Hiring a motorhome gives you the freedom to travel with your accommodation, kitchen and living space all in one vehicle. However, a few carefully chosen accessories can make everyday life easier, particularly when dealing with wet weather, smaller storage spaces or unfamiliar campsites.
The best motorhome accessories are not necessarily expensive. Often, it is the smaller additions that make the biggest difference, from somewhere to leave muddy shoes to a practical way of drying towels.
Before packing anything extra, check what your hire motorhome already includes. You may find that equipment such as levelling ramps, outdoor chairs or a campsite electric hook-up cable is supplied, leaving you with less to bring from home.
Which Motorhome Accessories Are Worth Taking on Holiday?
For a hired motorhome, the most useful accessories are portable, compact and easy to remove without leaving marks or making permanent changes to the vehicle.
These seven options are worth considering because they solve common problems without taking up unnecessary storage space.
1. Levelling Ramps for Uneven Campsite Pitches
Even a campsite pitch that looks reasonably flat can leave a motorhome sitting at a slight angle.
You may notice this when sleeping, cooking or using the onboard facilities. A small slope can make the vehicle feel less comfortable, particularly when staying in one place for several nights.
Motorhome levelling ramps are designed to raise one or more wheels so the vehicle can sit more evenly on suitable ground.
They can be particularly useful on smaller rural campsites, farm-based touring sites and pitches where the ground is not completely level.
However, ramps must be appropriate for the vehicle’s weight and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Never improvise with loose bricks, stones or unsuitable pieces of timber.
Worth bringing if: You are staying at smaller campsites or expect uneven pitches.
Check first: Whether your hire motorhome already includes levelling ramps and whether the hire company permits you to use your own.
2. A Compact Outdoor Mat for Wet and Muddy Conditions
One of the most useful additions to a motorhome pitch is a small outdoor mat.
After a day walking in the countryside or exploring a beach, muddy shoes and wet boots can quickly make the entrance area untidy.
A weather-resistant mat provides somewhere to remove footwear before stepping inside, helping to keep the motorhome cleaner.
Choose a lightweight, quick-drying mat rather than a heavy carpet-style groundsheet. It should be easy to shake clean, fold away and store without trapping moisture.
Check the campsite’s rules before laying anything on grass. Some sites restrict groundsheets or require breathable materials to protect the pitch.
Worth bringing if: Your holiday includes countryside walks, beaches or travelling during autumn and winter.
Check first: Whether outdoor mats are permitted on your booked pitches.
3. Rechargeable Lighting for Campsite Evenings
Campsites can become surprisingly dark once the sun goes down, particularly in rural areas away from street lighting.
A compact rechargeable lantern provides extra light when sitting outside, finding items in an external locker or preparing for bed.
A head torch can be equally useful when you need both hands free, such as when locating equipment in a dark storage compartment.
Choose lighting that is easy to charge and does not require an open flame. Battery-powered or rechargeable options are generally more suitable for motorhome holidays than candles or fuel-burning lanterns.
It is also worth considering your neighbours. A bright lantern facing another pitch or bedroom window can be disruptive, so use the lowest practical brightness and position it carefully.
Worth bringing if: You are staying on rural campsites, travelling outside summer or spending evenings outdoors.
Check first: Whether suitable outdoor lighting is already included in your hire equipment.
4. Folding Camp Chairs for Relaxing Outside
A motorhome provides comfortable indoor seating, but having somewhere to sit outside can make a campsite stay much more enjoyable.
A pair of lightweight folding chairs gives you somewhere to enjoy breakfast, read or relax after a day exploring.
The main consideration is storage. Large reclining chairs may be comfortable, but they can be awkward to transport and may take up more room than expected.
Compact folding chairs are usually more practical for a touring holiday, especially if you plan to move between campsites regularly.
Before buying or bringing your own, check whether outdoor furniture is included with your motorhome hire.
Worth bringing if: You expect to spend time relaxing outside your motorhome rather than using it mainly as a base for day trips.
Check first: Whether chairs are supplied and whether the motorhome has suitable storage space for additional furniture.
5. A Small Folding Clothes Airer
Wet towels, waterproof jackets and swimming costumes can become a nuisance when travelling in a compact living space.
Leaving damp clothing over seats, cupboard doors or other furniture can make the motorhome feel cluttered and may encourage condensation.
A compact folding clothes airer gives you a dedicated place to dry smaller items.
For longer stays, this can be especially helpful for families, walkers and anyone visiting beaches or swimming pools.
Choose an airer that folds flat and can be stored securely while driving. Where campsite rules allow it, you may be able to position it outside during suitable weather.
Inside the motorhome, keep drying equipment away from heating outlets, cooking appliances and emergency exits. Never block fixed ventilation points.
Worth bringing if: You are travelling for several days, expecting mixed weather or bringing children.
Check first: Whether your campsite provides laundry or drying facilities that could make an additional airer unnecessary.
6. Non-Slip Mats for Cupboards and Storage Areas
One of the more frustrating parts of motorhome travel can be opening a cupboard to find that its contents have shifted during the journey.
Non-slip mats or removable drawer liners can help keep lighter everyday items in place, particularly inside kitchen cupboards and storage compartments.
They are relatively inexpensive, easy to cut to size and take up very little space.
However, they should not be used as a substitute for securing heavier equipment. Pots, pans, glass containers and other substantial items still need to be stored appropriately behind secure cupboard doors or in suitable compartments.
Choose removable liners that do not contain adhesives or leave marks on the vehicle’s interior surfaces.
Worth bringing if: You are planning a longer touring holiday with regular journeys between campsites.
Check first: Whether the motorhome already has fitted storage organisers or non-slip surfaces.
7. Compact Storage Organisers for Everyday Essentials
Motorhomes have carefully designed cupboards and lockers, but smaller everyday items can still become difficult to find.
Charging cables, toiletries, sunglasses, books and other essentials are easier to manage when they have a designated storage place.
A lightweight fabric organiser or a few small packing cubes can help keep these items together without using much additional space.
Soft-sided organisers are particularly useful because they can be folded away when empty and are less likely to damage interior surfaces.
Avoid organisers that require screws, adhesive hooks or permanent fittings. A hired motorhome should be returned without marks or alterations to its furniture and fixtures.
Do not hang heavy organisers from cupboard doors, roof fittings or other components that were not designed to carry additional weight.
Worth bringing if: You are travelling as a family, staying away for more than a few nights or sharing storage between several people.
Check first: Whether the motorhome already has suitable drawers, shelves and dedicated storage areas.
Which Motorhome Accessories Should You Avoid Bringing?
Not every accessory designed for camping is suitable for a hired motorhome.
Large generators, additional electric heaters, high-powered kitchen appliances and unapproved electrical adaptors can create safety concerns or exceed the available electrical supply.
External accessories also need care. Bike racks, roof storage systems and similar equipment should never be fitted to a hire motorhome without the company’s approval.
Even smaller accessories can cause problems if they involve drilling, sticking fixtures to furniture or altering existing equipment.
Before bringing anything that connects to the motorhome’s gas, electrical, water or external storage systems, confirm that it is suitable and permitted.
For electrical equipment used at campsites, it is also worth understanding the limitations of campsite electric hook-ups rather than assuming the supply will operate every appliance you own.
Check What Is Included Before Buying Extras
One of the easiest ways to overpack for a motorhome holiday is to bring equipment that is already waiting inside the vehicle.
Before collection, ask for an up-to-date list of the items supplied with your booking.
Depending on the particular motorhome and hire package, this may include outdoor furniture, levelling equipment, kitchen utensils, bedding or other touring essentials.
It is also worth asking whether optional equipment can be added to your booking, as this may be more convenient than purchasing accessories for a single holiday.
Storage capacity matters too. Even small accessories add weight, and the motorhome must remain within its permitted payload once passengers, luggage, water and equipment are included.
The right approach is to choose accessories that solve a genuine problem for your particular trip. For a weekend on a fully serviced campsite, you may need very little beyond what is already supplied. For a week exploring the countryside in changeable weather, a few practical extras could make the experience noticeably more comfortable.
A well-equipped hire motorhome should not need a long shopping list. Check what is included, choose portable accessories that are safe to use and leave enough space to enjoy the holiday without constantly moving unnecessary equipment out of the way.
FAQs About Motorhome Hire Accessories
Can you use suction-cup hooks inside a hired motorhome?
Some removable suction-cup accessories may be acceptable, but you should check with the hire company first. Hooks can damage delicate surfaces or fall when loaded with too much weight. Never attach them to safety equipment, ventilation openings or areas where they could obstruct doors and windows.
Do you need a separate outdoor table for a motorhome holiday?
Not necessarily. Many motorhome hire packages include outdoor furniture, while some campsites provide picnic tables. A small folding table may be useful if you intend to eat outside regularly, but it is worth checking what is available before bringing additional equipment.
Can you use a portable solar panel with a hired motorhome?
Only if the hire company confirms that the equipment is compatible and permits its use. Portable solar panels may require particular connections or charging equipment. Incorrect connections can damage electrical systems, so never connect a panel to the motorhome’s leisure battery or electrical installation without approval.
Should you leave motorhome accessories outside overnight?
It is generally better to store lightweight or valuable accessories securely when they are not being used. Overnight wind and rain can damage outdoor equipment or cause it to move onto neighbouring pitches. Campsites may also have rules about items left outside, so check their requirements.
Can you bring your own portable fan into a hire motorhome?
Yes, provided the fan is suitable for the available power supply and permitted by the hire company. A compact USB-powered fan may be more practical than a larger mains appliance when travelling without electric hook-up. Position it securely, keep cables away from walkways and never obstruct ventilation openings.
Are accessories included with a hired motorhome?
Many hires include essentials such as a hook-up cable, hoses and levelling ramps. Check what is included so you only bring extras you need.