We have just bought a new Coachman VIP 520 and think we may need to buy extras and accessories for it. Is it a good idea to wait for the October show at the NEC or buy now? Who knew there were so many things to buy! We are not sure what we actually need now and what can wait. Excited to go on our first trip and are trying not to get too carried away and buy things we don't really need. As newbies we would be a salesperson's dream customer! Any advice as to 'definitely needs' and 'luxuries' gratefully received.
NEC Show: Extras and accessories for Coachman VIP 520
- Thread starter Angela 67
- Start date
That's a "Peice of string" question really.
I am sure we could come up with a list to cost you nearly as much as your caravan. But essentials are
I am sure we could come up with a list to cost you nearly as much as your caravan. But essentials are
- A good sense of humour and patience
- Aqua roll water carrier (plus a means of filling it)
- Waste water carrier
- Chemicals for your toilet cassette
- Lightweight crockery and cooking implements
- Pads to go under the steadies so they don't sink in grass
- A levelling ramp in case you are on a pitch that slopes side to side
- You will get a hook up cable with your caravan along with a step so don't bother about them
As above. Then spend a few nights in it not far from a shopping centre/caravan dealership so you can buy all the other bits & pieces as you discover you need them!
Corner steady pads are good to stop the legs digging into soft ground (also easily made from wood off cuts), levelling ramps ( and small spirit level), and, and, and……
You will forget things but don’t get hung up on “they’ve got one so we must have one”, some caravan accessories can be a bit of a gimmick for some folks!
Corner steady pads are good to stop the legs digging into soft ground (also easily made from wood off cuts), levelling ramps ( and small spirit level), and, and, and……
You will forget things but don’t get hung up on “they’ve got one so we must have one”, some caravan accessories can be a bit of a gimmick for some folks!
Mel
Moderator
Love the excitement of a new van. You will probably get much of the bits and bobs you need from places that are not Caravan Accessory shops for much less. Don’t wait for the Nec, shop around on line and at places like IKEA, Wilko , Halfords and even Aldi. All part of the fun.
Mel
Mel
Following from Mel’s post IKEA sell lightweight “Corelli” plates, dishes etc. Very light, better than melamine and almost unbreakabke.
We always lifted our carpets and stored them at home, then when touring we put down lightweight cotton Turtle type mats. Easy to brush clean and machine washable.
Don’t forget to weigh everything you buy that will go into the caravan, and if there’s stuff you remove weigh it and add to payload spreadsheet/list.
CMHC have a comprehensive list of possible stuff on their website so you can see the sort of things people take. Must say since selling our caravan it’s like living in a five bedroom house with a garage that could possibly house a car😂
There is an “ essential “ equipment list in Tinbox Travelkers blog. But this couple really do travel so your needs may be less in the beginning.
tinboxtraveller.co.uk
We always lifted our carpets and stored them at home, then when touring we put down lightweight cotton Turtle type mats. Easy to brush clean and machine washable.
Don’t forget to weigh everything you buy that will go into the caravan, and if there’s stuff you remove weigh it and add to payload spreadsheet/list.
CMHC have a comprehensive list of possible stuff on their website so you can see the sort of things people take. Must say since selling our caravan it’s like living in a five bedroom house with a garage that could possibly house a car😂
There is an “ essential “ equipment list in Tinbox Travelkers blog. But this couple really do travel so your needs may be less in the beginning.
Welcome to Tin Box Traveller
I'm Claire and I'm an award-winning travel blogger, mum to two and military wife. I set up Tin Box Traveller in 2012 to share our adventures
tinboxtraveller.co.uk
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You obviously are aware of the trap of having to have everything. We were guilty of that. I now believe that if you can live light. You can enjoy the experience for what it is.
John
I'm glad Otherclive mentioned weighing everything, most UK caravans have a pretty tight payload limit, and you will be amazed how all the little things add up and eat away at the load capacity. Don't forget the od box of tissues, the what's on leaflets, maps, sand shoes...... Just be aware that everything seems to nibble at the limits.
Mr Plodd has listed basic essentials so I would start with these and see what you feel you need as extras. It depends how quickly you need the bits but you can search on line if you have time to save money, although many dealers will do a starter pack at a discount..
Cooking utensils, cutlery and a kettle can be bought cheaply elsewhere though and we have some from IKEA, cheap lightweight cutlery , lightweight pans from Sainsburys and an ASDA basics kettle.
Cooking utensils, cutlery and a kettle can be bought cheaply elsewhere though and we have some from IKEA, cheap lightweight cutlery , lightweight pans from Sainsburys and an ASDA basics kettle.
Why buy new equipment when a lot of the stuff can be bought second hand and in very good condition., We bought our aquarolls second hand and paid about £20 for 2 of them. That was about 12 years ago. We also bought our awning second hand and it lasted us for several years. probably saved over £100 between the two.
With the money saved helps pay for another outing in the new caravan.
With the money saved helps pay for another outing in the new caravan.
Unless your new baby is all electric you will find it useful to have two 6kg Propane gas cylinders. Enjoy your trip, take your time, prepare a pre journey checklist, eg personal items, and more importantly pre departure checks. A bit like airline pilots do.
Imo the most important factor for everyone is to correctly load the caravan and car. Ensure the nose load is correct for your outfit
Imo the most important factor for everyone is to correctly load the caravan and car. Ensure the nose load is correct for your outfit
Your Trouble making, DustyDog mentioning Nose loads.
Angela, as others have mentioned, places like Aldi, Wilko etc will supply your caravan essentials at a lower cost than at the Shows or the caravan centers.
In an effort to save weight in our first caravan we bought plastic "glasses" to drink from and Melamine mugs. Eventually we went back to conventional household stuff and ditched the lightweight items. Also the travel iron and the 900 watt kettle.
Have a couple of trips out and then see what you really need.
Enjoy your time away.
Evening,
We got our first caravan in February. So far, 4 trips. Every time we think of something else...
Along with everything already listed,
Hook to pull the awning through the channel (with a bit of washing up liquid), & steps if you are not tall enough (like me!)
Gardening knee pad from Lidl (gravel is a killer on the knees when lowering the steadies)
An extension lead for outside.
Rather than a bbq, we've been using an electric teppanyaki grill for everything (saves on gas). If you are frying eggs, we've just got some silicon rings that stop the eggs running about if on a slope.
And wine!
Steve
We got our first caravan in February. So far, 4 trips. Every time we think of something else...
Along with everything already listed,
Hook to pull the awning through the channel (with a bit of washing up liquid), & steps if you are not tall enough (like me!)
Gardening knee pad from Lidl (gravel is a killer on the knees when lowering the steadies)
An extension lead for outside.
Rather than a bbq, we've been using an electric teppanyaki grill for everything (saves on gas). If you are frying eggs, we've just got some silicon rings that stop the eggs running about if on a slope.
And wine!
Steve
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