Essentials, What Should We Put Into Mh?

[Babyell]

Hi we are just personalising our motor home with bits and bobs and were wondering what essentials we should put in, what would you recommend? we have stuff like shower gel, toothpaste, sleeping bags, pans, plates etc. but I am sure there will be something obvious we will forget! thanks in advance.

 

[Ockerron]

We have really pared down our 'essentials' since changing to a motorhome from a caravan. My list would be:

• Wine/beer glasses. Hate plastic or acrylic!
• Spare carrier bags for rubbish etc.
• freezer bags for food leftovers.
• 'Medical' basket with cures for any minor upsets or incidents.
• Spare loo roll.
• Earplugs (Jeeeeeez can that man snore!!)
• Watering can
• Chargers for phones etc
• Everything else should already be in the van and if I forget anything there's always shops!

 

[Beemobile]

Extra blanket in case it goes cold, paracetamol, safety pins, and never forget your toothbrush

 

[Gromett]

I will add Multimorph plastic to my list of essentials.

Might want to add some Immodium as well though. The driving I saw on the way here almost made me Eartha Kitt myself.

 

[wingman]

As the quote goes, If you don't disaster plan, you plan a disaster!

So do some armchair planning. Brainstorm a list(s) and then convert the brainstorm into a category checklist. I have one that I've laminated. I add any new items with a fine permanent marker until I get around to updating a page. Start with a list for the cab - Tissues, sweets, sunglasses, Sat-Nag, engine fluid levels etc and then work backwards through the van, ending with the loo. Finally, have a 'technical' list for things like TP gauge, tools, hose connectors, gas cylinder levels la-di-da. Oh and don't forget to list any Meds/bite creams/headache tabs etc.

My lists above are not exhaustive, but you get the drift.

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[westy77]

I won't be making the same mistake again. It a bit like getting your old fella trapped in your flies. You only do that once....

I have the fuel quandary as we have four vehicles, two petrol and two weasels. Every time after starting filling I have to have a think if I have the right pump.

 

[mjltigger]

As the quote goes, If you don't disaster plan, you plan a disaster!

So do some armchair planning. Brainstorm a list(s) and then convert the brainstorm into a category checklist. I have one that I've laminated. I add any new items with a fine permanent marker until I get around to updating a page. Start with a list for the cab - Tissues, sweets, sunglasses, Sat-Nag, engine fluid levels etc and then work backwards through the van, ending with the loo. Finally, have a 'technical' list for things like TP gauge, tools, hose connectors, gas cylinder levels la-di-da. Oh and don't forget to list any Meds/bite creams/headache tabs etc.

My lists above are not exhaustive, but you get the drift.

I'm never sure whether to be envious of the people who are this organised or relieved that I can get a couple of nights away in the van with 20 minutes prep purely because I don't go to this much trouble.

If I spent the time writing the lists I would lose sleep over where the lists are... I think I prefer the run out the door with some stuff in a bag approach overall.

 

[Langtoftlad]

To a certain extent - MH'ing is making do - but one can have life's little luxuries.
As a Newbie, I'm trying to do with what I know I need, without cluttering up with the "just in case" stuff..

 

[Baldeagle7470]

Added to the WD40 and gaffer tape,an assortment of cable ties can be useful in an emergency and inexpensive.
Plenty of the plastic webbing stuff from the pound shop to put between plates,pots and pans etc.Rattles drive me mad

 

[Fireman Sam]

Stuffed parrot, on a swing in a cage (acts as a handy levelling device).

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[scotzsue]

I'm never sure whether to be envious of the people who are this organised or relieved that I can get a couple of nights away in the van with 20 minutes prep purely because I don't go to this much trouble.

If I spent the time writing the lists I would lose sleep over where the lists are... I think I prefer the run out the door with some stuff in a bag approach overall.

Lucky you, things we have 2 of are fine one in van and one at home, but forgetting John's CPAP machine, would be didastrous and mean a trip back home to collect it. Takes seconds to look down the 'must not forget' list and saves a lot of arguments, like who left the cooked chicken in the boot of my car.

 

[magicsurfbus]

A digital multimeter for when the electrics start acting funny:

Broken Link Removed

 

[wingman]

Lists? I suffer from CDO. (It's like OCD but in the proper alphabetical order )

Nah, I've done all that 'Let's hit the road......see where the bonnet takes us....wind in the hair' nonsense. You get to the back of beyond and then find you've got no fluid in the toilet cassette or only one square of paper stuck to a cardboard loo roll!

Had all that 'make-do' bit in the camping days. If I don't check that hair straightners or a hot brush are on board, I'm in big trouble with herself!

You don't have to spend hours making lists when the sun's out, just when you've got withdrawal symptoms or a quiet rainy evening. You only have to make a list once (or 5 times in my case ).

Remember the old camping adage; It's better to take it and not need it, rather than not take it and wish you had!

 

[scousebird]

Lists? I suffer from CDO. (It's like OCD but in the proper alphabetical order )

Nah, I've done all that 'Let's hit the road......see where the bonnet takes us....wind in the hair' nonsense. You get to the back of beyond and then find you've got no fluid in the toilet cassette or only one square of paper stuck to a cardboard loo roll!

Had all that 'make-do' bit in the camping days. If I don't check that hair straightners or a hot brush are on board, I'm in big trouble with herself!

You don't have to spend hours making lists when the sun's out, just when you've got withdrawal symptoms or a quiet rainy evening. You only have to make a list once (or 5 times in my case ).

Remember the old camping adage; It's better to take it and not need it, rather than not take it and wish you had!

Far too organised for me but in xx years or so we may have to copy your lists, it seems like we might need them

 

[Zoppydog]

Everything we need stays in the van, except fresh food and clothes, so we only need to do our "checklist" once a season or if I do a good clean out after a long trip.

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[Delboyarapaho]

Make a list and keep adding to it. You WILL always forget something though but guess what they have shops everywhere

 

[TheBig1]

we've been doing this motorhome malarky for more years than I care to remember. over those years we have learnt a few lessons

1 have at least 2 of everything you use daily (including chargers etc). one set at home and one in the van
2 try to make sure everything you add to the van has a minimum of 2 uses
3 make a note of what gets used or broken when away in the van and replace as soon as you get home
4 if its not been used or will be used within a month, take it out
5 carry minimum tools and spares to do a quick fix. duct tape, wd40, screwdrivers, adjustable spanner, small socket set and breakdown recovery service card. if it works, even if limited, it will generally last till you get home

this way, all we need to do is empty the house fridge into a cool bag, pop it into the van and we are ready to go. no lists to find and check off or faffing about forgetting stuff

as they say, for everything else there's master card. well you know what I mean, you're not going to Mars so there will be shops

 

[Poohbear]

you're not going to Mars so there will be shops

How do you know where we're going?

 

[rosalan]

I really enjoyed the double entendre from TheBig1:-
1 have at least 2 of everything you use daily. one at home and one in the van = Take the girlfriend leave wife behind
2 try to make sure everything you add to the van has a minimum of 2 uses = Cleaning, cooking,....
3 make a note of what gets used or broken when away in the van = get new girlfriend when home
4 if its not been used or will be used within a month, take it out......??? that's your problem
5 carry minimum tools and spares to do a quick fix. duct tape, wd40, screwdrivers, adjustable spanner, small socket set and breakdown recovery service card. if it works, even if limited, it will generally last till you get home...... thank you for your SM tips although I am allergic to WD40