MrBiscuits Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Hi We are very very new to motorhomes.. having bought our first one yesterday! we are experienced campers however. What can people recommend to stock up the motorhome? It is a 5 berth so has a reasonable amount of storage but also aware that everyday items such as clothing needs to be taken in to consideration. We are planning on using our motorhome very frequently - as many weekends as we can even if staying fairly local therefore certain items can stay in it. Do you have any suggestions or useful tips? We are going to kitting it out from scratch. What food/ cooking essentials do you keep in yours? Thanks Sarah (^) *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Hello Sarah & welcome to the forum & the world of motorhomes. There are so many possibilities & a lot down to individual preferences & style of use. Will you mainly use facility sites, basic sites, wild-camp ? Will you normally use Electric Hook-up ? Are you aware of your available payload is, as everything added adds weight. Some like to keep a spreadsheet record of "van" equipment for a) insurance purposes should the worst thing happen, b) to monitor weights against payload Some of your camping equipment will be suitable. Start with the kitchen requirements, Kettle (low wattage) for EHU. Eating utensils & plates/bowls/cups, etc. Bedding what type ? Does the van have a fixed bed where majority of bedding can be transported or do you need locker space. ? Entertainment for evenings or bad weather - TV, Tablet/Laptop. Toolkit Food - store cupboard items with long shelf life, can be left in the motorhome, but fresh food add at commencing each trip. Toiletries & Towels. Hobby equipment. We prefer the above (except TV, Tablet & Cameras) are permanently in the van ready for a quick get-away if an opportunity arises. Cyclists ? Do you have a cycle-rack or large "garage" (a starting point) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don636 Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Here's what we have in our 6.36m PVC. Two hook up cables and an assortment of connectors plus a polarity tester Length of hose plus an assortment of connectors Two lengths of drain hose Set of jump leads Milenco triple ramps and wheel chocks Small tool box plus fuses, tapes, ties, clips, string, WD40 etc Wheel lock Two fire extinguishers - one inside, one in the boot Fold up bucket Folding drying rack, pegs Two folding chairs Two folding foot stools Outdoor mat for placing at door Extendable pole and cleaning head for windscreen cleaning Outside gas BBQ Warning triangle Tow rope Water container and funnel Guy ropes and pegs for awning plus mallet Van cleaning gear Small 12v Hoover Extra 2kw fan heater Large brolly Campsite place marker Two folding crates to take some of the above Large plastic tray to take wet, dirty boots Dishes, mugs, glasses & cutlery for 4 Set place mats Set of 5 pans Pan rest Set of kitchen tools (lots) Set of 4 knives Electric toaster Chopping board Set plastic bowls Plastic containers Two oven dishes Metal oven tray Set 3 tins for tea/coffee/biscuits Kettle Kitchen rolls Toilet rolls Cleaning sprays & cloths Small brush & pan Dish drying rack Tea towels Some plastic boxes to take a lot of the above on shelves in cupboard Some 'emergency' tinned food Slippers Dirty washing bag Two single beds sets of Duvalay toppers in fitted sheets, duvet and two pillows Spare blanket Hair dryer Games Videos Various charging cables Clock Two small rucksacks Towels Small bathmat to take to shower block (great for stepping onto to get dried/changed) Boot tray at door to step onto with wet shoes Our clothes for the trip (not much) Food & drinks for the trip (lots) Must have missed a few things My God - no wonder the van is right on the weight limit!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Difficult to know where to start! I suppose you need to understand what your loading margin is. Have a read at this if you haven't already. You must not overload the motorhome. Travel as light as you can. https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/articles/practical-advice/motorhome-weights-and-payload-explained We started by taking what we thought we would need, adding things we found we needed and leaving things at home that we didn't need. As you are an experienced camper, most of this is common sense. You will need two propane gas bottles (red), 2 x 6kg is usually enough; a 25m long hook up cable; someway of putting water in your fresh water tank such as a large 10l+ container [ours is 25l but is heavy to carry] or a food grade hose [some say it doesn't have to be food grade] and appropriate hose/tap adaptors to deliver water from a tap into the water tank. Toilet rolls and any fluids necessary for the toilet. That's the basics. Then a kettle, enough mugs and cutlery for the inhabitants plus say 2 guests [there are only two of use so we have enough for 4]; we use a double skillet and pan with two steamers; plus whatever cookery tools you need for what you are going to cook. Some of our accessories are collapsible silicon such as bowl for sink. Duvets or sleeping bags with pillows - we leave ours in but ensure they are ventilated from time to time and we keep the damp away - duvalays are an expensive but well-regarded solution. Don't forget washing up liquids, powers, cleaners [take care what you use as some domestic cleaners are too strong], dishcloths, cleaning cloths, and tea towels. We use a few 27 year old nappies! Most people forget a tin opener or bottle opener! We carry a few cork mats for standing hot pans etc. Tinned foods are useful with long sell by dates but are heavy. Try dry packet goods if you can keep them dry and they are edible. A simple tool kit including a spanner or monkey wrench to change over gas bottles, a few screwdrivers including an electrical one, cable ties and gaffer tape. I've always carried windscreen cleaner. Sewing threads and needles plus scissors. Torch. Clothes and anything you need to pursue your hobbies in the van. Kindles are useful. Charger for phones. Essential documents, various debit/credit cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laimeduck Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Well for 2 weeks..........2 T-shirts2 pairs shorts2 pairs underpants1 pair flip flops1 short coat1 corkscrew & bottle opener combined1 desert spoon1 toilet roll That should do it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Presumably underpants back to front and then inside out before washing? Last a month that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Thanks Keith. I'll blame Calor for not having black cylinders. I'm too late to edit the post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 What about a few Commando days? That'll eke out the washing although you may need stronger washing powder - perhaps Elsan blue instead of Aldi bio! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBiscuits Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 My word that is some list! great help thank you, there are lots on there I wouldn't have even thought of! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBiscuits Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 Thank you very much. So useful to hear from experienced people. I'm sure we will get there in the end! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laimeduck Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Billggski - 2015-10-27 4:48 PMPresumably underpants back to front and then inside out before washing? Last a month that way. Been there done that..............! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiesgrandad Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Take as little as you can on your first trip, and experience will tell you what you might need as your experience grows. Try to keep it as light as possible, weight is really critical in these vans, and the bigger the van, the greater the potential problem. Above all, just love it. AGD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBiscuits Posted October 28, 2015 Author Share Posted October 28, 2015 Thank you! cant wait to go on our first little trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 What we always take far too much of is clothes. Not long back from 2 months abroad, and I reckon we used about a third of all the clothes we took. We keep forgetting that if we're away for any longer than a couple of weeks, we'll need to find laundry facilities for 2 reasons; 1) You don't want any more than 2 weeks of pants and socks stored inside the van and 2) There will be things you only take one or two of but wear a lot. We're guilty of thinking, if there's space left, fill it up! Reminds me, must get to a weighbridge sometime. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 candapack - 2015-10-28 5:28 PM What we always take far too much of is clothes. Not long back from 2 months abroad, and I reckon we used about a third of all the clothes we took. We keep forgetting that if we're away for any longer than a couple of weeks, we'll need to find laundry facilities for 2 reasons; 1) You don't want any more than 2 weeks of pants and socks stored inside the van and 2) There will be things you only take one or two of but wear a lot. We're guilty of thinking, if there's space left, fill it up! Reminds me, must get to a weighbridge sometime. :D Yep, just back from 7 weeks away wore less than 25% of the clothes we took, do it every time. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 MrBiscuits - 2015-10-26 8:58 PM Hi We are very very new to motorhomes.. having bought our first one yesterday! we are experienced campers however. Thanks Sarah (^) *-) As experienced campers you will already know about most things that you NEED to take. The trouble with vans is, the bigger they are, the more stuff you are likely to carry - so, as has been said - start with as little as possible and add bits and pieces as needed. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.