STL Files of Car Camping and Van Life to 3D Print
When living or travelling in a van, keeping your space organized and functional can feel impossible. Messy cables, spilled drinks, cluttered kitchens, and flying outdoor rugs turn your adventure into frustration. The solution? 3D printed accessories for car camping and van life. From custom cup holders and seatback hooks to tarp clips and spice racks, these simple, affordable prints transform cramped, chaotic spaces into efficient, comfortable, and personalized mobile homes.
1. 3D Printed Seatback Hooks
Whether you're travelling in a camper van or a regular car, 3D printed seatback hooks are a great way to keep your belongings organized. You may transform that unused vertical space into a convenient place to store your gear by attaching these hooks to the headrests or seat rails. Constructed from long-lasting PLA or PETG filament, they can withstand the weight of commonplace objects and the tremors of the road. Driving more comfortably and safely is possible when you keep the floor clear and keep all your necessities within reach, whether you live in a van or go car camping. You can alter the size and quantity of these 3D-printed hooks to match your vehicle's design, and they print with little assistance. You can customise your system without drilling or permanently altering your van's interior using free STL files provided by community makers.
Download file: Thangs.
2. Custom Cup Holders & Drink Mounts
As you juggle your drink over uneven roads, you're probably car camping. If your vehicle has an unusually shaped dashboard, door pocket, or other area, you can have a 3D-printed cup holder or drink mount made to fit perfectly. With these components, you can rest assured that your coffee will stay put even as you navigate twisty roads in your mug, cup, or bottle. You can simply print most designs in PETG or ABS with the included STL files, which provide greater temperature resistance, perfect for summer travel or hot beverages.
Additional compartments for pens and other small tools are available in some variants. Sites like Etsy and Thingiverse offer a wide range of downloadable designs, most of which are designed to fit common van models such as the VW, Sprinter, and Transit. You can keep your dashboard organised and practical with these printed holders, which are perfect for carrying a thermos on early walks or iced tea on lengthy travels.
Download file: Cults.
3. Cable Organizers & Remote Holders
Cords, chargers, remote controls, and adapters abound when travelling to stay connected. For better control over their movement on uneven surfaces or potential misplacement under chairs, 3D-printed cable organizers and remote holders are a lifesaver. You can neatly route wires along walls, drawer edges, or under consoles using these organizers, which often feature modular grid or clip-in designs. Printed in long-lasting PLA or PETG, these holders are resistant to bending and come in a variety of sizes to accommodate USB cables, adapters, or even tiny remote controls for lights, fans, or entertainment devices.
Mounting them near power outlets or USB hubs allows travellers to always have charging cords readily available. You can find files that work for your vehicle's layout and personal gear needs among these designs because they are community-created and shared freely on platforms like Printables.
Download file: Printables.
4. 3D Printed Spice Rack & Utensil Holders
Space is of the essence while cooking in a mobile home. Utensil and spice racks made of 3D printed plastic are perfect for this purpose. These designs provide a space-saving solution for storing seasonings, cutlery and small kitchen items without sacrificing style or functionality. To prevent the containers from toppling over during transit, several spice rack designs feature snap-together or stacking options. Because of their heat resistance and odd spill tolerance, these holders are perfect for ABS or PETG printing.
Whether you choose a minimal spice rack or a full mini-kitchen, the interchangeable parts let you personalize it to your preferred cooking method. Finding the ideal spice kit and utensil organizer design for your van setup is a breeze with the plethora of ready-to-print options available in online STL libraries.
Download file: Printables.
5. Tarp Clips & Guy-Line Tensioners – Easy Shelter Setup
Tarp clips and guy-line tensioners made of 3D-printed plastic are a must for campers who like to set up camp outside their van. These little components make it easy to set up rainflys or shade shelters by clipping into the edge of a tarp to provide a strong anchor point without tearing the fabric. Clips and tensioners made of durable PLA, PETG, or nylon can withstand wind and handle tension with ease. Faster shelter setup and tear-down at the end of the day are possible thanks to the tensioners, which let you quickly adjust the line tension. You can print extra spares and bring them along without bulk, since these designs are lightweight and compact, great for long excursions when the weather is uncertain. You may make your campsite seem more like home with these clips, which are popular downloads on camping design collections.
Download file: Cults.
6. Toilet Paper Holders
Anyone who lives in a van and values cleanliness and convenience would benefit greatly from a 3D printed toilet paper holder. Installing one of these holders in a cramped lavatory will keep the roll off the floor and protected from dirt, dust and bumps while you drive. To accommodate common toilet paper sizes and facilitate roll changes, several designs incorporate a spring or slot mechanism. Printed with humidity-resistant PETG or ABS, these holders are durable and won't bend or break even after repeated uses. Camping and van life forums frequently share free STL files for toilet paper dispensers, many tailored to specific van types or bathroom layouts. Van bathroom procedures become much easier with this holder, particularly on multi-day travels when organisation is key.
Download file: Printables.
7. Outdoor Rug Corner Holders
Raising an outdoor rug to catch the wind is the surest way to spoil the laid-back atmosphere of a campsite. No matter how windy the weather gets, your outdoor rug will stay flat and secure with these 3D-printed corner holders. Rug holders secure materials that may otherwise crumple or balloon by clipping or staking them into the rug's corners and subsequently into the ground.
These components, printed from strong materials such as PETG or nylon, can withstand the elements, grime, and frequent outdoor use. They're adaptable to varying rug thicknesses, compact, and simple to print. By securing loose rugs into place, campers can create more aesthetically pleasing and functional outdoor living spaces, ideal for relaxing.
Download file: Makerworld.
8. Fishing Rod Pole Holder for Car Roof/Ceiling Camper
Lastly, home 3D printers offer several practical benefits for van owners, including the ability to print custom vents, knobs, and replacement parts. To save time and money, you can print replacement parts for common household items such as refrigerator fan knobs, cabinet latches, and vent covers. If you want a perfect match, you may either create your own CAD model or ask around in conversion communities for the STL files for the pieces you need for your van.
Auto interior parts printed with PETG, ABS, or ASA won't distort under heat, thus they'll last longer. 3D printing offers van lifers a versatile alternative to waiting for expensive or discontinued OEM replacements, allowing them to keep their home-on-wheels functioning smoothly and customized to their liking.
Download file: Makerworld.
Best 3D Modeling Software
There are many tools available that you can use to create your 3D models or modify the above, but we recommend using SelfCAD. It is an easy-to-use yet powerful tool that brings 3D design that allows you to create both simple and complex models. It runs online as well as a downloadable version that you can install in your PC. It comes with interesting tools like image to 3D model, freehand drawing and sketching, powerful sculpting brushes, easy-to-use selection modes, and various modification and deformation tools. The video below shows the overview of the software.
SelfCAD also comes with an in-built online slicer that you can use to slice your designs and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer. The video below shows how to slice files in SelfCAD. The software is also affordable, and it comes with many resources for learning including the interactive tutorials, that makes it easy for you to learn how the software works.