New motorhome - what do I need?

If you want to avoid that sinking feeling don't forget to buy some mats to put under the wheels. These will help you get off the pitch in adverse weather conditions.

When on grass we put mats under the levelling blocks, it does make a difference.

Our "must haves" are.... Three lengths of water pipe(5,10,15mtr plus inter conector) selection of connectors (never any on the taps), 15m and25mEHU, levelling blocks and External Silver Screens.....Keep your hands in your pocket until you have a few trips under your belt. 'm sure we all have stuff in the garrage that was bought on a whim, before buying ask yourself..."do we really need it?" I'm sure you know the old saying , if you buy rubbish you buy twice ? This is particularly important with external screens, a friend of mine bought cheapo screens which fell to bits after a couple of uses. Internel screens do give an awful lot of condensation... Enjoy, and don't be afraid to ask questions if in  any doubt....

CAn anyone advise what the difference between the long screen covers are and the regular ones? Is the long ones covering the air vents at the bottom of the windscreen?

CAn anyone advise what the difference between the long screen covers are and the regular ones? Is the long ones covering the air vents at the bottom of the windscreen?

Write your comments here...I beleive that is the case.

The long screen covers the air intake - it stops water getting in to the engine area and cuts down draughts in to the cab.

If you have the Screen cover fitted on a cold night, make sure you turn the heater control to Recirculation as it stops fresh and cold air getting in.

We bought a screen cover from Taylor - not cheap but good quality.

Also, screen covers are quite bulky and can be wet after a night in the rain.

You have to find somewhere to store it whilst travelling!

Re levelling blocks, good idea to have some, the "cheese wedge" ones are fine, as are the milenco stepped ones. Some people make their own from light wood, I think DK has a photo he might post?

The other thing is, if you intend touring in the Winter months, (and to be honest with our uncertain Summer weather) then if you choose to widen your site options some quality waffle boards for placing under drive wheels on grass pitches will keep you out of trouble! These are available from 4x4 websites and might be called bridging boards. Basically they are very strong plastic mesh boards, around a metre in length, that you drive onto to keep drive wheels from spinning and getting stuck. If you only intend using HS pitches, Club Site type sites, then you won't need these. Sorry I can't post a picture of ours.

Also, screen covers are quite bulky and can be wet after a night in the rain.

You have to find somewhere to store it whilst travelling!

Silver Screens come in a storage bag, a quick shake to get most of the water off, roll up and put bag in the bag, no problem.

I store mine on the bed because it is the first thing and sometimes the only thing that comes out at every stop. You could equally keep it in a shower compartment if you have one.

peedee

I roll ours up while still on the screen, using a microfibre cloth to dry as I roll if wet, then put in bag and do as pd does, if it's throwing it down then it is stored in the shower....

My list of essentials:-

Level ramps
EHU connectors and a spare EHU cable
Hose for fesh water
10 lire mineral water container for short stay waste
Decent heavy duty tent pegs and storm straps
Heavy duty material ground sheet
Small set of manual steadies if staying more than 1 night
If stopping on grass, a big set of traction mats 

If I'm on my own or just with my son setup is basically a 2 min excercise, stop roughly level, turn gas on , make a brew!!

Biggest silly thing to check? Does the towing eye actually fit!!!! Check it before you need it!!!

Well....we are back!!

Thank you to everyone who suggested the "must have's" - in the end we bought(and remember we already have some stuff from the caravan):

The grippy mats for under the wheel 

The grippy stuff for the cupboards - £1 per roll - Poundland

Storage plastic crates for the cupboards - £1 each

Things we already had and used- gas bottle, EHU cable, aerial booster (but completely pointless as our built in drop down tv is brand new and Bolton Abbey have analogue TV!!) levelling blocks (and used them, thank you for the nose weight up/down reply).

Things we definitely need to get:

Didn't buy the hose as we fllled up at the dealer and wanted to make sure we go the right one but obviously that's a must