New caravan and motorhome accessories and gadgets for 2023

Your starter for 12? Here’s a dozen campervan, caravanning and motorhome accessories and gadgets you might like to look out for in 2023

 Ooh, we must have one of those…

They call it gear envy. You know? When you see an item of kit that others have and fancy something similar for yourselves? Well, here are our starters for 2023 with 12 great accessories and gadgets for your caravan, campervan or motorhome adventures for the season ahead

1. Avtex’s three-in-one

The Tourer 3 from Avtex is a sat nav that bristles with features – all in one compact unit designed specifically for touring caravan and motorhome use.

Once you’ve programmed the device with your vehicle/outfit’s size and weight details it will get you to your chosen destination avoiding height, width, and weight restricted roads, at the same time giving you route warnings such as traffic updates, sharp bends or steep hills as you travel. It also comes pre-loaded with details of thousands of campsites -, including Caravan and Motorhome Club, ACSI, Campercontact, Michelin Green Guide and more.

All map updates are free, too. And it takes into account low-emissions zones.

Among the new features are: BirdsEye satellite imagery to take you right to your camping pitch; Trendy Places database of lobal beauty spots and scenic routes, Environmental Routing; and Garmin PowerSwitch pairing to control your vehicle’s 12V electronics.

It’s also compatible with wireless reversing camera models BC50 and BC50 IR.

Expect to pay around £379.

Find out more: www.avtex.co.uk

2. Free, from CTek

Battery charging specialist CTek make a big claim for its newest product, the CS Free, calling it “the world’s first multi-functional, four-in-one portable battery charger, maintainer, adaptive booster and powerbank”.

What does that mean? Usable on lead-acid as well as lithium batteries, it allows you to charge and maintain your batteries wherever you go. Plus, its Adaptive Boost technology means it can put enough boost into a flat battery for it to be operative again within 15 minutes.

A Smart maintainer will keep your battery in best possible condition, at the same time only charging when it needs to, thus preventing any battery damage.

Its powerbank can also charge phones and other devices when you can’t otherwise get to a power supply.

Expect to pay around £280 for the CS Free.

Find out more: www.ctek.com

3. Lithium batteries on a charge  

They’re already with us, but the graph is pointing ever upwards for lithium leisure batteries.

They might cost more initially compared to traditional lead-acid leisure batteries, yet lithium versions are faster-charging, safer discharging (can be discharged as low as 95% with no significant voltage drop-off), better suited to working with inverters, last longer (expect anything in the range of 2,000 to 5,000 cycles depending on make and model) and are anything up to half the weight.

They also don’t need any maintenance. Correct installation is critical for lithium batteries, including using an appropriate battery to battery (DC-DC) charger if your leisure vehicle has a smart alternator.

Download a guide from specialists in the lithium battery field, RoadPro, here.

Find out more: www.roadpro.co.uk

4. Milenco gets an even stronger grip on security

2023 will be the first full season for the latest wheel lock from top security specialist, Milenco. This Wraith 2 is designed for motorhomes based on Fiat’s Ducato and its Peugeot Boxer/Citroen Relay equivalents, with steel or alloy wheels (There’s already a Wraith 2 for caravans).

Features include quality steel construction with a plastic cover and foam backing to prevent any damage to the wheel.

It also comes with three keys and a plastic carrycase. The pick-proof lock – which is also resistant to attack from drilling, hammering, sawing and freezing – has a five-year warranty and a Sold Secure Gold rating.

Also in the pipeline is a secondary bolt receiver (15mm and 16mm), which can be fitted to the same wheel or even a different one – for extra security and versatility.

Expect to pay around £212 for the Wraith 2 motorhome lock. Just note this is a motorhome-only design. There’s also a Wraith 2 for caravans.

Don’t forget to tell us if you fit a Wraith or other physical security devices as you might qualify for a discount on your motorhome insurance premium.

Find out more: www.milenco.com

5. WiFi… the next wave

Want the best WiFi on-board your leisure vehicle? You might want to check out something like the Pro 5G system from the Peplink BR1 series of routers.

UK agent CA Clase says The BR1 Pro 5G paired with a Poynting MIMO 3 17 antenna retails around £1,500 and is its go-to system for anyone wanting the next level of dependable cellular WiFi.

It stresses these BR1 routers are specifically built for in-vehicle use, meeting all necessary compliance.

If you want to get technical, The BR1 Pro 5G is integrated with both the next generation multicore CPU and CAT 20 modem ensuring delivery of Gigabit speeds, achieving 800% faster speeds compared with its rivals making this one of the fastest routers currently available for touring vehicles.

Find out more: www.caclase.co.uk

6. Enter the plancha

Another avenue for outdoor gas cookers. The Plancha L from Campingaz uses a double burner to give even heat across its whole, solid, non-stick, enamelled cooking surface. Highly versatile, you can cook almost anything on it – steaks, seafood, vegetables etc.

Not only is cooking more effective, it’s also all the easier to clean.

Features include piezo ignition, pre-set temperature regulation, dishwasher-safe grease container, and integrated handles for easy carrying.

Campingaz says the Plancha L can cope with cooking for 10-12 hungry folk!

Find out more: www.campingaz.co.uk

7. Still time to go solar? 

These have been released for the 2023 season by Telair, part of the Teleco Group. Its Black Solar Panels use the latest, efficient PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact) modules that perform even in low sunlight conditions.

They’ve been further upgraded to operated between temperatures of -40degC to +80degC. They also come with enhanced aerodynamics thanks to drag-reducing spoilers. All come with their own assembly kit, which includes ABS attachment feet, spoilers, self-tapping screws, silicone glue, cable glands, a six-metre PV cable, cleaner and charge controller.

There are three models, rated at 110Watts, 170Watts and 185Watts, with module efficiency of over 20%, and will be available from Teleco agents throughout the UK. Weights range from 6.3kg to 10kg. Prices are tbc.

See our gear guide on caravan and motorhome solar panels here: www.caravanguard.co.uk/news/gear-guide-caravan-motorhome-solar-panels-16225/

Find out more: www.telecogroup.com

8. Outwell lights up our awning lives

It’s called the Nightlight System. And it’s so good it’s already been patented…

From Outwell, it’s a built-in light unit that even illuminates the door zip, making for easy access in the dark.

The fibre optic element operates from an independent rechargeable 12V power source, which stows in its own pocket. It also comes with a coded radio remote control.

Look out for it as a £94 option on Outwell’s new-season Superior Air Touring awnings, where prices start from just over £1,200.

Find out more: www.outwell.com

9. Fiamma goes electric

Among a whole host of upgrades, enhancements and more from Fiamma, look out for the Motor Lift 77 bike rack. It’s an enhanced version of the existing Lift 77, but it comes with 12V electrical operation – simple rocker switch operates the lifting mechanism, lowering the platform to the most convenient back saving height to load or unload bikes (there’s a 77cm range).

It has a carrying capacity of 60kg and can take up to four conventional cycles or two e-bikes.

Price is awaiting confirmation, but expect it to be under £1,000.

See our guide to bike racks when caravanning here: www.caravanguard.co.uk/news/guide-to-bike-racks-when-caravanning-24265/

Find out more: www.fiamma.it

10. Light on power, with nothing more to pay

At 10cm high with a 12cm diameter these stylish solar powered lamps from Isabella are designed to sit on the company’s windbreaks or just free-stand anywhere you want them.

They’re fully charged after six hours in the sun and can then emit light for anything up to seven hours.

Cost is around £75.

Find out more: www.isabella.net

11. Pack up and go?

Put it all in a backpack? Osprey is a manufacturer well known for its quality offerings in this sector. Look out for a new HikeLite series – three models ranging in size from 18 to 32 litres that offer a lot of technical features to help you carry stuff as comfortable as possible, making them ideal for everyday use as well as heading out on the trail.

The Hikelites use bluesign-approved 100D recycled high tenacity bird eye nylon and have a backsystem (frame) that uses the company’s Airspeed suspension.

Other features range from side compression straps, to tall mesh pocket sides and trekking pole loops.

For 2023 versions, prices start at £90 for the 18-litre version, they’re all backed by the company’s All Mighty guarantee and there’s a choice of colours.

Find out more: www.ospreyeurope.com

12. Socks that are sustainable, forever

Are these the most sustainable socks ever? The unlimited, no conditions guarantee means if there are any issues with them, you simply return them and get a replacement. In fact, the promise goes even further. We’re told: “If these aren’t the best socks you’ve ever tried then return them and they’ll replace them no questions asked.”

These are made by Darn Tough. From an extensive portfolio, shown here are the Women’s Light Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Taupe.

Expect to pay £23 per pair. Expect them to last a lifetime!

The “industry grapevine” tells us lavender is the “colour of the year” for socks in 2023.

Find out more: www.trekitt.co.uk

Over to you…

Any great new caravan gadgets, campervan or motorhome accessories and gadgets you’d like to pass on to fellow Caravan Guard blog readers? We’d love to hear your comments below.