Message Forums

This may sound a stupid question but we are new to caravanning:

I was wondering what equipment for the caravan needs to be specialist equipment and what can you use that is every day. For example, looking at a caravan website their TVs seemed really expensive..is that because they are special TV's or can you use an ordinary LCD TV?

We've got stuff like melamine plates etc because we're upgrading from our lovely tent but not things like pots, kettle, electrical stuff.

So what items really must be specialist and what can we get away with buying cheap.

TIA

Helen

Now you have a caravan, surely you use the cut glass crystal wine glasses, the best porcelain pottery and the solid silver cutlery. Looks so much more impressive when using the campsite washing up sinks. 

Seriously, use a domestic flat screen TV, only the idiots pay all that money for a "special" TV.

Melamine plates do fine. There will still be the day when you go over a bump and the crockery locker comes open. Melamine bounces, and usually does not damage anything.

The only different appliance we use is a low wattage kettle so that it does not trip out the campsite power supply. Slower to boil, but hey ho you're on holiday anyway and taking life at a slower pace. Check the wattage of any other appliance you intend to take, and if over, say 1500 watts (something with a heater in) look for a lower wattage model. Your LCD TV will be fine in this respect.

Its probably easier to have a separate set of pans, cutlery etc seeing they can sit in the van all year round. That way you never forget the bottle opener, or anything else. Anyway it is a good excuse for a trip to IKEA!

We use an ordinary cheapo electric kettle which is kept permanently in the van, and also a gas one (for stopovers and if there is a power cut on site).  We also have a cheapo toaster - much quicker and easier than using the gas grill.

I think you only need the expensive tellies if you want to use if on 12v - if you have the van on a hookup, your ordinary flat screen domstic telly will be fine.  That's what we use (and also a DVD player bought specially for the van - also a cheap one). 

It is possible to keep buying stuff until the van is overflowing...try to resist the temptation.

Hi Like you we switched from tent to caravan this year. We bought a 19" free view TV nice and cheap. We use a low wattage electric kettle but i do use my george forman without any problems. We bought a cookworks microwave £25.00 only because it's easier and much faster to reheat the curries/chilli etc that i make up before we set off on our adventures. I do insist on taking my denby mug though as drinking coffee/tea out of a plastic cup just isn't the same..

Just wish we had switched sooner, but I think money had something to do with it!!!!!!!

Mags

Thanks for all your replies, I have a much better idea of what we need to get now!

Helen

may help too.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=3

I bought Tesco Value Range kettle and toaster. Yes the kettle does take a little longer than my kettle at hometo boil, but hey ho, by the time you've added milk, teabag/coffee, sugar/sweetners etc, it will have boiled.

What's the rush anyway?

I don't use melamine plates etc (sets my teeth on edge) . So bought the Asda All White Value Range, 4 wide bottom bowls,dinner plates and side plates £2.00 for the set. (In a green and white box)

TV is 16ins from Argos and it's 12v/240 with Freeview and DVD player (bought in August)

Quote: Originally posted by Patches on 16/9/2009

---

We use an ordinary cheapo electric kettle which is kept permanently in the van, and also a gas one (for stopovers and if there is a power cut on site).  We also have a cheapo toaster - much quicker and easier than using the gas grill.

I think you only need the expensive tellies if you want to use if on 12v - if you have the van on a hookup, your ordinary flat screen domstic telly will be fine.  That's what we use (and also a DVD player bought specially for the van - also a cheap one). 

It is possible to keep buying stuff until the van is overflowing...try to resist the temptation.

---

Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 17/9/2009

---

Quote: Originally posted by Patches on 16/9/2009

---

We use an ordinary cheapo electric kettle which is kept permanently in the van, and also a gas one (for stopovers and if there is a power cut on site).  We also have a cheapo toaster - much quicker and easier than using the gas grill.

I think you only need the expensive tellies if you want to use if on 12v - if you have the van on a hookup, your ordinary flat screen domstic telly will be fine.  That's what we use (and also a DVD player bought specially for the van - also a cheap one). 

It is possible to keep buying stuff until the van is overflowing...try to resist the temptation.

---

We use a low wattage kettle but a standard domestic TV.  We gave up with carrying a kettle to use on the gas - for years we we kept one for emergencies but never used it.  In the end we thought if it ever became an emergency, we could boil water in a saucepan!

We have melamine plates  etc and plastic "glasses" in case of accidents, cheap pans, cutlery and cookware from argos/ikea, cheapest toaster but I do have a kettle for the gas cooker as I love that whistle on holiday! Telly is an old portable (we need to upgrade to a flatscreen!) Inexpensive coolbag and rug for picnics. Folding chairs and table to sit outside or in awning. Folding barbeque. This stuff all kept in the van. I take slow cooker sometimes too. Bedding and towels from home (except for the cheap 3.5 tog duvet me and OH lie on).

Dont forget a fire extinguisher.  And travel games!