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I dont have or intend getting EHU, we manage perfectly well without it, it would be awful if I did get it as the kids would want to take the TV, playstation etc, I enjoy seeing them actually playing nicely together for a change not argueing about who's turn it is to watch what they want on tele. It would be easier for things like a fridge and light etc though but the cons outweigh the pros in our case

Kate

Quote: Originally posted by magicaly on 02/3/2006

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I wouldnt be without mine. I like electric heating and I like a table lamp but each to their own. You enjoy your camping in whatever way pleases you most.

Carol

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Hi stig72

I use a couple of those cheap halogen desk lamps cos they fold down really small and you can get them for less than a fiver, so they live in our camping box and dont get used at home. That way we never forget them.

Carol

We camped without the EHU and managed fine...even between October - January however we now have a single socket EHU and use it all the time...It's great for the heater and electric cool box..We have car battery tube type lights and a rechargable lamp. Pump fpr the air bed also runs of car..We've never EVER been tempted to take a TV though and have never missed it...We did invested in a radio / CD player last year that we keep just for camping. 

Like Magicaly said...each to their own..!

I have been camping for about 40 years (since a boy) and various forms from ridge tent to our large family frame tent.

Electricity certainly is not necessary, the only essential my wife insisted on was the portable cassette loo! (most camp loo blocks are perfectly OK, but involve dressing etc in middle of night!) I cook on gas (two hobs and a grill, have gas lamps and battery lamps - the gas lamps give of some heat too) and cool boxes with ice blocks were fine in the UK - but useless in South of France, Italy and Spain.

However, since we first used electric in France we got (scuse the pun) hooked on it and I love a ho0ok up now - saves a lot of gas if you have an electric kettle and a table lamp (from home) gives a much more comfortable light in the evenings.  We now run a fridge but it will also run off camping gaz or car battery and take a TV/DVD unit for occasional use when bad weather sets in and there is no club bar.

In short, electricity is not essential or necessary for camping (or even caravanning) and it adds a sense of additional independance to do without.  You can still have most facilities without a hook up - but, electricity does make for a much easier life and adds that little bit of extra comfort.

We are not at all bothered if camping for a long weekend without EHU but these days, would be very disappointed if we had to camp without one for a two week holiday or longer.

Quote: Originally posted by lmclaff on 03/3/2006

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For those of you that dont have an EHU, do you take a gas heater or dont you bother with any heating?

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Like Skyhawk I've been camping for more years than I care to admit.  We bought an EHU last year.  We use it just for a kettle, the coolbox, a light, the phones and the OH's hair dryer (I don't need one!).  It makes life so much easier, although we still take the gas lamp and the ordinary kettle for the times when we can't get hooked up.

There's an old army saying  "any fool can be uncomfortable!!!"

Steve