So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

The place for everything else!
User avatar
Stu
Vice Chairman
Posts: 20241
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:00 am
Winner: Subject of Photo of the Year 2012
Most Stupid Fall of the year - so far. 2013
Avatar of the Year 2014
Author the Funniest Thread of the Year 2014
Car Details: D3 HSE
Member Since: 07 Feb 2010
Contact:

So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by Stu » Sun Jun 05, 2016 6:27 pm

I'm guessing I need:

Leisure Battery
Aquaroll
Wastemaster
Some chemicals for the loo
Levelling ramps
Chocks
Tow mirrors (also thinking a camera might be better so options on those please)
An extension for a drill to do the legs
A level for inside

Anything else?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


As featured in LRO and BBC Radio 2!

"It's not a gazebo it's an event shelter"

User avatar
mzplcg
Forum Contributor
Posts: 2738
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:10 pm
Car Details: BMW 540ix MSport
Location: Near Tamworth

Re: So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by mzplcg » Sun Jun 05, 2016 7:34 pm

You might want some cream to go with that very large portion of humble pie, which I'm guessing is sticking in your throat right about now. :lol: :lol:

Depending on what you've bought,
10 litre watering can to fill the bog top tank. Much easier than :censored: around with hoses.
Hook up cable. I would get a standard 25m one and also a half length. You rarely need the full 25m. Or, cut a 25m one in half and wire a plug & socket on to re-join then when you need to.
Gas bottle. Propane is my choice - better in the colder weather.
Whizzy socket for the legs. Caravan shops sell them. Also cut some 4x3 blocks to go under the legs.
One of those small triangle shaped levels. Glue it on the window board at the front of the van so you can see it when levelling.
If you van has halogen lights change them to LED. Battery lasts way longer.
A whistling kettle for when not on EHU.
Mirrors. Milenco, either Aero-2 or Grand Aero. Flat or convex, your preference. Nothing else comes close.

Still can't quite believe it. :lol: :lol:

EDIT.
TV
Portable satellite dish kit
Kettle
Toaster
Frying pan
Polycarbonate cups. Don't do what Mrs MZ did and buy a full Denby set. Weighs a ton.
Easy chairs for nice days - fold up ones obviously
Small BBQ, charcoal of course.


Club FFRR


Basic Machine Polishing guide here
http://www.disco3club.co.uk/gallery/alb ... _Guide.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
Stu
Vice Chairman
Posts: 20241
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:00 am
Winner: Subject of Photo of the Year 2012
Most Stupid Fall of the year - so far. 2013
Avatar of the Year 2014
Author the Funniest Thread of the Year 2014
Car Details: D3 HSE
Member Since: 07 Feb 2010
Contact:

Re: So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by Stu » Sun Jun 05, 2016 9:01 pm

I think we've decided we want proper cups and glasses but I'd quite like proper plates but Mrs Stu says plastic is fine.

I'll look into the Satellite options.

Lighting is LED as far as I could see but I'll have to check it all and swap as required. I might well install some more plug sockets and probably some shelves in the wardrobes etc. So I can see a few DIY jobs on the horizon.

I've got a butane bottle that will do for our first weekend but will investigate after that. I'd agree that Propane would be my preferred choice.

The advice on the cable makes sense so I'll do that.

Thanks for all of that Dom - most helpful.

Any good online retailers to look at?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


As featured in LRO and BBC Radio 2!

"It's not a gazebo it's an event shelter"

Trevor
Forum Contributor
Posts: 243
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 4:16 pm
Car Details: Range Rover
Location: Hampshire

Re: So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by Trevor » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:31 am

Apart from all the niceties like toilet chemicals etc you should as a matter of safety check the tow ball if your "new" caravan has an ALKO stabiliser hitch. The AKS range of caravan stabiliser hitches needs a specific Alko towball. BAsically " The AKS range of caravan stabiliser hitches needs a specific Alko towball. The Alko towball type has a slightly extended neck compared with a standard 50mm ball, to give clearance for the stabiliser head "

Cheap replacement for peace of mind.



audiobull
Forum Contributor
Posts: 129
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 9:02 pm
Car Details: D3 HSE
Member Since: 06 Jun 2016

Re: So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by audiobull » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:34 am

The first trip is always the most expensive because you find the things you forgot or want. Once thats over and done with the next ones are just glorious. What did you get?


Image

User avatar
mzplcg
Forum Contributor
Posts: 2738
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:10 pm
Car Details: BMW 540ix MSport
Location: Near Tamworth

Re: So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by mzplcg » Mon Jun 06, 2016 10:22 am

Stu wrote:Any good online retailers to look at?
I use caravanstuff4u. Based in Hanley Swan and just down the road from one of our bolt hole sites. Mail order, EBAY shop and good prices. https://www.caravanstuff4u.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Satellite stuff comes from Satgear and has lasted 8 years so far. I bought a 60cm dish which worked fine in the south of Brittany so don't believe the rubbish about needing a 1m dish in the south of England. http://www.satgear.co.uk/portable-satellite-kits" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EBAY is your friend for finding other bargains. Thinks like Milenco mirrors and spare parts ar loads cheaper on the bay.


Club FFRR


Basic Machine Polishing guide here
http://www.disco3club.co.uk/gallery/alb ... _Guide.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
xtc
Forum Contributor
Posts: 2184
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:19 pm
Car Details: D4
Location: Hampshire

Re: So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by xtc » Mon Jun 06, 2016 3:30 pm

Don't forget the Methanol Fuel Cell while Vic's splashing out Stu! :mrgreen:


Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!

User avatar
PillowSmuggler
Committee Member
Posts: 7587
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:17 am
Winner: Avatar of the Year 2012
Comedian of the Year 2013
Mechanic of the Year 2014
Clube Member of the Year 2014
Car Details: Disco3 TDV6 HSE 2007
Member Since: 29 Jun 2013
Location: http://goo.gl/maps/WGOsq

Re: So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by PillowSmuggler » Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:34 pm

Yes, you'll need that to keep the 4G router going :D


Regards, Dom.
2007 HSE Auto TDV6
Snorkel, Cyclonic air filter, GNVP Rock Sliders
78Ah Aux, Split charge, FBH Timer/Remote, Mantec sump plate
LED: Strobes, interior, camping, brake, running, sides
New Oil Pump, using 2SO at 1:400.

User avatar
Stu
Vice Chairman
Posts: 20241
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:00 am
Winner: Subject of Photo of the Year 2012
Most Stupid Fall of the year - so far. 2013
Avatar of the Year 2014
Author the Funniest Thread of the Year 2014
Car Details: D3 HSE
Member Since: 07 Feb 2010
Contact:

Re: So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by Stu » Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:53 pm

I did look at a Li-ion option. £1500!

Pretty confused over the whole leisure battery thing. I keep getting lots of different advice! I just need someone to send me a link with which one to buy for use off grid from time to time and with a motor mover.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


As featured in LRO and BBC Radio 2!

"It's not a gazebo it's an event shelter"

countrywide
Moderator
Posts: 8136
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:22 pm

Re: So what do I need to get started and where to buy?

Post by countrywide » Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:54 pm

Ask Steve at Advanced Factors



Post Reply