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Hi all , a friend of mine has just bought a motorhome and i'm trying to advise him on what he needs to get up and running , being a caravaner myself they do seem a little different on whats needed , so far he has a hookup lead , i can think of wheel wedges ( levelers ) . Could you tell me what else is needed to get him going .

Thanks Wizard

Just one other thing , when you use the water tank do you fill it before you go , or fill up on site if so where do you fill up .

atb

Wizard

Rember a litre of water weighs 1Kilo if you have a 50 litre tank =50Kilos. Think of your fuel economy.

We usually take a cople of litres in a bottle(s) few brews en route and fill up when at the site

We always run with a few gallons in the tank in case we arrive late or some pillock has taken up residence on the motorhome point etc. Empting and filling is not as quick and easy as with a caravan, generally there is only one M/H station on a site and everyone wants it at the same time.

Also you need a longer fill hose than people with aquarolls as some taps aren't that conveniently placed for motorhomes.

You also need some way of fetching water if you cannot get near the water tap - happened twice on us.  We carry a water container for drinking water so use this to fill tank when needed.  We also carry 4 rubber mesh doormats - £1.99 from Wilkos, park the drive wheels on these when on grass incase it rains.  If ground becomes wet the theory is that we put the other two mats infront of the mats under the wheels and move onto them, take the mats now released and repeat.  Long process I know but better than being stuck in the mud - done it once and not wanting to repeat the experience.  We cary the mats on the front passenger floor and between the cab seats so take up no room.

Jean

petrol!

Sorry

Hi,

We too tend to fill up with water before we set off and that way you are totally free to come and go as you please! If we are embarking on a long journey, we can stop halfway and park up for the night somewhere and have sufficient water onboard for showering etc or like sixwheels says, we can arrive on a campsite and not have to do anything other than connect to the EHU! Can't see the point of arriving on site and then having to start faffing about setting up etc when you can do all the preperation before you set off! Doesn't matter then if you arrive in the dark does it?

One of the most essential items for any motor home in my opinion, is an exterior, thermally insulated silver screen. A MUST HAVE item for all seasons but especially in the winter months when the weather is very cold and the difference it makes regarding interior heat loss and cab windscreen condensation is incredible.

Sue

Essential must have items are...

Levelling ramps, basic toolkit & can WD40, 25L waste water container, hose, 10L fresh water container, silver screens (Exterior are more effective, but interior are better if you wildcamp), storm strap for if you have a roll out canopy, small spirit level, hook up lead.

Non essential that i keep permanantly in my van.....

240 appliances.. Kettle, toaster, small halogen heater. crockery, pots & pans, cutlery, cups, bedding, towels, disposable BBQs & wire stand, flat camping stove, TV ariel & pole, jump leads, heavy duty tow rope, canvas chairs, fold up plastic table, outdoor mat, windbreak, clothes line & pegs.

Quote: Originally posted by sasquatch on 21/10/2007

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Rember a litre of water weighs 1Kilo if you have a 50 litre tank =50Kilos. Think of your fuel economy.

We usually take a cople of litres in a bottle(s) few brews en route and fill up when at the site

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Mmmm, 50kgs, so if I leave the wife at home I will get better fuel economy To be honest we run with around 1/4 tank, and it doesn't seem to make any differance to fuel economy, we usually don't put much in from home as we are on a water meter, so cheaper to fill at the site, basics for us are hookup lead, hose, watering can and levellers.

We fill up the water before we go, as I've got a bit of a delicate tum.  Drinking our own home water is better and less hassle for me than drinking water that is likely to upset my tum (poor delicate wee soul that I am  

We have all the usual pots, pans, cutlery, bungees, games, books, TV, DVD player & DVD's, food, tea/sugar etc, kettle, toaster, enough gas (don't want to run out if you have no EHU), bedding, towels, toiletries (we keep a seperate set in the van so we don't forget them), dog food if you have a dog, spare carrier bags (for wet shoes/rubbish etc), small tool kit, first aid kit.

Every so often we go through and take out anything we haven't used for ages.  I was still carrying my kids buckets & spades - they are 13 & 15 now .

Sara

Surprised at you lot! No one has mentioned the essential beer and wine!

Val