Serious question for the seasoned motorhomers 👀

[Admin]

I’m putting together a VIP welcome pack to go with new motorhomes, specifically aimed at first-time owners, and I’d really love to lean on the collective wisdom of people who’ve been there, learned the hard way, and bought the gadgets

So imagine this scenario:

A friend of yours has just bought their first-ever motorhome. They’re excited… but also blissfully unaware of all the little things you only realise you need after your first few trips.

If they were offered a welcome pack as part of the deal, what would you absolutely suggest including?

I’m thinking things like:

• Arctic blue hookup cable
• Levelling ramps/wheel chocks
• Toilet chemicals
• A little spirit level for the dash
• Water filler aids/hose fittings
• Plug adaptors, extension leads, etc.

But I’m especially interested in the stuff people don’t immediately think of — those £5–£20 items that turn out to be absolute lifesavers.

So:

• What are your favourite motorhome gadgets you wouldn’t be without?
• What would you tell any new motorhomer to buy before their first trip?
• Is there anything you only discovered after a few “learning experiences” that you now consider essential?

No idea is too small or too obvious — if it’s useful, it’s useful.

I’m trying to build a genuinely helpful VIP pack rather than a box of random tat, so your real-world experience is gold here

Fire away

 

[jeffmossy]

The first time I ever had to change the gas bottle, I realised that I did not have a spanner to undo the fitting

 

[rugbyken]

if thinking foreign travel the adaptors for your gaslo system , also the plug leads for ehu 3 pin 2 pin etc

 

[wildebus]

The first time I ever had to change the gas bottle, I realised that I did not have a spanner to undo the fitting

A very good one. And also with a tag to remind the user that the thread is the opposite to what they are typically used to.

• Arctic blue hookup cable
• Levelling ramps/wheel chocks
• Toilet chemicals
• A little spirit level for the dash
• Water filler aids/hose fittings
• Plug adaptors, extension leads, etc.

Hookup cable is a good one - even if their van is from a dealer and came with one, a 'welcome pack' one will make a handy extension. Along with this I would add in a plug-in mains tester for polarity checking and also a 16A to 13A Plug to use EHU at home.
Levelling Ramps - I've carried mine for 10 years. Used them twice. But as the saying goes "Better to have and not need than to need and not have"
Toilet Chemicals are a right curates egg. Maybe just a starter pack so they have something initially to use on the first trip? Probably do a little deal with a brand?
Spirit Level is a handy idea
Water .... maybe a collapsible water container? one of the hose-lock to tap screw adapters is always handy. I always use the water filler screw adapter with the hoselock adapter and wouldn't be without it but not all vans suit that.

A basic tyre pressure gauge is inexpensive and useful to have available.

 

[Pauljenny]

Advice on pay loads. And max towing limits.

Advice on wild camping
Home and abroad.

All the benefits of joining either website.

Pros and cons of solar, refillable LGP.

Insurance.

What to do if the dealer proves to be less than an angel.

A warning about some of the fishy characters on WC.
No names, no pack drill..

 

[rugbyken]

i must confess when i think of my knowledge base 18 years ago to what i know now i think of the old joke , travelling a road in ireland and asking the way to somewhere and get the answer i wouldn’t starts from here is perfect , there are as many designs of motorhomes as there are models otherwise why would they make them all , the first question should be how are you going to use your vour van are you touring europe for 3 months living full time in uk weekend junkets festivals etc each has a different requirement , are you using an old classic or purpose built lorry van now ask the question again because that’s how many answers there are

 

[HurricaneSmith]

I travel light and it's hard to remember back to my first trip out, but I would suggest:

1) A doormat to help keep the muck out.
2) A small odds and sods box (fuses, etc)
3) A pair of jump leads.
4) A roll bag for essential tools and screwdrivers.
5) A watering can for fresh, that lives in the loo.
6) A pair of gloves for messy chores (the sort used at garages to prevent diesel splash.)
7) A bag of cheap absorbent disposable hand cloths.
8) A small tube of Fenwicks Windowize to remove hedge scratches from windows.
9) A decent small torch.

I personally still keep all the above in the van.

 

[andromeda]

For complete newbies to the life a small comprehensive instruction list eg: courtesy rules: Disposing waste, no footprint etc
Using hook up; which end lead goes in first. Don't leave in a reel when in use etc.
Gas safety tips.
Any safety tips veterans didn't know when they started out.
How on a fiamma the tie down goes inside not over the top.
Once written can be resused as a tool as other issues arise.

Physical gear perhaps to include stuff already mentioned but def a multi spanner big enough for gas bottles etc.

 

[runnach]

Multi meter and box of spare fuses.

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

Bulb set ,first aid kit, warning triangle ️

 

[Fifer]

A journal to record where you've been. I include site details eg worth re visit to area, cost etc.
Towels, dishwasher cloths, pot scrub. Pots, small gas kettle, electric for sites & use their electric. Oil filled radiator or fan heater for same reason.
Sharp knife, tin opener, wooden spoon & cutlery. Washing up liquid.
Toiletries, including toilet paper.
Salt & pepper. Kitchen roll.
I use a check list, with the hope I've not forgotten anything!

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Some useful apps, sat nav, spirit level, translation, conversion, etc.

Clothes line or rack, a safe was in a few vans we bought, but don't see the point really as easy to open.

Microfiber cloths for the cab windows condensation.

Easy cleanable mats for inside and out for the have door, about scraper and a bag to put muddy boots in.

Stacking pan set, interleaves for pans and plates.

Annie I think found some great little things for cutlery, Liz hate them, but they work to kill the rattles.

Rolls of the silicone matting for work tops, stuff stays where you left them.

I did think a car wash brush might be a handy, but not essential thing to have, to make use of when it's raining.

 

[marchie]

Picking up on Kev Pudsey's post, perhaps a Warning Note not to empty the accessory shop in an organisation of buying that will fill the shed or garage at home after a couple of trips

Make a note at the end of each trip - won't take long if you take the M/Home out to play locally for the first 3-4 weekends - of what would have been a good idea to bring on the next trip, and whether the item needs to be a smaller version of the domestic product to fit into that perfect wee space in the corner

One of the best purchases we made was the microfibre shower towel that the Germans use. Not as fluffy as the UK Bath Towel, but dry quicker and easier (self and the towel itself), and much lighter; also fold flat for storage. We bought 3 - 2 as bath towels and cut the 3rd down to use as tea towels

Toilet Rolls in the bathroom cabinet take space, but are perfect for holding toothbrushes, razors, toothpaste etc safely whilst stopping rattles when on the move

Steve

 

[Val54]

Most of the above and a printed sticker/note on the dashboard with vehicle dimensions. Oh and memorise where the towing hook is stored ready for that first tow off the soggy field!!

 

[Trotter]

Toilet chemicals?
Haven’t used them for years. Bio washing tablets, ideally those from Super U, other brands are available. Cheap as chips, work well. Plus none of that ‘orrid chemical whiff.

 

[Trotter]

Great idea, re Welcome Pack.

It’s a pity that newbie’s cannot be given a,
Pre Welcome Pack.
Things like, will your van have sufficient payload for what you have in mind to carry. I read somewhere that a newly purchased brand new van had a payload of only 250 kgs. Four passengers and a tank of water? Leave the bikes at home.
Or maybe, insist on a sensible sized battery. Lithium as a minimum. Again, I’ve read of vans being sold with 60amp lead acid. Don’t leave the toilet light on.

Vans being sold at a price, not fit for purpose. Grrrr

 

[TJBi]

Toilet chemicals?
SOG unit.

 

[RegnVal]

I travel light and it's hard to remember back to my first trip out, but I would suggest:

1) A doormat to help keep the muck out.
2) A small odds and sods box (fuses, etc)
3) A pair of jump leads.
4) A roll bag for essential tools and screwdrivers.
5) A watering can for fresh, that lives in the loo.
6) A pair of gloves for messy chores (the sort used at garages to prevent diesel splash.)
7) A bag of cheap absorbent disposable hand cloths.
8) A small tube of Fenwicks Windowize to remove hedge scratches from windows.
9) A decent small torch.

I personally still keep all the above in the van.

Us too. We have all those essentials. One thing I wouldn't be without now is a Karcher glass vacuum. When I think of all the time I've spent drying cloths etc. I couldn't do without one now!

 

[Rec]

A "useful box" with a short washing line,spare fuses, an electrical screwdriver, a few pegs, a couple of cuphooks, suction cups, a bungy, rolls of insulation and gaffa tape.
First aid kit.

 

[HurricaneSmith]

Us too. We have all those essentials. One thing I wouldn't be without now is a Karcher glass vacuum. When I think of all the time I've spent drying cloths etc. I couldn't do without one now!

Thanks Reg, that's the second time I've seen that recommendation. I read previously that they were great for window condensation, but had never considered drying cloths.

Are you referring to the WV1, WV2, or a more expensive model please?

Sorry to but in on your thread Mr Admin.