What to buy for new a MH?

Gas bottles. 

For specific motorhome accessories, try Spinneys at Cranage although check with them before travelling if you want something specific. Parking a motorhome there can be a problem at weekends but we've always just managed it. For most other things, Go Camping takes some beating for general camping equipment such as chairs. There is ample parking at the one in Chester.

I'd wait until you have the van and then buy as you feel the need. All the recommendations so far on this thread have merit although some will benefit you more depending on your style of motorhoming.

Watch your loading margin. An early purchase might be a weighbridge ticket in 'as delivered' trim followed up by one in 'full touring trim'. We use ME Waterhouse Ltd's public weighbridge at Malpas. Make sure you know how to weight the van and each axle before you go. You should not overload a motorhome and yet it is easy to do.

Hi fatbelly, I bet you can't wait to take delivery. We bought our first and only ever form of camping in 2012, a new motorhome. So we had no experience at all and bought lots of things before we even took delivery of the van.

I have read through the many comments of advice above and would only add this one extra bit of advice. Don't buy anything more than what you have said you would buy until you are sure you need it and then make sure what you do buy meets your needs. I have not used and got rid of many things we first bought and other things we do use I would prefer to have bought slightly different types to suit us better.

An example is those expensive reclining lounger chairs. Ours are great and comfortable and so they should be for the high price we paid but they are also very heavy with metal frames and the self raising foot extension means you cannot sit at a table with them so we also have to have dining chairs too. Alternative style of a reclining chair with separate foot extension, or a folding stool to put legs on and all aluminium would have been a better choice, saved weight, space and money. It does mean we have chairs for guests though and our current loungers are very very comfortable . Thankfully we don't have a weight restriction problem. Regards, Roy

A good strong wheel clamp to put on when it's on your drive or in storage  !......storage !! no don't put it in storage USE IT

Hi Roy, 

I think I'll do like you and others have suggested and wait until we've taken delivery and actually used the 'Van for a few months and then make any purchases based on need. Good advice about the chairs as well. Out of interest what make are your sun loungers? Do you have a link to them.

You're spot on we cant wait to take delivery and March 1st seems ages away. 

which model is it and are you aware of its payload and what is/isnt included in the MIRO?

do you have the appropriate license groups for over 3.5t and what weight do you intend to run the van?

sorry, i dont mean to press this point but its so easy to get carried away with the moment and, as i posted earlier, a payload that seems 'adequate' can disappear in a trice, leaving you struggling to make the van viable.

you are an admitted newbie, and understanding weights is probably way to the back of your mind, but its something that will bite you (anyone) very hard in the bum (wallet) if you find out too late that your pride and joy wont work at the weights you wanted.

another thing, i havent even mentioned axle weights but, without a doubt, a Bailey with a longish overhang will breach its rear axle weight before it breaches its overall MTPLM....

this means that loading the van is likely to go over the rear axle limit well before youve loaded what you think is the actual payload, which (if the '75' model) will be small anyway.

again, i dont post this to scare you in any way, just to bring to your attention that vans just cant be bought without understanding, loaded to the gunwales, and driven off into the sunset.....

Totally agree with BB's advice above; we were totally naive about payload when we first started with MHs.  It's not something which dealers seem to mention (in our experience) and when we've asked about it, some of them have no idea and seem dismissive of the importance of payload.

Additions like a bikerack (unless the MH has a garage, but even some MHs with a garage have a bikerack) and awning, something which the majority of MHs have, add to its weight.  Bikerack around 10kg, awning depends on size, but around 35kg.  Then don't forget the bikes on the bikerack, and those together come to well over 60-65kg, depending on the weight of the bikes.

Good advice to wait until you've actually used the MH for a few trips.  it will also stop you from spending unnecessary dosh!

Couple of things from my first 2 years that I think are worthy of an eBay purchase:-

1. Big adjustable spanner for Gas bottles

2. Big hessian type mat for outside + large astroturf mat for step

3. 3M Command hooks... you need as many method of hanging and storing stuff

4. LED lights for in garage and storage areas

5. Steadies