Top 20 Caravan Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner
Caravanning is one of life’s great joys. There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road, setting up on a peaceful site, and enjoying the freedom of home comforts wherever you go. Although if you’ve ever travelled in a caravan, you’ll know it’s not always smooth sailing. From running out of fridge space to fighting with awning pegs, the little frustrations can sometimes overshadow the fun.
Over time, though, you pick up clever tricks that make life so much easier. Some we’ve learned through trial and error (like discovering our leisure battery wasn’t the right grade for the motor mover and nearly exploding leaving us stuck getting the caravan into the garden). Others we’ve picked up from fellow caravanners over coffee (or Beer) in a campsite. These are the hacks you wish you knew sooner—the ones that save time, money, and stress.
So here’s my roundup of the top 20 caravan hacks every caravanner should know. Whether you’re brand new to caravanning or have been towing for years, you’ll find something here to make your next trip smoother.
1. Use Collapsible and Stackable Kitchenware
Caravan kitchens are notoriously small, and cupboard space fills up fast. That’s why collapsible and stackable kitchenware is a lifesaver. (Contains Affiliate Amazon links below)
- Collapsible bowls and colanders fold flat to fit into drawers.
- Nesting pans mean you only need one set for all your cooking.
- Stackable food containers make leftovers easy to store without wasted space.
Personal hack: We store ours in fabric baskets inside the cupboard. It stops rattling when towing and keeps everything in one place.
2. Invest in a Caravan Battery Monitor
Your leisure battery is the heart of your caravan. Without it, your motor mover, lights, fridge, and even alarms stop working. We learned the hard way when our caravan battery overheated and failed, it turned out it wasn’t the right grade to power our mover.
Since then, we’ve installed a battery monitor that tracks:
- Voltage
- Charge percentage
- Temperature
This little gadget gives us peace of mind and helps us avoid costly breakdowns.
Hack Tip: Pair it with a Grade A leisure battery if you use a motor mover.
3. Magnetic or Stick onHooks for Extra Storage
If you’re constantly losing keys, tea towels, or cables, magnetic hooks will change your life. Stick them to your fridge, cooker hood, or door for instant storage without drilling holes.
They’re also great in the awning for hanging lanterns or dog leads.
4. Levelling Made Easy with a Spirit Level App
No one enjoys sleeping on a slant, and a fridge won’t run properly if your caravan isn’t level. Forget the guesswork—download a free spirit level app on your phone.
- Park up roughly where you want.
- Place your phone on the worktop or floor.
- Adjust your levelling ramps until the app reads zero.
Personal note: We once tried “eyeballing it” and ended up with the kettle sliding across the counter. Never again!
5. Shoe Organisers = Hidden Storage
Over-the-door shoe organisers aren’t just for shoes—they’re the ultimate multi-purpose caravan storage hack.
- Hang one on the bathroom door for toiletries.
- Use one in the wardrobe for socks, underwear, or rolled t-shirts.
- Keep one in the awning for toys, dog leads, or snacks.
They’re lightweight, fold flat when not in use, and make everything easy to find.
6. Use Pool Noodles to Protect Awning Poles and Edges
Pool noodles are more than just swimming aids. Cut them lengthways and slide them over awning poles or sharp furniture edges inside your caravan.
- Kid-friendly: Stops little heads from painful bumps.
- Pet-friendly: Prevents injuries to dogs running around.
- Budget-friendly: You can buy them for pennies in summer.
7. Keep a Head Torch Handy
A head torch might not sound glamorous, but once you use one you’ll never go back. It’s perfect for:
- Late-night toilet block trips
- Emergency awning repairs in the dark
- Setting up on a pitch after sunset
Personal hack: We keep one by the door so it’s always within reach.
8. Frozen Water Bottles as Fridge Boosters
Caravan fridges can be slow to cool, especially in summer. A frozen water bottle doubles up as an ice pack to keep your fridge cold while travelling.
By the time it thaws, you’ve got a chilled drink ready to go. Win-win!
9. Command Hooks and Strips for Damage-Free Hanging
Caravan walls are delicate—screws or nails can cause expensive damage. Command hooks and strips give you extra hanging space for lights, utensils, or even artwork.
The best part? They peel off without leaving marks when you’re ready to change things up.
10. Caravan-Friendly Slow Cooker or Air Fryer
Cooking in a small caravan kitchen isn’t always fun. That’s where a compact slow cooker or air fryer comes in.
- Slow cooker: Prep dinner in the morning and let it cook while you’re out exploring.
- Air fryer: Quick meals with minimal oil and washing up.
Personal hack: Overnight oats in the slow cooker make the perfect grab-and-go breakfast before a long hike.
11. Carry Spare Fuses, Bulbs, and Hose Connectors
It’s amazing how such tiny items can cause such big problems. A blown fuse, dead bulb, or missing hose connector can ruin your setup.
Keep a small tackle box filled with spares. It barely takes up space but could save your trip.
In our old Elddis we got caught out by a fuse blowing so had to go on a hunt to local shops to find some!
12. Use Reflective Thermal Blinds
Thermal blinds are one of the best caravan hacks for comfort.
- In summer, they reflect sunlight and keep your caravan cool.
- In winter, they insulate your windows to retain heat.
Ideal for older vans or vans that dont have great heating systems
13. Caravan Levelling Ramps with Marked Points
Levelling ramps can be tricky—how far should you pull forward? One hack is to paint lines or stick reflective tape at different heights.
That way, you’ll know exactly where to stop every time. No more guesswork!
Levelling Ramps – (Amazon Affiliate Link)
Check out or post on How to level your caravan here.
14. Portable Washing Line or Retractable Reel
Caravans don’t come with much drying space, but a retractable washing line fixes that.
- Attach it between two trees or posts.
- Use it inside the awning on wet days.
- Fold it away when not in use.
Personal hack: We use ours for everything from swimsuits to muddy dog towels.
15. Create a Pre-Trip Checklist
A laminated checklist will save you countless headaches. Before towing, tick off things like:
- Cupboards locked
- Windows shut
- Gas turned off
- Tyres checked
- Awning packed away
We once forgot to secure a cupboard, and half our food ended up on the floor by the time we arrived. Lesson learned!
16. Awning Carpet Peg Hack
Awning carpets often come with flimsy pegs that bend easily. Swap them for heavy-duty metal pegs or plastic ones with handles.
And don’t forget a rubber mallet—it’ll save your hands from blisters.
Top Tip! Or really a tip to save time, your back and sanity! We have recently discovered Peggy Pegs or the cheaper alternatives! Absolute game changer!! Just use the the drill instead of beating the pegs in with a mallet! I will link affilate links below for them!
Peggy Pegs – (Amazon Affilate Link)
12 Pack Heavy Duty Metal Tent Pegs – (Amazon Affilate Link)
17. Keep Moisture at Bay with Dehumidifier Bags
Caravans are prone to damp, especially if stored over winter. Hanging moisture traps or dehumidifier bags help absorb excess condensation.
They’re cheap, lightweight, and easy to replace every few months.
Hanging Moisture Bags (Amazon Affilate Link)
18. Use Stackable Storage Crates in Lockers
Lockers quickly become cluttered. Stackable plastic crates keep everything neat and easy to access.
Label them for tools, hoses, outdoor chairs, or kids’ toys so you can grab what you need without rummaging.
19. Dog-Friendly Hacks for Pet Owners
Travelling with a dog? A few hacks make it stress-free:
- Collapsible water bowls for walks.
- Cooling mats to keep dogs safe in summer.
- A spare set of leads and towels in the caravan.
Our dachshund/Jack Russell mix loves caravan trips, but he overheats easily. His cooling mat is a lifesaver on hot days.
20. Keep a Spare Set of Keys Somewhere Safe
It might sound obvious, but many caravanners only bring one set of keys. Getting locked out is a nightmare, especially if you’re far from home.
Keep a spare in your tow vehicle or with a trusted family member. You’ll thank yourself one day.