Must have 'Bits n Bobs'

binoculars to see if the breakdown truck is coming .
small lightweight pop up tent for sitting in while waiting for it
 
Truth is prob one of the rear seat hanging thingys that holds everything from bottles to hankys pens and maps & there about £5 for 2 on fleabay.
 
Ed on Tour said:
Not talking Big Buys (Water Heaters, Solar Systems etc...)

What are your favourite little 'Bits n Bobs' you bought for your camper?

I like travelling with:

Wet Wipes, always a useful thing to have in the camper, although I am currently reading about their environmental impact being quite negative.

Bluetooth Speakers I slip one in my pocket and I can womble about inside and outside (most cooking is outside) enjoying my favourite tunes at a volume i can enjoy, without annoying other pitches.

Bungee Hooks Lots of various sized to secure this and that

Mini Slow Cooker The ultimate 'Meals on Wheels' and 12 Volt too

Pressure Cooker Cook inside, when necessitated by time of day or weather, without the need for 'Bacon Scented Curtains'

4 in 1 Cigarette Lighter Adaptors is it ever possible to have too many?

What are your must carry, little items and why? (I have opened an E-bay browser, in anticipation)

:camper:
Click to expand...
You might consider a spare lid seal for your pressure cooker. If you leave the lid on when not in use it tends to compress the sealing ring and then it won't seal or pressurise.
 
My kindle and my leatherman and a lighter.

Never thought I'd have an e-book, like real books too much. But it is very good, very book like to read and obviously takes up far less room, important in small van. It's just...it isn't a book.
 
Last minute additions before departing.

1. My wallet with debit card.
2. Spare food in tins (usually bought en route.)
3. Dry dog food.
4. Kindle Fire (music, books, games, internet and sleeping aid.)
5. Loadsa socks, underwear and T-shirts.
6. Several pairs of britches.
7. Big bath towel.
8. Tea towels.
9. Two dog leashes, one with wee dug attached.
10. Mobile phone.
11. My bong (personal name for E-Cig,) spare batteries & fluid.
12. Spare re-chargeable AA batteries for various things & charger.
14. Camera & spare batteries.

Things that live in my van 365 days of the year, most things have more than one use.

1. Two 12L water containers.
2. Two 5L water containers.
3. Two means of heating food (Coleman 3 ring, duel fuel stove, converted to propane & small compact bluette.)
4. Kelly Kettle, just in case (at least two ways to create fire.)
5. Re-usable carrier bags for shopping and to use as rubbish bins.
6. Bin liners to use as Porta Potti liners when circumstances permit and for occasional storage.
7. Porta Potti.
8. Small woodsman saw.
9. Small axe.
10. One Duvet (which depends upon time of year.)
11. Two pillows.
12. Beanie hat (keep my bald head warm.)
13. A good pair of walking/hiking boots.
14. Coleman LED lantern.
15. Two mess tins.
16. Two enamel plates.
17. A large mug for tea, coffee, hot chocolate, soup etc.
18. Lotsa wet wipes.
19. My toiletries bag.
20. One, in use, roll of blue paper towel (and a spare.)
21. Various condiments and sauces.
22. Tea bags.
23. Instant coffee.
24. UHT milk.
25. Chopping board.
26. Table mat and cup mat.
27. Extremely sharp filleting knife and various cutlery including a good set of tongs.
25. A reasonable selection of tools, screws, nuts, bolts, sticky tapes, ties, bungees.
26. Trolley jack.
27. Various USB cables to fit a multitude of stuff for charging.
27. Compressor.
28. Jump leads.
29. A spare x3 USB charger for cigarette socket (usually used in hab area.)
30. Propane cylinder.
31. Spare Camping Gaz canister.
32. Fishing gear.
33. Rabbit snares.
34. Firelighters.
35. BIG torch.
36. Head torch (three actually, but that's beside the point.)
37. Satnav.
38. Dash Cams.
39. Rearview Cameras.
40. Various battery chargers for camera, bong, handheld GPS etc. (hence so many USB outlets!)
41. A big ;)COMFORT;) fabric conditioner bottle.

Fitted to vehicle in HAB area.

1. Eberspacher D5 heater.
2. 1000W inverter.
3. A double 12v outlet (which might be increased to 4.)
4. Three x3 USB charger outlets (making nine USB charger outputs, all high power 2+ amp capable.)
5. Six cup hooks for holding a multitude of stuff including waterproof jackets for me and wee dug.
6. One 240v outlet.
7. One single bed sized sleeping place (can convert to double when needed, extensions used as tables when needed.)

To be honest, this looks like a massive list, but in reality I used to carry a load of stuff that just NEVER got used so the list has been well trimmed, not exactly to basic minimum, but to a reasonably sensible level. Most of the items live in my van permanently which makes it nice to be able to just pull over and make a brew, have something to eat, take a nap and/or use the toilet.

Addendum: I cannot believe I forgot to include my litter picker upper tool... again two uses, for litter left by less considerate persons and for getting geocaches out of thorny, nettley hidey holes.
 
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Having looked at all the lists I've decided I'm doing this wrong and will have to give up the motorhome because I can't afford to have Pickfords follow on every trip:)
 
antiquesam said:
Having looked at all the lists I've decided I'm doing this wrong and will have to give up the motorhome because I can't afford to have Pickfords follow on every trip:)
Click to expand...

Love it!! I must admit reading some of the lists I wonder just how big their motorhomes are! We have cut down a lot, after going from an Autotrail Cheyenne 630 to a Devon conversion on a Renault Master. Our friends didn't believe it would work, but we have been quite radical because of the lack of storage space in it, and the SHAME of unloading our Autotrail at the dealers!

I regard my Kindle as absolutely essential, and the means to charge it. Our bedding, our wheelie walkers, and the bloody TV for Derek. My father once said that the essentials are a comfortable bed and chair, and somewhere reasonably watertight/windproof to use them. I am a "just in case" loader, and still have loads of stuff in Riley we don't probably need - but you never know!!
13418944_1309813245700366_6988573568046754826_n.jpg
The consequence of "just in case"!!
 
kernowprickles said:
Love it!! I must admit reading some of the lists I wonder just how big their motorhomes are! We have cut down a lot, after going from an Autotrail Cheyenne 630 to a Devon conversion on a Renault Master. Our friends didn't believe it would work, but we have been quite radical because of the lack of storage space in it, and the SHAME of unloading our Autotrail at the dealers!

I regard my Kindle as absolutely essential, and the means to charge it. Our bedding, our wheelie walkers, and the bloody TV for Derek. My father once said that the essentials are a comfortable bed and chair, and somewhere reasonably watertight/windproof to use them. I am a "just in case" loader, and still have loads of stuff in Riley we don't probably need - but you never know!!
View attachment 48506
The consequence of "just in case"!!
Click to expand...

Guaranteed, if you left IT at home, it would be the first thing you would need, whatever IT is.
 
Wet wipes are good - especially the Bed Bath Wipes - good as a flannel - saves water.
Also the cleaning type ones are very good too - Detol, or Cif ones. Started using them a few weeks ago. Much better than cleaning sprays. Just bin them after use. I think problems are arising because people are stupidly putting them into the sewerage system.
I love a cup of proper coffee, so a small cafetière is a must for me.
A pair of tongs for getting food is also a must for me.

I would be lost without my iPhone - it's my library, tv, music, talking books etc etc & 2 meter cable.

I hate being cold so I have a goose down quilt and a sheepskin on my bed - so cosy.

After deciding to have a couple of days away - and only packing enough warm clothes for at most a week and then spending a fortnight - I now know I really don't need to pack so many clothes.

How many more of you get down the road and think "what have we forgotten", and end up turning round and going back? We used to do that regularly, but not so much now
 
Last edited:
kernowprickles said:
Love it!! I must admit reading some of the lists I wonder just how big their motorhomes are! We have cut down a lot, after going from an Autotrail Cheyenne 630 to a Devon conversion on a Renault Master. Our friends didn't believe it would work, but we have been quite radical because of the lack of storage space in it, and the SHAME of unloading our Autotrail at the dealers!

I regard my Kindle as absolutely essential, and the means to charge it. Our bedding, our wheelie walkers, and the bloody TV for Derek. My father once said that the essentials are a comfortable bed and chair, and somewhere reasonably watertight/windproof to use them. I am a "just in case" loader, and still have loads of stuff in Riley we don't probably need - but you never know!!
View attachment 48506
The consequence of "just in case"!!
Click to expand...

My "motorhome" is nothing more than a swb Renault Trafic with a standard low roof. The list above includes almost the entire contents of my van when I am overnighting whether it is for one night or one month. In reality if you took stock of every item in your own kit, you probably wouldn't have much less than listed above.

It sounds like a helluva lot but when kept tidy it doesn't take up that much space and you soon become a master at utilising small spaces.
 
Auld Pharrrt said:
Last minute additions before departing.

1. My wallet with debit card.
2. Spare food in tins (usually bought en route.)
3. Dry dog food.
4. Kindle Fire (music, books, games, internet and sleeping aid.)
5. Loadsa socks, underwear and T-shirts.
6. Several pairs of britches.
7. Big bath towel.
8. Tea towels.
9. Two dog leashes, one with wee dug attached.
10. Mobile phone.
11. My bong (personal name for E-Cig,) spare batteries & fluid.
12. Spare re-chargeable AA batteries for various things & charger.
14. Camera & spare batteries.

Things that live in my van 365 days of the year, most things have more than one use.

1. Two 12L water containers.
2. Two 5L water containers.
3. Two means of heating food (Coleman 3 ring, duel fuel stove, converted to propane & small compact bluette.)
4. Kelly Kettle, just in case (at least two ways to create fire.)
5. Re-usable carrier bags for shopping and to use as rubbish bins.
6. Bin liners to use as Porta Potti liners when circumstances permit and for occasional storage.
7. Porta Potti.
8. Small woodsman saw.
9. Small axe.
10. One Duvet (which depends upon time of year.)
11. Two pillows.
12. Beanie hat (keep my bald head warm.)
13. A good pair of walking/hiking boots.
14. Coleman LED lantern.
15. Two mess tins.
16. Two enamel plates.
17. A large mug for tea, coffee, hot chocolate, soup etc.
18. Lotsa wet wipes.
19. My toiletries bag.
20. One, in use, roll of blue paper towel (and a spare.)
21. Various condiments and sauces.
22. Tea bags.
23. Instant coffee.
24. UHT milk.
25. Chopping board.
26. Table mat and cup mat.
27. Extremely sharp filleting knife and various cutlery including a good set of tongs.
25. A reasonable selection of tools, screws, nuts, bolts, sticky tapes, ties, bungees.
26. Trolley jack.
27. Various USB cables to fit a multitude of stuff for charging.
27. Compressor.
28. Jump leads.
29. A spare x3 USB charger for cigarette socket (usually used in hab area.)
30. Propane cylinder.
31. Spare Camping Gaz canister.
32. Fishing gear.
33. Rabbit snares.
34. Firelighters.
35. BIG torch.
36. Head torch (three actually, but that's beside the point.)
37. Satnav.
38. Dash Cams.
39. Rearview Cameras.
40. Various battery chargers for camera, bong, handheld GPS etc. (hence so many USB outlets!)
41. A big ;)COMFORT;) fabric conditioner bottle.

Fitted to vehicle in HAB area.

1. Eberspacher D5 heater.
2. 1000W inverter.
3. A double 12v outlet (which might be increased to 4.)
4. Three x3 USB charger outlets (making nine USB charger outputs, all high power 2+ amp capable.)
5. Six cup hooks for holding a multitude of stuff including waterproof jackets for me and wee dug.
6. One 240v outlet.
7. One single bed sized sleeping place (can convert to double when needed, extensions used as tables when needed.)

To be honest, this looks like a massive list, but in reality I used to carry a load of stuff that just NEVER got used so the list has been well trimmed, not exactly to basic minimum, but to a reasonably sensible level. Most of the items live in my van permanently which makes it nice to be able to just pull over and make a brew, have something to eat, take a nap and/or use the toilet.

Addendum: I cannot believe I forgot to include my litter picker upper tool... again two uses, for litter left by less considerate persons and for getting geocaches out of thorny, nettley hidey holes.
Click to expand...

Excellent and informative list, thank for taking the:) time, very useful for us Newbies, thanks again :)
 
jennyp19 said:
Wet wipes are good - especially the Bed Bath Wipes - good as a flannel - saves water.
Also the cleaning type ones are very good too - Detol, or Cif ones. Started using them a few weeks ago. Much better than cleaning sprays. Just bin them after use. I think problems are arising because people are stupidly putting them into the sewerage system.
I love a cup of proper coffee, so a small cafetière is a must for me.
A pair of tongs for getting food is also a must for me.

I would be lost without my iPhone - it's my library, tv, music, talking books etc etc & 2 meter cable.

I hate being cold so I have a goose down quilt and a sheepskin on my bed - so cosy.

After deciding to have a couple of days away - and only packing enough warm clothes for at most a week and then spending a fortnight - I now know I really don't need to pack so many clothes.

How many more of you get down the road and think "what have we forgotten", and end up turning round and going back? We used to do that regularly, but not so much now
Click to expand...

I also enjoy real coffee ... I was impressed by a french woman I saw at Ullapool, she brewed her's by spooning grounds into a filter and placing it in a plastic bowl, she then poured her water over it and let it sit, when it was ready she simply removed the filter and poured what she wanted from the bowl into her cup, I assume by the way she did it she was avoiding letting any dregs get to her cup ... I now only use my cafetiere as a milk frother for making lattes and/or hot chocolate.

Here is something that I have been sharing with coffee drinkers since I was a teenager ... a Jamaican workmate taught it to me.

I challenge you to make yourself two identical cups of your favourite coffee. Then put a pinch of SALT into one of them and stir it in ... I guarantee that the one with the salt will taste richer, creamier and more full bodied ... the plain one will taste watery by comparison.

I have also been told that dry mustard powder on the top of a pot of coffee is good, but I've never tried it yet ... also something else but I cannot think what it was ... chilli maybe.

Oh, and I should have mentioned the filter the french wummin used was one of the plastic ones from a coffee maker, not a paper one ... "GOLD" filter I think they're called.
 
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kernowprickles said:
Love it!! I must admit reading some of the lists I wonder just how big their motorhomes are! We have cut down a lot, after going from an Autotrail Cheyenne 630 to a Devon conversion on a Renault Master. Our friends didn't believe it would work, but we have been quite radical because of the lack of storage space in it, and the SHAME of unloading our Autotrail at the dealers!

I regard my Kindle as absolutely essential, and the means to charge it. Our bedding, our wheelie walkers, and the bloody TV for Derek. My father once said that the essentials are a comfortable bed and chair, and somewhere reasonably watertight/windproof to use them. I am a "just in case" loader, and still have loads of stuff in Riley we don't probably need - but you never know!!
View attachment 48506
The consequence of "just in case"!!
Click to expand...


After looking at the photo i can only conclude that you must sleep on the roof lol !!! :dance:
 
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hairydog said:
Rç
The great thing about an eBook is that it keeps your place in each book you're reading. Kindles will even keep that place across different devices.
Click to expand...

This is a particularly handy feature for those of us who fall asleep while reading :D
 
dane said:
This is a particularly handy feature for those of us who fall asleep while reading :D
Click to expand...

I use my Kindle Fire more for doing jigsaws and playing patience these days ... I seldom have music on but I often enjoy an audio book when I'm driving, almost never play anything when parked up, it's shocking how loud your door speakers are outside, and being a bit hard of hearing doesn't help when I have things loudish while mobile.
 
The only thing I'd add to the previous lists is a small sheet of polythene,cut to approx size of my roof vents. Having lost a lid to an overhanging branch I removed the top rubber seal,placed the sheet over it and hammered the seal back in to fix the sheet in place. It worked so well I didn't replace the lid for three months!
 
Asterix said:
The only thing I'd add to the previous lists is a small sheet of polythene,cut to approx size of my roof vents. Having lost a lid to an overhanging branch I removed the top rubber seal,placed the sheet over it and hammered the seal back in to fix the sheet in place. It worked so well I didn't replace the lid for three months!
Click to expand...

That's the kind of helpful idea that, IMHO, deserves a thread all to themselves, something like "life saving, get you home tricks."
 
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