Here are some lists of things I use that have worked well for me over the years. Since I’ve lived in two vans, I’ve split these up into what I’ve used in each. There is some duplication, because I’ve used the same things in both, and in some cases moved things from the first van to the second. Below the vans are sections for the motorcycles, the trailer, and other things like amateur radio equipment.
Full disclosure: Most of these are Amazon affiliate links, so I’ll make a small commission off what you buy, whether it’s these exact items or something else. This is what I use, but buy whatever works best for you.
Smokey II: 2021 Ford Transit
Electrical
- (2) SOK 206 amp-hour LiFePO4 batteries
- (3) Rich Solar 200 watt rigid solar panels
- BougeRV 1-to-3 Solar Y Branch Connectors
- Link Solar Weatherproof ABS Solar Double Cable Entry Gland
- Oyviny 80 Amp Circuit Breaker — From the solar panels to the charge controller
- Renogy Rover 60-amp MPPT solar charge controller
- Renogy BT-1 Bluetooth module — For monitoring the charge controller
- Renogy 50 amp DC-DC charger — Charges house batteries from solar and/or the alternator, but I only use it for alternator charging in Smokey II
- Renogy BT-2 Bluetooth module — For monitoring alternator charging
- 20-Amp Smart Battery Charger — For shore power
- Noco GCP1 15 Amp AC Port Plug — Also for shore power
- 10-foot extension cord — Permanently connects the shore power plug to the charger
- GoWISE Power 2000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter — Recommended by Will Prowse
- T Tocas Hi-AMP Type III 200 Amp Circuit Breaker — For the power inverter
- Ampper Heavy Duty Copper Wire Lugs, 6 Awg, 1/4″ Ring, 10 Pcs
- WUPP 12 Volt Fuse Block — Manages all of my 12-volt circuits
- Car Cigarette Lighter Socket
- Automotive USB Port Panel Mount
- MINGER LED Strip Lights — Multicolor accent lights
- AIBOO 6 Ultra Slim Puck Lights Kit (Warm White) — For when I need to light up the room
- i2 Gear USB Reading Lamp — Plug into any USB port, let there be light
- Kingshowstar 12V Waterproof Push-Button On-Off Switch — Turns my internet router on and off
- DC 12V Propane Leak Alarm
Heating
- maXpeedingrods 5KW 12V Diesel Heater — Read all about the installation here
- Camco Olympian Wave 3 heater — Saved from Smokey I, just the backup heater now
- Camco low-pressure gas regulator with 12-foot hose — Connects the propane heater to a standard 20lb propane tank
- DOZYANT Steak Saver 20lb to 1lb Propane Tank Adapter — Connects the propane heater to a standard Coleman 1lb propane tank
Kitchen
- Alpicool T60 dual-zone refrigerator/freezer
- GasOne dual fuel butane/propane camping stove — It looks like the one I have is no longer available, probably because it blew its propane regulator out.
Here’s one with a different design that looks safer - Coleman propane stove/grill — I just use this outside because it’s big
- 4-Foot Portable Fish Cleaning Table — My sink and kitchen counter
- Electric faucet — I use this instead of the one that came with the table, charges by micro-USB
- (2) Reliance Aqua-Tainer Water Container 7 Gallon — Fresh water jugs
- Ozark Trail 6-Gal Water Storage Jug — Grey water jug, because it’s grey
- 34”x22” Silicone Under Kitchen Sink Liner Mat
- Sterilite 3 Drawer Plastic Cart, Black with Clear Drawers — This sits on top of the counter, without the wheels
- Sterilite Wide 3 Drawer Cart Black — This sits under the floor under the counter, without the wheels
Bathroom
- Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
- Geyser Systems Portable Shower — Read all about it here
Ventilation
- MAXXAIR 0007000K MaxxFan Deluxe Fan with Remote and White Lid
- Cllena DC 8V-40V to 12V 10A Voltage Regulator — REQUIRED when running a Maxxair fan in a vehicle to prevent overvoltage. This 10-amp version can handle two fans
- Camco RV Vent Insulator and Skylight Cover with Reflective Surface — Handy to plug the vent hole on those cold winter nights
- Ford Transit Full Size Van 2pc Airvent Cab Window Inserts
- 12-volt Tornado Fan — Bought it at Love’s, plugs in, clips anywhere, blows lots of air
Interior
- Custom Fit Windshield Sun Shade for Ford Transit
- Custom Fit Front Side (2pcs) Sunshades for Ford Transit
- Loncaster Car Phone Holder — Cheaper than Apple CarPlay
- DIYMAG Powerful Neodymium Disc Magnets — This is a stick-up!
- DIYMAG Magnetic Hooks
- Black blackout curtains, 42 inches wide by 63 inches long — I use these in the front and back of the van
- Black blackout curtains, 42 inches wide by 36 inches long — I use these for the side door window
- Truck Bed Cargo Net — Contains clothing on the top side shelf
- Sterilite 3-Drawer Wide Weave Design Storage Tower — I use a few of these from Walmart, stacked together, to store just about everything
- LumbarPal Lumbar Support Pillow — The Transit front seats have poor lumbar support. This helped after I trimmed half the foam out
- Vizio 24-inch smart TV
- VIVO Black Manual Flip Down Mount — Hangs my TV under the top shelf
Exterior
- (3) Rhino Rack HD Roof Rack Crossbars
- (6) Replacement M8 x 16 mm Rectangular Head T-Bolt for Rhino-Rack Accessories — To mount solar panels
- eTrailer Class III Trailer Hitch
- CURT 56327 Vehicle-Side Custom 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness
- Tow Ready Mounting Bracket For 4 Pole Flat Connector
Smokey I: 2004 Ford E250
Electrical
- (2) Renogy 200 amp hour AGM battery
- (2) Renogy 175 watt flexible solar panel
- Renogy 50 amp DC-DC charger — Charges house batteries from solar and/or the alternator
- Renogy BT-2 Bluetooth module
- Noco 10-amp battery charger — For shore power
- Noco GCP1 15 Amp AC Port Plug — Also for shore power
- Jackery Explorer 240 — Great for charging laptops, phones, etc. outside the van
- Kohree 12-way 12-volt fuse block
- Kohree 3-in-1 cigarette lighter USB outlet — We installed these all over the van
- Pactrade LED Swivel Reading Light, Polished Brass
- MICTUNING RV Exterior LED Porch Utility Light
Propane and Propane Accessories
- Coleman propane stove/grill
- GasSaf 5-foot adapter hose — Connects the stove to a standard 20lb propane tank
- Camco Olympian Wave 3 heater
- Camco low-pressure gas regulator with 12-foot hose — Connects the heater to a standard 20lb propane tank
- Propane Y-splitter with gauge
Kitchen
- Alpicool T60 dual-zone refrigerator/freezer
- GasOne butane stove with 4 cans of fuel
- Coleman gas camping grill/stove
Bathroom
Ventilation
- Maxxair 00-05100 roof vent/fan
- 12-volt Tornado Fan — Bought it at Love’s, plugs in, clips anywhere, blows lots of air.
Interior
- Kidde carbon monoxide alarm — Critical with propane and propane accessories.
- First Alert smoke alarm — Smoke detectors save lives. One saved ours.
- Sony XAV-AX1000 stereo — Apple CarPlay lets me put Google Maps on my dashboard. Doubles as a screen for my rear camera
- TOPGO Phone Holder Car Cup Mount — I use my phone to control music or podcasts while leaving Google Maps on my dashboard screen
- Kohree 3-in-1 cigarette lighter USB outlet — We installed these all over the van
- Pactrade LED Swivel Reading Light, Polished Brass
Exterior
- ALL-TOP vehicle awning 6.6′ X 8.2′
- EcoNour Baby Car Window Shades for Side Windows — They say for rear windows only, but with a short bungee around the side mirror I make them work for the front doors
- KASLIGHT LED headlights — Because sealed beams suck
- Nilight ZH006 20-inch LED Light Bar — When overkill is just enough
- MICTUNING RV Exterior LED Porch Utility Light
- CURT 14055 Class 4 Trailer Hitch – 1,000-pound tongue weight is plenty for the motorcycle and carrier
- Curt trailer light wiring harness — It really is plug-and-play
- Mofeez RV Class C Compatible with Ford 1997-2020 Windshield Cover — It works with vans, too
Motorcycle Stuff
- Black Widow MCC-500 Motorcycle Carrier
- Scorpion EXO-AT950 helmet
- Icon Contra 2 mesh jacket — Read my review here
- Rev’It Prometheus leather jacket — Read my review here
- HWK motorcycle pants
- O’Neal Rider motocross boots
Trailer Stuff
I’m still collecting links for this section.
- BougeRV FORT 1000 1120Wh LiFePO4 Portable Power Station
- MINGER LED Strip Lights — Interior lighting
- Leisure LED RV Exterior Porch Utility Light with Switch
- Shelves (Home Depot)
- Motorcycle wheel chock
- Generator
- Locks, chocks, and stuff
Amateur Radio
VHF/UHF
- Kenwood TM-V71A mobile VHF/UHF radio
- Kalibur KVAN antenna mount — Works with older Ford, Chevy/GMC, and Dodge vans
- Antenna Mounting Bracket for Ford Transit Van 2013-2022
- BaoFeng UV-5R Ham Radio Kit — Admit it, we all have one of these
HF
- Alinco DX-70 HF radio
- Alpha Antenna Full Metal Jacket — Portable antenna, covers from 6 through 80 meter bands
Useful Memberships
- Escapees RV Club — Mail forwarding and domicile, discounts at numerous RV parks. Tell them we sent you!
- Harvest Hosts — Stay at wineries, breweries, farms, and other interesting points of interest.
- Boondockers Welcome — Free stays with fellow travelers.
- Mobile Internet Resource Center — There is a vast wealth of information here about getting and staying online, useful for digital nomads. I became a member to support their efforts, as well as to gain full access to this treasure trove of info.
Smokey Da Van 