Hello, we've recently bought our first touring caravan its a Bailey Moselle and we have no idea what accessories we need, and any advice would be so helpful. We've spent the last ten years camping and now feel out of our depth with this caravan!
To actually function, you need a water barrel + connection hose (to the van), a decent hook up cable ((although admittedly not 100% necessary),a waste water container + tubing, some loo fluid and ideally at least one gas bottle. Then away you go. Some could double this list from day one, but these, i would say, are the bare essentials to get you off the mark.
The general contents - pots/pans, odds/sods, are down to how you want to live.
You will find your inventory evolves the more you use it. Add things/dump things relative to your needs.
Thanks all, very much appreciated, I have an aquaroll, hook up lead, step and towing mirrors. Go me
I wasn't sure about tubes, connectors and where they go!
Lager, Decent Wine, bottle opener are all packed ready to go
hi, pour a little water down the sink ,washroom and shower tray look to see where it runs from outside van and this is where drain hose fits to run water into waste container, waste hose is normally grey or black and convoluted. blue hose or submersible pump takes water into caravan.
as you say you are new to c/vanning perhaps I should mention the procedure for connecting the water systems
after filling the aquaroll make sure the water heater/boiler in the van is switched OFF. & the water drain down is closed
connect the water pump to the caravan & place end into aquaroll
Open a hot water tap furthest from the aquaroll & run until water discharges in a steady stream & no spluttering. then do the same to any other hot tap
you can then turn on the water heater.
this allows the boiler to fill with out any air locks which could cause the boiler to trip out
Very good advice from old chap. When we first started out the main learning points for us were learning the water system, the 12v battery system (including how it charges), the 3 way fridge, towing and manoeuvring.
Other essential bits of kit:
Comfy chairs for outside.
Awning carpet - breathable
Covers for the waste barrel and water barrel to stop them from messing up the interior.
A watering can for filling up the flush tank
Blue and pink chemicals
A short push on water hose for filling the water barrel
Mattress toppers for a comfy sleep unless you have a fixed bed
Gas bottle spanner
Wooden blocks to go under the legs if you are on a slope
A levelling ramp and chock
A clothes rack that hangs from the awning poles or out of the window- essential for ensuring dry towels throughout your holiday!
We also carry a collapsible table and chairs to put in the awning as we prefer to eat out there with our family of 5! We also have a storage unit that we put up in the awning to store things such as shoes, toys etc to stop the caravan from being cluttered.
I tend to tow with the awning in the boot with adds a bit of weight to the back of the car, and keeps the weight out of the van. It also means that if we stop at some services we can use the van to eat lunch in without clambering over lots of kit.
Old chap, thanks for that info. I think I have been turning my water heater on as soon as the water is connected. There was so much information when we collected our van that these snippets can prove to be invaluable.
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
Hello old chap this information is invaluable thank also thank you to everyone for all the information that you've supplied, its all really helpful we're off on our first outing at the end of july, wish us luck x
Really, the hot water should be off BEFORE disconnecting the water on the last outing. This ensures its never on without water. I know the heater is 'full' but its best to make sure its not on when theres no supply to it.
To the OP, theres no need to be draining down between trips when theres no risk of frost. I know some do, but its pointless if you know you will be off again before long. It just takes so much more water to charge the system again when emptied.
One other snippet, AWAYS hook your cable to the mains LAST, as opposed to connecting it first, then playing with a live socket at the van - sometimes in the rain and dark!
We always drain down the hot water tank after every trip because otherwise its 20 litres (20kgs extra weight) that right at the front of the van (under the front seats for us).
It just adds loads of unwanted extra nose weight if you don't drain it down.
------------- 2015 - our 1st year of caravanning with a new baby. Can't wait! :)