Complete caravan virgins

Henzy replied on 20/06/2016 18:56

Posted on 20/06/2016 18:56

Evening all

After many many months of looking around, researching, discussing, looking around again, getting in and out of different models, we have finally taken the plunge.  Hoping to pick up our Lunar Ultima 560 on 1 July.  We have a zillion questions and though very excited, must admit to a few nerves.  Any help and advice anyone would care to offer would be gratefully received.  We will have the usual starter pack and herself will no doubt be purchasing the usual fripperies for inside, but what other essential kit would you suggest?   Thanks in advance.

 

KjellNN replied on 23/06/2016 20:57

Posted on 23/06/2016 20:57

IKEA  are a good source of pots and cutlery/utensils too.

OH is in charge of food and cooking so has equipped the kitchen with what she considers essential, a sort of very basic home kitchen, which can be added to as you require.

I take charge of spares and tools, I like to carry a comprehensive tool kit and quite a few spares.

For bedding we have IKEA duvet/pillows  and covers, and we have set aside some towels from the house to use in the van.

We also have a few extra IKEA cushions, and have made washable covers for the seat bases as they get a lot of wear.

For outside we have an aluminium folding/roll-up table and some lightweight chairs.

Over the years we have added a Lidl electric oven, a 2 ring electric hob, an electric griddle plate, and an electric cooking pot.   We also use a small electric kettle and toaster.

Pippah45 replied on 24/06/2016 10:14

Posted on 24/06/2016 10:14

I found a cheap Gas spanner was easier than Mole grip although the mole was useful.  I say "found" because I now have spindle type gas connectors that are tightened by hand which I find a lot easier.  I too carry a few tools not to mention half a pharmacy!  And just about everything in between.  I need to go back to Keep it Simple - but you never know when things will come in useful!  Smile

I also enjoy to cook outside with an electric frying pan/multicooker but I wouldn't go out and buy one specially until you know what you want. 

lesbunny replied on 24/06/2016 12:08

Posted on 24/06/2016 12:08

First essential on the list is a two way spirit level, to make sure you are level when pitching. Second for me would be a pair of plastic ramps (for same purpose) & If not already mentioned a cheap watering can to fill the toilet header tank. Supermarkets all currently stock melamine plates, cups & decent plastic glasses as well as cutlery well below caravan accessory shop prices.

Pippah45 replied on 24/06/2016 12:29

Posted on 24/06/2016 12:29

Do you use the levelling things often?  I seem to be ok these days with just levelling fore and aft with the jockey wheel side ways seems good on most CC sites I have been on recently.  Although I do carry ramps - they are amongst things that haven't seen the light of day for ages.  Failing a spirit level a glass of water is quite useful too!  I like to go nose up slightly to make sure the shower drains properly. However only very slightly as in the past the kitchen waste has gone backwards into the bathroom sink line and got messy.  Quite why the basin in the washroom and shower are not on the same pipe I fail to see - I would prefer to keep the kitchen sink on its own not the shower. 

lesbunny replied on 24/06/2016 13:00

Posted on 24/06/2016 13:00

The need for ramps (like most things) only becomes essential when you discover you need it but have not got it ! and it depends on the type of sites you frequent. Shower waste is  on it's own because the plug hole is so much lower than the kitchen sink, & if joined, your shower tray would fill with dirty water every time you emptied the washing up bowl ( it's called gravity Wink )

Whittakerr replied on 24/06/2016 13:27

Posted on 24/06/2016 13:27

Do you use the levelling things often?  I seem to be ok these days with just levelling fore and aft with the jockey wheel side ways seems good on most CC sites I have been on recently.  Although I do carry ramps - they are amongst things that haven't seen the light of day for ages.  Failing a spirit level a glass of water is quite useful too!  I like to go nose up slightly to make sure the shower drains properly. However only very slightly as in the past the kitchen waste has gone backwards into the bathroom sink line and got messy.  Quite why the basin in the washroom and shower are not on the same pipe I fail to see - I would prefer to keep the kitchen sink on its own not the shower. 

Pippah 45

I think the reason the shower and bathroom WHB do not share the same waste pipe is to prevent the waste from the WHB coming out of the shower tray waste. As the shower tray is the lowest outlet it has its own dedicated waste pipe.

Pippah45 replied on 24/06/2016 16:58

Posted on 24/06/2016 16:58

Ok Whitakerr - good explanation I will buy that one and not change the configuration!  Thanks - I do like to know the "why" of things if they don't appear to make sense!  Coca Cola cleared the drain very well last year - time to do again! 

ValDa replied on 24/06/2016 22:26

Posted on 24/06/2016 22:26

First essential on the list is a two way spirit level, to make sure you are level when pitching. Second for me would be a pair of plastic ramps (for same purpose) & If not already mentioned a cheap watering can to fill the toilet header tank. Supermarkets all currently stock melamine plates, cups & decent plastic glasses as well as cutlery well below caravan accessory shop prices.

Or if you want something that's nicer to eat from than melamine, a bit more like the expensive Corelle, then have a look at the Ikea Oftast range at just 50p per item (bowls, tea plates, dinner plates, and apparently mugs).  A complete four pieces for six people would be just £12.00!  Corelle would cost many times that amount.

EmilysDad replied on 24/06/2016 22:44

Posted on 24/06/2016 22:44

 ....

I think the reason the shower and bathroom WHB do not share the same waste pipe is to prevent the waste from the WHB coming out of the shower tray waste. As the shower tray is the lowest outlet it has its own dedicated waste pipe.

My Lunar used to have an outlet for each ie kitchen sink, shower & bathroom basin. I joined the shower and basin together so I only had 2 outlets going into my wastmaster. In 9 years I never had the basin waste coming up the shower's plug hole.

SteveL replied on 24/06/2016 22:53

Posted on 24/06/2016 22:53

 ....

I think the reason the shower and bathroom WHB do not share the same waste pipe is to prevent the waste from the WHB coming out of the shower tray waste. As the shower tray is the lowest outlet it has its own dedicated waste pipe.

My Lunar used to have an outlet for each ie kitchen sink, shower & bathroom basin. I joined the shower and basin together so I only had 2 outlets going into my wastmaster. In 9 years I never had the basin waste coming up the shower's plug hole.

Could it be a case of where they are joined? If close to the outlet, rather than the close to the shower and basin, it would be less likely to result in flow comming up the shower.

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