From rooftop tents to cupholders and everything in between, we found the best gear to make the most out of your van life adventures.
An endless sea of Sprinter, Transit, and ProMaster vans stretch across any overland vehicle event you go to these days. The massive Overland Expo West was no different this year, with big vans parked all over the camping area and throughout vendor displays.
We waded through and dug up a few gems that might elevate your adventures.
VanLife Gear from Outdoor Expo 2019
Roambuilt GFCRack
The Roambuilt GFCRack takes Sprinter Vans with a Rooftop Tent (RTT) to all new heights of functional cool. The platform-style aluminum rack integrates a custom wide version of the GFC roof-mounted tent. It mounts low in the rack for a clean, streamlined look with good aerodynamics. Plus, a big platform sits behind the tent to provide gear storage space and a pleasant patio area.
The Roambuilt GFCRack ranges from $9,000 to $11,000, depending on what length Sprinter it’s going on. The price includes the tent and rack, but it does not include lighting or a ladder.
Roambuilt Safari Rack 2.0
Roambuilt also showed off its latest Safari Rack, which is the product that launched the company. The new Safari Rack 2.0 is designed to better contour and fit the curved lines of the all-new 2019 Mercedes Sprinter. In doing so, it also reduces the gap between the rack and van.
The Safari Rack 2.0 offers a ton of versatility, a low hanging light mount, decking, and side rails. You can also order it to hold either five round lights or two curved LED light bars. The Roambuilt Safari Rack 2.0 is available now, with pricing starting at $4,200.
Adventure Wagon RUV 2.0
Portland, Oregon’s Adventure Wagon has been an innovation leader for many years when it comes to impressive modular van conversion kits and products. At this year’s Expo, the brand showed off its latest full interior kit prototype. The RUV (Recreational Utility Vehicle) system focuses on creating all the comforts of van life that you’d expect, while still allowing your van to carry lots of gear and perform work van duties during the week.
The latest RUV 2.0 system offers floor-to-ceiling L-track for the ultimate in mounting, tie down, and van life interior configuration. Expect to see this new system available late this year, with the cost being around $16,000 for a full interior kit.
67 Designs L-Track Base
67 Designs makes innovative mounts for a wide range of vehicles and applications. One of its latest designs is the L-Track Base, an aluminum 20mm ball mount that works with any standard L-Track. This little device provides a secure, versatile mounting point. It’s similar to a tablet holder that you might use to watch movies in your van life bed. The 67 Designs L-Track Base is available now and costs $29.
TouRig Shower System
TouRig makes beautiful, fully outfitted vans, but it also offers à la carte van life upgrade parts. This year, it showed off a new shower system, because wet wipes can only go so far. The TouRig Shower Stall hangs inside or outside your van. The basin at the bottom of the unit contains all the dirty water, which you can then empty out after your shower. Heck, maybe your van needs a cleaning as well? The whole system uses antimicrobial ripstop, is made in the U.S., and will set you back $479.
In addition, TouRig is also working with a new company to bring glorious hot showers to your van life. Geyser is developing a portable, 12-volt, 1-gallon shower system that will work perfectly with the TouRig Shower Stall. The unit should hit the market in September for about $350 with the heating element ($299 without).
TouRig Cup Holder
Sometimes it’s the little things that upgrade van life, like having a sturdy cup holder anywhere in the van. TouRig now offers these quality cup holders that can mount nearly anywhere inside your rig. The TourRig Cup Holder is available now for $25.
Aluminess Lightbar System
Aluminess has been building bumpers, roof racks, and other hard goods for vans much longer than #VanLife has existed. Its latest offerings are specifically for the 2019 Mercedes Sprinter, and these items show the company’s forward thinking.
First is its Lightbar system. Building upon Aluminess’s line of van bumpers is a new tube-style Lightbar bumper. It’s a sleek and lightweight option for the new Sprinter. The Aluminess Lightbar bumper will be available in about a month and costs $995. A hidden winch mount — also seen here — will also be available soon.
Aluminess Modular Roof Rack
Aluminess also took a fresh look at van roof racks. Now, the brand offers a Modular Roof Rack for the latest Sprinter. The new rack is extremely low profile, configurable for vents and AC units, sturdy enough to walk on, lightweight (starting at 120 pounds), and is much less expensive to ship than traditional racks. The Aluminess Modular Roof Rack will start shipping next month with prices starting at $2,795, which includes free shipping.
Owl Vans Sherpa Cargo System
The new Sherpa Cargo System from Owl Vans turned a lot of heads at Overland Expo. This aluminum rear swing-out universal mounting plate for Mercedes Sprinter vans requires no drilling to mount and only weighs about 20 pounds. It can carry up to 100-pounds of gear like traction boards, fuel, water, recovery gear, and more. The Owl Vans Sherpa Cargo System will be available in about a month and retails for $1,195.
