Serious question for the seasoned motorhomers 👀

[Admin]

I’m putting together a VIP welcome pack to go with new motorhomes, specifically aimed at first-time owners, and I’d really love to lean on the collective wisdom of people who’ve been there, learned the hard way, and bought the gadgets

So imagine this scenario:

A friend of yours has just bought their first-ever motorhome. They’re excited… but also blissfully unaware of all the little things you only realise you need after your first few trips.

If they were offered a welcome pack as part of the deal, what would you absolutely suggest including?

I’m thinking things like:

• Arctic blue hookup cable
• Levelling ramps/wheel chocks
• Toilet chemicals
• A little spirit level for the dash
• Water filler aids/hose fittings
• Plug adaptors, extension leads, etc.

But I’m especially interested in the stuff people don’t immediately think of — those £5–£20 items that turn out to be absolute lifesavers.

So:

• What are your favourite motorhome gadgets you wouldn’t be without?
• What would you tell any new motorhomer to buy before their first trip?
• Is there anything you only discovered after a few “learning experiences” that you now consider essential?

No idea is too small or too obvious — if it’s useful, it’s useful.

I’m trying to build a genuinely helpful VIP pack rather than a box of random tat, so your real-world experience is gold here

Fire away

 

[Rosehip]

Grip mats for soggy grass pitches?

 

[Boris7]

My Brother in Law is looking to buy their first Motorhome and has asked lots of questions. What seems to be on his mind most is height/width and weight (yes he has the same concerns with the van) in his case a sticker that he can place in the screen with that information would put his mind at ease.

 

[chrishunter]

disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, wellingtons, umbrella, water filler cap hose connector, spare leisure battery, dish washer tablets(4 toilet).

 

[oppy]

Hi funky Phil, Y'know that the longer you go on you realise how much little you need. With our ancient tin tent many things have started to fail and we ask do we need it? and if we can manage without it, we do. A few years ago the water heater died but we have a kettle, so a kettle is essential,, but really common sense is the most important thing followed by listening to folks who know, we have a shed full of knowledge here thanks to you and the rest of our fellowship, so keep the faith and rock on !!
Oh yes :- get refillable gas too

 

[Topmast]

A decent jack and breaker bar.And a bag of assorted cable ties plus a roll of duck tape not the cheap version .

 

[Sidders]

Usb cigarette lighter adaptor, small torch, battery pack for emergency phone charger

And of course Wild Camping membership for all the useful info and pois

 

[Moonraker 2]

Maybe the most useful thing would be a list of helpful tips from experienced long time campers. Especially if they are absolute newbies and haven't even camped.

1/ never empty your loo in the sea or down a drain.

 

[oppy]

The answer I suppose as an expert is, never be afraid to ask even as a pm, most of us have been there or had the same problems too and within this group of eejits there's no such thing as a daft question

 

[marchie]

1. Large funnel for refilling freshwater, especially if inboard
2. Drinking quality hose + various tap fittings for freshwater
3. Container of spare fuses of various power
4. Cheapo Power Meter, even if Owner doesn’t know how to use it. 'I could have helped you if you had a Meter with you' is the worst thing to hear

Steve

 

[number14]

+1 for the duct tape but also don't forget security.
You've just spent multi thousands on your new pride and joy so don't make it easy for the scrotes. Tracker and alarm as a minimum.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

A 2 gallon wearing can with a 1 meter hose, several different hose adapters, USB sockets that shows Watts remaining, various simple tools and few screws, nuts and bolts, duct tape, a unopened tube of clear sealant with gun, some cable, unless you like washing up every day, lots of crockery, a few spare USB charger cables, spare earphones, batteries, a decent LED torch, spanner for gas cylinders, Swiss army knife, playing cards, dominoes etc.

 

[Fazerloz]

Duct tape
WD40
Small resealable tube of silicone sealer
Super glue
Brush and pan

 

[jann]

Something to collect drinking water in when you can't get close enough to a tap.We use a collapsible watering can,also a hosepipe and fittings for when you can park by the tap.

A kettle ,saucepan and frying pan

Lighter

Tin opener

Crockery and cutlery

Torch

 

[saxonborg]

Small roll of carpet protection film, can be used to cover over cracked or broken windows or skylights.
Short length of flexible plastic coated curtain wire with a small strong magnet fastened/taped to one end. Very handy for retrieving metal object dropped in awkward places.
Emergency windscreen repair kit to fix small chips.
Selection of hose clips with hex/screw drive.

 

[trevskoda]

Some lightweight pots pans, simple plastic camping set of cups plates etc, tin kettle soap towel and brush to do plate cleaning.
Extendable wheel nut break bar plus extension and socket, bottle or standard hyd jack plus one axle stand, spair wheel and tyre foam.
Usb sockets for charging mobile etc, breakdown service and contact numbers.

 

[colinm]

Well you can blame Annie for starting us on this, a packet of 'Happy Bowl' toilet liners.

 

[Boris7]

Our first experience in a motorhome was when we rented for 2 weeks.

We rented a van that simply was wrong for us, we wanted to wild camp but the van was just not suitable. Van choice aside the biggest issue was water.

Jann hit the nail on the head, halfway through a shower we ran out of water and to get water we needed to move the van. We now have pretty much everything we need to stay off site, but our one restriction is drinking water.

Waters not hard to get, but parking next to a tap can be.

 

[trevskoda]

Our first experience in a motorhome was when we rented for 2 weeks.

We rented a van that simply was wrong for us, we wanted to wild camp but the van was just not suitable. Van choice aside the biggest issue was water.

Jann hit the nail on the head, halfway through a shower we ran out of water and to get water we needed to move the van. We now have pretty much everything we need to stay off site, but our one restriction is drinking water.

Waters not hard to get, but parking next to a tap can be.

I have 100 ltr under floor tank but dont keep much in it, what i do is fill 2 5ltr camping containers which is for drinks and washing dishes, thing is a overnight is about my tops.

 

[caledonia]

A 2 gallon wearing can with a 1 meter hose, several different hose adapters, USB sockets that shows Watts remaining, various simple tools and few screws, nuts and bolts, duct tape, a unopened tube of clear sealant with gun, some cable, unless you like washing up every day, lots of crockery, a few spare USB charger cables, spare earphones, batteries, a decent LED torch, spanner for gas cylinders, Swiss army knife, playing cards, dominoes etc.

Why do you need lots of crockery? So you don’t have to wash as you use?
Easier to take less crockery and was it after you use it surely?
A membership to this wonderful community.