Motorhome essentials

Author
Discussion

chopper602

Original Poster:

2,254 posts

230 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
Hi,

Mrsthewife and I have finally decided on a motorhome (Nearly new TEC Rotec Lift 652) and although we've camped extensively throughout the UK and Europe, this is our first time with a home on wheels. What do you all consider essentials that I'll have to factor and chuck in ?

(Think it already has a sateillite dome on the roof, but absolutely no idea how this is setup!)

bananaman1

449 posts

204 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
I'm pretty new to motorhoming too.After our first trip away, a bbq was top of the list as a must have item :-)

mini95

241 posts

252 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
I am in the same situation, I bought mine a couple of weeks ago, it is amazing how much extra expense there is for all the odds and ends to go with it! I have yet to buy a BBQ but yesterday I bought the Fiamma tie down straps for the awning, which I am told is important to stop damage in high winds.

I will watch this with interest as I am sure I have loads more things to buy, I have only been away for the odd day so far, I guess the longer you are away the more you need.

GAjon

3,804 posts

220 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
Levellers.
Decent hose pipe & quick fittings, plus one of those push over and clamp types.
Some kind of water carrier for when your on a pitch and don't want to move the van to top up, I use those 15ltr fold away types with a funnel.
Seperate water bottle for brewing up water.
Some hose for your greywaste to reach drains I also carry a wastmaster.
Cadac carrychef BBQ.
Plenty of power cable and plug adapters.
Beer
Shorts
Flipops
A cushion for the wife to sleep while your driving.




chopper602

Original Poster:

2,254 posts

230 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
GAjon said:
A cushion for the wife to sleep while your driving.
Oh, she has no trouble doing that without one !

Shaw Tarse

31,675 posts

210 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
Corkscrew, bottle opener.

GAjon

3,804 posts

220 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
chopper602 said:
GAjon said:
A cushion for the wife to sleep while your driving.
Oh, she has no trouble doing that without one !
Tell me about it, mine will sleep all day when were travelling through lovelly scenery, but if I drive at night she's awake mithering me to make sure im not going to fall asleep.

bananaman1

449 posts

204 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
mini95 said:
I am in the same situation, I bought mine a couple of weeks ago, it is amazing how much extra expense there is for all the odds and ends to go with it! I have yet to buy a BBQ but yesterday I bought the Fiamma tie down straps for the awning, which I am told is important to stop damage in high winds.

I will watch this with interest as I am sure I have loads more things to buy, I have only been away for the odd day so far, I guess the longer you are away the more you need.
Ah...some fiamma straps just brought :-)...thanks for indirectly reminding me.

BigBob

1,471 posts

232 months

Tuesday 18th June 2013
quotequote all
A roll of binbags; short length of clothesline (handy for drying bathers, towels etc); bits of bubblewrap to stop tins/bottles rattling; fire extinguisher; first aid kit; fly/mozzie spray; small bottle of concentrated screenwash; some spare fuses; 12v multi-gang cigar socket (guaranteed to need to run sat-nav and charge phone at some point).

All things I've added to my 'kit' over the years.

HTH

BB

\\ to add

A small dome type spirit level mounted on the dash. Get the van level and adjust the dash mounted level on a bit of bluetac. Makes it so easy to get the van level from the driving seat.

Edited by BigBob on Tuesday 18th June 06:20

mini95

241 posts

252 months

Tuesday 18th June 2013
quotequote all
Good recommendations here, a few things I had not thought of for mine, I am finding out that when you are parked up moving to get water etc is a pain.

For the levellers I went for the big Milenco ramps, as my motorhome is quite big I think I need something higher than the standard yellow ones. They are substantial and go quite high if needed, although I have not used them yet. I have downloaded a spirit level app for my phone to make sure I am level.

There is still plenty to buy, it seems never ending, luckily I have a large rear garage to fit all the junk in!

cv01jw

1,136 posts

202 months

Tuesday 18th June 2013
quotequote all
BigBob said:
A small dome type spirit level mounted on the dash. Get the van level and adjust the dash mounted level on a bit of bluetac. Makes it so easy to get the van level from the driving seat.
biggrin

radical78

398 posts

151 months

Tuesday 18th June 2013
quotequote all
a torch and agas bottle spanner pen/paper to make a list of all the things you forgot

bananaman1

449 posts

204 months

Thursday 11th July 2013
quotequote all
Just back from our second trip away.....this time a satellite system is top of our list for a must have item....£ 99 from maplins :-)

chopper602

Original Poster:

2,254 posts

230 months

Thursday 11th July 2013
quotequote all
bananaman1 said:
Just back from our second trip away.....this time a satellite system is top of our list for a must have item....£ 99 from maplins :-)
I found our 'MaxView' system worked really well. Selected a satellite and it whirred away inside it's dome and then we had a list of TV stations - magic!

A few things I realised I'd forgotten on our overnighter last weekend, were a hammer (for awning tie-down pegs!) and some clothes pegs for the tea-towel.

Tonsko

6,299 posts

222 months

Thursday 11th July 2013
quotequote all
Pair of push bikes... & if you're feeling really flush, an A-frame trailer and a small runabout (car or bike) so that you don't have to move for trips out!

chopper602

Original Poster:

2,254 posts

230 months

Thursday 11th July 2013
quotequote all
Tonsko said:
Pair of push bikes... & if you're feeling really flush, an A-frame trailer and a small runabout (car or bike) so that you don't have to move for trips out!
We've already got bikes, these will go in the garage (for some reason there is also a bike rack fitted to the back wall) for security.

Thinking for the future about a towbar. A-frames are frowned upon now aren't they? I've already got a 2CV as a lightweight runabout car, but would need a trailer . . .

Tonsko

6,299 posts

222 months

Thursday 11th July 2013
quotequote all
I've seen a couple of people turn up (we run a campsite) with some kind of arrangement that attaches the car directly to the tow-bar. Also a small frame that simply lifts the front wheels off the ground. Not seen a full trailer as yet.

Vladimir

6,917 posts

165 months

Thursday 11th July 2013
quotequote all
Good satnav backed up with good proper maps.
Outdoor cooker (we used a two ring burner and grille thing on our month away).
Books and small toys if you have kids
Outdoor table and chairs


size13

2,032 posts

264 months

Thursday 11th July 2013
quotequote all
Camping Kettle - one of those low wattage ones (not a travel kettle - full size)
Saves loads of gas

We also have a Tefal electric oven type thing. Only 800Watts - similiar to the more expensive Remoska from Lakeland (http://www.tefal.co.uk/All+Products/Cooking+Appliances/Table+Top+Cooking/Products/Tefal+Roast+N+Bake/Tefal+Roast+N+Bake.htm) We paid £49.99 at Tefal outlet

And apps... Satellite finder and / or tv aereal finder

Edited by size13 on Thursday 11th July 14:26

Vladimir

6,917 posts

165 months

Thursday 11th July 2013
quotequote all
size13 said:
Camping Kettle - one of this low wattage ones
Saves loads of gas

We also have a Tefal electric oven type thing. Only 800Watts - similiar to the more expensive Remoska from Lakeland

And apps... Satellite finder and / or tv aereal finder

Edited by size13 on Thursday 11th July 14:21
That's one thing we'd take next time. We got through heaps of gas over 33 days!!

We made a decision not to take bikes despite being keen cyclist; I hate bike racks, didn't want to worry about them and ran to and from some shops when needed.