Three Things You Think You Need in a Van—but Don’t

When building out your dream van, it’s easy to get caught up in the rabbit hole of gear, gadgets, and Instagram-worthy add-ons. But after working with hundreds of vanlifers and building vans ourselves, we’ve learned that some of the most popular features people ask for are often the least essential. In fact, they can complicate your build, eat up precious space, or drain your budget—for little actual benefit.

Here are three things you think you need in your van... but probably don’t.

1. A Roof Rack

At first glance, a roof rack seems like a must-have. It screams adventure and utility—surfboards! solar panels! storage boxes! But here’s the reality: most van builds don’t need one.

Why you might want it:
To haul gear you don’t have room for inside, to mount solar panels, or to look “expedition-ready.”

Why you probably don’t need it:
Most well-designed interiors offer ample storage, and flexible solar setups (including stick-on panels) don’t require racks at all. Plus, adding a rack increases your height clearance, wind drag, and fuel consumption. Unless you truly need to haul something oversized or mount accessories that can't go anywhere else, your roof is better left clean—or at least kept simple.

2. A Convertible Bed (Murphy, Lift, Dinette-to-Bed)

The idea of transforming your living room into a bedroom with the push of a button or the flip of a panel sounds clever. But multifunction beds are more complex than they seem.

Why you might want it:
To "save space" and make your van feel more like a tiny home that transitions between day and night modes.

Why you probably don’t need it:
Van life is about simplicity—and a fixed bed is often the simplest, most comfortable option. You don’t have to set it up every night. You don’t lose valuable wall or ceiling real estate to the mechanism. And you don’t have to sacrifice mattress comfort for foldability. A fixed bed with storage underneath wins for ease, reliability, and long-term livability.

3. A Full Shower

This is a big one—literally and figuratively. A full shower might feel like the holy grail of van life luxury, but it's often an overhyped (and oversized) addition.

Why you might want it:
Because showering is a daily ritual, and having a dedicated stall inside your van sounds like freedom.

Why you probably don’t need it:
Showers take up tons of space and water—two things vans don’t have in abundance. A few minutes of hot water can drain your tank and fill your gray water system. And let’s be honest: most vanlifers end up using gym showers, campground facilities, or good old-fashioned baby wipes and solar showers. Portable setups or exterior options give you 90% of the benefit without the space sacrifice or plumbing headaches.

The Bottom Line:

When you're designing your van, it’s easy to think in terms of "what a house has." But van life is different. Every inch matters. Every system you add is one more thing to maintain. And every “feature” should earn its keep.

Before you commit to the rack, the converting bed, or the indoor rain spa, ask yourself: Will I use this weekly? Or is it just something I think I need because everyone else has it?

Simplicity wins. Always.