Wild Camping newbie instructions

[Admin]

I get a lot of messages from new members asking for advice when they first start out wild camping in a motorhome.

We have a few threads about toolkits and we have just started a new guide thread but I want a complete guide.

So these are my questions.

I am looking for a van, what vans would best suit wild camping?

What van features are most important when camping off sites?

What equipment should I carry?

What emergencey kit is an important?

What tools should I have in the van?

What medicenes and first aid should I carry?

Any other clever things to carry?

 

[Ste]

Well I'd like to start with question 1! Make sure your vehicle can sleep everyone inside it as you can't set up awnings/tents for kids.
Question 2: Essential items are an onboard loo of some form, an onboard waste water tank and onboard cooking facilities. Anything else is a bonus. But remember if you want to run a lot of electrical items, make sure you have leisure batteries to cope, otherwise you could drain your engine battery and you'll be stuck. Eg. I run 2 x 110A leisure batteries, along side the standard engine battery, plus I've a small 6v battery to keep clock & alarm system working just in case the worst happens.
Then Question 3/4/5/6/7 are all asking the same thing to me. But important items are waterproofs and warm clothes. A standard 1st Aid kit should be enough for most folk. Basic food & drink supplies are also essential.

 

[ellisboy]

A spade

 

[Firefox]

The answers to most of these questions are pretty much common sense but dependent on family/circumstance to suit as well.

Think what is the minimum your family will need to survive away from most supplies and power. What would be an essential for one family could be a non issue for another, so there isn't too much point in coming up with definitive lists of items.

Likewise the van; the family who has a lot of essentials on their list is going to need a much bigger van! Some people can't get by without TV, music, laptops, play stations, and other gadgets. Those people will need better power storage or supply. A fridge and means to power it may seem an essential, but how many 1000's of years have humans lived without fridges? It all comes down to individual preferences.