Message Forums

Hello to all - I've been lurking for some time now & I need your help.  I can't believe Im actually saying this but we are actually in the final stages of negotiating our first caravan which is 12mths old - can't say too much about it just yet as I don't want to jinx it and it isn't quite ours yet!

With a bit of luck it could be ours by the end of the week - however, we have a 5 day holiday booked from next wed - supposedly in the tent but we are going to a C&CC site & Im sure its a pitch suitable for both.

My Q is - what would be the basics I would absolutely need to buy - I've got all the crockery, pans, tables, lafumas, hook up, loo chemicals etc etc as we liked to camp in style but as I don't have much time to get my head around it all can you help

So far my list is:

Wheel lock
Hitch lock (my complete security list has more than this but this would be just so I'd be comfortable leaving it on its own on site)
Wastemaster
Water hog - do I need hosing
Towing mirror - do we need two of these?
gas bottle - is it worth getting the lightweight ones i.e will I be able to change it easily
Whats the thingy used to bring down steadies (hubbies pretty handy and has a comprehensive list of general tools but I barely know a hammer from a spanner!!)
Im going to make bunk bedding myself & I've already got fitted sheets & mattress protectors which Im sure will fit

Insurance

Also can anyone advise what cleaning stuff I can use in the bathroom safely as it has a plastic shower tray.

Im sure I've missed off some really important stuff so any advice very welcome

Battery; Electric hook up cable (get a 25m one) ; Bottle opener; Whale or Truma pump depends on your fittings; If you get an awning get a kneeling mat...the sort used for gardening. makes banging in the pegs easier on a hard standing!!!! Waste pipe to connect van waste outlets to the waste hog. Maybe need a connector if you have two waste outlets to make two waste pipes run into one; Fire extinguisher; Get some of those orange collapsable crates from B&Q to pack the gear in...very useful; Little vac (optional); Travel clock - if the van does not have one...its amazing how you miss a clock when there isn't one!; Bucket ....at least for emptying the toilet when leaving the site!; Gas spanner for changing gas bottles (some sites sell these); length of hose for connecting to the drinking water tap for filling the Water Hog. Piece of pipe used for plumbing jobs works with a piece of string threaded through one end to hold it on the tap; Chocks; Levellers; spirit level for levelling the van; Outside chairs and table; Bottle of wine; Torch (your water always runs out in the dark (its a caravanning law);  Noseweight guage; Torque wrench (maybe for later on - useful for checking your wheel nuts before a journey); Television (suggest an Avtex with built in freeview); Patience;

Have fun

Phil 

Yes, you do need two towing mirrors, unless the towing car is wider than the van. If you want mains electric you will need a EHU cable. There are loads of extra bits and pieces that you may want as you venture out but it may be best just to see how you go and get them as you see fit, such as a noseweight guage, levellers and chocks etc. It's too easy to get carried away in the accessory shops and buy stuff that you find you hardly use and haul around unnecessarily. Don't forget the regulator for the gas bottles and a spanner.

There are cleaning materials available for almost everything. Fenwicks make a kitchen and bathroom cleaner that seems appropriate. have a browse around a few websites for ideas but be careful not to use anything abrasive which will scratch the surfaces.  Most of all, have a fun time, don't be in a rush and enjoy the experience. As ex-tenters who made the switch, I'm sure you'll absolutely love the extra comfort and homeliness in your new van.

"noseweight guage, levellers and chocks "

Would tend to disagree on these items. Its illegal to drive with a noseweight greater than the Regs allow and a guage is easier to carry and use than bathroom scales. You need to get the van as level as possible when setting up, hence levellers and chocks. Fridges may not function correctly if not level and you need the water to drain to the waste hog. Anyway, just my view. You are right about spending loads in the accessory shop but I thought that was mandatory

Phil

Ok

Hubby mentioned noseweight gauge & levellers as he went out of the door so getting those.
Caravan guard who are the cheapest quote for insurance (new for old) at the mo say two wheel locks so I think we'll get one goody milenco or alko thats another dilemma and a cheaper 2nd one for now with a different locking mechanism which if nothing else might slow down any would be thieves a little more.

We have ehu leads & extension already. It comes with the leisure battery - got regulators but rightly said mustn't forget them - oh yes the corkscrew & bottle opener essential - particularly on a maiden voyage!

We will have an awning but no breathable groundsheet methinks that may have to wait.

Phil - you should see my 'full list' on excel but my main priority will be just persuading OH that we won't have to spend a fortune just to get away in it next week. 

Im thinking of cutting a kingsize duvet in half sewing up each open side & doing the same with a duvet cover to make duvets  & covers for the childrens bunks but we do have our camping sleeping bags so we will manage one way or another.  Has anyone else done this to make bunk bedding.

Its a time like this I am thankful for being a camper as not only do we have plenty of kit to use even if some of it will just be for now - I am almost certain had we not camped we would never be buying a caravan now which we are thrilled about.  Its still not mine yet though

If its of any help and you haven't tried them maybe give Lifesure a ring or email. We compared them for insurance to all the others last year and it not only gave the better coverage for risks but were cheaper. Just spent the last couple of days getting quotes from CC; C&CC; Caravan Guard; Safe Guard; CSMA and others and compared like for like and Lifesure came out well ahead of all the others on price and still provided more cover (even more cover than CC and £50 cheaper).

info at lifesure.co.uk

One company didn't cover damage to the the awning from storm or flood. Another didn't cover the furniture in the awning. Some didn't provide for a new van after the existing was over three years old. We have five years. Those sort of things to look for.

Lifesure only require one wheel lock.

Enjoy your trip. Best thing with Hubby is to take him to an accessory shop, just for a look, and wait......he will buy something.....its a disease which is just too easily picked up!!

Phil

Fiona, so excited for you. Hope the purchase goes well and you get away. We're away on Saturday for two weeks, so let us know as soon as you get it. We (well I!) still don't regret moving to a caravan, especially when it's wet and/or windy when we arrive to set up. It's also great thinking all you really need to pack are the clothes. Makes it a bit less stressful.

One thing I'll say is that if it's the same layout as ours (or thereabouts) My kids get really hot at night and end up with just a thin fleecy covering them. The time before we went away I still had a heater from winter caravanning and left that blowing cold before they went to bed. My Dad then pointed out that actually you can have the caravan heater blowing cold!

Can't think of anything that's not been covered apart from baskets, baskets and more baskets. My husband goes daft everytime I mention getting any more of them. Fit great in the lockers and we kept our outwell baskets for in the bottom of the wardrobes.

Good luck

Nicky

"It's also great thinking all you really need to pack are the clothes."

I must be doing something wrong then!!!!!

Phil