Essential Caravan Accessories for Your First Big Adventure

When you collect your new caravan, it’s one of the most exciting milestones in your travel journey. But before you head out on your first trip, it’s important to know that most new caravans only include a few basics – a jack, your keys, and a user manual.

Everything else you’ll need to tow safely, set up your site, and travel comfortably comes down to one thing: caravan accessories.

The right caravan accessories make a huge difference to your experience – ensuring your setup is safe, your water and power are sorted, and your nights are level and comfortable. Here’s Adelaide RV’s guide to the essential caravan accessories every new traveller should have before their first adventure.

1. Power Cord: The Essential Connection

One of the first caravan accessories you’ll need is a 15-amp power cord.
Unlike standard household cords (which are 10-amp), a caravan power lead has a larger earth pin to handle the higher current draw of your caravan’s appliances. Every Australian caravan park uses 15-amp outlets, so it’s essential to have the correct lead – not just one pulled from the shed.

A quality 15-amp extension cord around 17 metres long (like the Coast to Coast brand stocked by Adelaide RV) is ideal. It ensures you can reach powered sites easily and keeps your setup compliant and safe.

Ready more about setting up camp for beginners here.

2. Grey Water Hose: Keeping It Clean

Next on the list of must-have caravan accessories is a grey water hose.
A 10-metre, 27 mm smooth-bore hose is ideal – smooth on the inside to prevent debris from catching and causing blockages. Even with a built-in grey water tank, you’ll eventually need to drain it, and that’s when this hose becomes indispensable – just make sure you also get an appropriate fitting to connect it to your grey water tank.

A good quality waste hose ensures your setup stays hygienic and your campsite clean, whether you’re at a caravan park or a remote site with drainage points.

3. Drinking Water Hose: Fresh Water, Always

A food-grade drinking water hose is another non-negotiable caravan accessory.
Unlike standard garden hoses, food-grade hoses won’t leave a rubbery or chemical taste in your drinking water. Typically white or blue in colour, these hoses are safe for filling both your tanks and running mains pressure directly into your caravan.

A smart setup is to cut a 20-metre hose into two sections – a 15-metre hose and a 5-metre hose – each with quick-connect fittings. This gives flexibility depending on how far the tap is from your site and avoids unnecessary coiling or tangling.

4. Towing Mirrors: Safety and Compliance

When towing a caravan, clear rear visibility is both a safety and legal requirement.
Towing mirrors are designed to give a full view down the side of your caravan – ensuring you can safely change lanes, overtake, and reverse.

For regular travellers, fixed options like Clearview mirrors are popular. For occasional weekenders, removable options such as Milenco mirrors are reliable, aerodynamic, and easy to store. They handle wind pressure well, even when trucks pass at highway speeds.

Read more about using tow mirrors here.

5. Caravan Level and Ramps: Sleep Flat, Not on a Slope

A simple caravan level and a set of level-up ramps are small accessories that make a big difference.
They help you ensure your caravan is level – north to south using the jockey wheel, and east to west using ramps. Not only does this make sleeping more comfortable, it also allows your fridge and appliances to work efficiently.

Most ramp kits come with chocks, which prevent rolling and reduce strain on your handbrake – a practical touch for uneven sites.

Read more about levelling your van with ramps here.

6. Jockey Wheel Receiver: Stability on Soft Ground

A jockey wheel receiver is an underrated caravan accessory that prevents your jockey wheel from sinking into sand, dirt, or soft grass. It distributes the weight more evenly, making unhitching easier and safer.

It also stabilises the van, reducing pressure on the handbrake and drop-down legs. They’re lightweight, compact, and cost-effective – a small investment that prevents big headaches.

7. Hitch Lock: Security for Your Caravan

Protecting your investment is always worth it. A hitch lock deters opportunistic theft by preventing anyone from coupling your caravan to their vehicle.

Options like the Saracen lock or DO35-specific locks from Cruisemaster are simple to use and effective deterrents. When you’re leaving your van unattended – whether ducking into town or exploring for the day – securing the hitch gives peace of mind.

8. Starter Packs: (Almost) Everything in One Kit

If simplicity is what you’re after, caravan starter packs are a fantastic way to get all your essentials in one go.
These kits usually include:

• 15-amp power lead

• Food-grade drinking water hose

• Grey water hose

• Storage bags for hoses

• Level ramps

• A mini T-level

Starter packs make it easy to grab and go – ensuring you have almost everything you need for your first trip without the guesswork.

Ready for Adventure

The right caravan accessories do more than make life easier – they keep your setup safe, legal, and adventure-ready.

At Adelaide RV, we stock and recommend only trusted brands tested by real travellers. Whether you’re picking up a new Supreme, Leader, or Goldstream, our team ensures every customer leaves equipped and confident for their journey.

Your next adventure should be about freedom, not frustration. With these essential caravan accessories, you’ll be ready to explore, unwind, and enjoy everything Australia has to offer – comfortably and confidently.

Your journey begins here.
Visit adelaiderv.com.au or speak with our friendly team about getting adventure ready with the right caravan accessories today.