Tips for newbies

The list to end all lists :)

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ally
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Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.01.2016  ·  #1
Add your tips to this thread for new Motorhomers and we will create a list.

1. First outing - bring a notepad and pen and write down all the things you have forgot.
2. When emptying your Cassette, don't forget to push the yellow button.
3. Before you drive off take a walk around the van making sure all windows are closed and you haven't left the EHU lead in.
4. Know the height of your van.
5. Have a check list on the dash board.
6. Get some tea light candles.
7. Torch
8. Plan ahead where possible, if only for a day or two.
9. Food Map Diesel Beer
10. Tool box
11. Spare Fuses
12. Make sure sky lights are closed before driving off
13. Corkscrew Books/kindle Spare 5l bottles of water
14. Tablets & Medicine if you are on Medication
15. Toilet roll, soap toothpaste & brush, milk 'n tea bags. 2nd toilet roll
16. Spare set of keys
17. Duct tape, cable ties, Bungie / ratchet straps and HD Jump Leads can be handy
18. Knives, forks and spoons
19. Strips of old carpet - (will get you out of mud if you're stuck)
20. 2nd toilet cassette (if you're staying in one place for a while)
21. List of van dimensions (preferably stuck on the back of the driver's sun visor
22. Heavy(ish) tent pegs and stout cord (to tie down awning)
23. Cordless drill
24. Sturdy bottle jack & plywood square to put it on if on soft ground.
25. At least 30 metres of water hose.
26. Collapsible luggage trolly (for hauling full toilet cassette/other heavy stuff)
27. Collapsible camping spade.
28. Washing powder and fabric conditioner.
29. Rubber gloves.
30. Water purification powder/tablets
31. Write down the vital statistics (length, width, height & weight)
32.
33.
34.
35.


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.01.2016  ·  #2
Have a check list on the dash board.
Get some tea light candles.
Torch.

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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.01.2016  ·  #3
Make sure the gas is turned off. Jonkil told me righty tighty lefty loosey on the valve. The connectors are left hand threads.


Helgahobby
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.01.2016  ·  #4
Plan ahead where possible, if only for a day or two.


mad max
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.01.2016  ·  #5
Food
Map
Diesel
Beer


cowboy70
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.01.2016  ·  #6
Carnsoreboxer
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.01.2016  ·  #7
Make sure sky lights are closed before driving off
Corkscrew
Books/kindle
Spare 5l bottles of water


CHAUSSON
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.01.2016  ·  #8
Tablets & Medicine if you are on Medication.


Flipperdipper
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 31.01.2016  ·  #9
Toilet roll, soap toothpaste & brush, milk 'n tea bags. 2nd toilet roll, just in case that takeaway curry turns out to be more explosive than you imagined. :D


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 01.02.2016  ·  #10
Spare set of keys :up:


CHAUSSON
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 01.02.2016  ·  #11
Duct tape, cable ties, Bungie / ratchet straps and HD Jump Leads can be handy


eirebus
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 03.02.2016  ·  #12
Knives ,forks and spoons Ally :D :D


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 03.02.2016  ·  #13
Drink


jacktherev
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 05.02.2016  ·  #14
Father Jack.


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 23.02.2016  ·  #15
Sat Nav is great but a few degrees out can take you a very different place, don't give up the Atlas.
If Sat Nav thinks you are a car you might end up in narrow roads as it will take shortest route.
In France set it to no tolls unless you want to be on expensive motorways.


presstout1
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 08.05.2016  ·  #16
And most important, don't forget to look at the list


JoeO'S
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 13.05.2016  ·  #17
Consider inviting

"The Other Half" or the
"She Who Must be Obeyed"


There could NEVER be a "He" who must be obeyed ........ could there?


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 27.05.2016  ·  #18
Fire Extinguisher, Fire Alarm, Carbon Monoxide Alarm


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.06.2016  ·  #19
19. Strips of old carpet - (will get you out of mud if you're stuck)
20. 2nd toilet cassette (if you're staying in one place for a while)
21. List of van dimensions (preferably stuck on the back of the driver's sun visor
22. Heavy(ish) tent pegs and stout cord (to tie down awning)
23. Cordless drill
24. Sturdy bottle jack & plywood square to put it on if on soft ground.
25. At least 30 metres of water hose.
26. Collapsible luggage trolly (for hauling full toilet cassette/other heavy stuff)
27. Collapsible camping spade.
28. Washing powder and fabric conditioner.
29. Rubber gloves.
30. Water purification powder/tablets


CHAUSSON
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.06.2016  ·  #20
Quote by Eisbaer

19. Strips of old carpet - (will get you out of mud if you're stuck)
20. 2nd toilet cassette (if you're staying in one place for a while)
21. List of van dimensions (preferably stuck on the back of the driver's sun visor
22. Heavy(ish) tent pegs and stout cord (to tie down awning)
23. Cordless drill
24. Sturdy bottle jack & plywood square to put it on if on soft ground.
25. At least 30 metres of water hose.
26. Collapsible luggage trolly (for hauling full toilet cassette/other heavy stuff)
27. Collapsible camping spade.
28. Washing powder and fabric conditioner.
29. Rubber gloves.
30. Water purification powder/tablets


31. A Tandem Axle trailer to bring all items on the list. :hide: :D


shaysue
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 29.06.2016  ·  #21
EHU cable/s and connections
More bungees
Umbrella/s
Collapsible chairs/ table
Ground cover for under awning
Check step is up
Check you have enough gas
Bicycles properly secured and locked


StrandCampingDoonbeg
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 02.07.2016  ·  #22
Based on two tents arrived here today but would apply to motorhome don't forget the bag with all the spare clothes, unless you can last in what you arrived wearing.
And if you are coming to the classes in Willie Clancy don't leave your instrument at home, as one of campers has.


Shivster
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 04.07.2016  ·  #23
Fairy lights and pretty things to adorn the awning area! :D


jonny.i
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 06.07.2016  ·  #24
The wife lol


danduffymallow
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 07.07.2016  ·  #25
Strand Camping - are you getting people from Willie Clancy down to Doonbeg?
God I wish I was in Milltown ...


StrandCampingDoonbeg
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 07.07.2016  ·  #26
Quote by danduffymallow

Strand Camping - are you getting people from Willie Clancy down to Doonbeg?
God I wish I was in Milltown ...


Yes we are, there are some campsites closer but more of the pop up just for the week type and others which are mainly for statics that have an area for tourers so we do get a fair few who come to us. I've been told its quieter this year for whatever reason.
Weather is great here today which is nice for a change.


danduffymallow
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 08.07.2016  ·  #27
Any sessions breaking out in your campsite then? Any chance of a photo / video?


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 09.08.2016  ·  #28
As a newbie with only one 3 day trip under my belt, this is a great list. I probably did everything wrong on this first trip, from leaving skylights open to leaving gas on. I am a quick learner though and I can add these points to my own list.


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 09.08.2016  ·  #29
Quote by bulleteer

As a newbie with only one 3 day trip under my belt, this is a great list. I probably did everything wrong on this first trip, from leaving skylights open to leaving gas on. I am a quick learner though and I can add these points to my own list.


Don't worry about it. We have all been there.
Just remember to enjoy the trips.


franco
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 04.12.2016  ·  #30
Before driving off check that all presses/fridge/doors are closed.


hillton9
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 14.12.2016  ·  #31
My biggest failing not putting the fridge on to road and leaving the aerial up it's a wonder I haven't lost it yet. I now have a list on the dash to remind me o.O


Moat08
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 04.05.2017  ·  #32
A roll of masking tape, very handy for sealing bags and are easy to reopen.


RTV
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 30.08.2017  ·  #33
Nice one, this is a good list to have specially for the newbies.

- Passports, driving license, insurance or any paperwork you might need. (you'll be surprised how many people actually forget these)
- First aid kit, hi viz, emergency lights

For dog owners I'll add:

- leash, dog food, doggy bags, toys.



Cheers
Rami


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 01.10.2017  ·  #34
Compass,paper map ,multitool,hammer,axe,hammock,copy of all ID,passport,visa and documents ,strong rum or spirit,tyre repair tool...


Thorn123
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 01.10.2017  ·  #35
For those of us who travel with kids, only bring 3 items of footwear for each kid,
- a pair of crocs for sunshine
- a pair of wellies for rain
- a pair of runners for good wear only.
The wellies and crocs sleep happily at night outside, under the MH.


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 26.06.2018  ·  #36
Great list. Anyone got anything else to add to this? We are getting our van ready for summer at the minute.


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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 12.07.2018  ·  #37
One of the handiest things I did this year was to get an old seatbelt male end clip and tie it on a short loop of cord, then when I am in a campsite and driving round looking at pitches I plug it in to stop the annoying seatbelt alarm going off. It hangs over the female buckle when I am on the road.

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sprinter
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Tips for newbies

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Posted: 12.07.2018  ·  #38
Quote by Bounder

One of the handiest things I did this year was to get an old seatbelt male end clip and tie it on a short loop of cord, then when I am in a campsite and driving around looking at pitches I plug it in to stop the annoying seatbelt alarm going off. It hangs over the female buckle when I am on the road.


I have the same sort of thing, but its a safety travelling strap for the dog.

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Waste water

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Posted: 09.05.2022  ·  #39
To reduce smells from grey water tanks we always pour the water from a basin through a sieve. It keeps food waste out of the tanks. Especially useful if in hot climates


Benbecul97
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Re: Tips for newbies

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Posted: 23.02.2023  ·  #40
Write down the vital statistics (length, width, height & weight) of your van and put them on the windscreen.
When you get to a low bridge / height barrier / parking bay, it's peace of mind knowing that you're ok / or not!


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