. The right campervan accessories can improve storage, increase practicality, enhance off-road capability and make life on the road significantly easier. Whether you're building a weekend adventure van, upgrading a VW Transporter, fitting out a VW Crafter or preparing a MAN TGE or Mercedes Sprinter for longer trips, choosing the right exterior upgrades is an important part of any campervan setup.
Our Campervan Exterior collection includes carefully selected campervan parts and accessories designed for real-world use, from awning rails and roof racks to vehicle snorkels, side pods, recovery gear and expedition-ready upgrades.
Buying Guide: Choosing The Right Campervan Exterior Accessories
Exterior upgrades generally fall into three categories: storage, camping functionality and off-road capability.
Roof racks and roof bars are among the most popular additions, providing a secure platform for carrying recovery equipment, roof boxes, solar panels, surfboards, bikes and other bulky gear. If you're regularly travelling with limited interior space, a quality roof rack can dramatically increase carrying capacity.
Awning rails and campervan awnings create valuable sheltered living space outside the vehicle. Systems such as Vamoose awning rails are designed to provide a clean mounting solution for drive-away awnings and can be a worthwhile addition for longer camping trips.
For those building an off-road campervan or overland vehicle, upgrades such as recovery tracks, vehicle snorkels and side-mounted storage systems can improve self-sufficiency when travelling away from campsites and paved roads.
What To Consider Before Buying Campervan Exterior Accessories
The first consideration is vehicle compatibility. A roof rack, awning rail or side pod designed for a VW Transporter may not fit a Volkswagen Crafter, MAN TGE or Mercedes Sprinter. Always check vehicle-specific fitment before purchasing.
Think carefully about how you use your campervan. Many owners add equipment they rarely use, increasing weight and reducing fuel efficiency. If most of your trips are campsite-based weekends away, a roof rack and awning rail may be more useful than heavy-duty off-road equipment.
Installation requirements are also worth considering. Some products are designed for straightforward DIY fitting, while others may require drilling, roof preparation or professional installation.
Finally, consider future upgrades. A modular approach often works best, allowing you to add storage, lighting, recovery equipment or camping accessories as your needs evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a roof rack on my campervan?
Not necessarily. A roof rack is most useful if you need additional storage space or plan to carry equipment such as bikes, recovery gear, solar panels or roof boxes.
What is a campervan awning rail used for?
A campervan awning rail provides a secure attachment point for a drive-away awning, creating additional sheltered space for cooking, relaxing or storing gear.
Are vehicle snorkels only for water crossings?
No. While a vehicle snorkel can help in wet conditions, many off-road drivers fit them primarily to draw cleaner air from a higher position when driving on dusty tracks.
Can recovery tracks be used on a campervan?
Yes. Recovery tracks are commonly used on campervans and overland vehicles to help regain traction on mud, sand, snow and loose ground.
Which vehicles do these exterior accessories fit?
Many products are available for popular adventure vehicles including the VW Transporter, VW Crafter, MAN TGE, Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit Custom and other campervan platforms. Always check individual product compatibility before ordering.