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In the summer, we use ours for :

 fridge / electric portable cooker & hobs / electric pump / walkie talkie charger /

light / mobile charger /  camera charger / radio / hair dryer / kettle

In the winter, as above plus :

heater /  tv/dvd

Its EHU for us as well, though having said that,before our daughter was born my Husband and I camped in the Lake District with a Khyam Highlander,Trangia,Torch and no leccy for a few days here and there and were not troubled one iota,when you have places like Striding Edge and Helvellan to scramble up all you need is a sleeping bag to snuggle into.!(inside a tent of course,it gets mighty cold up there)

Nowadays though we have moved into the luxury side of camping and take everything bar the kitchen sink but geared to camping and we have never looked back.This lovely British climate cannot be relied on even in summer and as was mentioned before much safer to have around children.

Each to his or her own is what I say but whatever you do-HAVE A GREAT TIME.

Small tent ,no EHU

Large tent for longer hols, YES, EHU total necessity to keep the alcohol cool

I'd say yes to EHU. we choose to have it for the following reasons: (in no specific order)

• you get a better pitch than non EHU
• you can take an electric coolbox/ fridge - a huge bonus with 3 young kids (and for my wine!)
• charge you're mobile phone
• have a light on in the evenings for reading etc
• small fan heater for the chilly evenings / early mornings
• travel kettle

we dont bother with hairdryers, radios, tv's etc. on our last trip we did take the portable dvd player as we got stuck last easter in 3 days of rain, but the kids are just as happy playing a game or colouring in.

We've camped for years without EHU with no problems. But have to admit we are fully converted... now have a camp-let trailer tent and decided to go electric for our easter trip to anglesey. Only ran lighting (fantastic to see properly - no lantern as good as a 40w bulb) a toaster and best of all a small convector heater. Oh, yes and hairdryer. Really lovely to get dressed in warmth from the heater. Now we are looking at some kind of electric cool box or fridge so we can do big trips away through the summer without milk going off.

EHU all the way for us now. But I would always make sure we had back ups. Our electrics went off on the first night and luckily we had packed the battery lanterns so could still see. Will never part with my whistling kettle and love cooking on gas.

But, hey - each to their own. Life would be so boring if we were all the same.

We always camped without EHU but when we decided to go away for Easter we got leccy plus heater and we're very glad we did.  We also bought a small kettle for hot drinks and hot water bottles.  The days were beautiful but the nights were cold and one morning there was ice on the outside of the tent. 

So, no TV, no DVD, nothing like that but a battery operated radio (mostly 'cos I like cricket), gas cooking and great fun without freezing.

To me going away is to get a break so I am happy to leave the world behind but I want to be comfortable while doing it.

 I only use the EHU for the cool box simply to stop going backwards and forwards for food shopping, I also use it for a heater in early and late season rather thatn my gas heater as it is better for the grand kids. I take what I need for the trip depending on how long I camp.  if i am on my own very minimal, tent sleeping bag, roll mat and trangia stove. With the family fill the car and be comfortable as possible. I go to some sites with EHU and they are good size pitches with grass as well as hard standing. Take what you need to enjoy the experience "Anybody can be uncomfortable",

Haz

   My wife and i have camped or caravaned since the 60 s when we payed  half a crown a night  (twelve and a half p) There were EHU's ,but you had to pay another sixpence a day (two and a half p) we couldn't afford that.We used gas or battery power. Now we are still camping in the summer, but have all the comforts  EHU's offer, especially the thermostat controlled heating.Now we are pensioners we can afford all the luxuries Ha Ha 

Quote: Originally posted by corpogreen on 13/4/2007

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   My wife and i have camped or caravaned since the 60 s when we payed  half a crown a night  (twelve and a half p) There were EHU's ,but you had to pay another sixpence a day (two and a half p) we couldn't afford that.We used gas or battery power. Now we are still camping in the summer, but have all the comforts  EHU's offer, especially the thermostat controlled heating.Now we are pensioners we can afford all the luxuries Ha Ha 

 

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We bought our first caravan, a tiny little Monza in the mid 70's. The toilet was a bucket with a seat and lid. It had gas heating, gas cooking and gas mantles!!! I loved the glow the gas mantles gave in the evening.

Carol