VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
Bikes, paddleboard, hiking kit: the outdoor gear actually worth taking in a van
Bike rack, inflatable paddleboard, camping table: what to bring (or rent with the van), what the options cost, and what should stay in the garage at home.
A van turns every stopover into an outdoor base — provided you bring the right gear without turning the living space into a lock-up. Here is what genuinely earns its place, what the platforms offer as options, and what to leave at home.
The winning trio
- Bikes: gear item number one, solving city parking and grocery runs in one go. The bike rack is the most common listing option: 5-10 € per day, often included. Check the maximum load if you bring e-bikes — 60 kg hanging off the rear deserves a look at the spec.
- The inflatable paddleboard: folded, it fits in a garage bay; inflated, it opens up every alpine lake and calm shoreline. Some owners offer one at 10-15 € per day — cheaper than beach rental from day two.
- Camping table and chairs: non-negotiable, and included in most rentals. Confirm it before departure — it is a line in our departure checklist.
What the platforms offer
With professional operators (Roadsurfer, Indie Campers), extras are booked online: camping kit, bike rack, chairs. With private owners (Yescapa, Goboony), the equipment listed is often more generous — many owners leave their own paddleboard, games and gear in the van. Ask in the messaging thread: it is free and avoids buying duplicates.
What stays in the garage at home
The bulky barbecue (banned at many stopovers, replaced by a compact plancha), the second set of everything, and the heavy "just in case" items: every extra 100 kg adds roughly 0.5 L/100 km and shows up in the fuel budget. The rule: an item earns its seat by being used twice a week, or it stays home.
Around Annecy, Biarritz or Salzburg, a well-equipped van replaces on-site gear rental entirely — compare listings and their equipment on Van-Comparator.