RV & Motorhome Best Sellers: The Bike Racks, Couplings, Water Heaters and Roof Tape Kiwis Are Buying Now

With the Christmas break on the horizon, plenty of Kiwi caravan and motorhome owners are already planning the big summer trip. This list runs from the hitch at the front to the bikes on the back. RV gear sells steadily rather than in big bursts, so this time we looked over six months of real orders (instead of our usual 90 days) to find the RV & Motorhome gear people are actually buying. These are genuine recent best sellers.

1. Thule Elite G2 RV Bike Rack – $1,100.00

Our headline pick. If the bikes are coming on holiday, this is the rack motorhome and caravan owners have been choosing. The Elite G2 mounts on the rear wall of your van and carries up to 60kg in total (30kg per rail), so it handles heavier e-bikes as well as road and mountain bikes. The rails slide left and right to space bikes properly, the platform locks, and the detachable bike arms use Thule's AcuTight torque-limiting knobs, which give you a click when they're tight enough. It's sold as a standard rack and can be expanded from three to four bikes. See more in Thule Bike Racks & Accessories.

Shop the Thule Elite G2 RV Bike Rack

2. Cruisemaster DO35 V3plus Coupling with Handbrake, 1" Tow Pin – $754.00

This is the coupling for owners who take their caravan off the seal. The DO35 V3plus is ADR rated to 3500kg, and Cruisemaster says it's over 50% stronger than the previous model. It articulates freely in every direction, so the van tracks behind your vehicle on rough tracks and steep driveways, and a positive locking mechanism with a Checklock cap keeps it secure. This version comes with the handbrake and a 1" tow pin. It's a serious upgrade for off-road and heavier vans. More in Cruisemaster Couplings and Towing.

Shop the DO35 V3plus Coupling

3. Living 10L 240V Water Heater – $345.00

Hot water at the campsite is hard to beat. This compact 10-litre heater hooks up to a 240V mains connection and heats water from 15°C to 75°C in around 30 minutes. It has a simple dial control, a pressure relief valve and overheat cut-out, and an enamel-lined tank, and it fully complies with NZ electrical requirements. It's made for permanent caravan set-ups, cabins, sleepouts and other stand-alone spots that need a dependable small hot water supply. At 350 x 350mm it fits a tight cupboard. Browse Marine & RV Water Heating.

Shop the Living 10L Water Heater

4. Eternabond Roof Seal Tape 2" x 15.2m (White) – $129.99

A leaking roof seam can spoil a trip, and Eternabond lets you seal it yourself. It sticks to EPDM, TPO, aluminium, galvanised steel, wood and fibreglass, needs no extra sealant on top, and stays flexible down to -57°C. It seals to itself, so you can cut it and fold it around vents, skylights and flashings. Clean and dry the surface first and it's a quick one-step job. More in Eternabond Tapes & Sealants.

Shop Eternabond Roof Seal Tape

5. MPK LED Light Side Covers for Vision Star 400 x 400 Vents – $159.99

A small upgrade for long summer evenings. These clip-on covers fit the internal trim of the MPK Vision Star 400 x 400 roof vent (RVH129R) and add two warm white (around 3000K) 12V LED lights with opal glass for soft, even light. They're dimmable with the matching dimmer (BD1209), so the vent you already have doubles as a main light for the living area. See Marine & RV Lighting and Motorhome Windows, Doors & Lockers.

Shop the MPK LED Light Side Covers

Also popular

The Southern Alps 10A Caravan Supply Adaptor ($92) is still a steady seller. It plugs into a standard household 3-pin socket, limits the van's supply to 10 amps and is certified to AS/NZS 3820, which makes it handy when you're staying with friends or family over summer. For the tow vehicle, the Hayman Reese Aluminium Hitch Step ($129.99) bolts down over your tow ball mount to give you a non-slip step up to the tray or roof racks. Note it can't be used with weight distribution.

Ready for the summer trip

Whether you're planning a summer loop around Aotearoa or running a campervan in the Pacific Islands (we export across the Pacific, so get in touch if you're outside New Zealand), have a look through our RV exterior, appliances and electrical & solar collections for the rest.

Browse our full range at actionoutdoors.kiwi