9 Essential Camper Van Dashboard Mounts and Organization Gear for Full-Time RVers

Steering a twenty-four-foot camper van down a winding mountain pass or a washboard dirt road quickly reveals how unstable a moving home can be. When every turn threatens to send sunglasses, phones, and half-empty coffee mugs flying across the cab, driving becomes a stressful chore rather than an adventure. Transforming your dashboard from a chaotic landing pad into a highly functional command center is the key to safe, comfortable long-distance travel.

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Why Dashboard Organization Is Crucial for Van Life

The cab of a camper van isn’t just a driving compartment; it is the command center of your mobile home. On rough BLM roads or during sudden highway braking maneuvers, loose items on the dashboard become high-velocity projectiles. Ensuring everything has a designated, secure home keeps your driving environment safe and your eyes focused on the road.

Clutter also breeds mental fatigue during long driving days. An organized dashboard keeps critical tools like navigators, communication devices, and power cables within arm’s reach without blocking the driver’s field of vision. This balance of accessibility and visibility reduces stress when navigating complex intersections or tight off-road trails.

Efficient organization prevents damage to expensive electronics and ensures that safety gear stays positioned exactly where it is needed. Properly routing cables and mounting heavy screens reduces cabin rattle, making long transit days significantly quieter. Investing in a systematic cab layout is just as important as securing your living area cabinet doors before hitting the highway.

Phone Mount – RAM Mounts Quick-Grip Phone Mount

A phone is the primary lifeline for navigation, music, and emergency communication during transit. A weak suction-cup mount will inevitably drop a phone when hitting a washboard dirt road, risking screen damage and causing a dangerous distraction. A robust mechanical mount is necessary to keep your device secure through all driving conditions.

The RAM Mounts Quick-Grip Phone Mount solves this with a spring-loaded holder that clamps your device securely in place. Built with marine-grade aluminum and high-strength composite, this mount utilizes a 1-inch B-size rubber ball system to isolate road vibration and allow for infinite angle adjustments. The spring-loaded grip makes it easy to insert and remove the phone with a single hand while driving.

• Compatible phone sizes: Width range of 2.25 inches to 3.25 inches, max depth of 0.72 inches
• Mounting type: AMPS hole pattern compatible, U-bolt, or suction cup base options
• Key feature: One-handed insertion and removal with secure top and bottom hook grips

This heavy-duty system is perfect for full-time travelers traversing rough terrain who need absolute security for their primary communication device. It is not ideal for casual drivers who want a minimalist, vent-clipped mount that can be swapped between vehicles in seconds.

Tablet Mount – RAM Mounts Tab-Tite Holder

Many RVers rely on tablets for larger-screen navigation, monitoring engine diagnostics via OBD-II readers, or displaying secondary topo maps. Balancing a tablet on the passenger seat or using a flimsy passenger-side mount leads to constant glare and dangerous drops. A dedicated, vibration-resistant mount keeps your larger screen readable and safe.

The RAM Mounts Tab-Tite Holder features a spring-loaded design that makes loading and unloading your tablet easy while keeping it locked in place. The interchangeable end caps allow you to customize the fit based on whether your tablet is in a heavy-duty protective case or not. This mount integrates seamlessly with RAM’s heavy-duty arm systems to eliminate sag, even on rough gravel roads.

• Compatible devices: 9-inch to 12-inch tablets (with or without cases)
• Materials: High-strength composite construction
• Attachment: Pairs with RAM round ball bases for robust arm attachments

Choose this if you use an iPad or Android tablet for real-time navigation and off-grid mapping. It is overkill for those who only use a phone for navigation and prefer to keep their tablet packed away until camp is set up.

Cup Holder Expander – JoyTutus Car Cup Holder

Factory van cup holders are notoriously small, rarely accommodating the insulated bottles and thermoses that keep van lifers hydrated on long hauls. A large water bottle rolling around on the floorboards is a major safety hazard that can easily wedge behind the brake pedal. An expander ensures your favorite drink container stays anchored nearby.

The JoyTutus Car Cup Holder solves this by expanding a standard console cup holder to fit large bottles up to 40 ounces. It features an adjustable rubber-tab top to hold bottles snugly, preventing rattles, and an expandable base that twists to lock tightly into the existing factory cup holder. This design ensures the expander won’t tip over when you take sharp turns or travel off-road.

• Supported bottle sizes: 18 to 40 ounces (including Yeti Ramblers and Hydro Flasks)
• Base expansion range: 2.7 to 3.8 inches in diameter
• Design feature: U-shaped slot to accommodate mugs with handles

This is a must-have for anyone who relies on oversized insulated bottles for daily hydration. Skip it if your van’s factory cup holders are already located in an awkward spot where an expanded, top-heavy bottle would block dashboard controls or gear shifters.

Dash Cam – Garmin Dash Cam 67W Driving Recorder

Driving a custom build or a large RV exposes you to unique liability risks on the road, making a reliable dash cam non-negotiable. If an accident occurs, video proof can protect your home, your build investment, and your insurance rates. A compact camera that runs automatically ensures you always have a digital witness.

The Garmin Dash Cam 67W stands out because of its extra-wide 180-degree field of view and crisp 1440p HDR recording, capturing critical details even in low-light desert driving. Its compact size ensures it sits discreetly behind the rearview mirror without cluttering the driver’s line of sight. It also features GPS-enabled automatic incident detection to save footage of unexpected impacts.

• Resolution: 1440p HD at 60 FPS
• Field of view: 180 degrees
• Smart features: Voice control, GPS location tagging, and automatic incident detection

This camera is perfect for solo travelers who want hands-free voice control and automatic cloud storage upload via Wi-Fi. It might not suit budget-focused builders who prefer a basic, plug-and-play camera without connected smart features.

Visor Organizer – OneTigris Tactical Visor Panel

Small items like pens, fuel cards, tire pressure gauges, and pocket knives easily get lost in deep gloveboxes or door pockets. Having these tools scattered means wasting time searching for them when stopping at a toll booth or checking tire pressure at a dusty gas station. Utilizing overhead space keeps these everyday items organized and accessible.

The OneTigris Tactical Visor Panel utilizes a heavy-duty 1000D Nylon MOLLE platform that straps securely to your passenger or driver-side sun visor. This panel turns wasted overhead space into an organized grid of elastic loops, slip pockets, and hook-and-loop patch areas. It keeps critical tools within arm’s reach of the driver’s seat without taking up valuable dashboard real estate.

• Material: Durable 1000D Nylon with sturdy stitching
• Storage options: Elastic loops for pens/flashlights, flat pockets for documents, hook-and-loop field
• Mounting: Adjustable hook-and-loop straps for a universal fit on most sun visors

This organizer is excellent for the organized minimalist who likes having quick access to utility tools. However, it can sag if overloaded with heavy items, so it is not meant to hold bulky multi-tools or heavy metal flashlights.

Sticky Dash Mat – Hippo Creation Non-Slip Pad

Every dashboard has flat spots where keys, sunglasses, and loose coins naturally accumulate, only to slide off at the first sharp turn. Scratching plastic dash surfaces and losing small items down defrost vents is a constant annoyance. A simple, grippy surface can prevent these items from sliding around.

The Hippo Creation Non-Slip Pad provides an adhesive-free surface that keeps loose items firmly in place on top of the dash. Made of high-quality PVC material, it withstands extreme summer heat inside a parked vehicle without melting or leaving sticky residue on the plastic. It can be easily cut to fit the exact contours of your dashboard storage trays.

• Material: Non-toxic, eco-friendly PVC
• Dimensions: Multiple size options to fit different dash layouts
• Maintenance: Washable and reusable; simply rinse with water to restore stickiness

This is a low-cost, high-value addition for any van dweller who needs a temporary spot to drop keys or sunglasses while driving. It is not a replacement for mechanical mounts, so do not use it to hold heavy electronics like tablets or GPS units.

USB Car Charger – Anker PowerDrive Speed 2

Charging multiple power-hungry devices simultaneously while navigating can quickly drain weak USB ports. Factory-installed dashboard USB ports are often underpowered, slowly trickle-charging modern phones while they run GPS and screen brightness at maximum. A high-output charger is necessary to keep devices topped up on the road.

The Anker PowerDrive Speed 2 plugs into your 12V accessory socket and delivers up to 39W of power across two ports. Utilizing PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technologies, it adjusts charging speeds dynamically to charge devices as quickly and safely as possible. Its sleek, low-profile design ensures it fits flush into the console without getting in the way of gear shifters.

• Output: Dual ports delivering 39W total output
• Charging Tech: Quick Charge 3.0 combined with proprietary PowerIQ
• Design: Compact, carbon-fiber finish with a soft LED glow for nighttime visibility

This charger is essential for couples who need to fast-charge two power-hungry smartphones or tablets simultaneously on long driving days. It is not necessary if your van conversion includes custom-wired high-amperage USB outlets directly on the dash.

GPS Navigator – Garmin Overlander Off-Road GPS

Relying solely on cellular-based phone maps is a recipe for disaster when traveling through remote public land or national forests. Cell service drops, and standard mapping apps do not account for bridge heights, weight limits, or steep grades that can trap a large camper van. A dedicated off-grid navigator keeps you on the right path, regardless of cell coverage.

The Garmin Overlander Off-Road GPS is a rugged, multi-purpose navigator built specifically for overland travel and off-grid camping. It comes preloaded with public land boundaries, custom routing based on your van’s size and weight, and topography maps for remote exploration. Its integrated pitch and roll gauges also help you find level ground when setting up camp.

• Display: 7-inch color touchscreen with high-visibility display
• Navigation databases: Overlander-specific POIs, iOverlander, and Ultimate Public Campgrounds
• Durability: Military standard 810 for thermal and shock resistance

This unit is indispensable for serious off-grid travelers and boondockers who frequently venture beyond cell service. It is far too expensive and complex for casual RVers who stick strictly to interstate travel and established RV resorts.

Console Trash Can – High Road TrashStash Bag

Small spaces get dirty fast, and a single day of driving can quickly clutter a cab with snack wrappers, receipts, and empty bottles. Without a dedicated, secure trash container, garbage inevitably ends up stuffed into door pockets or rolling around the floor. A leakproof, hanging trash can keeps the cab tidy and sanitary.

The High Road TrashStash Bag hangs securely from the back of your center console or passenger headrest, keeping trash off the floor. Featuring a leakproof vinyl lining and a unique spring-frame top closure, it keeps waste out of sight and seals in odors. Its three-gallon capacity is large enough for multi-day trips without requiring constant emptying.

• Capacity: 3 gallons of storage space
• Closure style: Quick-access spring-clip opening that snaps shut automatically
• Mounting: Adjustable webbed strap with a quick-release buckle

This is perfect for long-haul drivers who want a clean cab and a leakproof spot to toss wet trash. It is not suitable for tight van cabs where passenger footwell space is extremely limited and every inch counts.

How to Secure Heavy Dashboard Gear Safely

Heavy electronics like 7-inch GPS units or tablets require more than standard suction cups if you plan to travel rough roads. Over time, heat, UV exposure, and vibration will degrade rubber suction bases, causing heavy gear to crash down onto the console. For long-term reliability, mechanical mounting is the safest approach.

For permanent security, opt for drill-down mounts or specialized brackets that attach directly to the vehicle’s dashboard structure. Products utilizing the AMPS hole pattern allow you to bolt heavy-duty ball bases directly to interior panels, distributing weight evenly and eliminating movement. Always check behind dashboard panels before drilling to avoid damaging wiring harnesses or air ducts.

If drilling into the dashboard is not an option due to vehicle resale concerns, look for vehicle-specific mounting brackets from brands like ProClip. These brackets clip into the seams of the dashboard panels, providing a rock-solid, non-destructive platform for heavy accessories. This ensures your expensive gear stays firmly attached, even when bouncing down washboard fire roads.

Managing Power Cables Without the Dashboard Clutter

Running multiple cords for your phone, GPS, and dash cam can quickly turn your dashboard into a hazardous web of tangled wires. Loose cables can snag on the gear shifter, block climate controls, or distract you while driving. Proper cable routing is essential for both safety and aesthetics.

To keep cords organized, use adhesive-backed cable clips to route wires along the seams of the dashboard panels. Routing cables underneath the dash trim or tucking them into the weatherstripping around the windshield keeps them completely out of sight. This protects the wires from UV damage and prevents them from getting pinched in glovebox doors or console lids.

Additionally, consider using short right-angle USB cables rather than standard six-foot cords. Matching the exact cable length to the distance between your device and the power source prevents excess slack from dangling in your footwell. For a permanent solution, wire a multi-port USB hub inside the glovebox or behind the dash to run power directly to your mounted devices.

An organized dashboard transforms the driving experience from a stressful exercise in clutter management into a smooth, focused journey. By securing heavy gear and keeping essential tools within arm’s reach, you protect your equipment and improve road safety. Set up your cab correctly before your next trip, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a clean, functional mobile command center.