Australia’s roads serve up every condition you can think of, from humid coastal highways and red-dust outback tracks to cool alpine climbs and windy open plains. Whether you are exploring New South Wales, crossing the Nullarbor, or cruising along Queensland’s tropical coast, the right caravan accessories keep you safe, comfortable, and ready for anything.
The best setups go beyond comfort. They help your rig handle better, keep power and water reliable, and make it easier to stay self-sufficient wherever you stop. Many of these accessories also suit travellers comparing caravans with the best motorhomes for sale, since safety gear, power options, and water systems often overlap.
In this guide, we have rounded up the top ten must-have caravan accessories that make every Aussie trip smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
1) Towing Mirrors That Extend Your Rearward Vision
Towing mirrors bring back the clear view you lose when your caravan is wider than your tow vehicle. With the right mirrors, you can see along the full side of the van, check traffic in the next lane, and watch the van track neatly through turns.
On roads, this matters a lot. Multi-lane motorways around Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong are busy, and lane changes need confidence. Coastal routes can throw you into crosswinds without much warning. Extra vision helps you hold a steady line and make safer moves.
What to look for
- Quick-fit clamp or door-mount designs that lock in firmly
- Low vibration at highway speeds, tested at 100 km/h
- Convex lenses for a wider field of view
- ADR-compliant construction and fittings
- Arms that fold or stow neatly when you are not towing
Fit and Usage
- Set the mirrors so you can see the full length of your van and a sliver of its side
- Check both horizontal and vertical angles before you leave
- Re-check clamp tension and alignment at your first fuel stop
- Clean the lenses whenever you clean your windscreen for the best clarity
2) Electric Brake Controller For Safe Stopping
An electric brake controller links your tow vehicle to the caravan’s electric brakes so both slow together. The controller senses how hard you brake and sends a matching signal to the van. The result is smoother, shorter, and more stable stops.
Long downhill stretches in the ranges and the Great Dividing Range call for steady control. A well-tuned controller helps you avoid heat build-up, reduces trailer push on descents, and keeps the rig straight during sudden stops on busy highways.
What To Look For
- Proportional sensing that mirrors your pedal pressure
- Simple manual override so you can correct a sway or control speed on a slope
- Memory presets if you tow different vans or load patterns
- An easy-to-read display with clear gain numbers and alert icons
Setup Tips
- Start in an empty car park and set the gain so the van brakes firmly without locking
- Increase the gain slightly for wet roads or gravel, then test again at low speed
- Re-check settings after a fuel stop or when conditions change
- Keep connectors clean and cables secure to prevent signal dropouts
This upgrade suits large touring vans and applies to small camping trailers for sale fitted with electric brakes.
3) Weight Distribution Hitch And Anti-Sway System
This hitch shifts weight back onto the front axle for better steering and braking. The anti-sway function calms the rig in the wind and when trucks pass.
Buying checklist
- Correct bar rating for measured tow ball weight
- Quick, safe spring bar connection
- Integrated sway control
- Clearance for steep driveways and tight turns
- Compatible with your towbar and A-frame
Setup Pointers
- Measure front and rear wheel arch heights before coupling
- Tension bars so the front height returns close to unladen
- Check clearance on full lock and over bumps
- Road test at low speed, then retest after 50 km
Good Habits
- Load heavy items low and near the axle
- Set tyre pressures for the load and conditions
- Inspect pins, chains, and brackets before each trip
4) Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Plus Portable Air Compressor
A tyre pressure monitoring system warns you early if a tyre is losing air or getting hot. Correct pressures improve grip, stability, and braking. You also save tyres and fuel over time.
Roads range from smooth Princes Highway bitumen to corrugated tracks into national parks. Pressures can change with heat, speed, and surface. Live readings help you react before a problem grows.
Choose Well
- Sensors with replaceable batteries and solid sealing
- Clear in-cab display with audible alerts
- Reads both the tow vehicle and caravan tyres
- Shows pressure and temperature in real time
- Simple pairing and strong valve caps
Compressor needs
- 12V portable unit with a duty cycle that can handle four tyres in one go
- Decent flow rate for SUV and caravan tyres
- Screw or clip fittings, plus an inline deflator and a rigid gauge
- Long hose, Anderson plug or battery clamps, and a tidy carry case
Routine
- Do a cold pressure set before you leave, then quick hot-day checks at each stop.
- Adjust for load and surface.
- Use the same gauge for consistent results.
- Inspect the tread and sidewalls while inflating.
- Note your ideal highway and gravel pressures and keep them in the glovebox.
5) Portable Solar Panels With DC-DC Charger And Dual Battery
Portable solar keeps lights, the water pump, fans, and devices running without booking a powered site. It is quiet, clean, and lets you stay longer in your favourite spots.
Coastal campgrounds can be shady under trees, which cuts roof panel output. A portable panel can sit in full sun while your van stays cool. You can shift the panel throughout the day as the sun moves to keep power flowing.
Buy Smart
- A portable panel rated around 160 to 240 W, either a folding blanket or suitcase style
- MPPT solar controller for better charging in real conditions
- Quality cabling with Anderson plugs and strain relief at joins
- Lithium-ready DC-DC charger sized for your alternator and battery bank
- Dual battery setup with a deep-cycle house battery and proper fusing
Practical Setup
- Park the van in shade, run the panel to a sunny patch, and angle it toward the sun.
- Keep leads as short as practical to reduce voltage drop.
- Place the panel where no one will trip and peg it in light wind.
- Use a watt meter to confirm how much power you are bringing in.
- Move the panel a couple of times during the day to follow the sun.
- Coil and stow cables before dark so the area stays tidy and safe.
6) Water Filtration Kit And Food-Grade Hose
A good filtration kit improves taste and safety. It also protects pumps, heaters, and appliances from grit and sediment.
Water quality can vary at regional parks and showgrounds. You may connect to a bore water one night and a tank supply the next. Filtration keeps things consistent and reduces the risk of upset stomachs.
What to Include
- An inline carbon filter to improve taste and remove odour.
- Sediment pre-filter to catch rust and sand.
- Back-flushable housings are possible for longer life.
- Food-grade hose, 10-20 metres, kink-resistant.
- Brass fittings and spare washers for tight, leak-free joins.
- A ventilated hose bag to keep gear clean and dry.
Good Habits
- Filter during fill to protect your tanks, then filter again at the tap inside
- Sanitise tanks at the start of the season and after long breaks
- Flush new filters for a minute before first use.
- Keep hoses off the ground where you can, and cap the ends when stored
- Replace cartridges as per the maker’s guide or sooner if flow drops or taste changes
7) Levelling Ramps, Wheel Chocks, And A Small Spirit Level
Keeping the van level protects the fridge, lets showers drain properly, and makes beds comfortable. It also takes stress off doors, drawers, and the chassis.
Buy List
- Stepped levelling ramps rated above your loaded van weight
- High-grip wheel chocks with a pull rope or handle
- A compact bubble level or a reliable phone app
- Rubber mats to stop ramps sinking into sand or soft grass
- Optional tandem ramp wedges if you run a dual-axle van
Quick Method
- Park on the site and check side to side with a level on the A-frame or floor
- Place a ramp on the low side and roll up slowly in small steps
- Handbrake on, vehicle in park, then chock both sides of the raised wheel.
- Drop the jockey wheel to fine-tune front to back.
- Lower stabiliser legs to firm contact; do not use them to lift the van
- Re-check the bubble after everything settles.
8) Reversing Camera For The Caravan With In-Cab Monitor
A reversing camera makes tight manoeuvres safer in busy parks and at fuel stations. It also helps with lane awareness on highways and when merging.
Holiday periods can be crowded. Pedestrians, small kids on scooters, and pets can appear behind the van with little warning. A clear rear view reduces risk and stress.
Choose Right
- Wireless digital kit with low lag and a stable signal
- Night mode for dusk arrivals and early starts
- IP-rated connectors that resist dust and rain
- Lens hood to cut glare and improve contrast
- Option for two cameras if you carry bikes or tow extra toys
- Monitor with adjustable brightness and a firm mount
Setup
- Route cables clear of suspension, moving parts, and heat
- Mount the camera high and central for a natural perspective.
- Pair the monitor, set guidelines, and check the image for distortion
- Test in daylight and at night, then practice in an empty car park.
- Keep the lens clean and recheck connections after rough roads.
9) Surge Protector And Legal 15a To 10a Power Adaptor
A surge protector shields your van’s electrics from spikes and brownouts at busy holiday parks. Older outlets and stormy coastal weather can send dirty power down the line. Good protection prevents damage to chargers, fridges, and inverters.
What to Look For
- A portable unit that combines an RCD and surge protection, rated for 15A caravan use
- Weatherproof casing with tight, well-sealed sockets
- Clear status lights for power, fault, and earth
- Test and reset buttons that are easy to press with cold or wet hands
- Heavy-duty lead and solid strain relief
- Marked as meeting Australian standards
Adaptor Note
- Use a legal 15A to 10A adaptor with a built-in safety device
- Never file or modify a 15A plug to fit a 10A outlet
- Keep the adaptor and joints off wet ground with a stand or mat
- Press the RCD test button at the start of each stay
- Uncoil extension leads fully to avoid heat buildup
- Plug in this order for best protection: outlet → adaptor → surge unit → van
10) UHF Radio With Quality External Aerial
A UHF radio gives you direct contact with nearby drivers, pilot vehicles, and road crews when phone coverage drops. Clear voice calls help with overtakes, hazards ahead, and track updates.
Inland highways and forest routes often have patchy reception. A strong radio and a good aerial keep you in touch across long, flat stretches and through timbered country.
Choosing well
- 5W fixed-mount unit with Australian channel programming
- Remote mic so the driver can talk without reaching for the base
- External aerial with 6 to 9 dBi gain for highway use
- Quick-swap base to fit a lower-gain aerial in hilly terrain
- Solid coax runs with neat routing and weatherproof connectors
- Bright, easy-to-read display and simple channel scan
Etiquette
- Listen before speaking and avoid busy channels
- Use the standard road channels for your area
- Keep calls short, clear, and polite
- Identify your vehicle and intention, for example, “caravan southbound seeking overtake”
- Mute when not needed and avoid music or private chatter
Conclusion
The right accessories make NSW trips calm and predictable. Your rig steers and stops with confidence, stays steady in the wind, and sets up fast at any site. Power is reliable, water tastes better, and day-to-day tasks feel simple. That means less fuss and more time enjoying the coast, the ranges, and the parks.
Use a checklist and add gear in stages that suit your travel plans. Start with safety items, then build in power and water, then comfort and convenience. Review after each trip, note what worked, and upgrade where it matters most.
