What to buy for new a MH?
Hi All,
Our 1st ever MH gets delivered late Winter 2017 & reading advice from people on here they say don't buy accessories etc unless you know you need them.
So what do people think we should get as a necessity prior to getting our MH? Our MH is a Bailey Autograph and comes with EHU cable and mains water hose and connections.
What else would you say is a must have? For example do we need to buy chocks to level our 'Van up, or with a lot of pitches being hardstanding and level would these be a waste of money. Our 'Van also comes with a free standing table for outside but no chairs. We want to buy a couple of padded sun loungers but they are darn expensive at our MH dealers shop.
Any ideas for either the inside or outside of the 'Van would be welcome, also if you can recommend a good retailer to get them from then please do so
Comments
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Hi fatbelly, I think I said this on your last thread on the same subject which has obviously been lost in cyberspace
My best buy is a Silver Screens external screen cover, can be, (and is, in our case) used all year round.....even with internal blinds that may or may not be provided, external screens are, imho a must have for the comfort they provide in summer or winter.....
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I would certainly buy a good set of levelling ramps. There are a lot of hardstandings that are far from level. Personally It drives me mad if the van is not level. I also agree with the previous post that silverscreens are a good buy, especially if you intend to use the van in winter as they cut out all the condensation problems. Do buy good quality ones though like Silverscreen or Taylormade, not the cheap rubbish ones of ebay.
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You will get lots of replies to this. The advice to "buy as you need" is good and will prevent you getting carried away in the accessory shop.
Levelling Blocks
A decent set of these is invaluable and will last for decades. A small spirit level is also useful. We also bought a set of quality wheel chocks from Alko (not cheap but not an area to cut corners).
Chairs
You can spend a little or a lot on these. Canvas stuff in a bag chairs which stow easily and are reasonably comfortable can be bought for around £10. Top quality chairs can approach £100 each. Do you actually need a sun-lounger. This is one purchase where talking to others may point you in the right direction.
Insulated Cab screens
These can be internal or external and are very useful especially in cold weather. Lots of threads and opinions. For us an external Silver-Screen is best but others favour the competitor brand Taylor-Made. Internal screens have their uses too but if you are only buying one I would go for external.
Fresh Water
In some locations e.g. a CL you won't be able to use your hose and/or to conveniently connect the hose to your van. You can buy an aqua-roll but personally I would just buy a funnel (some people off cut one from a plastic bottle) and a plastic container which can be 10 litres or up to 25ltr depending on how strong you are and/or how much storage you have. Alternatively some people use a watering can (but if you do this watch the width of the filler inlet compared with the spout). Some people (us included) do not drink from tank water so a separate water container is useful. Our high quality 5ltr one cost 12e in Germany.
Grey Water
On CC sites there is usually a dumping point but these are not universal. A full blown waste-master (as used by caravanners) takes up size and weight but a simpler low profile tank (around 19ltr) can be purchased from most accessory shops (again watch out for height of tank on its side versus free space under tank outlet).
Crockery cutlery pans etc
Most people probably have a van set of these and they may range from one cup and one plate each up to a full set. You will probably want to buy a gas kettle if you intend to be off grid but initially you can probably bring everything from home until you see how elaborate you want to be.
Toilet Chemicals etc
You will need these Aqua-Chem or whatever and special toilet paper initially. Many people believe there are cheaper alternatives (lots of threads here) but I would start conventionally.
Tools and Spares
Again a huge subject and it depends how technically confident you are. However duck tape fuses and spare bulbs at least.
Fire protection and First Aid
We carry a decent sized foam Fire Extinguisher and a fire blanket. Your van may come with a dry powder one but it is unlikely to be up to the job. Your van should have and/or you should fit a good smoke alarm and CO alarm. Carry a decent First Aid Kit . If you are not trained to use a Fire Extinguisher and/or in First Aid consider acquiring these skills.
Packing Stuff Generally
There are any amount of packing solutions but often the adaptation of materials or containers you already have will work best. Lining shelves with "sticky" liners in a favourite.
Prices
I suspect most people bite the bullet and buy from their local dealer but you can shop around on-line or otherwise including e-bay however these days the internet is not always cheapest.
As I said you will get lots of advice and only your own experience and wishes will filter out the good and bad the necessary and the worthless.
Best of luck with your new hobby.
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Hi fatbelly. This thread HERE might be of use as I posted a very similar question a few months ago. We were previously caravanners though so did have quite a bit that we transferred across. I can't tell from your post whether you are or not..
We've had literally tons of trips away since buying it in August and an certainly happy to offer my thoughts as a newbie Motorhomer. - most of the things I mention were given as really good advice on here.
So in no particular order;1.I would not be without my levelling blocks (so with that a spirit level is handy) - I have a real bug bear about not feeling level, it's personal preference of course but even those pitches that look level can turn out to have an incline.
2.A silver screen or similar - this has been an absolute godsend for motorhoming in winter. It wasn't cheap but it was worth every penny. It seems that there are two brands worth buying - Silver Screen and another - I'll edit it when I find the thread. Beware cheap imitations was the advice I was given.
3.I have also bought a small heater for the front of the rig where we sit. Even with blown air, our feet were cold - this has been a real bonus - THIS is similar to ours. I cannot tell you how much we've needed and used this!
4.I bought a mat for the "landing" here we stepped in. Saved lots of muddy floors
5.2 x Microfibre towels - towels are VERY hard to dry in a motorhome. Brilliant purchase. Easy to find on Amazon or ebay
6.We already had chairs for outside - 2 Isabella chairs - the 2016 version of THESE, complete with the leg rest. You spend an awfully long time in your chairs wink so if you CAN afford decent ones, I'd get a couple but if not, any will do
That's it for now, but I'll have another think. All that said, the best advice we got was to do a couple of trips and see what YOU miss/feel you need.0 -
Agree with above posts and would add a collapsible bucket for emptying the waste tank if you don't want to/ or can't us the MHSP. Some antislip matting for lining the cupboards and shelves to stop things sliding around would also be useful. A pitch sign for when you go out for the day to stop someone nicking your pitch.
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When we bought our first motorhome, a very good motorhoming friend advised us to each buy a set of ear plugs and wear them when we were travelling between sites. . ------------- I thought he was joking until the first holiday with the van. The rattles and squeaks and other strange noises from the habitation area were just bit annoying.
We soon learned how to deaden most of the rattles during that holiday but only on smooth roads. We kept the ear plugs handy just in case though.
Cheers...................K
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Our first purchase was an insulated front screen cover, especially if you are going away in colder whether. We have a Taylormade cover which is slightly longer and covers the bonnet air vents preventing water getting into the engine compartment. You will need some form of levelling, I have found very few hardstandings to be completely level!!! Having tried various plastic ramps I have ended up using wooden ramps made out of scaffold planks, not quite as dignified but they work!!!
David
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Thanks to everyone for the replies. They are much appreciated.
Going off your recommendations I'll be buying an external silver screen and some levelling chocks.
With regards to the silver screen, its been posted that in winter they reduce condensation but what are their value in the summer.
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In cold weather the improvement in warmth is dramatic partially because the windscreen is a large uninsulated area.
As insulating screens, in the summer they insulate the van from the heat of the sun.
Additionally they reduce solar degradation of the interior of your van and aid privacy.
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All of that but they do make the interior dark by day so, if you fold them down, you lose the insulation properties.
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Yep so a great example of a recurrent theme in motor-caravanning you have to compromise or prioritise. Do you want to be bright and hot or cool but shaded ?
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Taylor Made and Silver Screens in winter are a blessing indeed
but in Summer they also act to stop the heat from our
scorching summer sun from causing 'vans internal temperature
from overheating the occupants !
I know, I know it sounds like a joke or a salesman's 'come-on'
but its true, they do help keep the van interior cool !
Most of the above are good ideas BUT can I suggest you
have a w/end or two away before you start buying all those
'must -haves' unless, of course you want to help me empty
them out of my workshop (shed) and store 'em in yours !!
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In addition to "Silver screens", levelling blocks (I just use pieces of wood) and a small heater, I'd add a low wattage electric kettle and a small torch.
I don't find the van being a bit off-level is a problem and wouldn't bother with a spirit level (but a bottle of single malt is OK). Most fridges are fairly tolerant to a degree of tilting.
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Part II
I use a 5ft section of square guttering with a 'fold down leg'
at one end to assist my aging body with the grey water
dumping It takes up very little room, is easily cleaned &
allows me to do a straight lift on manhole covers, instead of
grovelling under the van risking my dodgy back!
The Three or Four Milenco plastic levellers should suffice on
even the steepest pitches, but for a lot of Club sites they
may seem to be a touch of 'over-kill'. So a cheap lower set
might be worth it to start with.
What ever you do choose please make a list of the good,
the poor and the pointless and post it on 'ere for 2017
Newbies to take advantage of. I ask that 'cos some of us
have been around for a little while now & might have got a
little out of touch with all things super-modern!!
Brian AB M
P.S. Grumblew's point about the LOW WATTAGE electric Kettle is well made !
Also if your van is not yet to hand, there is knowt stopping you chatting up the
dealer, if any, for as many or few of the above bits 'n bobs as you can get away
with !!
B
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As usual we are the odd ones out, we have never had a silver screen and have been ok without one. Our first van had a cold cab area and we bought a small heater to boost the warmth. Our present cab is better insulated and our pleated blinds are ok. Try it first before rushing out to buy what is quite an expensive item.
A bucket has been very useful to empty grey water, also a plastic container to top up with fresh water. This saves moving the van to a motor home point for refills and emptying.
Don't buy lots til you've tried it out, it's quite good to keep the motorhome free from too much kit.
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I agree about Silverscreens, they are based at Cleckheaton just off the M606, but do mail order obviously. Keeps you warm and stops condensation in the cab area. You won't need any additional heating, the Autograph Alde Heating is very good.
I also have:
A USB adapter to plug into the the 12v socket to enable charging of phones, tablets etc.
I take a 5 ton bottle jack as I am not sure about how good the supplied scissor jack actually is. I also have a cordless tyre compressor for the tyres. (but maybe that is just me).
I also have two grip mats to park the front wheels on when on grass. I have seen them work in wet weather and they are excellent.
Enjoy your motorhoming.
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well Brue, we are odd ones out, too as we dont have an external screen, neither do we get much in the way of winter condensation in the mornings....
our cab is also well insulated with double floor, and a large slide down (or up) pleated insulated blind which does a pretty good job of keeping things warm at nigh.
the beauty for us, is that this can be opened (top down) in the mornings to allow light, yet maintain privacy.....without going outside...
an external blind/cover for an A-class van is a pretty large thing to be messing about with....so we dont bother as our blind is also good for keeping the hot sun at bay when required...
To the OP........
as for other 'stuff' to carry, just a word of caution.....and that word is 'weight'...
i have just gone through our MH garage and weighed everything (another story) and it all came to around 120kg....
just be aware that, when considering what you want to carry, check that you can legally carry it.....
for a first time MHer, running a van on 3.5t, these are a few things to consider....that wont be in that listed MIRO figure....which allows for no water, these days....
the '75' models have only around 300kg of payload and, even if you are running one of the larger '79' vans, these have under 500kg......
this might sound like an awful lot......but it isnt and soon gets eaten...
what model are you buying....?
be aware that the media pack plus weighs 13kg
passenger 75kg
'accepted' requirement for each passenger (clothes, books, gadgets, etc) 2 x 75kg (obviously this varies from person to person, but is a useful guide) so 150kg
a full tank of water, including the boiler 100kgooops.....youre already over the 300kg limit and we havent even touched on that locker full of 'stuff' which is the subject of this thread
easily between 50-100kg (we have 2 electric bikes in our garage hence my higher figure)
however, those suggestions of levelling ramps, external screens, hoses, wastemaster, chairs, tables, bbq, etc, etc just keep adding up......
havent mentioned all that food to go into the kitchen and fridge freezer..
and all the pots, pans, crockery, cutlery etc, etc.....
having a sat dish fitted, second leisure battery, etc?
i dont list these items to 'scare' you in any way, merely to bring to your attention that 'stuff' weighs plenty, and payloads are tiny.....
i suggest you get your new vehicle weighed (the dealer will have weighing pads).....not any new vehicle but your vehicle as there can be a significant variance.....
only then will you know what capacity you have (or dont have) for kitting yourself up with all these good suggestions
good luck, please come back with any queries as (small) payloads can make life tricky.
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Agree with BoleroBoy payloads must be taken into account when buying items. A weighbridge is helpful to ensure you are within limits.
Get basics only until you really know how you will use the vehicle ie staying on site & possibly hooked up to all facilities for a week or 2 or moving every few days to a new site.
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Gas bottles.
For specific motorhome accessories, try Spinneys at Cranage although check with them before travelling if you want something specific. Parking a motorhome there can be a problem at weekends but we've always just managed it. For most other things, Go Camping takes some beating for general camping equipment such as chairs. There is ample parking at the one in Chester.
I'd wait until you have the van and then buy as you feel the need. All the recommendations so far on this thread have merit although some will benefit you more depending on your style of motorhoming.
Watch your loading margin. An early purchase might be a weighbridge ticket in 'as delivered' trim followed up by one in 'full touring trim'. We use ME Waterhouse Ltd's public weighbridge at Malpas. Make sure you know how to weight the van and each axle before you go. You should not overload a motorhome and yet it is easy to do.
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Hi fatbelly, I bet you can't wait to take delivery. We bought our first and only ever form of camping in 2012, a new motorhome. So we had no experience at all and bought lots of things before we even took delivery of the van.
I have read through the many comments of advice above and would only add this one extra bit of advice. Don't buy anything more than what you have said you would buy until you are sure you need it and then make sure what you do buy meets your needs. I have not used and got rid of many things we first bought and other things we do use I would prefer to have bought slightly different types to suit us better.
An example is those expensive reclining lounger chairs. Ours are great and comfortable and so they should be for the high price we paid but they are also very heavy with metal frames and the self raising foot extension means you cannot sit at a table with them so we also have to have dining chairs too. Alternative style of a reclining chair with separate foot extension, or a folding stool to put legs on and all aluminium would have been a better choice, saved weight, space and money. It does mean we have chairs for guests though and our current loungers are very very comfortable
. Thankfully we don't have a weight restriction problem. Regards, Roy0 -
Hi Roy,
I think I'll do like you and others have suggested and wait until we've taken delivery and actually used the 'Van for a few months and then make any purchases based on need. Good advice about the chairs as well. Out of interest what make are your sun loungers? Do you have a link to them.
You're spot on we cant wait to take delivery and March 1st seems ages away.
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which model is it and are you aware of its payload and what is/isnt included in the MIRO?
do you have the appropriate license groups for over 3.5t and what weight do you intend to run the van?
sorry, i dont mean to press this point but its so easy to get carried away with the moment and, as i posted earlier, a payload that seems 'adequate' can disappear in a trice, leaving you struggling to make the van viable.
you are an admitted newbie, and understanding weights is probably way to the back of your mind, but its something that will bite you (anyone) very hard in the bum (wallet) if you find out too late that your pride and joy wont work at the weights you wanted.
another thing, i havent even mentioned axle weights but, without a doubt, a Bailey with a longish overhang will breach its rear axle weight before it breaches its overall MTPLM....
this means that loading the van is likely to go over the rear axle limit well before youve loaded what you think is the actual payload, which (if the '75' model) will be small anyway.
again, i dont post this to scare you in any way, just to bring to your attention that vans just cant be bought without understanding, loaded to the gunwales, and driven off into the sunset.....
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Totally agree with BB's advice above; we were totally naive about payload when we first started with MHs. It's not something which dealers seem to mention (in our experience) and when we've asked about it, some of them have no idea and seem dismissive of the importance of payload.
Additions like a bikerack (unless the MH has a garage, but even some MHs with a garage have a bikerack) and awning, something which the majority of MHs have, add to its weight. Bikerack around 10kg, awning depends on size, but around 35kg. Then don't forget the bikes on the bikerack, and those together come to well over 60-65kg, depending on the weight of the bikes.
Good advice to wait until you've actually used the MH for a few trips. it will also stop you from spending unnecessary dosh!
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Couple of things from my first 2 years that I think are worthy of an eBay purchase:-
1. Big adjustable spanner for Gas bottles
2. Big hessian type mat for outside + large astroturf mat for step
3. 3M Command hooks... you need as many method of hanging and storing stuff
4. LED lights for in garage and storage areas
5. Steadies
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