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 We will be getting our first caravan, hopefully at the end of the month and we are also buying a starter kit from our dealer, consisting of : Aquaroll, wastemaster, wheelclamp, hitchlock, gas cylinders & battery. However there seems to be other items that i feel we ought to get, like levelling blocks, steadies locks, noseweight guage Anyone suggest what is essential, what is necessary and what is desireable? 

I started toruing last year, can't remember everything we bought but here goes:

Levelling ramps, hard standing pegs for awning, Jack, toilet cleaner and rinse, small selection of tools for ongoing repairs, halogen heater £10 towsure for the awning in the evening while the kids fell asleep, Nose weight gauge (vital to ensure you load the van correctly if first time tower), step for front door, awning carpet, wheel clamp, portable bbq or cadac type, collapsable boxes are great to carrying food and clothes out to van and storwe away easily when not needed (£2.50 for wilko's or supermarket), electrical hookup, BEER / WINE - lots of, plastic plates and glasses, lite weight saucepans, I'm sure there are other things but difficult to remember. We bought 2 large gas bottles as we didn't realise how long they would last so i would recommend if you worry about running out then buy a large bottle and then a small one as a back up - I would also spend the extra money on the light weight variety.

If I think of anything I will let you know and welcome to the site it will become addictive!

Have a look here. Dont forget a corkscrew, that is important  

Just my thoughts..........

Essential (and necessary)

Insurance; Spanner to turn the nut on the gas regulator to disconnect the gas cylindar; Gloves (in case you need to change tyres or other messy jobs); Fire extinguisher and Fire blanket; Kettle; Toilet chemicals; chocks, ramps for levelling; waste outlet pipe (you may also need a Y connector to run two pipes into one); Whale Pump; Big foot steadies; Driving Mirrors; Kitchen utensils cups plates knives spoons etc; Beer glass wine glasses; Noseweight guage (millenco); Clock (some caravans don't have one); 25 mter cable for Electric hook Up; Bucket; Baskets for loading gear into van (B&Q do some good lightweight collapsable ones); Jack (trolley or other kind); Funnel (it can be tricky pouring toilet chemicals into the loo from the outside of the van)

Desirable

Awning; Awning carpet (optional); Torque Wrench and 19mm or 17mm socket (depends on size of your wheel nuts); Water carrier (jerry can) for topping up aquaroll; Aquasource water mains connector to connect direct to water supply; Pegs/rock pegs; Tyre inflator (can't always get car and van into garage to use their air supply!); Adapter plug for your electric cable so you can plug the van into house supply to charge up and get fridge going; WD40; Digital aerial, pole and digital (freeview) TV; Winter wheels; Vac; Voltmeter; Axel stand; Hessian sacks for storing wheels over winter

Access to google earth is useful so you can check the route for hills narrow roads etc.

Have loads of fun in your van

Phil

I would add electric hook-up cable and spare wheel (inc jack) to your list of essentials.  Possibly a cheap electric drill and long adapter thingy - for raising and lowering the steadies easily, on your list of desirables.

Unfortunately, the list can go on .... and on ...

Lightweight folding chairs  for inside the awning or outside? We also have light folding table for the awning, but the caravan table can also be used.

Large golf type umbrella and wellies for those trips in the rain to loos/showers or to fill the water or empty the loo!

We have stopped using the collapsible boxes because they collapse when you dont want them to! Instead we use the large bags you buy at the supermarkets, you know the ones, they arent canvas but not plastic either. Cant think what to call them!

Essential :

Haynes Caravan Handbook

and :

Haynes Caravan Manual

Shirley

"We have stopped using the collapsible boxes because they collapse when you dont want them to! Instead we use the large bags you buy at the supermarkets, you know the ones, they arent canvas but not plastic either. Cant think what to call them!"

Think they are Hessian shopping bags so if they are big enough you can store your tyres in them over winter as well

Phil

Just start off with a few basic bits. With any hobby you can always go on buying useful things that'll come in handy until you end up so weighed down you can't move. Try a weekend away near home to start with and you'll find out what you haven't got. Much of your camping gear will help, and many things you already have at home.

Dont forget the toilet paper!